Alpine and Tele - Pros and Cons? (tele JONG)

[ak_powder_monkey]

am I the only one that skis on bonas?

[powderwhore]

I am currently completing my tele set up for next winter. Need to find some boots then I'm all set, any suggestions?

Tried it for the first time last year and really dug how it made the mountain alot bigger. Runs I normally ski switch were a challenge on tele. Looking forward to meeting many stinky hippies this winter!

[cmor]

If you've spent a lot of time on snow you'll pick up tele real quick. Put a solid season in and it becomes pretty comfortable. If I was stuck in-bounds all the time I might consider going all tele.

The only big con I've seen is trying to tele difficult runs in the bc. Taking tele gear in a no fall zone is not something I can currentlly do. I know there's freaks out there who can rip horribly exposed lines on tele gear, but they are a select bunch.

For ski mountaineering stuff I think AT is the way to go.

[duboix]

GUYS, THANKS A LOT!!!

PS
That article by Kristen Ulmer is great, I'll make the translation.

[MF Pow]

Yeah tele is definitely a whole nother ball game. Tele in good conditions/pow is probably the best feeling in the world, however when conditions are bad, it is simply horrible. Also cruising groomers on tele is much funner than on alpine skis, however, major drawbakcs in the park. But give it a shot, and give yourself sometime to learn. Be patient.

[edg]

Originally posted by powderwhore
I am currently completing my tele set up for next winter. Need to find some boots then I'm all set, any suggestions?

Tried it for the first time last year and really dug how it made the mountain alot bigger. Runs I normally ski switch were a challenge on tele. Looking forward to meeting many stinky hippies this winter!

The Crispi line up last year seemed pretty damned good, so you might want to have a look into those (Just choose the one that suits your skiing - whether it be mainly resort (big, plastic boots with lots of straps), or mainly touring (lower cut, plastic boots with less straps). Apparently the Garmont lineup is pretty good too.

I wouldn't go for Scarpas, mainly because of the looks. I don't like the look of the new series, but that might take your fancy...

edg

[Greydon Clark]

Despite the smashing colors in the Crispi line, I'd buy the boot that fits. Just make sure it is one of the bigger boots on the market (T-1 or T-Race stiffness).

[Potsy]

Ditto dat. Tele boot fit is even more important than alpine boot fit because a sloppy tele boot won't break at the bellows correctly and that could result in tippytoes, blisters on your heal, fakeamarks, etc.

[Yeti]

Freeheeling is all about the dance, not the stance. It's a more three-dimensional flow down the mountain, more like surfing. Bumps can be a lot more fun. At the top end, tele is a slower discipline, but with the right kit you can always P-turn almost as well as on fixed-heel gear.

Ditto what folks say on the boot fit. Each of the big 3 makers' boots is designed around a different last. Most people will only really fit into one of the brands... Scarpa has the biggest market share, Garmont next, and Crispi's down there but has a solid following.

edg, you can still pick up T1 bumblebees, though they are getting more rare.

[supercow]

I switch between the two pretty much evenly prefering to take my alpine setup when I'm going to places where the terrain is more challenging and taking the tele setup when I'm at my boring local hill or skiing with friends and family.

Pros
makes what used to be something you'd ski down on alpines without even thinking about it a little bit more challenging

much better full body workout and it feels so much more fluid

when you go back to alpines your edge control and weight placement will be MUCH more precise

definately a much cooler vibe and people are more friendly

people think you're a much better skier since tele is much harder then alpine

Cons
not as fast or as precise as alpine

not as burly as alpine