Devon O’Neil shreds some high alpine Tele turns at Telluride Ski Resort. Photo by Brian Scranton.
If I have to hear that Tele is dead or “no one cares that you Tele” one more time, I’m moving to Norway.
Fortunately I’m reassured whenever I hit Loveland, Copper Mountain, or even Beaver Creek, Monarch, Telluride or Ski Cooper on a mid-week powder day, that Tele is certainly not dead.
That said, there does seem to be less free-heeled brethren in the backcountry these days. The ratio of Telemark skiers to AT skiers on hut trips a decade ago was 10:2, and now that number has reversed, thanks to innovations in AT boots and bindings and because, let’s face it, locked heel skiing is way easier and more familiar to most people.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m really glad that all of the backcountry wanna-bes, rookies, jocks and those who aren’t quite manly enough to Tele now have easy slack-sess to Colorado’s fine hut systems and more remote peaks – but it’s not really touring unless you free your heel, and consequently, your mind, now is it? Like our astute northern ancestors before us, some still prefer a purer, more beautiful form of snow sliding, that being the Telemark turn.
I’m left wondering when I’m out hiking a peak these days, how many of these people have a copy of Deep Powder Snow or Freedom of the Hills by their bedside table; how many still get a chuckle out of Gary Neptune’s bumper sticker “Pinheads From Hell?”
Don’t fret, fellow pinners…Tele is not dead and innovations in equipment have more than kept up with the times, giving us granola-eating, tree-hugging freeheelers (compliments will get you everywhere) as many options in new gear as our Alpine compatriots.
Tele skis have breaks now
Thanks to the NTN Telemark binding system (New Telemark Norm) by Rottefella, Tele skis now have actual breaks and releasable bindings—as well as vastly increased torsional rigidity. Scarpa is importing the NTN bindings and they’re widely available used and at retail, having been on the market for several years now. The new Freedom is lighter than even a traditional cable binding and tours better than ever.
The new VooDoo by Scott is available in both 75mm and NTN: a great all-around boot with stiffness and comfort.
The only possible drawback to the NTN system is that it requires NTN compatible boots, which are also made by Scarpa and also available from Scott (boots formerly made by Garmont) in the Voodoo NTN. The Voodoo is simple and deceptively laterally stiff, with some cool multiple-density molding technology.
Thanks to this duck bill-less Tele technology, Scarpa also introduced the first AT/Tele compatible boot to the market, the Terminator X for $669 as opposed to $699 for the TX Comp or TX Pro—both stiff boots especially when combined with the NTN bindings.
For 75mm set ups, which are still completely valid and growing, you’ve got several strong options. The Black Diamond Customs are a big and beefy boot that can drive any cable binding well, and feature an awesome Boa lacing system to snug up the liner like a cast.
The new 22D Vice is simply one of the best cable bindings on the market.
Next year’s 22D Vice binding replaces the legendary Hammerhead. It is very easy to use and just does everything well, with simpler adjustability and a more powerful and durable under-foot spring system (available in small and large to accommodate all skiers).
G3’s new Enzo R (R is for Resort; more of an in-bounds binding) is another good cable binding choice for 75mm boots. Go ahead and pair them up with the 112-underfoot G3 District: light and powerful with the kind of advanced camber-technology you can now take advantage of (MSRP $719.95). The Icelantic Keepers and Icelantic Nomad RKR both make great Tele skis as well, and it’s always nice to support the hometown team.
K2, Volkl, Moment, Black Diamond and DPS are other brands still giving Telemark a legitimate look. K2 also has a fine line of skins and backcountry tools available as kits and separately.
In apparel, I’m excited about what BD is coming out with; and I am also liking the innovations from Outdoor Research, Arc’teryx and Mountain Hardwear right now. You can spend big bucks on waterproof-breathable outerwear these days, so consider supporting a brand that supports environmentally conscious production methods and localized manufacturing.
Also in apparel, Telemark skiers have been bestowed with their own ski jacket from legendary Dale of Norway. The Telemark Jacket is a highly technical but natural piece of outerwear that is windproof and water repellent, made from treated yarn and a burly outer wool weave called Knitshell. The damn thing is gorgeous and highly functional, backed with a commitment to the environment and 100 years of manufacturing heritage.
This proprietary Knitshell jacket from Dale of Norway has function, fashion, natural materials, technology and tradition all wrapped into one.
Another thing Tele’ers get is the good poles, the fancy adjustable ones, with the sweet hand grips, that don’t break. Legendary Nordic accessory company Swix introduced touring poles this year that have an innovative and bomber adjustment system, integrated tools, super light swingweight, and are just very clean and nice. Of course BD also revamped its pole line for next year and there’s a lot of good options out there.
I’m on the Ortovox band wagon this year as well and I’ve been utilizing the company’s tools and beacon as well as its Haute Route 35 backcountry day skiing pack. It holds all my tools, layers, water and other essentials perfectly (and separately) with two easy-to-use ski carry options and lots of purpose-built features. A good value at $175.
Stay tuned here for more Tele and backcountry gear updates…this is only a small sampling.
EO editor Doug Schnitzspahn unabashedly drops the knee at Telluride Ski Resort. Photo by Brian Scranton.
K2 remains committed to the backcountry with its line of Doug Coombs signature skis and a full arsenal of backcountry tools, packs and skins.
Denver’s Icelantic is really hard to beat, both as a great group of folks and as ski designers and artists. Next season’s Nomad with Rocker is an ideal Tele ski.
