Making telemark into something that it isn't. Rant.

[Woodserson]

Nevermind. Obviously I'm explaining badly and/or you guys are a tad touchy. I have never judged anyone that's actually out and skiing/glisse-ing. Ever. If ANYTHING I've been eyeballed and verbally mocked at trail heads with my light gear. So bollocks on the judging issue, please, I'm the one on the receiving end.

I'm more interested in not seeing EVERY boot go to NTN/Tech geared to high angle skiing that's just too out of reach for most folks either skill wise (me) or geographically. We need people to push sport and technology and develop that end for sure, but not lose perspective on the masses and equipment that works for the most.

You want to talk echo chamber? That article is a great example and it has the ear of one of the last great bootmakers. That's important.

And dorthman I hope you never encounter an issue where you have to throttle back on your favorite sport. Seriously, it changes your perspective AND it sucks.

Christ Almighty, wanted a conversation not a burning.

[mainer]

Blah

Blah Blah

Blah Blah Blah

The hypothetical "you" of folks not wanting or pursuing getting an update to gear. Not pointing any fingers.

If no one ever asked for rockered skis, we wouldn't have them. Just like anything. No demand, no product/updates.

[Woodserson]

Wow this blew up. Not expecting that, especially from you guys who have really contributed to my development as a tele skier and got me stoked. You guys convinced me to get my Vectors for crying out loud. Wow.

[MikeK]

The hypothetical "you" of folks not wanting or pursuing getting an update to gear. Not pointing any fingers.

If no one ever asked for rockered skis, we wouldn't have them. Just like anything. No demand, no product/updates.

See here's the thing... and I can tell because you "blah blah'ed" the quotes. You think you are better than everyone here and somehow what anyone other than those at the "cutting edge" of "Telemark" are the only ones that matter.

I'll be glad to show the door and back to your own echo chamber where you'll be applauded for your commitment to advancing the "sport". Otherwise be accepting that XC and XCD are not holding anything back, they are completely different entities than what you are advocating and advancing in their own right should you choose to take that path. If you can accept that I'm glad to have you here and have your opinion and expertise on how you like to ski. If not... bye

[Woodserson]

I thought the 'Blah Blah' pattern was actually creative with the 1-2-3. I chuckled.

[MikeK]

Well maybe so, but the point stands.

I'm going to try to be as unbiased as I can here, but we aren't going to have the dogpile bashings here like some others places. I don't care what you said Woods.

Get your head out of your ass and accept that Telemark is a technique used by all forms of freeheel Nordic skiing. It isn't a sport and it isn't a competition.

And if you think I'm not standing to my terms, I banned the biggest leather pinhead out there because he was being a closed minded asshole.

I understand both sides of the story - some people want to push harder, others want to do their own thing and do it a bit different. The thing you guys don't see is on our end, that is the lighter end of things, there ain't shit. It's a much smaller market and it's much more niche. Scarpa doesn't even make a leather ski boot anymore. So look at both sides of the coin before you starting flaming someone for pointing out the obvious.

[connyro]

I cringe when I hear skiers complaining about the gear and/or techniques that other skiers use. This forum IS decidedly XC-oriented. I like it that way personally. I'm not sure Mainer needs to be threatened with banning; it's a discussion! Also, I tend to agree with him here.

Get your head out of your ass and accept...

This behavior is not becoming of a moderator.

[Lo-Fi]

To the OP's point and the article, it's probably a little short-sighted for anyone to try to define "telemark skiing" too narrowly.

I think Scarpa has a number of opportunities here, and I'd be surprised if they only saw the potential in creating a, likely expensive and complex, NTN/TTS super boot line-up to satisfy only rad Big-Mountain/Lift skiers.

At least one opportunity is, certainly, to further refine and improve their offering on the Nordic-y end of the the downhill spectrum.

75mm duckbills, tried and true, allow enough range of motion for striding and the mechanical advantage to pressure your back ski when telemark turning. Perhaps rudimentary, but still functional, accessible, economical, available and reliable.

We now have great skis(Vectors, BCs, Koms), simple reliable bindings(SWBs), and all Scarpa needs to do is offer a bit of refinement and weight reduction to their T4. (Currently, I'd suggest the Excursion is still the better boot.)

If they can offer a better light touring boot(XCD/telemark) at a reasonable, sub-$500, price, this would also be an avenue to grow the sport by drawing in the cross-country skiers, snow-shoers and adventure minded, winter fun-seekers, who may not need maximally sophisticated and pricey NTN TTS super boots.

.

[mainer]

Yikes. Just going to try to clarify a bit here.

1. I'm not better than anyone else, nor do I think I am. I ski mostly touring for turns in Maine. It is not glorious.

2. I am not on the cutting edge of anything. I still ski 75mm because I don't trust NTN or TTS yet, and 75mm works fine. Also, the boots suck. Most of my skis are purchased used full of holes. I doubt my touring through brush in Maine progresses the sport.

3. I'm not attacking anyone/any kind of BC/XC/Tele skiing. My point was people shouldn't criticize others for trying to make their opinions on what gear/skiing (or boots) should be.

Admittedly, I get little sore when people start in with the whole "tele boots are fine the way they are" deal. If you guys haven't tried on an AT boot with a real walk mode, you should. Once you do, you will likely see why it is appealing to so many folks.

Now, I'm going to go try to find my way out of this dark place I seem to be lodged in....

[MikeK]

I cringe when I hear skiers complaining about the gear and/or techniques that other skiers use. This forum IS decidedly XC-oriented. I like it that way personally. I'm not sure Mainer needs to be threatened with banning; it's a discussion! Also, I tend to agree with him here.

Get your head out of your ass and accept...

This behavior is not becoming of a moderator.

Agree all you want. I made myself clear about the bullshit behavior I won't tolerate.

Why would you quote that and not the other part? Perhaps if you find that language too harsh you should head over to the G-rated forum(s).