Maybe you’ve seen other telemarkers carving beautiful turns on the mountain, maybe you are looking for a new challenge, or maybe you want to really work those quads–either way, getting into telemarking is fun and challenging.
Telemark skiing is a blend of Nordic and alpine skiing that combines the grace of cross-country with the thrill of downhill turns. Central to this style is the telemark binding, which allows the heel to lift, enabling a skier to lunge gracefully through turns.
Ready to pick up some telemark gear? Here’s some great news: Unlike downhill bindings, telemark bindings don’t get put on indemnified lists, meaning there is no set age at which they cannot be mounted. This meansbuying used telemark gear can be a great deal.
That said, telemark does differ from downhill in one major way: There are several types of telemark bindings, and which one you choose will dictate what you can and can’t reasonably do on skis as well as what kinds of bindings you must have.
Here’s what you need to know about telemark bindings:
The 75mm binding, often referred to as the “three-pin binding,” is a classic telemark binding that dates back to the early 20th century. This binding features a 75mm-wide toe box that clamps the boot's toe into place with three metal pins and a locking bail. Skiers using this system can enjoy a free-heel motion, essential for telemark turns.
While the original Nordic Norm binding gained fame for its simplicity, the New Nordic Norm (NNN) was developed to improve performance in both cross-country and telemark skiing. NNN introduced a more efficient, bar-based binding system that used grooves under the boot sole to lock in place, creating better control and flex while skiing.
Included in this category are step-in Rottefella NNN BC bindings, which are beefier than standard NNN but still not beefy enough for aggressive skiing.
Cable bindings, which gained popularity in the 1980s, revolutionized telemark skiing by adding a cable running from the toe piece around the back of the boot to increase power and edge control. With this system, the boot heel can still rise, but the cable provides more resistance, helping the skier to engage the edges of the ski better during turns. Boots that fit 75mm toe plates can also fit cable bindings.
The New Telemark Norm (NTN) binding system, introduced in the mid-2000s, represents the most significant shift in telemark skiing gear in decades. NTN bindings departed from the 75mm toe box entirely, instead relying on a boot's toe and midsole to secure the skier to the ski. This creates more direct power transmission, better edge control, and a step-in system for ease of use. NTN bindings require an NTN-compatible boot.
In recent years, some manufacturers have begun to blend telemark bindings with alpine touring (AT) technology. These "tele-tech" bindings use the tech toe from AT setups, which grips the boot with pins, while still allowing the free-heel movement required for telemark skiing.
Telemark is both timeless and modern, as this list of bindings shows. From classic 75mm three-pin bindings to cutting-edge NTN systems, telemark skiers today can choose from a wide variety of setups. Thanks toDurango Outdoor Exchange, you can pick up telemark skis, boots, and bindings at drastically reduced prices. Stop by to see what we’ve got in store!
We’ve all read the disappointing headlines and shocking Facebook posts, and we maybe have even encountered problems of our own–national parks and other public lands in the U.S. are being impacted by severe federal budget cuts. These cuts have resulted in locked gates, reduced services, and loss of support for these lands that mean so much to us.
This means more than longer lines at entry stations. In some cases, there is legitimate concern that budget cuts will lead to impacts on historic sites and natural landscapes. This is a scary time to be someone who dearly loves our public lands, but there are ways that everyone, including you, can make a difference.
It happens to all of us–we accumulate a few too many pairs of skis, a bike saddle we took off an old steed but never found another use for, pants we **might**have, um, outgrown, and shoes we loved but just never fit right.
It’s nice to accumulate old gear in closets and sheds, but it’s nicer to sell it. Much nicer.
Selling your used gear to Durango Outdoor Exchange is a great way to pass on the good vibes and build store credit that you can use for upgrading your quiver(s). Best of all, selling your used outdoor gear is a super chill and easy experience. Read on to learn how.
Look–we can’t deny that huge ski areas are popular for a reason. Mega ski resorts often have the most terrain, the newest lifts, the snazziest shuttles, the most interesting base villages, and the best dining and aprés options. They can also (sometimes) have the best snow.
But big ski areas can also be a big pain in the rear. Crowds, traffic, lift lines, parking hassles, wild hotel and meal prices, and jaw-dropping lift ticket rack rates can all conspire to make skiing seem a LOT less fun than it should be.