Telemark skiing is a unique and challenging discipline that requires a blend of technique, balance, and finesse. For the advanced telemark skier, the pursuit of perfecting parallel turns and maintaining control at high speeds is a never-ending quest. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key techniques, drills, and strategies that will help you take your telemark skiing to the next level.
What are the Key Techniques for Advanced Telemark Skiing?
Edging and Rear Ski Weighting
- Edging: Focus on the inside edge of your outside ski and the outside edge of your inside ski. This helps maintain control on hard snow and in tight spaces.
- Rear Ski Weighting: Concentrate on weighting your rear ski, especially the ball of your foot, to initiate turns and maintain control. This is crucial for linking turns and executing parallel turns.
Weight Distribution and Balance
- Weight Distribution: Aim for 70% weight on your front ski (outside ski) for carving and racing, but adjust this to 55-70% depending on snow conditions and speed.
- Balance: Maintain a centered stance, with your hips and foot in one line, to ensure stability and control.
Breathing and Rhythm
- Breathing: Exhale at the end of each turn to synchronize your movements and enhance rhythm.
- Rhythm: Focus on a consistent rhythm to link turns smoothly and maintain speed.
How to Maintain Control and Speed in Advanced Telemark Skiing?
Hard Snow and Tight Spaces
- Early Edging: Focus on horizontal extension at the start of the turn to get the new lead change edging as fast as possible. This helps maintain control on hard snow.
- Femur Rotation: Rotate your femur on your outside leg to create opposing forces and enhance edge pressure.
Speed Control
- Weight Transfer: Shift weight from the outside ski to the inside ski during turns to control speed and maintain balance.
- Unweighting and Weighting: Practice unweighting and weighting to create rhythm and flow, especially in slower turns.
What are the Drills and Exercises for Advanced Telemark Skiing?
Linking Turns (Garland)
- Objective: Practice linking turns without stopping to enhance rhythm and flow.
- Drill: Start with a wedge tele stance, then bring your inner ski and rear leg to a tele stance. Steer your front foot to control turn size and speed.
Edging and Rear Ski Weighting
- Objective: Improve edging and rear ski weighting techniques.
- Drill: Focus on edging with your inside edge (outside ski) and outside edge (inside ski). Visualize your rear foot pinky putting pressure on the outside edge.
Counterbalancing
- Objective: Practice keeping your upper body facing downhill and quiet.
- Drill: Keep your chest facing downhill and avoid exaggerated movements.