Interested in trying to telemark? Nice! And doing so on a budget? How free-heel dirtbag of you! You’ll fit right in. Well, except some may accuse you of killing telemark.
Much has been made of telemark’s supposedly self-inflicted retrograde, with many in the tiny scene claiming that the sport and its less consumerist demographic has hamstrung The Turn from becoming more marketable and receiving more attention from manufacturers.
But this esoteric little corner of skiing was built on doing more with less. Less cultural assets, less participants, less heel. Thus telemark has long been a haven for the thrifty and iconoclastic, no matter if some now see that as baggage. And a plethora of used free-heel equipment is out there, waiting for newcomers to snatch it up on the cheap. Is some of it junk? Undoubtedly. But much of this gear is more than skiable, and in the right hands, and with the right mindset, is a great starting point, making for an accessible and affordable way to jump into telemark.
For a quick bit of background; believe it or not, telemark is currently having a moment. The most quiet of snowsports has recently seen its fortunes turn as the skiing mainstream has muted its long running telemark ire. But more than that, a rising outside interest has buoyed the telemarking ranks as a nascent new vibe–buttressed by a hip, park-skiing newschool–has livened the scene. Brands have responded with new equipment in skis, boots, and bindings.
But this rise so far pales in comparison to the peak the sport enjoyed in the late nineties and early aughts. Then, gear options proliferated as telemark–then viewed as the best way to access the backcountry with its ever free heel–basked in the mainstream-adjacent limelight, becoming the choice of many hardcore skiers.
But while that time has come and gone, with telemark subsequently stumbling through nearly twenty years as an also-ran, second-hand stores still burst with equipment from those halcyon days. While it certainly doesn’t represent the latest and greatest, much of it is still not only usable, but eminently so. And free of gimmicks and shrink wrap, this gear can be had for a steal, allowing the budget-minded to give telemark–even skiing as a whole–a go.
As the interface between ski and boot, the binding is ever the crucial juncture of the skiing apparatus. Double that importance when considering the telemark binding with its flexibility and moving parts. Picking a used tele setup with safe, working bindings–especially considering the vintage of some of the rigs you may come across in second-hand stores–is paramount.
Moreover, much of the affordable used telemark gear is not only aged, but of the Nordic norm variety–the elder free-heel platform with its 75mm-wide duckbilled boots and wide toe cage bindings. But have no fear. While the backwards-incompatible new telemark norm (NTN) is the latest and greatest, 75mm gear still skis great, including some older used sets.
To begin, make sure that the binding is in decent shape. Look for (and avoid) setups with rusted toe plates, frayed or cut cables, and seized cartridges. Heel throws–the plastic lever that snaps into place at the back of a boot–have a way of disintegrating over time, so take a look at those, too. Aftermarket options once abounded, but are harder to come by nowadays for 75mm bindings. Voile is a good, maybe solitary option if you need to track down a fresh pair, but may not be compatible with all bindings.
But what second-hand bindings are best? The shopper of used telemark setups will come across one binding more than any other: The Targa, G3’s iconic binding of the nineties and two-thousands. Likely the best-selling telemark binding of all time, this model has become divisive, often spoken ill of by both those who have long been in the sport, and newschoolers alike. Still, it remains the choice of many elder free-heelers, and thus has been typecast by the new telemark movement as the choice of a curmudgeonly old guard.
All this, of course, being of little concern to those simply looking to get out on some telemark gear. Regardless of some folks’ opinions, the Targa can be a great place to start, and offers a neutral flex (meaning it doesn’t grant much resistance when the binding is engaged, especially compared to NTN gear).
The model isn’t terribly customizable, but was so ubiquitous during the sport's previous high times that tons of them are still available used. Many are indeed trashed, but more than a few have been sitting in garages instead of being skied over the last decades and are now more than skiable. 22 Designs HammerHead is another great option from that era. The preeminent aggressive 75mm binding of telemark’s High Times boasts five pivot points allowing for a customized feel, and its six inch spring offers plenty of resistance. Though much rarer than Targas, the HammerHead is a top choice for used telemark gear. Black Diamond’s O1, O2, and O3–the former most offering a touring mode–are also good options. Their underfoot connection offers a strong skiing experience without the chance of swashbuckling cartridges between skis.
Beyond that there are newer but more expensive models like 22 Designs Axl and Voile’s Switchback series, both still available at retail, but also often found on the used gear rack.
The skis you will find sporting telemark bindings on Facebook Marketplace and in your local second-hand store will run the gamut. On one end they will invariably showcase the endless continuum of preferences and generations of gear used for telemark skiing. But they will also fall into familiar patterns. That can make things a little tricky for those just starting out on telemark. What is a good plank for first telemark turns?
To begin, certain skis were telemark favorites–especially in the preceding generation when there were fewer options–and the second-hand shopper may well come across them. Skis like Volkl’s Gotama–a well-loved model in the alpine world–were sported by many telemarkers, too. You may also run into elder models like Black Diamond’s Havoc, Salomon’s unique, well remembered BBR, and myriad Voile skis mounted with telemark bindings for sale.
Moreover, many ski brands carried models marketed specifically to telemark skiers. That included Rossignol’s Sickbird series, brands that were tele-specific like Karhu, and, maybe most influential of all, K2’s robust telemark line from the late nineties and early aughts.
More than any other option, you will find these models–most of them quite similar and often mounted with G3 Targa’s–for sale second hand. Page after page on eBay is filled with these models, while the Telemark Gear Exchange page on Facebook mirrors many a second hand store–chalk full of K2 telemark skis. And this long-lived part of the maker’s business itself contains many different options. Like the Targa, these models are aged and many are junk, but if found in decent shape they offer a great place to start for the telemark newcomer.
One model you will likely come across is the Super Stinx–a traditional camber, parabolic ski that even says “telemark” on it. The hourglass profile and roughly 72mm underfoot width will indeed cause many to gasp, but the ski is a great option for those starting out on the cheap. The ski initiates turns very well, and the skinny waist aids in finding your edges early on. Downsides to the ski are that its elder tooling (read: no rocker) can make for challenging skiing in more variable snow–and this is certainly no powder slayer. But for someone starting on mellow slopes and progressing on groomers, bumps, and the like, the Super Stinx will get the job done.
Another option in K2’s old telemark line–and maybe the most interesting in name and ski profile–is the Work Stinx. While still fully cambered and soft like the Super Stinx, the Work Stinx has a wider build at 88mm underfoot, with a shovel coming in at 115cm. The ski still has plenty of shape to aid in turn initiation, but the extra width helps in 3D snow. I’ve had plenty of fun on these in both dry powder and late-season cream cheese. But this soft, wider ski is still a good option for those starting out–and the skier can grow with the model.
But perhaps my favorite of the old K2 skis–and the ones I’d argue ski as well as many modern options–is the World Piste. Again, the 80mm underfoot width will have many scoff (don’t forget - you don’t always need fatties) but the 120mm shovel, soft flex, and modern dimensions make the World Piste eminently skiable for beginners and beyond. I still ski mine to this day. The model in my garage also has inserts–like many later-model K2 telemark skis it comes standard pre-drilled in what was then the standard four-hole telemark mounting pattern. Old G3 Targa bindings had that pattern, as do Voile’s still retail-available Switchback bindings.
While I do love the old K2 skis and will always say they ski well, I will capitulate somewhat to those who disagree with my premise that these skis are a good place to start for the newcomer. Admittedly, these are old skis, and while they offer a classic soft flex and won’t make a dent in your wallet, they simply do not offer the features of modern skis. While that matters little when starting out (and these skis are still fun for when you progress) these are not your powder day chargers, crud-busters, or touring workhorses. Modern skis are best for that.
If the cheap older models don’t call your name, or if you’ve cut your teeth after a season and you’re ready for your second set of skis, something with a little sidecut and rocker around 90 to 95mm underfoot will both aid in turn initiation but also can bring it in all sorts of snow conditions for when you get your feet under yourself and venture into different settings
While this may seem obvious, make sure whatever used ski you track down is in decent shape. Look for rusted edges and compromised bases. If the edges have a little life they can be tuned, but watch out for burs as well as damage to the base of the skis and the top sheet. I eventually yanked a binding out of my beloved Blizzard Bushwackers after the core became exposed and rotted from the top.
You’ll see this many other places, but I’ll say it again here: your boot choice is probably your most critical ski gear decision. And I’ll argue it’s an even more pressing choice in telemark. While the telemark binding with its flex and moving parts is critically important in telemark in a way it isn’t in the more static world of alpine skiing, telemark boots are equally as flexible, and as the interface between the user and the inanimate, they remain the crucial confluence between human and equipment.
But that doesn’t mean a worn-in boot is something to shy away from. Telemark boots do wear over time, and can become very soft at the bellows–especially the bellowed AT models from Scarpa, the F3 and original F1 models (more on those below)--but most telemark boots, especially unashamedly beefy Pebax models like Scarpa’s old 75mm line–may break in, but they won’t lose their solid flex.
Speaking of those F1s and F3s; used boots are not just top of mind for newcomers to telemark. Many now discontinued models are sought after by free-heel veterans. That includes these old models from Scarpa–bellowed AT boots that, while not designed for the genuflecting turn, still are a great touring option in a telemark world with few options at retail.
But we’re talking about a different journey here, and for those starting out, used boots offer a great option, but also mark the most difficult part of putting together a used setup. The nuance of fit can make finding a good used pair difficult, and boots often don’t choke used gear shelves in the way that old telemark skis do. Nevertheless, used boots are out there.
Like any ski boot, fit is certainly king. While early on, I didn't notice that my first boots were almost two sizes too big, they quickly hindered me as I progressed. Older skis can and will make things happen during early stages of progression, but boots that are too big, uncomfortable, or just plain junky will quickly become a hindrance. Moreover, in the wilderness of second hand store shelves and online marketplaces, you won’t have the luxury of an on-staff bootfitter like you would buying something at retail. But this is telemark afterall, going it alone is part of the allure.
It’ll seem like one brand also goes it alone in the telemark boot sphere. And if you stick with telemark you will still see that familiar name all the more: Scarpa. The eminent Italian brand is unequivocally the most important bootmaker in telemark, and they long have been. They were first to market with an all-plastic telemark boot with the release of the Terminator in 1992, an innovation that forever changed the sport. And their release of the revamped TX Pro last fall marks the late-coming emergence of the modern telemark boot.
Scarpa’s telemark boots are renowned for a reason. Fans of theirs tout their high quality, awesome flex, and typically forgiving fit that is consistent amongst most of its free-heel models. The T2–a three-buckle, soft yet supple, classic boot–is a great place to start. And as the best-selling telemark boot of all time it's the model you may see most second-hand. Moreover, a softer boot like the T2 may feel flimsy at first for those coming from the alpine world, but something like this will be more forgiving when learning the technique and will usher the newcomer toward finding their balance without relying on rigid gear. Other classic Scarpa boots you may find are the burlier T-Race and T1, as well as the low-cut, two buckle T4.
Other older options you might see are Garmont boots–a well-regarded brand that was folded under the Scott banner in 2012. You may also find Crispi boots on used gear shelves. All are great options, and have nuances to their fit and flex.
While the flex of a telemark boot fully comes to light while skiing, fit is another story. Ideally the boot should fit snugly around your heel with no play when lifting your heel in the turn, while your toes should feel the end of the boot but shouldn't be crushed. Following standard protocols for boot fit is also a good ideal to lean back on at this junction, like the classic one or two finger adage. With the liner removed and your foot in the boot with toes touching the shell you should have no more than two fingers of space at the heel, with one finger being a tighter performance fit. Less than one finger will likely be too small.
Beyond fit, as always, take a look at sole wear. Older duckbill boots may be worn to the point of compromising the second heel connection where the heel assembly of the binding attaches, but that is rare. Other considerations include avoiding rusted or broken buckles, bellows with bad scrapes, and anything made with leather. Those are great for overland-style cross-country downhill skiing. But for demanding resort or backcountry skiing, those are best left in the past.
Of all the models of boots, bindings, and skis you’ll find in your search for used telemark gear, the thing you may come across more than anything else are the opinions of other tele skiers, not least of all mine. Never forget that this is your journey. The telemark turn is bounded by personal nuance that is unique to each skier. What works for you might not for me; what feels best to the influencers may not to you. It is a personal journey, and may it ever be that way.
Go out and find what works for you. Ask for help, find tele mentors to nudge you along, but remember that at the end of the day it’s about finding the gear that corresponds to you and the style you create. And where you begin won’t be where you end up. Just as the technique is a progression, so, too, will be your equipment.
And for those first turns, something from the used gear realm is a great place to start.
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