 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi, I have been telemark skiing for three seasons and am now considering buying my own skis. I'm just wondering if I could get skis of the same length and width as I would normally have with my alpine skis? I'm 6 foot and I'm thinking of getting skis that are 180cm with width between say 85 to 100mm. The guy in snow and rock told me I should get skis that are narrower than the alpine skis that I would normally use as that would make the transfer of weight more efficient??
Honestly I think it's complete bulls (obviously I didn't say that out loud) - from memory I have skied with telemark ski over 100mm with NTN binding and didn't find it particular different from narrower skis but I thought I should just double check...(fyi I intend to have TLT binding mounted to the skis)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
also a follow up question - so I'm 6' (or 183cm) and around 80kgs - should i go for skis that are 180 or 187cm? my current skis are head isupershape magnum - they are 170cm - amazing maneuverability for slalom. They are really just piste skis and they are quite heavy and sink easily when I go off piste with them. So just want to get another pair for complement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Hi Euan, I'm 5'7" and 70kg, I tele on the same length/width ski as I would alpine, i.e. my all-round alpine ski is 180 x 102, my teles are 181 x 105, if I was skiing narrow piste skis, the same would apply.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
@euanovsky, I've just started tele, been told to ski same as for alpine so getting my new skis Quiver Killed for alpine and tele.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@sarah, Same here - QKs for Alpine & tele
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@sarah @ geoffers - how does quiver killer work?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or get a moonlight tele-rondo binding? 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
yep ... 5.7 and 89 kg ... ski everywhere and tour on a 169 cms, 98 width k2 seth / ntn both alpine and tele No problem at all, but looking at a 174 ..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Same for me, I'm 5.7 90kg and use a 170 -180. Same as alpine. I also have some wide skis for touring and powder with a telemark binding, I use these on piste as well and don't have any problems.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
@euanovsky,
| Quote: |
(fyi I intend to have TLT binding mounted to the skis)
|
Not that that binding (whilst being NTN) will not provide nearly as much support or resistance compared to a Freeride or Freedom from Rottefella  You may want to adjust you ski choice accordingly ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
If the OP is intending to use the skis for off-piste, then the slight reduction in edge control is academic......
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Ditto all of the above - The days of skinny tele skis are long gone - same skis for tele and alpine, and don't let 'them' tell you that for some reason they need to be mounted further back for some reason unless you want to spend all your time skidding your turns.
~180cm / 107-115mm waist is typical for me mostly seeking offpiste at 172cm tall and 68kg.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
@euanovsky, hi- telesnowhead. One of the many things I like about telemark skiing is the makeitupasyougoalong ethos. And the garage bodging with screwdrivers and stuff. And ebay. And the attic. So I now have quite a few pairs of skis with telemark bindings which get sort of switched about a bit.
My experience was: 1) bought skis and bindings on ebay- bindings fine (Rottefella Cobras) skis too stiff / long 2) took bindings off- sold skis- put bindings on my old alpine skis (or rather Jeremy in Otavalo did- Salomon Foils 85mm 166cm) this worked great. 3) bought second hand skis identical in length / shape / width to my current alpine ski 90mm 172cm- but softer (Line Prophet lite - I have Line Prophets for alpine) and a base plate for the Rottefellas- worked good 4) then some more tele skis on ebay with a better binding (Atomic sweet daddy's with G3 taigas 85mm 170) 5) then some new (to me skied about 3 days) boots- T1's and some beefier skis- Fischer Watea 90mm 180ishcm with Hammerheads.
I also have various bits of binding and my 13 yr old now skis my Foils with Cobra bindings- and will use the other skis when he trashes the life out of the first ones and so on and so forth- I have 2 other boys- middle child may not tele- youngest probably will, wife is telecurious
I am also 5'7' and a lardy 87 or so kg (very pleased to see all these telesnowheads coughing to have the same shape as me- it's all muscle you know).
So what am I saying?
1. Use a similar or even the same ski as you ski alpine- it will be fine. Probably unless your alpine skis are too stiff or you.
2. If you have some alpine skis which you like - put some tele bindings on them.
3. Tele gear new is a bit on the very expensive side- tele gear on ebay is as cheap as chips and
4. anyway you can't actually go into a shop and buy it or if you can you can't from anyone who knows what they are talking about
5. Unless you live in Fort William or Aviemore- I live in Liverpool.
6. And if you are in Chamonix- you don't want to be messing about going to Otavalo and then have to wait 24hrs to get bindings fitted because it is Jeremy's day off- be careful this happens.
7. I wondered wether a slightly softer ski would help me tele- given th emore 50:50 weight distribution- but I don't think so and the Wateas are by far the turniest skis I have.
also - making a transition to telemark skiing is good- but better if you just tele- and leave the alpine gear at home for a good few weeks / seasons / forever. But it is bit tricky and knackering. But fun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Quote: |
Not that that binding (whilst being NTN) will not provide nearly as much support or resistance compared to a Freeride or Freedom from Rottefella wink You may want to adjust you ski choice accordingly ...
could you elaborate? Puzzled
|
The TTS uses a cable running around heel like a Chilli (or Cobra, Riva etc) -- it does not use the 2nd heel you find underneath your NTN boots ..
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
TTS != TLT
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@ski - On TTS, just to dispel some myths: I use TTS (homebrew), Rotte Freedom and Freeride all for different applications.
The TTS has more resistance (more activity) and less lateral play than any of the other options... It is my favorite binding in terms of control and stiffness, but in the resort I tend to revert to the Rotte for step in, brakes and reduced tendency for prerelease.
You can see my homebrew version here: http://www.earnyourturns.com/16021/telemark-tech-system-variation-mantis-homebrewed-tts/
Ben
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@BenA, -- Nice job --- looks like you have mated an Axl to a TLT toe ? My concern about the TTS was that it has extension springs and that the cable routing looked to be similar to a Cobra or Riva. I'm happy to be corrected. I'm waiting for the Outlaws to reach Europe to replace my Hammerheads... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
^^The 'standard' TTS still uses compression springs. I've skied it and it works well, but my primary concern is that the springs do not have enough travel so you can bottom them out and sooner or later this will result in you levering the binding out of the ski. Probably not an issue if you are meadow skipping, but this was what I wanted to address with the Mantis. Also wanted to be able to swap back and forth with Rotte using quiver killers.
Yes - it is basically an axl heel assembly on a Dynafit Speed Radical toe with a custom interface plate.
Ben
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buy the ski to do the job you want them for. Eg piste, all mountain, touring etc.
With modern skiis the ski very nearly the same as alpine
The main difference is that a slightly softer ski will lend itself to Tele as your weight is 50:50 so will give the same flex as an alpine 70:30 to outside ski
Oh yeah, don't forget bindings. The bindings are different for Tele
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rocksteadee wrote: |
| The bindings are different for Tele |
excellent advice
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
|
|
|
|
@euanovsky, It's pretty much all the same for skis and mounting points. As for ski width etc. It's down to the terrain you want to play in. The only caveat I'd add is that tele bindings cannot pressure the front of the skis as can a locked heel so a slightly softer flex will allow you to carve from a more 'centred' stance over the ski . . . abeit with a little more angulation and flex through your knees and hips . . . this is more marked if skiing in 'alpine' mode.
PS. the 'telenerd' porn above is for the seriously disfunctional, steel-thighed, iron-kneed, tele-evangelist . . . you may well join them but it's not an essential part of 'freeing the heel'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
So most telemarkers are short fat little fellows
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
@letelemarker, most seem to be rail thin and classy . . . With a genteel smile of quiet smugness. The rest of us are chubby grunters, you know, that noise your grandad makes when he gets up out of a chair . . . you never quite know which end the sound comes from.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All excellent advice guys - slightly different topic - anyone use meidjo before?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
@letelemarker, great question for a survey- I think I'll try and sort one out
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| Quote: |
anyone use meidjo before?
|
Not personally but a good friend has one - lasted 1 run before breaking. I know that they blamed early issues on the plastic, but I'm not convinced by the fundamental design - not enough travel in the springs which means that when you max them out it is easy to break something or rip the binding out the ski.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
