Satoshi's Home Page
Japanese Here
Telemark is a region name near Oslo in Norway. Ski has
been only one of traffic equipment on snow for a long long time. Sondre
Norhaim in Telemark in late 1800s is considered as the father of the Norwegian
skiing technique. His elegant turning technique was forgotten after the
Alpine technique with fixed heel has been developed in Austria. But in
70s Telemark turn was reborn among the cross country skiers in Colorado
as a new turing technique using free heel skis.
Unlike normal Alpine ski equipment Telemark ski has no heel fixing mechanism. Everybody who is familiar with his Alpine ski ask me whether there is any good idea to add such a mechanism to my Telemark ski. Since free heel is our purpose it is not s good idea at all to fix it.
There are many types of free heel skis. Let me focus on the Telemark skis and boots
(1) Cross country heavy touring skis
This type has normally steel edge which enables easy
turn on icy terrain. This type of ski has normally a double camber and
little side curve. Linked Telemark turn is rather difficult but step Telemark
turn is possible. There are wax type and wax less type. Soft leather boots
are normally used.
(2) Classic downhill Telemark skis
Because of the Telemark racing norm the maximum width
of the ski is limited only to 73 mm. It is possible and makes fun with
such skinny board to challenge on various snow conditions. But if you don't
enter the racing wide skis are recommended to make much fun. Hard leather
boots are normally used.
(3) Wide (fat) Telemark skis or Carving skis
Wide Telemark skis with maximum width of 80 mm to 90
mm are recommended for piste skiing or mountain skiing. Carving skis make
much fun because they function very well on deep snow and icy steep terrain.
Wide skis enable a strong edging on the rear ski which has been always
a weak point of the Telemark skiing. This is large advantage for a steep.
Plastic Telemark boots are recommended to enable a strong edging.
 |
Different Skis and Boots
From left: Alpine touring ski (Fischer Tour Cap Carbon 180 cm) and new tour binding (Diamir Fritschi). Self made Telemark Ski : Carving ski (Kneissl Ergo Cruise 190 cm), Telemark cable binding (Rottefella Riva 3), and Voile safety release kit. Climbing support (Voile) Normal Alpine Ski (Fischer RCS Carbon 195 cm) Classic Telemark ski (Kazama Outback TM 205 cm), Telemark binding (Rottefella Telemark), and Voile safety release kit.  Right : Classic leather Telemark boots (Asolo extreme) |
 |
In Gassan (north Japan)
<- Yukari Iwamatsu telemarking to the Eiger north face in Switzerland |
Touring equipment : Biwaksack (rescue sheet), snow shovel, avalanche prove adapter for poles, ropes and carabiners for rescue sled, avalanche transceiver, first aid kit, head lamp, altimeter, compass, candle and lighter. |
Skins : Since there are some new carving mountain touring skis on market skins for the carving skis are also available. |
