Telemark or Alpine Touring Skis

The term telemark refers to a type of turn completed by the skier and was first developed in the ‘Telemark’ region of Norway. Instead of locking the heel into the skis, a telemark skier will drop their knee and thus lift the heel on their downhill ski to enable them to turn. In the early days, telemark skis were longer and skinny. Telemarkers’ used to use soft leather boots that were perfect for climbing and accessing backcountry instead of those commonly seen today. These days however are long gone, and telemarkers’ are now able to select between Hard pack rockets, bumpers, twin tip jibbers, all mountain skis, powder boards and freeride machines! Popular with backcountry and ski tourers, telemark and alpine touring skis look similar to regular alpine skis, differing in weight and flexibility. Choosing the perfect telemark or ski touring ski depends on the skier and snow conditions. Popular telemark skis in this range for different snow types include:

• Hardpack – (Examples : Atomic TM:9; K2 Super Stinx; Rossignol T1 & T2)
• All Mountain – (Examples : Atomic TM:22; K2 Super Stinx; Rossignol T2 & T3)
• Powder boards – (Examples : Atomic Tele Daddy; K2 work stinx & dawn patrol; Rossignol T4)
• Free ride boards – (Examples : Atomic TM:X; K2 work stinx & dawn patrol; Rossignol T4)