 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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High stance is the way forward, get that cracked and the lead change can be amazingly fast
I did try my leathers on the dry slope and things don't normally scare me, that did. But always up for trying it again as humiliation is always a great leveler
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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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Rocksteadee,
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High stance is the way forward, get that cracked and the lead change can be amazingly fast
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I'll have a go.
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I did try my leathers on the dry slope and things don't normally scare me, that did. But always up for trying it again as humiliation is always a great leveler
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Mrs Ski has been learning to tele - so we've been to Hemel a few times. I've been using my old boots to add to the fun. It does help no end with being balanced on the ski.. but not with a tall stance.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I've been using my old boots to add to the fun
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One of the training exercises we did with John Eames was to tele with all our boot buckles undone - apart from the guy who was in lace-up leather boots 
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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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ski,
When you likely to be at Hemel as may have to find the little leather dainty non supporting can get an edge by rolling the ankle, boots
On the high stance have been working on this past few weeks and how to achieve it and ultimatly how to teach it........
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I used to have G3 targas and always carried spares. Only thing I broke on the mountain that needed replacing immediatly was a heel throw.
Having gone from those rather floppy bindings to NTN I do feel that to some extent I have sold out on the telemark spirit. They are so easy to ski alpine stylee and I have no problem keeping up with any of the other skiers. Can also ski for longer, faster and its less tiring. It did take a day or two to get used to, and at first it was very strange and I thought that I'd never get used to them. Gave them a pretty good hammering for a week and no sign of failure or damage.
I like them, but they do need some getting used to.
Oh yes, have them mounted on Black Diamond Verdicts. Nice colour scheme 
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I have decided to stick with the cobras, took out the broken bit of rod- but mangled the plastic cone- which looks like it covers any threads not in the tube and have just ordered 2 new sets of connecting rods for the cobras- will replace all the rods and have a spare set- very helpful guy at Braemar Mountain sports sorted this out.
I have also bought a set of the plates which the cobras are attached to - so I'll be able to swap bindings between skis- only £25. Which I think is a bargain.
Telemarking really makes no sense at all if you think about it. There is a great article on telemarktips about this. It really does have more in common with a sect than a sport. Why do I think it is a good idea to ski on bindings that will probably break- and why do I think it is a great idea to carry spares and tools just in case? All to ski slower and with more effort- on bindings that are many times the price of equivalent alpine ones- that release- and don't break!
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ed123,
Could you post the link for that article?
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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.
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| ed123 wrote: |
| . Why do I think it is a good idea to ski on bindings that will probably break- and why do I think it is a great idea to carry spares and tools just in case? All to ski slower and with more effort- on bindings that are many times the price of equivalent alpine ones- that release- and don't break! |
It would not be half as much fun if it were any different! 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Mr. McLean:
Coke versus Pepsi. PC versus Mac. AT versus Tele. With so many tough choices in the world today and stakes ranging from control to soul, it is time for a “fair and balanced” comparison on the two leading contenders of backcountry binding ideology, Alpine Touring (AT) versus Telemark.
Traditionally, backcountry skiing in the United States has been synonymous with telemark equipment and all that it entails. Is this a legacy of confusing cross-country roots with backcountry routes, or an evil plot? In any case, if you are considering getting into the backcountry, there are some important choices to be made concerning truth, justice and choosing the right system.
The Basics: Alpine Touring bindings have both front and back components just like bicycles have front and back tires. This revolutionary concept allows greater speed, performance and control. Tele bindings on the other hand are more akin to a unicycle with only one point of contact. The comic improbability of riding a unicycle or telemark skiing is a common bond between circus clowns and tele skiers, as is performing in public with farm animals.
Mr. McLean on the AT advantage:
Telemark binding designs were first sketched centuries ago on cave walls by Neanderthals. In a tribute to tradition, little has changed since then in both the design and the designers. AT bindings came afterwards, and like the invention of the wheel, something that is so perfectly conceived from the beginning that it can only be refined, not reinvented.
The primary advantage of AT is that it's all about skiing, touring, safety, efficiency and fun. Nothing very complicated or involved, just the basics. Telemarking is more of a religious cult or a reality TV series about dysfunctional rock star families, most of which doesn't makes sense to the casual viewer. Why would you want less control, more weight and unreliability? Because in the thighs of the beholder, telemarking has its own special beauty, like running a 100m sprint in high heel pumps.
Mr. McLean on additional AT advantages:
Weight:
Published weight for Alpine Touring bindings are stated in grams and ounces, whereas tele bindings use pounds and should consider going to tons. It is one of the engineering marvels of the world how a tele binding with half the function and parts of an AT binding can weigh over twice as much.
Safety:
Both bindings have built in safety mechanisms. AT binding use a mechanical system of springs and cams to release the skier at a predetermined load. Tele bindings stick with their organic roots by using your ACL as a biological release mechanism. The AT system is reset by stepping back into it, and the tele system is reset by stepping into an emergency room.
Functionality:
A touring binding must go up as well as down. For years, telemark binding designers have struggled to find a balance between having freedom on the uphill and control on the downhill. The result is a nearly perfect division of performance: the uphill inefficiency is equal to downhill instability.
Tele bindings may have less control, but at least they require more effort. AT bindings on the other hand took the cheaters way out by incorporating and optimizing two separate modes – skiing and climbing. |
However what really makes me wonder is the price of telemark bindings- most of which look like they have been knocked up in someones garage.
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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.
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| ed123 wrote: |
However what really makes me wonder is the price of telemark bindings- most of which look like they have been knocked up in someones garage. |
That's not far from the truth for Russell Rainey, 22 Designs and Bomber AIUI.
Small niche market, selling to stinky hippies who don't replace gear often enough and/or urban hipsters who'll pay a premium for a less functional product (cf fixed wheel bikes) and you can understand why the volume's not there to make it cheaper.
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[quote="ed123"]
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However what really makes me wonder is the price of telemark bindings- most of which look like they have been knocked up in someones garage. |
Is this not the case then?
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You know it makes sense.
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have just managed to acquire some rottefella ntns for 150 euros and a pair of scarpa terminator x boots for a 200 euros. sounds a fannytastic bargain from germany ( i have bought from this guy before and his stock is genuine and turns up). now to learn to tele. anyone in val d isere from nov 24 onwards to give some pointers ?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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limegreen1, how long you stay there,, I possible will be in Tignes end of nov,,,
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Poster: A snowHead
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limegreen1, killer deal you will not regret it. Its the new norm afterall 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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picked up my 1st tele set up this weekend as well...a bargin by swiss standard..though do miss decent ebay bargins.
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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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Wow- great deal. NTN's are a beefy, powerful tele-binding. I learned on Hammerheads which are also considered powerful, but I've been told by more than one person that NTN's are "like Hammerheads on steroids." This is good if you're transitioning from Alpine to tele. The NTN's will feel more like an alpine binding and you'll be able to do alpine turns easily on them. Pointers? Take a lesson from a good instructor & don't overthink the knee-dropping. It takes a lot of practice to perfect but a good lesson will have you on your way after 1 day.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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limegreen1, That sounds like an awesome deal. Quite interested in some of that kit! Where did you get it from?
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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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FAQ
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