We've lost a telemark legend

[phoenix]

Sad to post this, and surprised it hasn't shown up here yet. I'm quoting from Craig Dostie's post on the other site:

"Just got the word from a friend, one of the Telemark Kingdom's princes passed away today. Paul Parker.
I know it was cancer of some form, but am not privvy to the details. He was one of the first to turn us all on to the turn and he knew how to make it look beautiful.
Rest in Peace my friend. Hope to see you on the other side."

[blitzskier]

any historical data on the guy for those of us who are new to the teleworld?

[phoenix]

Paul wrote "Free Heel Skiing", a couple of editions of it. Probably the best instructional book on tele skiing to date, with only one or two others that could come close. Definitely the first to bring the newer equipment and techniques to an instructional and informative book. Worked with Tua in developing their iconic tele models. Yvonne Chouinard wrote the foreword to one of the books; Paul mentored Chouinard as a skier.
That's just the key bits I can think of at the moment. I highly recommend his book(s) for aspiring tele skiers looking for some really good advice. Very surprised yours is the only response here (though I'm sure a few folks have seen it elsewhere as I have).

[blitzskier]

i have a couple tele-books but none of his writings on the subject. I will put him on my list of books to look out for, thanks

[greatgt]

Enjoyed his book way back. Must still have it around somewhere. RIP. TM

[randoskier]

My wife has an early edition of his book. He developed a lot of modern tele gear too. Surprised he is not better known.

[Capercaillie]

Whatever Paul Parker's last thoughts were, "I spent too much time skiing" probably was not one of them. Life is short, I hope everyone gets to ski more this upcoming season.

From the March-April 2002 issue of Skiing magazine:

"Few athletes have had the impact on a sport that Paul Parker has had on free-heel skiing. A member of the Alpine and telemark PSIA demo teams, Parker has conducted countless on-snow clinics, created designs for boot, binding, ski, and clothing companies, and written dozens of skiing-related articles over the past 20 years, influencing an inestimable number of free-heelers. If you haven't had occasion to participate in one of Paul's instructional workshops, a solid substitute is his best-selling book, Free-Heel Skiing: Telemark and Parallel Techniques For All Conditions."

https://books.google.ca/books?id=LXTS-8 ... rk&f=false

[lilcliffy]

Sad to learn of Paul Parker's passing -

Didn't have any personal connection to him, but his book has been a continuous resource-

I not only retread it regularly-

But I often have thoughts and or experiences that trigger a deeper insight into Paul's mindset and instructions.

Paul Parker's mindsets and teachings on free-heel/Nordic downhill skiing are timeless and second to none.

As Paul wrote and demonstrated- for those that are truly free free-heel Nordic downhill skiers- the telemark turn is just one technique of many.

[fgd135]

Here's the obituary from the Summit Daily. Very sad.
I first met Paul when I worked for the Alpineer, in Frisco CO, in the 1980's, when we both lived in Summit County, CO. He was a brilliant skier, instructor, author, innovator. Paul and just a very few other dedicated tele skiers from the late 1970s and early 1980's are responsible for modernizing the telemark turn, improving the gear and encouraging the revival the sport.

https://www.summitdaily.com/news/obitua ... ul-parker/

[mca80]

With most, but not all, books, one would do best with the latest edition. Same with this book? Anyone compared the 1st and 3rd editions and can explain how they differ? Thanks.