Newbie telemark skis

[Mizan]

Hi everyone,

I'd like to learn telemark, I'm more of a traditionalist, but would like a simple pair of skis I can beat up and take to local lift resorts to learn. I don't want anything fancy, I have leather telemark boots and voile 3 pin bindings. I got the voiles for $8 at a thrift shop. So what should I be looking for in a ski on my classifieds and loca thrift shops? I'm 6ft 200lbs and have some cross country experience, no telemark turning though.

I've seen the military surplus skis made by karhu and asnes. Could work?

Essentially the skis must be:
Cheap used/military surplus
Good with 3 pin cable voiles and leather boots
Good for lift skiing

What am I looking for in shape/ size/ brand etc.

[dorthman]

pretty much any old pair of alpine skis will do, Sown thing with a like 70ish waist width and a 18m turn radius makes a good ski to learn on...imo. Maybe I'd maybe go for a narrower ski since your on leathers.

[lowangle al]

Mid 70s should be fine with leather. I would keep the length on the short side, 170 to no more than 185. Like dorthman said make sure they have an alpine camber.

[phoenix]

Good advice above. I'll add: DON'T get those white surplus skis. And no stiff, race oriented skis. If you go for old alpines, something considered an "intermediate" ski is usually about right. You'll want something a bit forgiving.