Explain the Difference between Telemark and Alpine skis...

[cwdz]

Shouldn't a telemark ski, where technique is roughly about applying equal weight on each ski to carve a turn be half as stiff as an alpine ski, where one ski gets much more weight in the turn?

Or, instead of flex, are the dominant factors profile, cut, and radius so therefore flex can be the same for each type of skiing?

[Montana St Alum]

The variety of telemark skiers/gear is much more diverse than that of alpine skiers/gear.

So the answer is of the "it depends" variety.
I'm not sure the answer is ever that telemark skis should be half as stiff as alpine gear. When I alpine skied, I generally had a weight distribution that was pretty close to 50/50. Even carving on flats, modern alpine technique leaves two thin tracks as opposed to just one from the outside ski.

I can only speak for myself, but I like busty brunettes.
I'm evolving into a dynamic where I prefer a stiffer ski than I used to, and I prefer some rocker front and back.
But part of the rocker thing is I like to ski switch if there are no good bump or powder runs and I'm on groomers. Otherwise it gets boring.
I'm happy with a Tx Pro on Meidjo's set at a fairly low level of activity throughout my quiver.
I'm pretty much set in stone on the brunette thing.

I see you had this in another thread:
"I found this article on ski selection to be very helpful, and about what I am thinking of as a frontside, east coast skier https://absolutetelemark.com/blog/"

I'm not inclined to contradict Rene Martin, but my selections work better for me.

[bauerb]

I have never skied "switch" on purpose.

back in the day, "Tele" skis were cambered for kick wax. I have learned this year that there really isn't a big difference between Tele skis and Alpine skis. the trick is doing enough research to pick the skis that suit your skiing style and the terrain you will be skiing.

I have tele skied on everything from XC racing skis, downhill skis mounted with jumping bindings, back country skis that were crazy long(215's !), tele skis that were very short( 167)...and probably some things I am forgetting.

this week I bought my first New pair of skis in 35 years of tele skiing. I suspect I will run out of talent before I run out of ski performance ....

[Montana St Alum]

I have never skied "switch" on purpose.

this week I bought my first New pair of skis in 35 years of tele skiing.

You've probably never been dragged into a terrain park by your 19 year old son - on tely gear!

There will be a bit of a learning curve, but I think you'll like those skis for Montana.

[bauerb]

last time I was in a terrain park my son was 5yo...he didn't have the body mass to carry enough speed to make it over the knuckles. I used pull him over the features like a poma lift. I broke my back in 3 places hucking off a cliff when I was 17...I haven't been airborne since....I get hurt enough trail running...if I tried switch, I'd probably pull a muscle I didn't know I had.

ironically my first "tele" skis were full cambered BC skis, but my second pair was a set of 205 alpine skis mounted with cable bindings( left over from my jumping skis). we used old alpine skis for tele because we had no money. its ironic that things are now full circle