 Poster: A snowHead
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I live in the Colorado Front Range (bit different from Manchester where I grew up). I downhill and Nordic ski. But I really want to explore the backcountry further. Nothing too extreme - and I fancy learning to tele ski as opposed to fixing in for the downhills (looking to move through rolling terrain with some slightly steeper (max 15 deg%?) descents. Just been offered a pair of Icelandic Pilgrims (local built ski; 149 with 75mm underfoot). I am 5’4” and 135lbs. Can I put a tele binding on these skis and call it good?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Bainesy, in my limited experience of trying tele on a couple of days ... it’s lovely, very natural, but I found it extremely hard work.
So you would basically be compounding your pain!
Both aspirations are excellent, but maybe don’t try two new tricks at once?
That said, I can see the appeal ... there were some (I live in France) Alpine regiment out last weekend with tele boots on pin tech mounted skis. Certainly having no problems going up.
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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?
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| under a new name wrote: |
| That said, I can see the appeal ... there were some (I live in France) Alpine regiment out last weekend with tele boots on pin tech mounted skis. Certainly having no problems going up. |
My guess is they were probably on (French made) Meidjo Telemark tech toe bindings, which are becoming increasingly popular amongst the Telemark touring people as they are a light weight design: https://www.the-m-equipment.com/en/products/bindings/meidjo-3
@Bainesy P.S Welcome to snowHeads! 
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@Alastair Pink, That would make sense. Interesting.
Oh, yes, @Bainesy, welcome 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You can put a telemark binding on any alpine ski - so you’d be fine with mounting the Icelantics if it’s a ski you know and like.
I only tele now and am self-taught, but if I had my time again I’d do the following:
- hire first to check you want to put the effort in. Telemark skiing has an incredible fluidity about it, but physically it’s at a different level to skiing;
If you choose to carry on...
- mount a pair of skis you are already familiar with on alpine...it reduced the learning curve;
- get second-hand kit. The kit doesn’t devalue and there is always something for sale on Freeheellife that could help you out;
- go NTN. Don’t bother with anything else, it has a faff factor that isn’t worth it. You’ll get pushed in different directions, but 22 Designs (US-based) will be the most common/best value Vs Rottefella & Meidjo (both European) because of where you live;
- get lessons;
- hang out with telemark skiers.
If you do the above and love it, you’ll quickly find yourself enjoying carving a different path to the rest on the mountain.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Can't help with telemarks. But I had a pair of Pilgrims, the UK importer was a regular on here. They're quite heavy for touring and mine were 90mm not 75. Still got them in the ski locker in fact.
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| Bainesy wrote: |
| I live in the Colorado Front Range (bit different from Manchester where I grew up). I downhill and Nordic ski. But I really want to explore the backcountry further. Nothing too extreme - and I fancy learning to tele ski as opposed to fixing in for the downhills (looking to move through rolling terrain with some slightly steeper (max 15 deg%?) descents. |
For that kind of terrain (I assume you mean degrees? not percent%?) I would just use steel edged nordic skis with fishscales and a pair of skins in the backpack. That will be much lighter for exploring rolling terrain. I tele on cross country skis so on nordic skis it must be a doddle.
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FAQ
You are certainly spoiled for choice in that neck of the woods!
We love all your local areas, but the Outback at Keystone and Blue Sky Basin at Vail are our particular favourites. Bumps and glades - the perfect combo! 
