Here Is The Accessoires I bring in the Backcountry
Notice: I’m sponsored and don’t pay much for the gear I use. BUT I can get pretty much all the gear I want so this is really the gear I wish to have, and I can still tell you my honest opinion. This is my gear choice, that fits my need. Take what you need from it, leave what you don’t.
For all of you telemark tribe gear freaks, here is all the little stuff that makes a big difference.
I’m not going to list everything I present but here is the majority
Notice: I’m sponsored and don’t pay much for the gear I use. BUT I can get pretty much all the gear I want so this is really the gear I wish to have, and I can still tell you my honest opinion. This is my gear choice, that fits my need. Take what you need from it, leave what you don’t.
For all of you telemark tribe gear freaks, here is what I have chosen for this season
My ski gear (skis, boots, bindings, skins, poles)
Boots:
Crispy Evo WC
These boots as got it all. Powerful, that’s my #1 concern in all my boots. They have plenty of power
They’re obviously not the lightest but the touring mode is very impressive when all buckles are open and they are durable. They are not the easiest to boot fit but if they fit you well from the start, you should have no problem.
Skis
Helios 117 and Helios 95
I use the Helios 117mm and 95mm from Black Diamond.
I’ve been using BD skis for over a decade now and this Helios series is in my top 2 most liked ever.
They’re light but they ski big. I didn’t think this could be.
The build quality is unparalleled and I’ve skied the 117mm for a season now with very little wear and tear, so durability is there too.
Simply put, they ski big, feel quick underfoot and are crazy light. Now that’s a triple combo hard to beat.
WARNING: BD does NOT recommend mounting telemark binding on their Helios series. Do it at your own risk.
Bindings
The Meidjo
The Meidjo binding from The M Equipment has been my dream binding for 4 seasons now.
They are light, the touring mode is just phenomenal and they ski really great.
I’ve had a few problems here and there with different parts of the binding over the years but nothing more than my old Black Diamond O1.
And I like the fact that they are always improving the design we are now on version 2.1
The addition of the alpine heelset makes it an absolute backcountry combo
The Outlaw X
The Outlaw X from Twenty Designs is a fantastic binding that is better than Rottefella NTN binding in every way.
The ski better, with less limitation, are as powerful, have an incredibly better touring mode that the NTT Freedom.
Plus, they are super solid.
This is a no brainer
Poles
I like to have a fix length aluminum for inbounds or side country. Just lighter and feels better. Choose any GOOD fix length aluminum and had a powder basket.
I also use an adjustable pole for touring and I adjust to different lengths to adapt to the terrain. This can really save energy during the day.
I use BD Boundary poles which will also fit my snow saw for cutting nice snow blocks for my avalanche assessment snow pits.
Skins
Climbing skins is not the sexiest subject but it really makes a huge difference.
Trim them perfect, sell your old pair with the old skis and (bis) trim them perfectly.
I use the BD mix Mohair nowadays manly for the great durability of the glue, plus the placability of the Mix mohair.
This season, I want to experience the community like never before.
You have been so awesome supporting this website and I now feel that it has grown into something bigger.
During the winter, I get 20 or 30 emails a week specifically thanking me on how my teaching has changed your telemark technique. Most often, people will talk about how one of the 7 flaws has solved a lot of little bad habits.
This is great but this season, I want to experience something new.
I want to invite you to ski with me in Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
This is a mountain in Western Canada, and I have never been. I’ve heard a lot of great things from Cristina Gareau and Stephane Riendeau, two past guests on the Telemark Tips Podcast.
And so here we are.
Ski with Rene-Martin in Revelstoke
This is made possible by Gendron Travel, Quebec’s biggest ski travel agency.
I’ve partnered with them to organize one week of Telemark skiing in Revelstoke.
WHO IS IT FOR:
Strong intermediate and above, you have to be comfortable going down in a strong telemark turn and have experience skiing in powder. This destination is not for beginners. Much of the territory is composed of glades and alpine terrain. Expect moguls, powder and long runs.
19 years old and older
WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT:
This is not a private or group lesson.
This a guided trip with teaching so that you can improve your telemark technics significantly. I will film you, teach you, give you tips, exercises to do BUT, in the end, expect more skiing and less than two hours of teaching a day.
Expect resort inbound skiing. No backcountry with the group, but you can always choose to leave the group and ski by yourself.
I’m not a travel agency, that’s why I’ve partnered with Gendron Travel. In the end, they will be responsible for putting together your trip, booking your insurance, taking care of cancellation if the need arises… Make sure you address all questions to them regarding these topics. Gendron Travel can also book your flight and offer advice.
I will take up to 11 telemark skiers.
The price does not include flight, equipment, meals and alcohol. It will include lodging, transportation, ski tickets and my services.
The Sutton Place is a 4-star hotel. So, Tele-ski bums are welcomed but will have to shower.
This is my review of the second version of the Meidjo Telemark Binding, made by the French company The-M-Equipment.
Hey Guys, this is René-Martin for Absolute Telemark and here is my review of the Meidjo Binding.
First, I really like the first version but I found a couple of flaws.
This binding is just awesome for touring, giving you the same ease of ascension as any low tech alpine binding. This is what brought me to the Meidjo from the get-go.
This is probably true for all the TTS family binding as I like to call them .
So what is so different about the 2.0 version?
Is it durable?
Does it ski well?
What’s changed?
Check out the video above for all my thought on this binding and what will improve for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
For more info, check out my friend Craig Dostie’s review on Earn Your Turn
Discover the Chic-Chocs Mountain Range in Eastern Canada
Let’s discover one of the best-kept secrets, Vertigo-Aventures
You like fresh snow, remote mountain range, you are in for something different.
Eastern Canada is not the number one destination in the world for backcountry skiing. But if you are in the East, this has to be on your radar for its accessibility and the possibility to get very good turns for a fraction of the price to go to Japan.
Discover the Chic-Chocs with this special series on the different location and guiding services available. We start this series with Vertigo Aventures. This is the destination for serious backcountry skiing. Located in the Western part of the Chic-Chocs, Vertigo Aventures is based at the foot of the Mont Blanc Massif and it get dumped with massive snowfall year after year.
This is the destination for serious backcountry skiing. Located in the Western part of the Chic-Chocs, Vertigo Aventures is based at the foot of the Mont Blanc Massif (Quebec, Canada) and it get dumped with massive snowfall year after year. This is my third season and I’ve seen snowpacks ranging from close to 2 m this year all the way to close to 3 meters in the valley. Ski Runs are very diverse and you can choose from 200m vertical 25 degree
Ski Runs are very diverse and you can choose from 200m vertical 25-degree angle slope all the way to close to 600m vertical and 40+ degree. The terrain is in majority below treeline but you also get some nice open fields above tree at or above treeline. Oh, and the tree runs are just out of this world. The real benefit is the number of people on this huge territory. You are basically alone. With a capacity of 12 clients, it is actually rare to even see a skin track, and you certainly never have to ski in anyone’s tracks.
If you are in for adventure, if you like remote places, if you’re in for the snow, the terrain, and the quality of the crew, this is my number one place in Eastern Canada (so far! and by far!)
Building a new NTN binding is a mission 22 Designs set out to do.
The Outlaw, most anticipated binding from the small Idaho company is sure to make some noise.
I had wanted to talk to Chris for a long time. This true step in, simple and though binding have received great critiques and 22 Designs has managed to keep the weight down.
Let’s hear more about this well established Binding company run by Chris and his partner Collins Pringle.
In 2005, 22 Designs purchased Rainey Designs and continued producing the binding with very minor adjustments to the binding through 2012. They created a free-pivoting version of Hammerhead called Axl that maintained the same underfoot cable routing with easier to adjust power pivot points. The spring system was different than Hammerhead and in an effort to streamline sourcing costs the Vice telemark binding was created, effectively ending production of Hammerhead. It is one of the few, true, legendary telemark binding designs that had an effect on nearly every telemark binding design since its inception although its inventor, Russell Rainey, would be quick to point out even Hammerhead borrowed from other, less successful designs (the Pitbull), only with a better execution.
He is a world class telemark skier that have competed in the Big Mountain Telemark tour, created a movie production company, and has helped TelemarkSkier.com become the reference it is today. By the way this episode was only suposed to air in 10 days but, since Telemark Skier is Launching There New Website, might as well share this with you today.
With Telemark, you have to do it your way…
From his awesome Sick Bird awards through out his pro days to the ways he has created his own mark in the history of telemark in the last decade in the US, JT always seems to be around the big scene and creating his own destiny. This is one fascinating telemark skier. And so inspiring too
One understands this better than anybody, Weston Deutschlander or Weston D as he likes to say.
You’ve never Heard is name?
He was named by Shaun Raskin in Session 09 the telemark skier that she looks up to the most. His Bio on 22 Design sas it all:
Even if you don’t recognize his name, you’ve probably seen Weston in a ski magazine, movie, or just ripping by you in the Wasatch. He brings his infectious energy to the hill every day, whether it’s for a shoot or working with the kids of the Park City Tele Tribe.
After seeing some videos of Weston, I have to say that he is one of the best Telemark Skier of his era.
Excellent video! Thank you for putting this together.
enjoy the run,
JHH
Very good video!! Helps a lot to improve even if you're an advanced tele-skier!!
Thanks again
Pascal F.
Thanks so much for the videos. My telemarking has already improved significantly.
I still get tired legs after a few runs - I assume this is most likely because I am just starting out again and "old" muscle groups are being used again after 5 years.
Thanks again,
Nick
This video is like one of the fun lectures in college. It makes me actually want to take notes.
Ryan R.
I did my first telemarkskiing "test" 4 weeks ago and it took me in right away! This is an exellent tutorial and helps me a great deal.
Timo T.
I just practised this and it made a big difference to my skiing plus my legs weren't nearly as tired.
Coming back after a season ending injury last January (fractured distal tibia) even walking down stairs hasn't felt natural. So getting my rythm back has been difficult, but watching these videos has helped re-set my brain. Thanks Rene!
Eric P.
Thank you! I'm falling in love with telemark for the 3rd time (at least): I'm sure that's the key for a fun, everlasting relation :) I really enjoy the opportunity to work on my tecnique, explore new sensations and why not improve the esthetics of the gesture. In the end, that's why we all ski tele, don't we?
Massimo M.
About Rene-Martin
Hi, I'm Rene-Martin
René-Martin Trudel is a telemark instructor, a ski patroller and a mountain enthusiast. His life has been driven by mountain and snow, professionally for the past 15 years. continue reading.
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