Telemark skiing is a unique style of skiing developed in Norway in the 19th century. The distinguishing characteristic of telemark skiing is the clipless heel on the equipment that allows for much greater flex in the calves, ankles and legs of the skier, which makes it easier to carve smoother and faster through turns. Telemark skis are commonly used in backcountry and touring skiing, although they may be used for alpine skiing as well. The techniques are different from other forms of skiing, though, so attention to detail and differences is important.
Flex Your Ankles
According to the Sierra Club, a flexed ankle is essential to take advantage of the telemark ski setup. Flexing your ankle lifts the heel off the ski. You should also bend your knees forward so that they extend past your toes. Keep the back straight when skiing. These techniques result in easier turning on your telemark skis.
Practice With Moguls
Running off a mogul can be hazardous for any skier who is unprepared for the small jump, but telemark skis and their absent heel bindings can create even more trouble for skiers going off moguls. Because of this, it is wise to take time and practice cresting moguls and keeping yourself under control. Start out on an isolated mound---avoid skiing over a series of moguls until you refine your technique. You should be standing with your tips and tails both hanging up off the snow. Start skiing by pushing your front tips down, then crouch into the flexed telemark position. Your front ankle should be flexed and slightly out ahead of your body, while your rear thigh should be placed directly beneath you. Repeat this process, except just before pushing off, twist your feet to turn your skis in a different direction than straight---this demonstrates how easy it is to turn when the tips of your skis are off the ground, and this is precisely how you want to control your direction and turn when contacting moguls. Practice this repeatedly before attempting a mild moguls run.
Minimize the Lead of Your Front Leg
You want to have one ski ahead of the other to improve your balance, but some telemark skiers can cause problems for themselves by creating a dramatic lead, causing the skier to look almost as if he is kneeling on his skis. While the front foot should be placed out ahead of your body and rear foot, which should be underneath your body, keep the distance between the front of your lead ski and the front of your rear ski to no more than one foot.
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