I learned to X country ski at 40. I have congenital (mild) osteo genesis imperfecta, and the fear of banging into anything (hard snow) scared the crap out of me. Now, at 50, I am finally making Telemark turns down the easier runs at Crested Butte. I am obsessed! The coordination and grace required to make beautiful tele turns has given me growing courage and many Zen-even Sartori-moments. The coolest thing I have ever done. And the coolest crowd at any ski area!
I watch this video every couple months just to scratch that tele itch. Seeing the guidance of Biff (technical and mindful), and the indoctrination of “young” telemarkers reinvigorates my unofficial covenant with the tribe.
Surely all directional movements are used for balancing, flexing and extending just moves your center of mass towards or further away from your base of support. I can ski or tele without moving in the vertical plane and stay in balance, however if I neglect any rotational movement then the turns go out the window. Go try it!
I wanna learn this by heart: "To me teleskiing is not an intellectual persuade. It's a feeling, and all the things we play with are just to create different emotional sensations of what we do." I've got to do a real poetic translation into Danish (my tongue).
Biff Russel, and he's high on life :) I put a link to the other video I did with him in the description. Might have to do another, lots of people like hippies.
@stefanr00 Definitely true. There's more than one way to skin a cat, and there is no one way to teach people how to telemark. Biff has his unique skiing and teaching style born out of his iconoclastic personality. He gets his points across makes learning fun
Ski in peace, who cares what you drive. As long as you have fun getting there. I go to the old school gas station buy a huge tractor tube and walla. So dont tell me the burning of calories is an argument point of whos way of going down a slippery slope is best. SF ski basin rules. Have a nice season all. Merry X mas. 12/13
telemark is just a feeling, not intellectual pursuit.... sounds a lot like latin dance courses I did... it finally clicks when you stop overthinking and follow the rhythm with steps as a rough guide.
The new things??? I sold my alpine skis in 1995, purchased a used pair of tele-skis from Dickie Hall at NATO and never looked back. Free the heel, free the mind. And I still don't wear plastic boots.
I also find it rather interesting how every single page of words or every single video has his own idea about telemarking and what is proper telemarking..
Belleayre Mtn...man, the last time I skied there was 1967! I assume the mono-mark is for training only as it would be a ridiculous way to actually ski.
kayakutah In the dynamics of telemark skiing, some people get confused with the shuffling of the feet. As a drill, the monomark reduces this confusion. It forces the athlete to focus on general balance, front foot pressure, rear foot foot pressure, and edge control...without having the added complexities of the shuffle. When I am having a bad day on the slopes, I use this drill to get my head out of my own ass. It brings me back to fundamentals. Telemark is not about shuffling...that’s a byproduct. To me telemark is about balance, it’s about finding my root, that which is true and fundamental to me.
How do I get hold of Biff?? I'm sure he taught me how to climb in the 'Gunks back in '93 and haven't seen him since. He was a fam friend and then I moved. I mean how many guys named Biff can there be in the Kats?!?
You say you have to challenge yourself in a controlled situation to have a moment of growth. Does the same apply in an out of control situation? I suppose what I'm getting at is when we push our boundaries, we grow and more often than not, as soon as we step out of comfort zone, we are challenged and have to grow! Or do you believe there is no learning in being out of your comfort zone. For example, I'm trying to learn to surf in a controlled space!!! Will I ever make progress? Or do I have to dare to paddle out the back?!
+Sandra Quiggin Good question. In the video the students were trying new things they were uncomfortable doing. Nevertheless, the situation was under control. I can't speak for Biff, but I think he wants to challenge the students to do new things without placing them at unnecessary risk. At some point you have to push yourself, paddle out back, challenge the surf. That point isn't when you're scared to death. I think a controlled situation is one in which you are prepared to handle what happens when things go wrong. That's different from staying inside your comfort zone.
I try to maintain some civility in the comments on my videos. HeavyMetalBronco's comment was borderline, but if that's how s/he feels about tele skiing, it's his/her loss. If, as you suggest, it was just to piss us off, why reward the behavior by getting angry? I decided not to delete your comment in the spirit of open and lively dialog. However, I did feel it necessary to say something about the personal nature of your attack and the use of profanity.
@HeavyMetalBronco Hush bud, Your legs would be burning after five minuted in tele gear Lots of people do ride switch I will even hit rails and boxes in the park with tele gear
Telemarking was started as a way of turning cross country skies while going down hill because there wasn't the technology in bindings and boots to lock your heel. So, If your not touring, why telemark? And if you are touring why not just get AT gear and be safer and in more control cuz we have the technology, also is better for skiing if ur caring 45lbs of camping gear on ur back.
Just to be clear it was the FIRST way of skiing in general. Everyone should watch the tutorial on making the original style skis. From chopping the tree to the hemp bindings and the incredible feats accomplished on them up to about 1930 or so.
Спорт
That helmet strap is making me rage!
I learned to X country ski at 40. I have congenital (mild) osteo genesis imperfecta, and the fear of banging into anything (hard snow) scared the crap out of me. Now, at 50, I am finally making Telemark turns down the easier runs at Crested Butte. I am obsessed! The coordination and grace required to make beautiful tele turns has given me growing courage and many Zen-even Sartori-moments. The coolest thing I have ever done. And the coolest crowd at any ski area!
Great video, quite inspiring and moving at the same time. "Its better to be relaxed than to be resisting the entire time", fine words Biff.
+Samuel Hellman Truly words to live by. It's not only about tele skiing. Thanks for pointing that out Sam.
I watch this video every couple months just to scratch that tele itch. Seeing the guidance of Biff (technical and mindful), and the indoctrination of “young” telemarkers reinvigorates my unofficial covenant with the tribe.
Awe biff! Hell yeah buddy! That’s just what I needed to hear.
That guy nails it...great teacher!
Biff seems like a boss! Free the heel ski for real! Training wheels? Training HEELS!
All hail the Tele tribe! Continue that graceful dance!
Biff how long is your ski and where is the binding mountid? Wery helpfull instructions. Thanks and dumb up.
That's what I been sayin'. The edge change is the turn!
Cool video! I went telemarking last week in Austria. I saw only 2 other telemarkers out of hundreds of people.
you could probably see more freeheelers out in Switzerland or France, but I think the community isgrowing slowly everywhere :)
@SkiStronger Thanks so much. That's why we make these videos.
Good catch.
Surely all directional movements are used for balancing, flexing and extending just moves your center of mass towards or further away from your base of support. I can ski or tele without moving in the vertical plane and stay in balance, however if I neglect any rotational movement then the turns go out the window. Go try it!
Let's do it!
@JeffreyMulac8 Thanks for a heartfelt and insightful comment.
I wanna learn this by heart: "To me teleskiing is not an intellectual persuade. It's a feeling, and all the things we play with are just to create different emotional sensations of what we do." I've got to do a real poetic translation into Danish (my tongue).
Benny Andersen “pursuit” as in to seek or find. Not “persuade” as to convince. Darn auto correct. Lol. Let us know the danish translation. Peace
Biff Russel, and he's high on life :)
I put a link to the other video I did with him in the description. Might have to do another, lots of people like hippies.
watching 2024/ Tele trip. Cool mountain/people
lets see this on video DAWG
Hi Gerry. This video is awesome. Is there anyway I can contact you directly? Thank you very much.
I think you need a few more bong loads next time. This is where telemark jokes come from right here
@stefanr00 Definitely true. There's more than one way to skin a cat, and there is no one way to teach people how to telemark. Biff has his unique skiing and teaching style born out of his iconoclastic personality. He gets his points across makes learning fun
Ski in peace, who cares what you drive. As long as you have fun getting there. I go to the old school gas station buy a huge tractor tube and walla. So dont tell me the burning of calories is an argument point of whos way of going down a slippery slope is best. SF ski basin rules. Have a nice season all. Merry X mas. 12/13
telemark is just a feeling, not intellectual pursuit.... sounds a lot like latin dance courses I did... it finally clicks when you stop overthinking and follow the rhythm with steps as a rough guide.
The new things??? I sold my alpine skis in 1995, purchased a used pair of tele-skis from Dickie Hall at NATO and never looked back. Free the heel, free the mind.
And I still don't wear plastic boots.
I love my T2's!
Mountaineer ski is something like telemark, can downhill with these skis?
I also find it rather interesting how every single page of words or every single video has his own idea about telemarking and what is proper telemarking..
The only reason I can think of to ski back east , is to get a lesson from this Biff. Where do I sign up
Biff is my hero
I only tele cau
se I dont have alpine skis lol
I have never before seen someone telemark without changing ski..
Biff is my guru. Ferd is my tellyguru.
Belleayre Mtn...man, the last time I skied there was 1967! I assume the mono-mark is for training only as it would be a ridiculous way to actually ski.
kayakutah
In the dynamics of telemark skiing, some people get confused with the shuffling of the feet. As a drill, the monomark reduces this confusion. It forces the athlete to focus on general balance, front foot pressure, rear foot foot pressure, and edge control...without having the added complexities of the shuffle.
When I am having a bad day on the slopes, I use this drill to get my head out of my own ass. It brings me back to fundamentals. Telemark is not about shuffling...that’s a byproduct. To me telemark is about balance, it’s about finding my root, that which is true and fundamental to me.
Silly is good, can't be heavy all the time.
How do I get hold of Biff?? I'm sure he taught me how to climb in the 'Gunks back in '93 and haven't seen him since. He was a fam friend and then I moved. I mean how many guys named Biff can there be in the Kats?!?
You say you have to challenge yourself in a controlled situation to have a moment of growth. Does the same apply in an out of control situation? I suppose what I'm getting at is when we push our boundaries, we grow and more often than not, as soon as we step out of comfort zone, we are challenged and have to grow! Or do you believe there is no learning in being out of your comfort zone. For example, I'm trying to learn to surf in a controlled space!!! Will I ever make progress? Or do I have to dare to paddle out the back?!
+Sandra Quiggin Good question. In the video the students were trying new things they were uncomfortable doing. Nevertheless, the situation was under control. I can't speak for Biff, but I think he wants to challenge the students to do new things without placing them at unnecessary risk.
At some point you have to push yourself, paddle out back, challenge the surf. That point isn't when you're scared to death. I think a controlled situation is one in which you are prepared to handle what happens when things go wrong. That's different from staying inside your comfort zone.
Those two guys from 3:40 look so confused
I try to maintain some civility in the comments on my videos. HeavyMetalBronco's comment was borderline, but if that's how s/he feels about tele skiing, it's his/her loss. If, as you suggest, it was just to piss us off, why reward the behavior by getting angry?
I decided not to delete your comment in the spirit of open and lively dialog. However, I did feel it necessary to say something about the personal nature of your attack and the use of profanity.
Just stand up.....most people can not tell if you "downhill ski" on telemark skiis
@soaniles It took a while but I eventually got it.
telemarkers need to switch to mono boards far more zen like and new age
@HeavyMetalBronco
Hush bud,
Your legs would be burning after five minuted in tele gear
Lots of people do ride switch
I will even hit rails and boxes in the park with tele gear
I ran into Biff last weekend, got his mail address. He thinks he remembers teaching you. Write me at my personal address again, I'll give it to you.
@sdtommola Write me privately at gerry at radxsports period com with your email; and I'll forward the message to him.
Telemarking was started as a way of turning cross country skies while going down hill because there wasn't the technology in bindings and boots to lock your heel. So, If your not touring, why telemark? And if you are touring why not just get AT gear and be safer and in more control cuz we have the technology, also is better for skiing if ur caring 45lbs of camping gear on ur back.
Why not just buy a snowmobile and carry 90 pounds of junk?
We tele 'cause it's fun. If you can't - don't.
kayakutah U got it!
kayakutah Very well said. Alpine skiers just don't get it.
the Military use tele... because they are lighter I believe. AT skis have got lighter with those new side bindings tho.
Just to be clear it was the FIRST way of skiing in general. Everyone should watch the tutorial on making the original style skis. From chopping the tree to the hemp bindings and the incredible feats accomplished on them up to about 1930 or so.
Highly unlikely? Where do you live bro? Maybe you and your gaper friends can come gawk at me IRL.
Highly unlikely. You should post a video of yourself hitting 50 ft booters whilst doing old school tricks.
Zen Master? Silly
Actually, you just made yourself look pretty stoopid. Glad to know you ski hard, but try thinking just as hard before mouthing off. Peace.