Associate News
Try Something New This Season…..Telemark Skiing
Telemark Skiing , also known as “Free Heeling” is a style of skiing where your
heel is not anchored to the ski as in alpine or downhill skiing. Only the toe is
attached to the binding leaving the heel free to move up and down and creating a totally different range of motion on the skis.
It’s actually been around since the mid 1800’s when a Norwegian named
Norheim Sondre invented the special curved skis and the bindings with stiff
heel bands made then, of willow. Maybe even more importantly, Sondre is
credited with starting the movement that took skiing from being a utilitarian
skill, to a recreational sport for enjoyment. What Norwegian farmers once
viewed as the only way to get around on deep snow covered farms, became
a favorite weekend pastime in the villages with their family and friends.
Today, the International Olympic Committee is considering including Telemark Skiing as a part of the winter games. It’s become that popular.
____________, son of Associate Jess Tucker, demonstrates a turn the Telemark
technique
The really big differences between Telemark and Alpine skiing is the bindings
and the way you turn. The equipment is different as well, but alpine skis can
be used, it’s just a little more difficult. Telemark skis are softer, offer much more flex, and arc more for the deep bends in the
turns. The stance the skier takes when making the turns is very different too, with the feet positioned a distance behind one
another instead of beside each other as in alpine skiing. The knees are very deeply bent in the turn, making this a fabulous
workout for those quads!
The biggest benefit of Telemark skiing is perhaps the versatility that is added to your options on the slopes or your cross country ski experience. As a matter of fact, every turn you can do in alpine skiing, you can do in Telemark skiing. The opposite,
however, is not true. The Telemark turn, with it’s wide stance and deep knee bends, is a required move if your cross country
skiing has you on any significant down hills. If you are skiing in an area that has off slope trail skiing, the Telemark technique
allows you to easily transition from the downhill race to a leisurely stroll.
❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅
! !
! "#$$ % & '( ) ( Thanks to Jess Tucker for the information for this story .- PB
Welcome New Associates
Cary Kerouac—Membership Office
Ashley Radford—Spa
Samatha Hughes—Spa
Amanda Cundiff—PBX
Tomas Sbertoli—Snowsports
Mark White—Conference Sales
Christopher Dovel—Food and Beverage
Brenda Buchanan—Reservations
Troy Berge—The Edge
Page 5
Vol. 5 Issue 14