How to Choose Telemark Ski Gear
Maybe you picture yourself in higher terrain, making first tracks in powder-filled bowls or chutes, enjoying the exhilaration of the downhill ride. This is where freeheel gear changes from backcountry touring to telemark.
Sure, you can carve the occasional telemark turn on backcountry touring skis. They're actually good for combining flatland striding with occasional downhill runs. But true telemark skis, which bear more resemblance to alpine skis than classic striding skis, are designed almost exclusively for downhill travel. If you want to spend more of your time carving turns than touring, then "tele" skis are the choice for you.
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- Softer, more flexible skis help you navigate the deep, soft snow found out of bounds and in the backcountry, while stiffer skis offer more carving control in groomed areas.
- Telemark bindings range from lighter weight three-pin bindings for occasional tele turns to beefy, cable-and-plate bindings for extended downhill runs and touring.
- Plastic tele boots provide support, control and excellent warmth and are popular for lift-assisted telemark skiing. Leather telemark boots also provide good support and flexibility often used for backcountry telemark skiing.
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Length
The right length depends on several factors: Your weight, skiing ability and the model of ski you're considering. If you want to spend the majority of your time on the steeps, a slightly longer ski will provide more of an edge and thus more control. If you like to ski fast and hard, a longer ski will be more stable. A shorter ski will be easier to maneuver in variable terrain and will be easier to turn at slower speeds. If you choose a ski with a large sidecut you'll want to go with a slightly shorter length, as well. Look for manufacturers' suggested sizing or ask a sales associate for more information.
Width
The width of telemark skis should match the width of your boots, plus be appropriate for the kind of snow that you usually ski. Most are quite wide for handling backcountry snow and supporting the added weight of a pack, but there is variation among models to consider.
- Wider skis make telemark turning easy in soft snow. They also allow your bindings to clear the snow when you put the skis on edge on hard-packed, groomed slopes. Be sure to wear stiff (usually plastic) boots that have enough power to keep wide skis on edge.
- Softer, leather boots are not as effective at controlling wide skis, so if you plan to ski in leather boots, opt for a narrower ski that is easier to power into a turn. (Most leather boots start out stiff, but soften up and lose their rigidity for steering.)
- It's easier for your rear ski to hold an edge on hard snow if your skis are a bit narrower.
Sidecut
Sidecut is the difference, measured in centimeters, between the ski's tip, waist and tail. Since they're used for carving turns more than striding, tele skis have significant sidecuts. Their waists are anywhere from 12 to 20mm narrower than their tips and tails. The broad tips allow the skis to plow through powder or mixed backcountry snow without catching, while the pronounced curves allow them to carve turns more easily than straighter skis.
Choosing between the different sidecuts is a matter of what you want the ski to excel at. If you want to spend more time on packed snow or groomed runs, a deeper sidecut will keep your edges against the snow and allow better carving.
Camber
Telemark skis all have alpine camber, or relatively little arch from tip to tail. Alpine camber distributes your weight evenly over the entire base of the ski, allowing for a smooth, continuous ski edge when turning. These skis don't have a raised wax pocket or kick zone like touring skis, so they are a bit slower for striding.
Flex
Telemark skis are typically lighter than alpine skis and have a softer flex, meaning they require less pressure to flex them into an arc. This flex or stiffness can be "measured" in the store either by holding the ski vertically and pushing on it, or by pressing down on it. Flex is how much the ski moves and then rebounds or snaps back in place.
- Softer, more flexible skis help you navigate the deep, soft snow found out of bounds and in the backcountry.
- For groomed ski areas and/or packed snow, you should opt for stiffer-flexed skis for better carving control. You also need stiffer skis if you get into telemark racing.
- Choose a medium-flexed ski if you want to ski on a variety of snow conditions and varied terrain.
Metal Edges
A standard feature of telemark skis, metal edges bite into hard, icy or steep snow and provide control. They make descents much easier.
Telemark bindings come in a variety of shapes and styles. Heavier and larger than other cross-country bindings, they keep boots and skis connected while withstanding the severe twisting stresses put on them by constant edging and turning.
Traditional
3-pin bindingsare still used by many telemark skiers, especially those who favor the backcountry over lift-served slopes. The boots are secured to the bindings at the toes by means of sole extensions. Three holes in the extensions match 3 vertical pins in the bindings, and binding clamps hold the boots in place. Three-pin bindings are fine as long as you don't plan to go for a long tour or do too much extended downhill skiing. The forces generated by the telemark technique can break the pin/boot extension connection if overused.
For longer trips or more continuous downhill,
3-pin bindings with heel cablesare a better choice. These bindings have the added side support of heel cables. They not only make turning a little easier, they also provide a backup connection point should the holes in the toe pieces tear out. You can even remove the cables temporarily to reduce weight and heel friction when climbing uphill.
Cable and plate bindingsare probably the most popular among the telemark crowd. Because of their beefy construction, they are the best choice for use with plastic telemark boots. They feature easy, toe-in entry and quick-clip heel cables or bales and can be upgraded with release plates that reduce the risk of injuries in case of a serious fall. They can also be repaired in the field with spare cables and bales.
You can also use NNN-BC and some Salomon BC system bindings for occasional "tele" skiing as long as it isn't too extreme. Also, you need matching system boots in order to use these bindings.
Telemark technique relies heavily on good edge control, so telemark ski boots need to provide good lateral (side-to-side) support. Tele boots are heavier, stiffer and taller than other cross-country ski boots so they can protect your feet and ankles from the twisting of telemark turns. Yet they are also flexible enough to provide full forward motion, so that getting in and out of your deep-knee-bend turns isn't painful (at least not because of your boots!). Some people still swear by leather boots because of their flexibility and comfort for touring as well as downhill runs. Plastic boots offer more control for the popular wider skis. They provide rigid support and keep your feet warmer and drier than most leather boots. Most of them also have built-in flex grooves on the uppers for comfort and better ski control.
When selecting boots, whether leather or plastic, focus on comfort. Make sure you have adequate toe room and little or no heel lift. Remember that backcountry skiing involves uphill travel, which can be hard on your heels, especially if your boots don't fit properly.
Don't let boot sizes fool you! Many of the plastic telemark boots are offered in
mondo pointsizing:
Mondo Ski Boot Sizes to US Sizes
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Mondo
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21.5
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22
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22.5
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23
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23.5
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24
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24.5
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25
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25.5
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26
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| Women's US |
5 |
5.5 |
6 |
6.5 |
7 |
7.5 |
8 |
8.5 |
9 |
9.5 |
| Men's US |
NA |
NA |
NA |
5 |
5.5 |
6 |
6.5 |
7 |
7.5 |
8 |
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Mondo
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26.5
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27
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27.5
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28
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28.5
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29
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29.5
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30
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30.5
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| Women's US |
10 |
10.5 |
11 |
11.5 |
12 |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
| Men's US |
8.5 |
9 |
9.5 |
10 |
10.5 |
11 |
11.5 |
12 |
13 |
Double- or triple-section, adjustable polescan make climbing, traversing and general backcountry touring more comfortable. They can be extended for downhill sections and shortened for ascents. Some can also be linked together to form long avalanche probes. If you choose telescoping poles, make sure they adjust from waist height for downhill skiing (see the above measuring description) to just above your armpit for effective striding.
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