Telemark Technique
- Stephen
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6’3” / 191cm — 172# / 78kg, size 47 / 30 mondo
Re: Telemark Technique
@Harry M, I’m glad you posted this!
I saw this video about a year ago, and during all this discussion on technique, had wanted to point to it, but couldn’t remember where I had seen it, so this is great!
As for me, I’m basically two years into Telemark, so still on the steep part of the curve.
When I tried to integrate this technique into my skiing, IT MADE MY BRAIN HURT!
I gave up, but there has been so much great discussion lately, that I feel like I have a wealth of things to try out this year.
Just waitin’ on the snow…
I saw this video about a year ago, and during all this discussion on technique, had wanted to point to it, but couldn’t remember where I had seen it, so this is great!
As for me, I’m basically two years into Telemark, so still on the steep part of the curve.
When I tried to integrate this technique into my skiing, IT MADE MY BRAIN HURT!
I gave up, but there has been so much great discussion lately, that I feel like I have a wealth of things to try out this year.
Just waitin’ on the snow…
- Harry M
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Re: Telemark Technique
Everyone is different, and has a different learning style.
In Dostie's video, I think he does a poor job of explaining what is happening. "Weighting the rear foot" makes absolutely no sense to me, never did. Am I the only one who thinks this talk makes no sense? I never think about how much weight is on either foot, I just do what feels natural.
As I said, for me the early lead change occurs when you roll from your inside edges and start carving into the next turn on your "outside" edges. Does that make any more sense than "weighting your rear foot early," or am I talking shit too? Or maybe Dostie and I are both correct?
I hope you can try the steps I listed above. One at a time. Really I think by the time you master the "no lead change drill" the rest should follow intuitively.
- Sidney Dunkin
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- Joined: Sun Nov 19, 2023 11:50 am
Re: Telemark Technique
First off, as someone going through life changing medical issues myself I wish you guys the best possible outcomes.
What I found was that when I learned to carve across the fall line using the early lead change is when my skiing went to the next level. As far as weighting the rear foot goes, it only matters if you aren’t yet perfectly centered. Finding your center is a prerequisite for doing just about anything else well. IMO if you’re having trouble moving forward with new skills, spend more time learning how to stay centered over your skis. Otherwise you’re putting the cart before the horse. Good luck and keep practicing.
What I found was that when I learned to carve across the fall line using the early lead change is when my skiing went to the next level. As far as weighting the rear foot goes, it only matters if you aren’t yet perfectly centered. Finding your center is a prerequisite for doing just about anything else well. IMO if you’re having trouble moving forward with new skills, spend more time learning how to stay centered over your skis. Otherwise you’re putting the cart before the horse. Good luck and keep practicing.
- Montana St Alum
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Re: Telemark Technique
I'm willing to try anything - except running!Krummholz wrote: ↑Tue Dec 12, 2023 10:00 pm@Montana St Alum
Wasn’t it lift your toes to keep you from sitting. Or was it to keep your shin against your boots? I hated bumps to many things to remember at the same time. Worse than big toe, little toe and holdng a beach ball or an orange.
L
O
L
Give me a 2 mile run, and a pair of 200+ GS skis on a Wednesday.
- Montana St Alum
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Re: Telemark Technique
Thanks. It definitely calls for going back to the basics! I did that yesterday - don't get fancy, stay centered, keep the speed down and just concentrate on each turn.Sidney Dunkin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2023 6:53 amFirst off, as someone going through life changing medical issues myself I wish you guys the best possible outcomes.
What I found was that when I learned to carve across the fall line using the early lead change is when my skiing went to the next level. As far as weighting the rear foot goes, it only matters if you aren’t yet perfectly centered. Finding your center is a prerequisite for doing just about anything else well. IMO if you’re having trouble moving forward with new skills, spend more time learning how to stay centered over your skis. Otherwise you’re putting the cart before the horse. Good luck and keep practicing.
- lilcliffy
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Husband, father, farmer and logger
Re: Telemark Technique
Two great big thumbs up.
I cannot express how much this resonates- especially "what feels natural".
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.
- Harry M
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Re: Telemark Technique
I am trying to follow the tele-B thread, and I'd like to hear your opinion on how the "early lead change" compares and contrasts to tele-B style.
I don't quite fully understand tele-B but it sounds like a lot of discussions on how to overcome the problems of tele lead changes that are solved by the early lead change style. Am I correct or wrong?
- Montana St Alum
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Re: Telemark Technique
I've been following it. I don't think it applies to my application, but it's really interesting to follow and I really like the enthusiasm it is generating. There are concepts that were initially foreign to my experience, but I think I'm beginning to understand them.Harry M wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2023 7:40 amI am trying to follow the tele-B thread, and I'd like to hear your opinion on how the "early lead change" compares and contrasts to tele-B style.
I don't quite fully understand tele-B but it sounds like a lot of discussions on how to overcome the problems of tele lead changes that are solved by the early lead change style. Am I correct or wrong?
My current impression is that early lead changes and B-tely fall into separate categories without much overlap in application. Not really mutually exclusive, but not mutually supportive, if that makes any sense.
I think it mostly addresses some issues for XCD that don't apply to me.
My background was alpine skiing for almost 40 years prior to taking up tely 19 years ago (when I was 52). A lot of the techniques and strategies I use are definitely "contaminated" by that background. Because of that, I also don't employ an early lead change or at least I don't think I do. But I employ some "stem christy" based strategies that employ skidding of the outside ski to scrub energy and control speed.
Edit: Just glanced at the @tkarhu post in that thread. As in the B-tely discussion, this does load energy INTO the ski that can be "harvested" on the rebound, so I suppose there is some application to me after all!
Never say never!
This was from about 15 years ago, after 4 years on tely gear. I think this might be on World Pistes with 7TM bindings and Syner-G boots. - I was recording to get an idea of what I was doing and what I should change.
Yesterday had bright sunny conditions and I found in that environment my carving was pretty good and I even became more comfortable skiing switch. So, I'm just gonna keep on keepin' on as they say.
I have some center vision loss that impacts depth perception but I'm beginning to develop a visual strategy that works around that. I did better yesterday that I had the day before, so that's encouraging. I'm on a combo of immumo-suppressants that are taking a toll on my endurance as well, but it's sure fun to get out there.
- Harry M
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Re: Telemark Technique
Damn good style!
I've been watching the telehito videos that everyone seems to be lauding, and all I see is his rear ski skidding and drifting all over the place, and not much carving. Definitely I looked like that back in the beginning, but it's not my style. I'm genuinely trying figure out the attraction
- Montana St Alum
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Re: Telemark Technique
Thanks. I may start a thread in "Off Topic", regarding my experiences moving forward. I think I've done enough damage to this thread!Harry M wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2023 11:02 amDamn good style!
I've been watching the telehito videos that everyone seems to be lauding, and all I see is his rear ski skidding and drifting all over the place, and not much carving. Definitely I looked like that back in the beginning, but it's not my style. I'm genuinely trying figure out the attraction