Try Telemark Skiing

Duration 8 Days » Grade Introductory

Testa Grigia, Cervinia Photo: © John Eames

Skiing with free-heel bindings has been around for 4000 years and the telemark technique itself has been around since the mid 19th century, some 70 years prior to the advent of fixed heel skiing (Alpine or Downhill). Thesedays telemark skiers are using skis with big side-cut, plastic boots and high tech, releasable free-heel bindings - it is a dynamic and exciting form of skiing that leaves the 'dudes' awestruck in the terrain parks and holiday skiers on the pistes amazed by the gracefulness and style of those linking telemark turns.

For us the big thing about telemark skiing is its huge versatility - with the same equipment we can ski the pistes, go into the off-pistes, complete major ski-mountaineering itineraries - and simply walk with ease or skate across those flat areas that leaves Alpine skiers doing the 'penguin walk'! For so many people it is all about the off-piste, skiing the steeps and deeps, accessing the back-country and touring out to bowls of untouched snow beyond. This is your chance to sample the technique, to free the heel and open up to new challenges and horizons for your skiing and your winter activities.

Grade: Introductory (See below for pre-course skiing ability)
Course bases: Tignes (December courses), Les Crosets (January courses) and Cervinia (March/April courses).

Course Structure

Each week comprises 6 days of skiing. There will be 5 x ½ days of instruction leaving the 6th day free and each day giving you plenty of time to practise and enjoy your telemark skiing. During the week there will also be opportunities to use the video, to enhance your understanding of your technique, improve awareness and see your progress for yourself. Groups are carefully selected so that everyone is in the right group for their ability level; often numbers in groups are quite small, typically no more than 6, which allows even more individualised input and attention. As our focus is off-piste telemark skiing and touring we will, on occasion, venture into off-piste snow almost immediately, choosing appropriate slopes and conditions to do so.

Outline Programme

Day 1:	Travel to the resort, meet the group and your instructors, discuss equipment and hire needs.
Day 2-6:	After sorting into ability groups, you will probably spend the first day or two simply skiing Alpine style i.e. snow- ploughs, stems and parallels, to become familiar with the gear and having no heel binding. This in itself will do wonders for your Alpine technique. We will then introduce the telemark technique and straight away the flattest 'blue' runs will become interesting again. Gradually, with our input and guidance, you will develop more confidence and understanding and start to think about going a bit faster and a bit steeper. Just how far you go with telemarking in one week depends on many variables - as a rough guide, if you are a good intermediate Alpine skier, by the end of the week you should be linking telemark turns down most 'blue' slopes. Some strong skiers could be on the 'reds' in this time.
Day 6:	Skiing day with no instruction.
Day 7:	Depart after breakfast, return travel home.

Pre-Course Skiing Ability

Our Try Telemark Skiing courses are suitable for Alpine skiers who are confident and controlled linking parallel turns on 'blue' runs as an absolute minimum. If you are a 'red' slope skier (skiing linked parallel turns) then you will benefit even more from this course and progress is likely to be very satisfactory.

Further Information

Find out more about our coaches, the skiing venues, transport and accommodation, equipment, insurance and course inclusions and exclusions... [read more]

News items:

Try Telemark Skiing (Aug '07)

Dates

2009 dates to be announced
Please register your interest

Prices (choose currency)

Joining in
Insurance	Course Only £48

Expeditions

If you have the skills & fitness required, then Jagged Globe offers a wide range of exciting expeditions [read more]

Other Courses at this Grade

These courses have a similar grade and might also suit you. They are all considered to be 'introductory courses'.

Course name	Days
Off Piste Beginners - The 3 Valleys	8
Introductory Long Weekend	4
Scrambling Bank Holiday	4
Haute Route	9

Telemark Skiing Courses