Telemark skiing is fun, exciting, and rapidly growing sport. Telemark is a type of skiing that originates from the technique first developed by Sondre Norheim. Unlike Alpine skiing equipment, the Telemark ski has a binding that connects the boot to the ski only at the toes, similar to cross-country skiing. Telemark turns are led with the heel flat on the outside ski, while the inside ski is pulled beneath the skier’s body with a flexed knee and raised heel (you may hear telemark skiers refer to the sport as “free-heel”). The skis are staggered but parallel, with weight balanced between the two to give fore-aft stability.

The telemark turn came to the attention of the Norwegian public in 1868, when Sondre Norheim took part in a ski competition, impressing crowds with his ability to turn so easily and fluidly. The technique soon dominated skiing – and in Norway it continued to do so well into the next century. The technique is named after the Telemark region of Norway.