Telemark Ski Gear - Articles - Zimbio

PW07

Fri, 10 Nov 2007 22:50:50 GMT

posted by eliburak

Warning: Long review. For a quick summary, go to the bottom of the review and check out “conclusion”. Check out the trailer and buy the video here.

As this is my first post in an ongoing series of ski movie reviews. The format is still a work in progress, so please let me know what you think.

Following the success of their first two movies (PW05 and PW06) anticipation was ripe for one of the best telemark ski movie series. Although telemark skiing is not nearly as popular as alpine skiing, it is growing in popularity. With the advent of newer, burlier equipment, telemark skiers are now skiing lines and doing tricks that were previously limited to the realm of the fixed-heelers. Nowhere is this more evident than in PW07.

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Stowe Derby

Thu, 25 Jan 2008 15:54:00 GMT

posted by med4

"Crazy....but a helluva lot of fun" were the words used by my husband to describe his first experience at the Stowe Derby.

Dubbed one of the oldest and most unique ski races in North America, it was voted the top sports event in the state by readers of Vermont Sports Magazine.

This years event is scheduled to take place on February 24, 2008. And what an event it will be! Hundreds of competitors will participate racing from the top of Mt. Mansfield(Stowe Mountain) to the finish line in the Stowe Village...10 miles of challenging terrain. The course has a total vertical drop of around 3,000 feet. Just imagine bright Lycra racing outfits flying past on thin Nordic Skis down an alpine ski slope...Crazy... as my husband said. The spectators provide half the fun lining the trail while taking a break from schussing down their own trial in the more traditional alpine fashion.

Winter Playground In France

Tue, 11 Jul 2007 20:58:00 GMT

posted by gr750
The Resort

Val D'Isère is a long thin resort which combined with Tignes forms part of the vast Espace Killy, ranked amongst the top 5 luxury ski holidays in Europe.

The central area is made up of Val Village, where everyone gathers at night for very lively après-ski, and the satellite mini-resorts of La Daille and Le Fornet are all linked by a free bus service. La Daille, the first village you will encounter upon leaving the last tunnel is close to some great slopes whilst Le Fornet sits at the far end of the Isere valley.

Considered by many to be a premier ski resort Val D'Isère offers outstanding skiing from late November to early May and is the perfect choice for intermediates and advanced skiers. Its ideal ski conditions, guaranteed snow and lively atmosphere off the slopes make it a perfect draw for all. Renowned for its après ski activities concentrated around Rue Principale, Val D'Isère entertainment ranges from lively bars to exquisite tea rooms. With neighbouring Tignes, this region is one of Europe's key winter playgrounds.

Val D'Isère is also a great family resort with plenty of local nurseries and ski schools catering for children of all ages. Other activities include dog sledding, snowmobiling and paragliding.

On the Snow

The combined area is collectively known as Espace Killy. There are 90 ski lifts, 300km runs and a modern hands free lift pass system. Eight entry points provide access to the mountain including the high-speed gondola from the village centre and the underground funicular from La Daille. From here a network of pistes and lifts lead towards Tignes on one side and on the other Rocher du Charvet. The OK downhill course, also from the top of Bellevarde is a moderately demanding but enjoyable route down to La Daille.

Due to the quality of the snow allowing for outstanding powder skiing Val D'Isère is the home of off piste skiing and free ride. Those prepared for some serious off piste skiing will find themselves spoilt for choice by the variety of pistes. Hire the experience of a local guide and try the Face du Charvet, a steep powder classic accessed from the Grand Pré chair.

The lift system at Val D'Isère is both fast and efficient, a good choice for boarders - plus there are very few drag-lifts. There's is also a terrain park just above La Daille gondola, offering excellent facilities for both park beginners and experts. A Val D'Isère luxury ski holiday in France is a popular destination for all tastes.

By Eleanor Ramsay
Source: Free Online Articles from ArticlesBase.com

Telemark Dreams

Tue, 5 Mar 2008 11:39:00 GMT

posted by Shawno
On Sunday afternoon, as I picked a wide line through the woods between the Goat trail and the Nosedive trail on Mt. Mansfield, I marveled at the amount of woods available for skiing in Stowe. I also marveled at the amount of snow under my boards. It was the second day of March, and we'd just had the snowiest February ever. Well, maybe we didn't have the snowiest February ever, but Burlington did. Don't get me wrong; we had a bunch of snow last month, and the snow at the stake at the top of Mt. Mansfield was in record territory. All that snow pushed me deeper and deeper into the woods.
Woods skiing in Stowe is unlike other places. Along the edge of the trails the puckerbush is tight and thick, discouraging off-piste experimentation. But push through that initial tangle, and you'll discover another world of skiing, enough skiing to effectively double Stowe's skiable terrain. Here's another secret of woods skiing: No matter how long it's been since the last snowfall, you can almost always find freshies--untracked pockets of powder just waiting for you to plunge your boards into. It's highly addictive.
All this was on my mind this weekend because one of our regular winter customers was back in town. Greg and Paula are freeheelers--dedicated telemark skiers of the backcountry. They love Stowe for all the obvious reasons, but they keep coming back for the amount of skiing available off-piste. (I think they come back because they like to stay at the Auberge, too.) Every time Greg comes up he asks me if I've made the leap to telemark skiing, and every year I'm seized with desire to do so, but don't. In my heart I know I have too many hobbies and not enough income to support them. But telemarking could expand my skiing opportunities, so it keeps hanging on. To now, my biggest excuse has been the cost of the boots. I've got a pair of skis and the bindings ready to go, but the boots are so darn expensive. And used boots are scarce, too. Because the sport is nascent, there isn't a lot of used gear out there. I look from time to time, but I rarely find boots in my own size. So if anyone has some used telemark boots for sale, (I wear a size 10 shoe, which I think translates to a mondo size 28.5), shoot me an email and we'll make a deal. Until then I'll keep looking for some boots, dreaming of freeheeling, and dabbling in the endless woods of Stowe.
P.S. April is looking like a solid month for spring skiing. More on that next time.

Welcome to Zimbio!

Wed, 16 Mar 2006 04:37:50 GMT

posted by The_Zimbio_Team
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