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Winter Photo Contest 2005-2006 :
Among the 32 shots pre-selected, 6 will be awarded upon the launching of the 2006-2007 winter season. (See "News")
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TELEMARK
Telemark is a highly varied and traditional way of skiing dating from long ago which involves a state of mind making it a unique sport.
Telemarkers often call their sport ‘the Swiss Army Knife of skiing’. Just like the small red knife, telemark lets people get themselves out of many different situations. Thanks to this technique, you can jump and go down- or uphill (by adapting your skis with synthetic ‘seal skins’). This technique is enjoying a real comeback today and is a fully-fledged member of the inner circle of new winter sports because it is the initial version of what we know as ‘free-ride’.
Telemark first appeared in Norway around 1850, in the region of … Telemark. At that time people skied with their heels unattached. The creator of Telemark was the first to introduce the bending of knees and taking turns. The introduction of bindings which blocked the heel made this technique totally outmoded. All the same, lovers of skiing and good food have brought it out of the mothballs and now plough through deep powder snow as well as sharing the good solid meals they so well deserve.
Let there be no mistake, if telemark seems to be a good, hearty activity, with its traditonal aura, it’s nevertheless a highly athletic sport. The art of genuflecting provides heretofore unfelt sensations in skiing. This is true because you need special equipment, not as far as the skis are concerned, but special boots and bindings which don’t attach your heel.
A little advice:
To start with, choose an easy slope, preferably with only a slight incline and as wide as can be. Turns are made from a characteristic position with your knees bent (known as genuflection) which is called the ‘basic position’. In this position, you have one ski forward and one ski back. The way you rotate the forward ski inward determines the curve when you turn.
Where can you do it? Who with? Where can you find contests?
Each year Jura télémark organises the ‘Jura télémark Tour’ and the ‘Challenge des 3 fromages’ (the 3-Cheese Challenge).
Every winter school children are introduced to this sport and more and more locals are aware of its existence. (telephone: 03 84 60 78 37 or www.lababensur.com
You can get an introduction to this sport with the help of an instructor from the Ecole du Ski français (ESF) of les Rousses (03 84 60 01 61), of Lamoura (03 84 41 20 41), of Lelex (04 50 20 90 42, of la Boîte à Montagne at les Rousses (08 70 24 39 34).
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