Hi all, new here questions about starting up tele

Hi all I'm new here and had some questions.

First off  I was wondering if  telemark bindings will work on regular alpine skis is there a difference between them?

OK, I'm gonna tell you a little about my self I'm Dan. I'm 23 years old been alpine skiing since 7th or 8th grade so about 9 or 10 yrs. Owned my alpine skis for roughly 4 years or so. I'm in Iowa, my local ski hill is about 260 vertical ft with two other ski hills about an hour away that I go to to at 475 vertical ft. So it would be all groomers would his be good enought to learn? I've only seen one freeheeler once on my local hill. I see my self as a Fairly pretty good skier at least for midwest standards. I can ski Mogul's here but by no means am I good at it.  Been to CO ONCE before. (Winter Park) Can I ski Mogul's there? No way. I can pretty much do all the groomers there. Been backcountry once (at least I think) Through the gate at Winter Park, pass the Eagle Wind lift.  It was either on Medicine Man or Black Coal and that seem to be right at my level limit. (remember I'm a midwest skier)   There are no telemark rentals or telemark ski shops anywhere around here. (Anyone know of place around Iowa or Chicago area?) So I would have to self learn. Basically I'm asking if with my level and skiing on groomers in the midwest would it be reasonable to learn and  telemark  here in the midwest? Wouldn't be any back country. Also I've tried snowboarding probably only about 3 times and thought it was the most stupid  & hardest thing ever. Reasons why I thought it was stupid  1. The lifts aren't designed for snowboarding you have unclip & unclip. 2. No poles. For flat area you have to hop around like an idiot. 3. If you catch a edge insant face plant. In you guy's opinion is telmark easier then snowboarding? I can tell you it sure makes hell of a lot  more sense then having you feet clamped to a single piece of wood.

Welcome dsmdan95.

I'm an AT type so can't give experienced answers to your questions, but we have lots of Tele Kings and Queens here that know their craft well who I suspect might be willing to give you some good pointers.

Suffice to say that I suspect they will tell you that tele bindings will work just fine on downhill skis and your home terrain should be fine for learning the tele dance steps with the mountain.

I spent a day on a snowboard back a couple of lifetimes ago as well, so when you say:

... If you catch a edge insant face plant.

I say, amen, brother

Hi Dsmdan95,
Wow, Iowa has a 475 foot mountain! I spent a winter in Fairfield once, and the tallest mountain was composed of hog manure, I think. I didn't attempt to ski it, as it was both frozen bullet proof and steaming at the same time. Not sure what kind of boots to wear, or how to self arrest in those conditions.

There are two recent threads in this Random Tracks section regarding Tele ski teaching and technique. They both cover a lot of ground (snow).

www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=11262.0

www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=11188.0

You can learn alot by watching you tube videos. WWW.Telemarktips.com has a lot of teaching and instructional videos.

You mentioned bindings - you'll have to have tele boots, also. Practice on your home hill, and when you get back out to CO, I bet you could arrange a one day lesson that would propel you forward quickly.

Gaging by the time mark on your post, 3:08 AM, I think you've already been bitten hard by the tele bug.
Good luck!

Welcome Dan,

I too was an Alpine cross over.  Once you free the heel you'll never go back.  Maybe AT, but never the imprisonment of Alpine.  I learned how to tele on a small ski "hill" that ran a T-bar at night.  Great terrain for learning the tele turn.  Get yourself a copy of Allen & Mikes Really Cool Telemark Tips.  Read it, take it skiing with you!  Any of the sponsor shops on this site can sell you a copy.  Some of them may be able to dig up a pair of sale boots in your size.  Have fun.

Drop knee's, not bombs.

id

In you guy's opinion is telmark easier then snowboarding?

My experience with learning to snowboard (in my forties) is that the 1st few of days of snowboarding are pretty hard -- it took me a while just to unload from the lift without falling on my ass. But once I got over that inital hump the progression from beginner slopes to riding breakable crust with confidence was pretty rapid.

So comparied to telemark most people can get to the intermediate level in telemark fairly readility -- but progressing to the advanced level requires more effort and importantly there usually is a need to "unlearn" some common bad habits to progress to the advanced level.

In recent years in the PNW there has been some migration from the ranks of snowboarders to tele and/or alpine touring -- if heading into the backcountry is your goal -- know that snowboards and splitboards are fantastic for riding down backcountry snow -- but that climbing up on snowshoes and splitboards is less efficient than on skis.

Hi Dan,

Welcome to the free heel club . yes you can use alpine skis for tele. however, i would offer the following thoughts:
1) in alpine, your weight distribution is roughly 70-90% downhill ski. tele you are much more even where its closer to 50-60%
2) considering the above, to have the same responsiveness while skiing tele compared to alpine, you will need a softer ski. that being said its up to you to decide what you want. personally i would opt for a softer ski where there is some forgiveness.
3) boots are really important of course. i would go with a scarpa t2 (or comparable crispi or garmont) because it will offer good support but wont be too much boot. if you get a big four buckle, it may offer to much Resistance while learning how to move and weight your skis.
4) your bindings can often be adjusted for how much Resistance they give (a more aggressive skier will typically want a stiffer Resistance because it gives the skier more control over the ski). for the same reason as number 3, i would opt for a medium Resistance.

for learning the tele turn, groomers are great because they minimize some variables. i would concur that youtube is a great resource for watching tele. people have already said this, but once you pull your first good tele turn, and you'll know when you do, you wont ever go back .