Tele-what!?!

I think the guy in the middle is our own Moscawulff - and he's on tele skis, and I'm not sure, but I think I would define his pose as...gaping?

Don, you definitely know how to call a spade when you see one.

In light of this observation I now realize that tele skiers, myself included, do indeed spend a great deal of time gaping down mountains all day with our lunging descents. I can't help think however that with so much time spent with our legs spread apart ready for action, that we truly are the greatest powderwhores out there.  

**On a serious note, my antagonism with this topic surely isn't meant to evoke any hostility...just trying to stir the pot a bit and have fun with the "new kid"...I think I'm a bit jealous he's premiered on the homepage photo.**

I hope everyone is excited to get out there and have a miraculous season on the planks of their choice, cheers! Hopefully for all our sake Joe Bell isn't out their too much with his shirt off contributing to global warming.

I dabbled in pacifism once, not in Nam of course. I hope most of you pick up on that.

I used to get super offended anytime I heard someone talk down about tele skiing. But then I decided, I rip so there is no need get all worked up. Now I just let my skiing do the talking. Lets remember guys, rando, tele, snowboard it doesn't matter, they are all just modes of travel. I respect all forms, except snow shoeing!

Snowbell 

Scotty....I purchased the boots....got my new wife to give me her old bindings and guess what....my knees are already aching!  :   I do have great respect for anyone who can do the turn with grace....it looks so cool.  So I'll be trying it a bit this year, just to see if I can at this advanced age....Joe I look forward to spending a day with you and Scotty no matter what we gear we are attempting to drive.....Let it snow!...Jerry

I tired Telemarking for the first time last year on a sunny day at Alpental at the end of the season. I rented gear from Backpackers Supply and they where Verdicts with the new NTN bindings. The set up was so stiff that I spent the day alpine skiing on them and every time I tried to telemark, my brain would take over and immediately put my legs into alpine mode. When I forced myself to tele-turn, I ended on my ass and it wasn't pretty. This year I'm going to try harder! Since you and I are both over 50 it will be iteresting to see how we progress. With your vid skills, we should make a documentary of our progress. I'm already thinking of titles. " Idiots on skis", " Knee-jerks", " Alpine-Gapers go Tele"

I rented gear from Backpackers Supply and they where Verdicts with the new NTN bindings.

that's a lot of ski and a lot of binding. Baby steps Scotty, baby steps.

that's a lot of ski and a lot of binding. Baby steps Scotty, baby steps.

But doesn't having a stiff set up make it easier to learn or is it the otherway round! Educate me as to what you think would be a good set of "training wheels" to learn on.

But doesn't having a stiff set up make it easier to learn or is it the otherway round! Educate me as to what you think would be  a good set of "training wheels" to learn on.

I'd tend to argue that a soft boot and passive binding are advantageous for learning if you are coming from an alpine background because that setup forces you into a tele turn. As you noticed, a stiff setup is relatively comfortable to alpine turn. Not so with floppy boots and pins. A soft setup will give you much more instant feedback.