Light gear does a good telemarker make?

[phoenix]

https://youtube.com/shorts/A9tMv21VuA8? … RUaWAFYUDv

This clip is a good example of skiing well on skinny skis. Note how he has a tighter, slightly lower stance, maintains an athletic stance, an actually weights his back ski. He’s a good skier.

[Lhartley]

I mean, I already posted that in this thread five posts ago to respond to Lil cliffys claim that "world class" skiers don't ski light gear. But yeah I like that vid

[lilcliffy]

I mean, I already posted that in this thread five posts ago to respond to Lil cliffys claim that "world class" skiers don't ski light gear. But yeah I like that vid

It seems that I cannot explain myself clearly in this medium.
I have never said that world class skiers don't ski light gear.

There is a reason why I tend to avoid online debates about skiing techniques-

Generally the only person I discuss this with is the person I am currently skiing with.

[Lhartley]

I quoted you fully in a previous post, you weren't taken out of context. Not trying to offend you or debate, just adding points the conversation. Just a novice getting tips from the pros

[Lhartley]

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wuRKu ... OWQvXJLYJA

[lowangle al]

@lowangle al Wow that history was an enlightening read! Maybe there is an ultralight trend now in XCD, similar to AT and ski mountaineering on alpine side? Heaviness and lightness really are relative.

I think the ultralight trend has been here since the beginning of xcd back in the nineties. Ever since there became a split between heavy and light tele "xcd" gear was designed to appeal to the xc crowd. Boots were lighter and softer than the early leather tele boots and as the skis got lighter they got a little more sidecut and softness in the tips to make turn initiation a little easier with the light boots. If we want to go lighter than current xcd gear we could just get xc gear.

[fgd135]

I skied with 1st-gen Norwegian Americans from time to time when I lived in Summit County, which would've been in the late 1970's into the late 1980's. Those guys were able to do tele turns on wood XC skis using floppy Alfa boots and Troll 3-pins...even at Mountain Rescue training days at Copper and Breck. It was truly astounding to watch, but as I've mentioned before, the technique of that turn was, and is, very different than cruising in plastics and big sidecut skis with heavy cable type bindings. The turn has evolved as the gear has improved.
In the old Summit Telemark Race series, points were deducted for "paramark turns" vs. true stem-to-telemark turns as it was interpreted at the time.
Evolution, or is it "Devolution"?

Sorry, no vids or even photos.

[Lhartley]

Been thinking, vodka involved. Telemark originated on "light" gear, serving the purpose of going downhill on nordic gear. Maybe a better question is, can I really tele if I can't tele light gear. And, if not, then of course I would be a better telemarker I can telemark whatever im on. What even is the point of "heavy" tele other than aesthetic, pride, etc. Advantages? Faster transitions, less acl injuries? Debatable
Deep thoughts with Jack Handy

[phoenix]

"Telemark originated on "light" gear, serving the purpose of going downhill on nordic gear."

I invite correction if I'm mistaken, but as I recall the turn was a technique innovated used by Sondre Norheim as a more stable means of landing a nordic jump. It went on to be used in alpine regions as well, used by some while others were using alpine technique. There was a rivalry between some proponents of each technique, with two dudes actually dueling over their principles of descent.
Now we just do it on the interweb.

[Lhartley]

Oh I don't want to dual, I'm a lover not a fighter, besides I'd not challenge a Yankees to a gun fight, yall got bigger mags.

I just really like philosophy and this is an interesting one. I've never ski jumped but I don't believe there's turning involved