This article and then 90% of replies get me way discouraged, because it seems the vocal ones don't want telemark, they want Tech/AT Gear but with a whiff of telemark ancestry that will allow them to apply a telemark label.
http://www.telemarkskier.com/scarpas-ne ... t-program/
I got into tele because Alpine/AT/Locked heel really beat me up with big injuries, and now through tele I have an affordable way to ski more often, be challenged, and find new aspects (and places) to skiing I never thought about. It's been mind bending, healthy, and accessible. As I power into middle age I realize with reluctance that I'm not 22 anymore, but I am a more versatile skier. I also realize that cheap, small, and simple, in any hobby, gets people out more (but there's less cred, and it's not The American Consummerist Way).
If I want stiff and power and tech inserts I'll buy tech AT gear! Christ! I see guys with NTN that can't pick the heel up more than a few CM due to lack of techniqe, strength, or speed. Is that tele? I don't even know if I could lift the heel with some of those getups. I don't want to go Mach looney I want to enjoy a nice dance in the snow with my mountain.
If telemark emulates tech/AT is it still telemark? Will it draw more people and 'save' the sport?
It's like bikes... we put grandma on a bike with a short threadless stem and a seat a mile in the air to go get groceries. She cranes her neck, says bikes aren't fun anymore, stops biking, gets heart disease and dies, but the 22yr old know-it-all gets to thinks he's worthy for the Tour as he fits another unwitting customer.
I took the survey. Thank Ullr for this small community here.
Making telemark into something that it isn't. Rant.
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Woodserson
- Posts: 2996
- Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2015 10:25 am
- Location: New Hampshire
- Ski style: Bumps, trees, steeps and long woodsy XC tours
- Occupation: Confused Turn Farmer
Re: Making telemark into something that it isn't. Rant.
*cue echo chamber*
This forum does not represent tele skiing at large. Seems like a lot of folks here are essentially xc skiers (take no offense please)
Times are a changin yo....get ya head outta ya butt and tune into the 21st century
This forum does not represent tele skiing at large. Seems like a lot of folks here are essentially xc skiers (take no offense please)
Times are a changin yo....get ya head outta ya butt and tune into the 21st century
Re: Making telemark into something that it isn't. Rant.
Skiers in general seem awfully interested in judging other skiers' business. Does it make any difference if there's skiers who are into something that you aren't?
Re: Making telemark into something that it isn't. Rant.
hahaha. I tend to agree with Dorthman.
Wooderson, I don't really get your gripe. Tele appeals to lots of folks and that's great. Beefier and stiffer allows different skiing, more aggressive for sure. Do you need that gear for that skiing? No, lots of old examples to show that. But, it's easier with it and less risky perhaps.
Enjoy how you ski and smile at others who are enjoying how they ski.
Wooderson, I don't really get your gripe. Tele appeals to lots of folks and that's great. Beefier and stiffer allows different skiing, more aggressive for sure. Do you need that gear for that skiing? No, lots of old examples to show that. But, it's easier with it and less risky perhaps.
Enjoy how you ski and smile at others who are enjoying how they ski.
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MikeK
Re: Making telemark into something that it isn't. Rant.
Damn guys... I was just kidding around.
IMO it's a damn good thing this forum doesn't represent tele skiing as a whole. There are at least two (if not three) other forums for that. I'll refrain any derogatory comments, but none of them represent freeheel skiing as a whole.
IMO it's a damn good thing this forum doesn't represent tele skiing as a whole. There are at least two (if not three) other forums for that. I'll refrain any derogatory comments, but none of them represent freeheel skiing as a whole.
Re: Making telemark into something that it isn't. Rant.
Yep. And...dorthman wrote: This forum does not represent tele skiing at large. Seems like a lot of folks here are essentially xc skiers (take no offense please)
....connyro wrote:Skiers in general seem awfully interested in judging other skiers' business. Does it make any difference if there's skiers who are into something that you aren't?
So because I want boots with a walk mode that actually does something, I'm not as "telemark" as you are?Woodserson wrote:This article and then 90% of replies get me way discouraged, because it seems the vocal ones don't want telemark, they want Tech/AT Gear but with a whiff of telemark ancestry that will allow them to apply a telemark label.
Because I'd use NTN boots because they could potentially be as good for climbing as AT boots, I can't say I'm a tele skier?
The guys looking for a walk mode and a light boot could WAY more easily say you folks in leathers and pins are holding the sport back.
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MikeK
Re: Making telemark into something that it isn't. Rant.
Sport? What sport?
Telemark is a technique, not a sport.
Telemark is a technique, not a sport.
Re: Making telemark into something that it isn't. Rant.
Fine. In that case, you're holding telemark skiers back.MikeK wrote:Sport? What sport?
Telemark is a technique, not a sport.
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MikeK
Re: Making telemark into something that it isn't. Rant.
You hold me (or anyone else) personally accountable for holding Telemark skiers back because I don't ski the way you want me to... can you say hypocrite?mainer wrote:Fine. In that case, you're holding telemark skiers back.MikeK wrote:Sport? What sport?
Telemark is a technique, not a sport.
BTW I knew this poll existed, I never even looked and I had not a care in the world.