Reddit reviews Allen & Mike's Really Cool Telemark Tips, Revised and Even Better!: 123 Amazing Tips To Improve Your Tele-Skiing (Allen & Mike's Series)

This is how I learned to tele. If you want it, go for it. Your cheapest option is a cable binding, either G3, BD, or maybe some old rotte chili peppers. I'd buy any used tele ski under 100 underfoot to learn on. Anything in the 170-185 length will let you learn the turn (granted, once you learn to ski, you'll probably want to adhere to typical sizing conventions, and ski something in the 181 area).

Look on craigslist or at a ski swap. A good thing about tele bindings, is that they are compatible for most sized boots. Unless you have a tiny foot (under 25 mondo) any binding should work.

Most tele bindings have a 4-hole mounting pattern. Much different than an alpine mount. Any reputable shop should have a jig for the common tele bindings out there.

A lesson would be a great idea. A competent instructor can lay down the basics of the turn pretty quickly. I liked Mike and Allen's tele book for tips and tricks on learning the turn. It's an illustrated guide full of useful drills and the like.

Snowboarders generally segue well into tele skiing. Unlike skiers who are used to most of their weight on one foot, snowboarders, like tele skiers, are adept at equally weighting their feet.

In short: buy any used tele ski, as long as it has camber. The binding should fit your boot. Go out and learn. Once you get good, then figure out what kind of ski you like. Maybe check out the forums at telemarktips. Even if your boots are crappy, they will allow you to learn a little, and see it tele is a good fit for you. I enjoy it, and I hope you do as well.

Well, for most people I know, telemark is more about the feel than any particular advantage or disadvantage compared to alpine skiing. I'd say one main advantage is I find it is easier to tour with, less messing around with finnicky tech bindings, really easy to fix if something fucks up, and transitions are really quick.

Probably the main disadvantage is typical 75mm tele bindings do not release easily. So, you are definitely at a higher risk of really messing up your legs if you get into a nasty fall because those skis are probably not coming off.

Its different for everyone, but it definitely has taken me a few seasons to get it down. But luckily, this book is really awesome and there are a lot of other self help resources. Not to mention, a lot of places in the west will do lessons.

Switch skiing is difficult. Otherwise it can mostly do everything else.

Like I said, for most people it is about the feel of the free heel and you either like it or you don't. Although I also find it is easier on my knees than alpine skiing.

Come join us at r/telemark!

You should pick up Allen & Mike's Really Cool Telemark Tips.
https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Really-Telemark-Revised-Better/dp/076274586X

It helped me get sorted out when I was learning. I still roll through a list of them in my head. Keep your skirt on, frog gigging, big toe/little toe. I need to pick it back up and refresh...

HAVE ALL OF THE TIPS.

It's literally in the name of the book:

https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Really-Telemark-Revised-Better/dp/076274586X/

I'm actually surprised no one has mentioned it yet.

Getcha one of these books!

https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Really-Telemark-Revised-Better/dp/076274586X

I use this on days when everything is skied out and I have some time to goof around very useful drills and practices in there

This book is great for learning the mechanics http://amzn.com/076274586X

It will take more than an afternoon to figure it out. I started tele on a small hill in a field. It was a safe spot, not steep or big, no bumps or hazards under the snow. Took a few days and fell a bunch but its so much fun once it clicks. Sturdy boots/bindings help a lot. I started on basically beefy XC touring boots and was useless, upgrading to a full plastic boot made a huge difference, I could actually turn. Might actually be easier for you to learn the tele turn though since you won't have to overcome the urge to just parallel turn.

Allen and Mikes Telemark Tips was helpful

Allen and Mike's really cool backcountry ski book
or their avalanche book or their telemark book.

These things are seriously great reads.

Garlands, Slow lead change, Lead change at different parts in the turn, Shuffling/lead changing the entire time, Side-slip w/in a small corridor, Monomark, Whirly-birds. (In inc difficulty order).

I can do some of those things...lol. These 2 books were a God-send for me as well: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Really-Telemark-Revised-Better/dp/076274586X, https://www.amazon.com/Free-Heel-Skiing-Techniques-Conditions-Mountaineers/dp/0898867754

Or just ski like these guys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WebwrYZR5Tw

Also, you're looking good!

https://www.google.com/search?q=ski+with+urmas&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

https://www.amazon.com/dp/076274586X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_7RnGyb8QTACK0


These two are awesome resources.