Telemark Tips - How long and low do you go?

An Efficient Stance

So who knows what is an efficient stance? We've no idea either but this is our view on what is efficient.

One of the great things about telemark is the fact that we don't care too much as long as we enjoy it, there are various shaps and forms of telemark out there from wedge telemarks to long rider telemark skiers, however if you want to become more efficient then these tips should help you enjoy more of the mountain!

Below are a few pictures of inefficient stances and an efficient stance, please note these are not static positions as a good efficient telemarker should be fluid and constantly moving, the pictures try to highlight bad practice that is common in some telemarkers.

Low Knee Telemark Stance Rider

Ideally the rear knee should not drop below the rear ankle as the rear leg muscles become weak and it is a lot harder to stand up from. A is as far as you should go down B is way too far. This is not only harder to stand up from it is harder to quickly lead change especially in the bumps but it also puts strain on the binding in a forward direction which causes tip dive in deep powder. "Don't let the rear knee drop below the rear ankle"

Long Telemark Stance Rider

When the rear knee drops behind the hips then the rear leg becomes weak and it is harder to put any pressure on the back foot. A is ideal B is way too far back. Note in this position that the rear foot is on tip toes and also cranking the binding in a forward direction which will cause tip dive in powder and a good face full of snow!. "Don't let the rear knee drop behind the hip"

Efficient Telemark Stance Rider

The Rear Knee is in it's ideal lowest position before it starts getting weak, in this position the rear leg can apply pressure effectively to the rear ski in it's "sweet spot" position. Note that the body position C is ideally balanced between both feet which will apply equal pressure on both skis. We have mentioned about the back foot a lot but the front foot can be problematic with new telemarkers leaning the lower leg back beyond B, ideally the front knee should be over the the toes. As mentioned before this is not a static position and as seen in the video below the telemarker is fluid with continuous movement.

Another Telemark video cheesy sponsor plug!

Managed to get Nick "Etherbeast" Etheridge back onto his telemark skis eventually and there is still life in the old dog but he did struggle to keep up with Mike!

This video was powered by G3, Haglofs, Mountain Spirit, Wigwam and Scarpa

http://www.g2outdoor.co.uk/winter-activities

Nicks first ski mountaineering Vlog of the season

http://www.g2outdoor.co.uk/winter-activities/ski-touring-and-mountaineering

Stag and Hen Activities Aviemore

Stuck for idea's for your stag or hen do? Want to try some adventure in the Scottish Highlands?

Then you have hit the jackpot for mad adventures in the Outdoors, G2 Outdoor provide awesome stag or hen activities tailored to the group, from rafting on one of the UK's best rivers to overnight snow hole expeditions!

For more information visit our stag and hen activities web page:-

http://www.g2outdoor.co.uk/hen-and-stag-weekends

Zip Trek Park Gift Vouchers for Xmas Presents?

Struggling for an Xmas present? If you need a stocking filler this Xmas then snap up our gift vouchers at £25 per voucher. With over 1km of zipping through some of Scotland's best scenery finishing off on the last zip which is 900 foot long and 200 foot high

For a gift voucher just email us on info@g2outdoor.co.uk 

http://www.g2outdoor.co.uk/summer-activities/zip-line-park-aviemore

POC Helmets - Thanks Ang and Rob Mountain Spirit

Mountain spirit have got in this year possibly the best helmets you'll ever wear.

Receptor+ POC helmet comes with Cragganmore Whisky stand!!

Poc's write up:-

Our Receptor+ is developed for multidisciplinary activities for those who are tired of storing various helmets around their home. The Receptor+ can be used on snow, bike, skateboard or in water and has the appropriate certifcations for all three different environments. When it comes to safety and versatility the Receptor+ is unique. This is due to the patented VDSAP system with double overlapping shells and state of the art materials such as our in-molded aramid barrier together with a multi-impact SEPP liner. The included kit makes it easy to switch mode depending on the sport for the day. Sizes: S – XL 

http://www2.pocsports.com/products/showproduct.asp?category=10-Ski&id=10220

New Scarpa NTN TX Comp Boots are here!

Possibly the best Telemark boots in the world the NTN TX Comp, I skied all last season on these puppies and we have just been sent through our new ones this year and they have actually improved them! Didn't think it was possible to improve on perfection!

Telemark and Ski mountaineering

Well we have broken out the skis for the first time this season with a short tour to the top of Cairngorm to see how the snow build up is getting on and we where pleasantly surprised! We walked to the dog leg on the day lodge poma then skins on all the way to the weather station  at the top of Cairngorm.

Nick putting on his G3 skins on his G3 Tonic Skis with G3 Onyx bindings!

There is a good build up along the fences from just above mid station up with more to come Mountain Weather Information Service  is saying upto a 1 metre of snowfall over the next week! 

Mike on His G3 Zen Oxides with NTN bindings and Scarpa TX Comps

So that's the G2 winter machine ready for action just add more snow and away we all go for our winter dates on ski mountaineering visit our webpage:-

http://www.g2outdoor.co.uk/winter-activities/ski-touring-and-mountaineering

A last chuck of the fluff...

                      Neil fires out a long line at G2's favourite swff venue

So the first snows of winter are upon us and G2's fly-fishing season draws to a close... And what a season we had!

                                        A feisty pollack from the far NW

Big fish, great fun and stunning locations... What's more, we got to savour the fruits of our efforts:

Mackerel fillet on sauteed potatoes

                          A couple of monster pollack fillets cooked in the field

Kayak fishing, along with salt-water fly fishing (swff), is the fastest growing field in fishing. Here at G2 we've been using our kayaking skills to access some remote and seldom-fished areas:

                                  Another hard-fighting pollack on the fly

So, if you fancy trying something new, why not give us a call? We can teach you new skills, show you new tactics and techniques and take you to some amazing locations! Who knows, you may even get to eat well, too...

Once we've finished skiing, of course!

This year we will mainly be wearing green!

New Haglofs stuff for this year, Thanks haglofs

Nevluk Jacket and trousers sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet