Telemark Gear

Recent Telemark Product Reviews

Volkl Attiva Aurora

"Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman" just like SECRET deodorant used to be! Ha Ha. If you read my intro and thought "Oh no, he's reviewing women's deodorant", you'll be sadly mistaken. In fact, I'm reviewing a pair of alpine (downhill) skis. Full disclosure: I'm a 6'1" and ~230lb adult man who proudly and confidently rides this pair of Volkl women's skis. I'll start with a little backstory for context: in the fall of 2014, I was not yet an alpine skier. I had attempted to ski on ONE… Full review

Rossignol BC 65

Very good all purpose skis that will work back country and in track. I've had these for like eight years and use them four or five times a year. We like to hit some trails about 10 miles from the house and Yellowstone Cooke City area mostly. These work well in powder out in Yellowstone or in track when we have been there. Good skis, can't go wrong. Full review

Black Diamond AMPerage

Super playful skis. Stable, will never let you down. Those skis have been following me for five years now. Big mountain, backcountry skiing, skins, name it. They are stable and durable, very playful skis. I am able to go on powder as much as groomed resort skiing (great on ice too!). The only downside from my experience is that the aesthetic coating of the ski peels off on the ends where I clip my skins. But other than that, great product. Full review

G3 Expedition Skins

Decent traction but a bit less glide than other brands. Tip metal loops need RIVETING to stay attached! Tail clips are fine. My G3 Expedition skins are 10 years old but still work OK even though getting worn down a bit and needing seasonal re-applications of glue. My gripe is that the metal loops (which must be sized for your wide or narrow ski tips) tend to let go when the self-glued skin that doubles back to hold them lets go. I had to rivet my loops in place. Newer style "tip pockets" may be… Full review

Meindl Nordic 3-Pin Backcountry Leather Ski Boots

Telemarking is not dead and neither are these boots. Incredible value for money, these boots have lasted me over 30 years. Not much of my gear has done as well as these boots. But after 30 years I am ready for an upgrade. I bought these beautiful Meindl duckbill 3-pin or 75mm boots in the 1980s. They cost a lot of money back then. Pulled them out again this year for a short cross-country / back-country adventure and they still impressed. I never dreamed that they would last 30 (+) years, but they… Full review

Line Skis Mastermind

Great short, light skis for skinning and riding most conditions. These skis came to me via Craigslist. They had been purchased and mounted with touring bindings in 2014 and never ridden for two years. I drove across the state to swoop up this deal. These are the first brand-new skis I have purchased. I got them in 172cm, which is a little short for me but that was sort of the plan since I am a moderate skier and I intend to carry them places.  Dimensions: 115/85/112 (@172cm) More specs: http://www.skis.com/Line-Mastermind-Skis-2014/314376P,default,pd.html… Full review

Blizzard Zero G 95

Light and stiff tails, hold an edge like crazy. Only skied one day on them. So solid. Grip a solid surface at any speed. Would love to ski them on some pow. So light they are easy turn in tele or alpine. Full review

Garmont Voodoo

Love this boot for lift skiing on and off piste. I do 50% alpine and 50% telemark. I crank it tight when doing the tele and then loosen off the buckles for the alpine. Voodoo is stiff in all the right places. It handles a big ski (191 Faction 13). Only downside might be that it loosens up a bit as the day goes on. have to keep tightening up a notch. I love the fact that the clips lock in place when you loosen the buckles going up the lift. Love 'em! Great boot, did have it punched out where ankle… Full review

Volkl Mantra

Great ski! Great all mountain ski. Used them three days so far on both hard pack and powder. Very happy. Have them equipped with Marker Griffon bindings by recommendation and couldn't be happier! Full review