For 30 minutes last Saturday I was stuck behind a car with a biting bumper sticker. “Nobody cares that you tele,” it read. Though I might not have thought twice about it the day before, that morning, things were different: I was en route to my first-ever telemark ski lesson at Eldora Mountain Resort.
I’ve had the same ambivalence about tele skiing as most alpine-style skiers, but an inherited setup gathering dust in my garage and an itch to get into the backcountry have inspired my interest this season. I’d signed up for an intro class that morning, but before I’d even stepped into my bindings, this bumper sticker had me second guessing myself.
Why would I bother working harder, slowing down my descents, and fumbling with gear that’s got a reputation for requiring more maintenance? Especially, I wondered while staring at the salt-stained taillights up ahead, if it’ll create animosity among my friends while they wait for me between runs.
I called a friend, 2008 Telemark Freeskiing World Champion Megan Michelson (also the Freeskiing editor at ESPN.com) for some reassurance about my interest. “Alpine skiers make fun of tele skiers because they think they can’t charge as hard,” she said, “but you’ll be instant friends with anyone else on the mountain that’s doing the same ridiculous, antiquated thing that you are. And once you’re good, you’ll be able to keep up.”
Keeping things interesting, challenging yourself with new skills, and community are the justifications she rattles off for “dropping a knee.”
So, I’m back on board—or on tele, I should say. Despite the sore quads, the snide bumper sticker, and another set of expensive gear on my wish list, I think I’ll stick with this new-to-me style for a season and bring some soul back to my skiing. Based on my conversation with Megan, I might also look into entering a few competitions this year. “There are only a few girls who enter the World Championships,” she says with a laugh, “so you’re almost guaranteed a spot in the top 10.”
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(In addition to hard-charging on tele skis and giving advice about it, Megan also wrote “Chasing Spirits” for WAM’s most recent winter issue.)
Does this mean I have to buy you a pair of wool knickers?
“Tele” and “skate” are different… I can always use wool knickers, but those will have more to do with the cold bike ride that I’m about to take than my skiing.