Telemark Skier Magazine Archive 2003-2022

Steve Barnett helped introduce a generation of skiers to the Telemark turn through his landmark 1976 book, Cross Country Downhill. In this classic interview from the Telemark Skier Magazine archives, Barnett shares his thoughts on touring, gear evolution, "heavy telemark," and why the freedom of the backcountry still matters more than the latest equipment.

photo: Kjell Ellefson I'VE SURFED FRIENDS COUCHES FOR YEARS. THAT'S WHAT SKI BUMS DO. Entering your personal information on a website can feel strange, especially if you are asking to sleep at a stranger’s house. At least that’s how I felt at first. That was before I experienced, firsthand, my initial couch surf...

by Craig Dostie The invasion of 2-pin tele bindings, originally conceived as the Telemark Tech System®, continues. The latest is a telemark kit from Kreuzspitze, a ski mountaineering shop in Germany. It provides the ability to build your own tele tech binding without needing a machine shop. This is not...

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) announced the construction of a new gondola for the 2016/2017 season. Construction will start this spring to be ready for a winter 2016/17 opening. The Sweetwater Gondola will be located between the Bridger Gondola and Teewinot High Speed Quad will have a mid-station approximately a...

Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) announced today that it has acquired Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin near the Illinois state line, expanding its collection of premier urban ski areas in the Midwest. Located approximately 65 miles north of Chicago, Wilmot Mountain has long been a favorite of skiers and snowboarders in...

  Jeff Cox in his Springfield, VT workshop   by Tony Gill  “I’ve got nothing near me, but there’s a white ribbon of death thanks to some snowmaking,” said Jeff Cox, founder of Bluebird Day Gear. Snow conditions were looking pretty grim back in Vermont when I spoke to Cox...

From nylon versus mohair to glue technology, grip, glide, and attachment systems, choosing the right climbing skins can make a significant difference in your backcountry experience. Craig Dostie breaks down the key considerations for selecting climbing skins and explains what matters most when earning your turns.

 

Choosing a Telemark binding doesn’t have to be complicated. This comprehensive guide breaks down 75mm and NTN systems, release considerations, touring efficiency, and downhill performance—helping Telemark skiers make informed decisions based on experience, terrain, and priorities.

In 2015, Scott Sports announced plans to add genuine Dynafit tech inserts to its Voodoo NTN boot, signaling continued investment in Telemark skiing and growing support for the next generation of 2-pin touring bindings. Craig Dostie looks at why the move mattered for the future of freeheel equipment.

As Telemark bindings increasingly adopted 2-pin tech toes, attention turned to a critical but often overlooked component: boot inserts. Craig Dostie examines how insert design, manufacturing tolerances, and compatibility can influence binding retention, touring performance, and reliability in both Telemark and alpine touring systems.

The Tracker series helped revolutionize avalanche beacon technology, and the Tracker 3 continued that legacy with improved range, reduced weight, and enhanced multiple-burial capabilities. In this detailed review, Craig Dostie evaluates the strengths, limitations, and real-world performance of BCA's latest avalanche transceiver.

A critical hardware issue prompted Ortovox to recall all S1+ avalanche beacons sold between 2011 and 2015. This Telemark Skier Archive news item explains the defect, potential safety risks, and the steps users needed to take to have their transceivers repaired.

In December 2015, Park City celebrated the opening of the Quicksilver Gondola, permanently connecting Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons Resort into the largest ski area in the United States. This historic announcement marked a major milestone in North American skiing and resort development.

Choosing your first Telemark setup can be overwhelming, but the right gear makes all the difference. In this classic Telemark Skier Archive article, Craig Dostie explains why used equipment, softer boots, and proven bindings can provide the best foundation for learning the Telemark turn.

After an extensive beta season, the 22 Designs Outlaw emerged as one of the most anticipated NTN bindings ever built. Craig Dostie reviews the updates, improvements, and on-snow performance that helped make the Outlaw an Editor's Choice and a milestone in modern Telemark binding design.

In 2015, Bishop Bindings introduced the #Badassadors, a team of athletes dedicated to promoting the freeheel lifestyle and pushing the limits of Telemark skiing. Meet the skiers chosen to represent Bishop's vision of innovation, progression, and Telemark culture.

Moonlight Mountain Gear's Pure Tele and Tele Rando bindings represented an important step in the evolution of tech-toe Telemark bindings. Craig Dostie reviews the beta prototypes, exploring their innovative heel stabilizer, roofed spacer, removable cables, and what they could mean for the future of freeheel touring.

Did Telemark skiers really use the long wooden lurk made famous in modern demonstrations? Drawing on research from Telemark historian Tarjei Gjelstad, Josh Madsen explores the surprising history of the lurk, Sondre Norheim, and the short wooden stick actually used by many of the original skiers from Morgedal.

  by Jeff Eckhouse // Photos by Kjell Ellefson // Modeling by Athena Brownson There are a lot of weekend warriors who dream of snow and check weather reports at lunch. If that sounds like you, harness your excitement and try this exercise in the break room. This month, we’re...

From the powder-rich slopes of Montana and Utah to the deep skiing heritage of Vermont, these three universities offer students the perfect balance of academics and adventure. This Telemark Skier Magazine feature highlights some of the best places in North America to earn both a degree and a serious ski education.