Telemark Skiing for the Beginner

Telemark skiing is quickly becoming the buzz word of winter sports for the Winter of 2009 and will continue to be a growing trend even into the new year. While most people have heard of cross country skiing, downhill skiing, and even water skiing, even some skiing experts may be at a loss when it comes to Telemark skiing.

Telemark skiing is not strictly alpine skiing, and it is not strictly downhill skiing. Telemark skiing is a skiing hybrid which includes ski bindings that only connect to the ski boot at the toe like cross country skiing, but where the skier raises the inner ski as they traverse down the hill or across the snow. Originating in Norway, Telemark skiing is set to make a big impact in the US this ski season.

The main reason telemark skiing is such a hot topic for this cold season sport is the extreme exercise it provides. In telemark skiing the legs and body pump like in cross country, but the skier can enjoy the speed and excitement of downhill racing. Marketers and skiers alike hope that the strong workout coupled with the fun of a day on the slopes will be a big hit in today's health and eco conscience society.

From a ski salesmen's view one key selling point of telemark skis is that they have a dual utility. With telemark skis a skier does not have to buy a pair of cross country skis and downhill skis, the telemark skis will work for both which will lead to more options for the skier. Additionally, ski slopes can begin to integrate more flat paths in their ski plans which will allow skiers to take advantage of the multipurpose telemark skis.

From the perspective of an avid skier, telemark skis are just plain cool! When watching an advanced telemark skier it is as if the skier is floating on one leg down the hill and kicking up a snow half pipe behind them all the way down. Additionally, telemark skis offer a new skiing esperience without a steep learning curve. The transition from cross country skier to downhill racer is almost seamless through the use of telemark skis.

Overall the telemark skis provide an outlet for winter sports enthusiast to hop on the new ski trend and become this year's trendsetters whether it is on some giant mountains out in the west or even on some small local bumps back on the east coast. Telemark skis are the new skis.