Telemark Tip by Greg Dixon
When it comes to snowsports, telemark skiers don’t have a lot of advantages. We only have half a binding, our boots bend where they shouldn’t, and we are forced to do lunges all the way down the hill so we won’t faceplant. There is however one advantage telemark skiers do have; that is our range of motion.
Due to our flimsy gear we are able to utilize all of our joints right down to our toes. This is a huge advantage when the terrain gets bumpy and we’re looking for a line through a mogul field. The telemarkers range of motion allows them to swallow up bumps and make for a smooth direct path. The ability to bend our boots above our toes gives us one extra joint with which to absorb terrain. It also allows the knee and hip joints a little extra range of motion while still maintaining an effective stance.
To fully take advantage of this benefit the mogul field should be approached with the mind set that the legs are going to be actively shortening and lengthening to match the terrain. As you approach a mogul the upward slope is going to want to push your skis up towards your body. At this point you should be actively flexing your joints, from the toes up through the spine, in order to allow your skis to absorb this upward force. The legs should move up towards the body, rather than the body dropping down to meet the legs. Be aware to flex just enough so that the skis maintain contact with the snow, but still allow you to float over it without interrupting your forward movement.
As you continue to flow over the mogul, the terrain is going to drop away as you roll over the downward slope. At this point lengthen your legs in order to maintain contact and a consistent pressure between your skis and the snow. Maintaining contact with the snow aids in speed control as well as enhancing the progressive nature of your pressure control movements. Keep in mind that as you are extending the legs out, the center of mass needs to move forward rather than back away from this extension, as to avoid excessive braking movements. Finishing with the legs in an extended position you are lined up to absorb the next mogul with enough flexion to continue your smooth ride.
Choosing to take this approach, when telemarking in the moguls, you will find that is easier to take a more direct line down the slope. The train of thought is less resistance or braking and more glide and continuous motion. Use the freeheel to your advantage and learn to utilize the full range of motion that it offers.
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