Tele --> AT

[JohnSKepler]

Agree with above. Parallel turns are no harder on tele gear than on Alpine gear with a few caveats, at least caveats that apply to me. I won't be parallel turning on my Xplore bindings. The heel is a bit too free. For me, I need some fairly active tele bindings and stiff boots to do decent parallel turns, often called heavy tele gear. Also, while I don't see why learning to parallel turn on tele gear will be too tough you will be more limited on how far you can take those parallel turns. Start pushing them real hard and your heel will start coming up, you'll drag the tail, and that parallel turn will fall apart.

Also, many Cross Country skis that might be used for XCD, IHMO, have too much camber to learn to parallel turn on. You really have to push those double camber skis to get them to turn at all and that's going to be a tough way to learn to parallel turn, or tele turn, for that matter. Not saying it can't be done but you won't be doing yourself any favors.

I love the tele turn but I will admit that I've gotten pretty fluid in my turns, going back and forth between tele and parallel depending on how close I am to wiping-out. When things are going nice and smooth and the snow is being kind, tele comes very natural. But, when it starts getting icy or crusty a lot more parallel turns creep in. As someone else said, tele is about going with the flow. If the flow requires you to push a parallel turn, or switch mid-turn to keep from washing out, push, switch, whatever it takes. Free the heel, free the mind.

And, I always keep in mind my basic axiom of skiing: 90% of skiing well is skiing in good conditions. You can't always have good conditions and may find yourself wondering "What the hell is wrong with me today?" If you're comparing your performance to a previous outing, don't forget to compare conditions. It cures a world of frustration!

[bauerb]

shhhhh. don't tell anyone, but.....I make parallel turns with my modern tele gear about 50% of the time. that 50% of the time is on easier terrain. I save my legs for tele turns for when it gets steep and/or bumpy.
I also make parallel turns on my 20+ year old tele gear that I like to mess around on

skiing to me is like my handwriting : its 1/3 print, 1/3 cursive, and 1/3 hybrid-connected-print that has evolved over time. Many people cannot read my handwriting but it is effective for me. Purists and technical critics of skiing( and handwriting) would have a non-stop play-by-play telling me everything I am doing wrong: wrong gear, wrong technique , improper this and that...but this mashup works for me!

[changed]

So what do you guys think I should do if I want to do slightly steeper (we're still talking pretty mellow declines) and feel like I'm in control & able to do parallel turns? Again, all backcountry, deeper powder, no avalanche risk. I have skins that fit the Panorama 78's.

I could get plastic 3 pin boots (are the T4's going to make that much difference?).

Picking up a pair of the V6 BC's looks like it'll be as expensive as buying an entire used light AT setup with tech bindings.

Any other options?

[The GCW]

JohnSKepler,

Re: "I won't be parallel turning on my Xplore bindings."

It's a little easier / more doable with the hard flexor. -Maybe already done that???

[Salto]

Get any cheap 2 or 3 buckle plastic. Will be great with those 78s. I skied the old Kathi guide (same ski) for years with excursions and T1s. The t1s sucked for touring but could handle crappy snow. I taught both my young kids to ski with the guide/t1s at the resort. Great to have uphill freedom.

The boot change will make the best difference. In my opinion alaskas are over matched with that ski ( I own alaskas too).

[changed]

Get any cheap 2 or 3 buckle plastic. Will be great with those 78s. I skied the old Kathi guide (same ski) for years with excursions and T1s. The t1s sucked for touring but could handle crappy snow. I taught both my young kids to ski with the guide/t1s at the resort. Great to have uphill freedom.

The boot change will make the best difference. In my opinion alaskas are over matched with that ski ( I own alaskas too).

Alright, sweet. I'll give it a shot & see how it feels!

[bauerb]

this fall I bought some Excursions on FB market place > I think I paid $40. they will work fine for what you are describing

[changed]

this fall I bought some Excursions on FB market place > I think I paid $40. they will work fine for what you are describing

Let me know if you see another pair at that price

[bauerb]

I have no idea what size you are, but trust me, the boots are out there. took 30 secs to find these. not excursions, but very similar

https://vermont.craigslist.org/spo/d/sa ... 05252.html

[fisheater]

As has been said, no need to go AT to make parallel turns. I was out today on Voile V6 BC and Scarpa T3 (Voile 3-pin cable bindings) and my skis were parallel for all turns. Terrain was fairly mellow, got about 6-8 turns in a couple of different times. (My wife on similar gear did all tele turns.) I have never had my heels locked down, ever. I'm not a very good skier, so it can't be that hard! Okay, I did ski lift-served on tele gear for a few years, and I suppose that helped me get a bit comfortable with parallel turns, but I don't think it is necessary.
The V6 ski was a game changer for me for making turns in the backcountry -- seriously!
Good luck.
Of course, if you want to go AT, that's fine.

I haven't seen those skis-- they make my Panorama 78's look like toothpicks.

Maybe all I need is a plastic boot? I'm also wondering if 192 was the best choice. I am 180, but maybe going shorter would've made turning easier...

First, I will address ski length. A shorter ski does turn easier, but that degree of easier relates to the fact a short ski rotates easier. Rotation is definitely part of the tools in the turning toolbox. You can always take an example to the extreme, as in, if long skis are okay, why not ski a 250 cm ski downhill. I’m 5’ 9”, my Panorama class ski is an Asnes Falketind Xplore, I ski it at 196 cm. Your skis are not too long unless you are skiing tight trees or trails, definitely not too long for fire roads.
Plastic boots are easier to ski down hill. A T-4 or Excursion make for fine boots for XCD type skis. However that class of boot can handle a much more downhill capable boot such as a Voile Objective or Endeavor. Just like a plastic boot is more capable, there are definitely more capable skis.
To your original question, skiing with locked heels is easier. There is absolutely no question. I’ve heard it said AT is translated from a little known Romantic language as “Can’t Telemark”
Free heel Nordic skiing excels in rolling and flat terrain to cover miles. All other Nordic (Telemark) skiing is about the enjoyment one finds in skiing the Telemark style. To those of us whom learn the technique, or whom maybe are athletically tuned to learning the Telemark style, the Nordic style of skiing is very satisfying.
It’s the only way I ski, and a long time ago I was a pretty good alpine skier. I have no interest in the technique any longer.
However, the most important thing is to enjoy the pleasure of sliding on the snow whether it’s Telemark, alpine, or even the dreaded snowboard.