Telemark skiing is dead.

[MakersTeleMark]

well, that's a pretty important piece to leave out, no?

regardless, it's a fairly new system and just like perfecting the duckbutt and its use took a while (how long was Mitch touting NTN before we saw them in the wild?), perfecting tech toe usage does too. That said, the vast majority of people that made the switch to tech toe tele aren't going back, from what I see, and that says a lot.

You just enjoy being a curmudgeon. Should we start calling you Benny?

I'm switching as soon as my current T1's break down. I just wish I had firm conviction as to what binding system I'm heading to, and it's been that way for a long time.

[bio-smear]

Made the jump to 22D. Sold the Rottefellas to a fellow mag and mounted these up on my 2009 S5s last weekend. Now gotta figure out how to adjust to my liking...TBH I was happy with how the Rottes skied.

[PB]

......

So really, my disappointment here is with the NTN boots and the fact that there are only, really, 2 to choose from and NEITHER fits well.

OK then, now I can sympathize - if the boot's not right, the binding doesn't matter. Maybe Bodywhomper will chime in here - I think he was running Ener-Gs (maybe Syner-Gs?) before switching to NTN. He went Scarpa TX comps and likes them. You might also want to look at Crispi NTN boots (Fey Bros, telemarkdown.com). Scott NTN boots seem to have few fans.

[PB]

I'm switching as soon as my current T1's break down. I just wish I had firm conviction as to what binding system I'm heading to, and it's been that way for a long time.

If you don't trust the TTS systems ( I'm in no rush either), then just go with a "traditional" cage toe e.g. outlawX or Freeride, depending on whether you lean more towards touring or resorts. Oh, and get the right boots.

[BCMtnHound]

For resort skiing, I love my rotties with my TX pros. Still working out the kinks with my TTS system (OG hardwire block and heels with zeds) but still happy. Still use old t2x or my leathers with X2’s and mountaineers for meadowskipping. I like options. Tele life is good if you are flexible and willing to tinker.

[XXX-er]

I still have a T-1 / 7tm setup but I think I am maybe 70% on the knee so I will wait till maybe next year

but its so not over

[jhyatt]

My old hammerheads had the weird reverse heel throw trick for touring, because switching between pivot points in the field was a pita.

What's that trick?

[bodywhomper]

OK then, now I can sympathize - if the boot's not right, the binding doesn't matter. Maybe Bodywhomper will chime in here - I think he was running Ener-Gs (maybe Syner-Gs?) before switching to NTN. He went Scarpa TX comps and likes them. You might also want to look at Crispi NTN boots (Fey Bros, telemarkdown.com). Scott NTN boots seem to have few fans.

I have been a garmot guy since the Gara’s came out and an intuition guy since they were rachlie thermoflex liners. I have feet shaped like flippers with narrow heels and wide flat forefeet. I’ve gone through 3 pairs of the ener-g’s over the years. My last pair are on their last legs. I bought them a few years ago for a song and maybe 2 days worth of resort skiing. Using an aftermarket intuition liner.

The t1 shell last was too narrow for me in the forefoot. The ntn tx comp/tx pro last fits well for me. I’m using the stock intuition scarpa liners for now. They fit me pretty well. My understanding is that their last is wider in the forefoot that the t1 last. And the Scott ntn lasts are narrower in the forefoot than the ener-g’s last. I’ll probably put some l-pads on my scarpa liners for better heel hold. I use an old pair of superfeet corkvac insoles.

I haven’t put my feet into a crispi ntn boot. I skied crispi 75mm plastic boots many times at the turn of the century at on-snow trade events and they were always a painful experience for me.

I was holding out on ntn because I found my last ener-g, I was waiting/hoping for a fabled powerful scarpa boot with tech toes and an AT style walk mode, and the transition was going to be expensive. With PB’s help on bindings and unwanted groomer zoomers skis, I was enabled to give it an go and got the tx comps after getting shell fit at a shop.

i have always been a pretty adaptable tele skier to the gear. It took me a few hours to feel really good with the brand new tx comps. It takes me a run or two when I’m switching between the tx comps and the ener-g’s. I really like the tx comp/rotte freedom combo. A lot of power and control. i drop a knee most often. I have them on 7x waisted groomer zoomers. I will use them even on days that I’m skiing weird manky 3D snow when my mantras would be more fun/appropriate because I dig the boots, boot flex, and binding combo SO much. I’m really looking forward to getting ntn bindings on the rest of my quiver.

[~mikey b]

Outlaw and TX Pro is good for me

Rotafella skied ok but not step in

for working on snow and just sorta farting around in the woods it’s a great setup

I don’t tele a lot while patrolling because it’s not the turn for running sleds and shit

but it’s the best rig for a lot of the flat ground bullshit while working

I had to use AT gear for avalanche control work and I’ve come to like it well enough - Fritschi Tecton 12 rocks

my Scarpa Freedoms are every bit as comfy as my T1s were for 20 years

my T3 boot G3 Targa combo is fkn awesome for meadow skipping - I use them for snow surveys with a big waxless Voile ski - best tool for the 60 mile Trans Sierra we do

[~mikey b]

I always liked Paul Parker’s term Freeheel Skiing

you don’t have to tele to appreciate the benefit of a free heel

[Danno]

What's that trick?

It's been at least 15 years, but iirc you put the heel throw on upside down/backwards. It doesn't snap on or anything, of course, but it holds your foot into the binding without adding spring tension to your heel.

[BCMtnHound]

I always liked Paul Parker’s term Freeheel Skiing

you don’t have to tele to appreciate the benefit of a free heel

Preach

[MakersTeleMark]

It's been at least 15 years, but iirc you put the heel throw on upside down/backwards. It doesn't snap on or anything, of course, but it holds your foot into the binding without adding spring tension to your heel.

This. Is just slides upward enough to give yourself a little more heel lift. Not an issue once the axl came out. You did need to back out the set tubes for a more neutral flex, but it was worth it, and I tend to ski that way anyway, even so much as being in walk mode all the time. I like a centered neutral stance and like monomarking and just playing with balance and edge control.

And freeheel is just a state of mind. Without ever trying NTN, I can guarantee you that Finn's bishops have just as much lock down. I could break every part of my body easily in an OG bishop. There is literally no slop. Those on my tuned explosivs and I better be really ready for an ice pack after a day.

Maybe stating the obvious, but I see the limiting factor of tele going into the future to be the boots, not the bindings, as has been expressed above. If your feet aint happy, you are not skiing, period. I can snap into some 3 pins or anything and make a day out of it, but if my shin, or calf is fucked, I can barely walk.

[~mikey b]

https://youtu.be/p027MPOJdoQ

[bodywhomper]

I’m intrigued by the new rotte xcd binding/ boot system. I’m pretty happy with my snsbc system kit with some really great boots that fit well (ski swap), but I hope the new system takes off

[~mikey b]

yeah that looks good too

[MakersTeleMark]

https://youtu.be/p027MPOJdoQ

RIP. Man, 2 mitch references in so many days. We actually had a solid internet and IRL tribe back in the day.

I did see Daheel in a kilt tonight. Him and his wife were glowing. Funny what happens when the coop is empty.

And also, that looks way too much like Odog. Danger.

And and, I cannot imagine not having a free heel. How many times have you bent over to help someone out with their boots, pick up a dropped this or that, or just kneeling down to get to kid level to talk to them in their eyes, or just most every task. I telepine all the time, but it's so much fun to just bust big ass turns in pow, or go from really weighted alpine turns to massive tele gs turns. It makes me giddy, always has. After all these years, I still have a massive permagrin that is just a you have to try it kinda kid thing.

[~mikey b]

it’s her birfday

[MakersTeleMark]

it’s her birfday

I did not know that. But at least I gave her a hug.

[jhyatt]

It's been at least 15 years, but iirc you put the heel throw on upside down/backwards. It doesn't snap on or anything, of course, but it holds your foot into the binding without adding spring tension to your heel.

Thanks!

[Danno]

Thanks!

Something MTM said triggered a memory, I think you couldn't be in position 4/5 for this to work? But position 3 did work and that was totally skiable for me. I may be completely misremembering, since I got rid of those bindings in maybe 2006 or 2007.

[chicken feathers]

And and, I cannot imagine not having a free heel. How many times have you bent over to help someone out with their boots, pick up a dropped this or that, or just kneeling down to get to kid level to talk to them in their eyes, or just most every task. I telepine all the time, but it's so much fun to just bust big ass turns in pow, or go from really weighted alpine turns to massive tele gs turns. It makes me giddy, always has. After all these years, I still have a massive permagrin that is just a you have to try it kinda kid thing.

Nice post MTM. Pretty much sums up why I keep telemark in the quiver. It's utilitarian and fun.
Gonna be mounting up a new 75mm rig in a few days here...just waiting on a new centering tool from slidewright

[BeHuWe]

I put Lynxes on my Meridian Tours and liked them so much that I bought a set of Outlaw Xs and swap them on for inbounds days. They seem to have plenty of float in powder and they are super fun for carving GS-sized turns. Then again, I think the tour version is a little softer than the inbounds version, or at least my 2018 vintage 181cm Meridian Tours seem softer than the 187cm 2016(?) first-edition Meridians.

That was the response I was hoping for! I have l started swapping out my alpine clamps for NTN after a few weeks of use NTN has revived my love for the free heel!

I have the inbounds layup 187 meridians and I think the next convert is going to be my billygoats or chipotle banana’s


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[petey_]

Gonna be mounting up a new 75mm rig in a few days here...just waiting on a new centering tool from slidewright

You didn't get the memo? Drink beer and eyeball it. The 59.99 drill press sure helped as well.

[bio-smear]

RIP. Man, 2 mitch references in so many days.
...

WTF? Did Mitch die?