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Telemark skiing: weight distribution

The telemark stance define the sport. This split squat creates the turn and stabilize the skier.

A lot of the modern telemark technique and equipment is influence by the alpine ski technique. Balance and weight distribution are no exceptions.

How much weight should you put on your back ski?

It use to be really clear: 50% on each skis. At all time. When parabolic skis came on the market, that’s what the alpine world did too. Get both skis to carve is more efficient. For the past few years, alpine has come back to 80% on the outside ski. They say that it reduces the chance of falling on the inside ski. And people are winning world cup with that technique.

What about telemark weight distribution? Continue reading »

Quebec’s Telemark festifals 2013

Telemark festivals. In the telemark subculture, it plays a central role. If you have never attend one, check your local source of telemark news.They are a must. It’s a great way to meet new people, try new gear, get lessons or telemark tutorial.

A few hours drive north of the US border, Quebec’s province as got really cool telemark festivals. Here a list of dates and locations for you

2013’s first stop is La Reserve, February 2nd and 3rd. info here:
With a 1000′ vert, This is a classic small resort with PLENTY of local flavor. I just love it.

February 9-10, Le Massif welcomes you.
At 2200′, this is THE highest vert in eastern Canada .

Telemark in powder. Got my goggle’s fogged like a rookie ! At le Massif

Come over to enjoy the mountain, the snow and the view on St-Laurence River that is just breathtaking. This is my home mountain, make sure to let me know if you come.

February 16-17, Mont Comi host the OLDEST telemark festival in the province, celebrating it’s 30th anniversary. Here A small mountain with a nice head-wall, the size and the quality of the snow is just perfect to create the ambiance that makes this stop a classic.

Finally, Mont Edouard will host its festival March 8 to 10. After a break last year, many including me expect the return of this very popular festival. With a nice 1500′ vert, 2 fixed quad chairlift deserve this mountain. And the terrain’s got nice trees, steep and raw terrain. The big plus is the mogul run under the chairlift that really create the festival renowned ambiance. here’s the website but it’s is only in French:

Be sure that the organizers of these events and their staff, like any place in the province most likely speak English. Or at least will try to help you the best they can.

Unfortunately, all those festivals are in a tight schedule so it is unlikely for one to attend to all of them. If you only have one to try, honestly, they’re all very cool. Just pick one according to your schedule and forecast…

I will gladly help anybody get the information around all those festivals.

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Telemark in the trees

Telemark skiing in the trees is

So much fun
Always as fresh track left somewhere
Less prone to avalanche (still subject to and one should always evaluate risk accordingly)
Less wind packed, less windy, warmer, just great place to be in a stormy day (like in the video below)
Tight (trees hurt, I know from experience)

Here is what I mean in this old edit

Telemark market, survey

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Is telemark safe for your knees?

If I have knee problem, can I telemark ski ? or is telemark safe for your knees.

I’m not a doctor.

But after 10 years of mountain rescue as a ski patroller in 4 different resorts, I certainly can tell you that telemark skiers are less prone to injuries. Here‘s somewhat of a proof. Ok it’s ski stats from Scotland, but still. It clearly shows telemark is less prone to injuries than any other snowsports. Their is a new research you can participate here

Is it because of the telemark gear or because of the people’s behavior? Again nothing scientific here but I’d say a bit of both…

Questions I’m often asked:

1. I have knees problems, will I be able to telemark?

Real honest answer is that I know more people that have quit alpine skiing and are now telemark skiing because of knee problems that the opposite. Telemark builds muscles around the knee and stabilizes the articulation. Also, when starting telemark, you will be less aggressive (probably) than you where on your skis or board. If you’ve never downhill before, telemark is a great way to approach the mountain at a friendly pace.

2. Are telemark binding safe?

“That’s true, there’s no release…”

No binding system on the planet is 100% safe.

On most telemark bindings, there is no release. Old data found here tend to show that it’s safer with a telemark release binding than a non release binding. Although, equipment has continued to change a lot over the years, few brands have developed release bindings. The arrival of NTN bindings, a solid performing binding with release has not created a mass movement toward this product because of the release option. Don’t get me wrong, releasable binding is not bad, but it’s not a must.

The way your foot is attached and the way the binding moves, in most cases, a fall will not cause injury. And believe me, telemark skiers are reputed to fall a lot. If you want extra psychological support and have the release option, there’s a few out there, but other than the NTN, none are really on my list. Again, After years of telemark skiing and being around the community, I feel perfectly safe telemark skiing.

What is the most common injury when you alpine ski: knee ligaments (way up there) and is alpine skiing more prone to injuries, yes. So if you are alpine skiing and are concern about your knees, think about telemark as an option.

Is telemark skiing safe for your knees: definitely. Can accidents happen? Obviously every day, every where.

Go on and try it, telemark skiing is pure pleasure