WTB: Tele skis or full setup

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Don't ask don't tell. I have my reasons.

Having always skied stiff boots, stiff skis on alpine I figure I should go straight to an NTN setup? Complaint I see of 75mm stuff is lateral slop.

I have 184 K2 Annex 108......too long/fat for first tele setup? Stockli DP Pros in 173 as an option as well from Bunion.

I'll be skiing these with the GF and venturing into some pow with her as well so don't want to be totally under-gunned. It's been soft everywhere this year.

I'm around a 25.5 to 26 boot. Thinking maybe going to the local second hand ski place and finding a boot there and putting new liners in.

[Percy Rideout]

-Rossi scratch BC 179cm
-hammerheads
-Scarpa t1 boot size 27

Hammerheads are bomber, and don't have lateral slop.

Boot is probably too big, but everything else should work. Lets talk.

[sb]

Check out that TTS stuff.

Kewl kids are all onit.

[aBradAbroad]

I don't have anything to sell unless you want to overpay for a line sick day with meidjo's that have had two base and edge repairs...

That said, I'm a huge fan of NTN (and stiffer setups at that depending on how big the skier is). You can certainly learn on 184x108's but you will have an easier time slightly shorter and slightly narrower. I tell big/strong western newbies to go lighter weight 180-ish and 100mm but there are plenty of differing opinions. Outlaws and Meidjos can both add stiffer springs and dial up tension. Benefit is that NTN as you mentioned gives better torsional rigidity --> edge control plus you get step in, brakes and a releasable binding. Only problem is you have narrowed your search from the million 75mm setups that float around to a few boots and a bindings, so you'll likely have to pay up a bit more.

Facebook has a good group "telemark ski gear exchange" that's worth checking out. Can also call/click Freeheel life in SLC to see what they have on their 'used' shelf.

[ts01]

A few thoughts:

1 - If you have your reasons to tele, you're committed enough to have over 15,000 posts on this site, and have cash or a working credit card, don't waste your time on 75mm. Yes there's used stuff floating about but if you decide you like tele you'll probably want to replace it fairly soon. NTN skis better IMHO and even if not, releasability of OutlawX or either of the Rottafella offerings is a good feature. Not as good as alpine release but way better than no release on 75mm. Every time I see my intact tib/fib, I thank the gnomes in Norway who designed the Rottafella Freeride, which released when my tip got stuck under a buried tree root; that would have been a spiral fracture in 75mm.

2 - Issue spotting - if you're going NTN you have to figure out the boot size before you buy bindings. NTN bindings come in large or small. You're right around the break point in boot sizing. I think it's around 26 but may vary between Scarpa and Garmont/Scott. I'm in a 26.5 Scarpa skiing the large size NTN bindings, but IIRC the next half size down is small. Probably you could find details on this at the Freeheel Life website.

3 - speaking of which if you end up needing the small binding, these look fun: https://www.freeheellife.com/collect...-freeride-used . If you're mostly skiing resorts the Rottie Freeride is a solid choice.

4 - Avoid the Rottie Freedom. YMMV but I've had two pairs that were unreliable; they randomly pop into tour mode while you're sking. If touring is a priority go with the OutlawX. Roughly same weight if not lighter than the Freedom, better free pivot function, more adjustability, and it works.

[Danno]

Definitely NTN.

As for skis, whatever ski you would want to alpine on for that particular purpose, that's what you want for tele IMO.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Ok good info and definitely thinking skiing something fatter. I haven't been on something skinnier than 104 for like almost 20 years anyway. Don't know why I would go skinner for tele.

[S.B.]

I started tele last year on 170 volkl mantras and stiff boots. I always felt like I was fighting the skis to break free. This year I'm trying 180 Armada arv 106s and softer boots and am having a better time. Obviously the tele guys can give better advice, but starting out on a looser ski has worked for me

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[jmedslc]

NTN dude. And you know what they say, small boots, small wanker.

[mn_teleswede]

Ok good info and definitely thinking skiing something fatter. I haven't been on something skinnier than 104 for like almost 20 years anyway. Don't know why I would go skinner for tele.

What Danny said- Go NTN. As long as the snow is soft, those K2 Annex’s should be fine to learn on. I am guessing you know how to work a ski= shouldn’t be an issue.

I am a fan of Freerides. Invested early on, has better step in imo and have not found a reason to switch. I may be cheap, but the added ability to quickly swap bindings (plate system) between skis is an added plus.

You will learn that “the thighs are evil and must be punished” [emoji23]


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[jmedslc]

And fwiw I got a buddy here in big cottonwood with a line sick day w rotte freeride small he’s willing to sell. Decent rig for all conditions. Pm for deets

[bodywhomper]

Have fun! Nothing to offer but unsolicited advice.

Get an Ntn boot if you’re going to stick with it. Be sure to get the right shell size, and don’t get an alpine race fit shell size. Expect break-in with the bellow flex if you get new boots.

Suggest a ski with a softer round flex sized down by one size to get the “feel” of the turn and the feel of bending the ski in a tele turn at moderate speeds. Once I got turns and my balance dialed, then I transitioned to stiffer and longer skis with higher speed limits. I taught several friends to tee with a few focused days on edibles.

I learned on skinny straight skis and “figured out” how to ski deep Sierra cement in 84mm-waisted skis. My tele downhill quiver ranges from 78mm (groomer zoomer work ski) to lotus 138. Older mantras are currently daily drivers. My friends have looked at me funny taking the narrow skis in funky off-piste snow during lunch breaks, but I feel like a solid technical foundation is really helpful and makes them fun. A friend (very solid alpine skier) that learned in soft 3D snow in Montana struggled a lot (had to relearn) when trying to make turns in hard 2d snow.

[jhyatt]

Try to demo both. I started with 75 mm hammerheads and pretty stiff boots.
I demoed ntn for the hell of it and bought it. 75mm is ok for mellow controlled turns but I could just ski faster and charge or wherever on NTN.
But I can't get that low turn on the NTN like I could on the old stuff which does feel really cool.
I see a lot of crazy good tele skiers on 75mm gear.
Bottom line: whatever don't over think it and get the book telemark tips

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[Doremite]

-Rossi scratch BC 179cm
-hammerheads
-Scarpa t1 boot size 27

Hammerheads are bomber, and don't have lateral slop.

Boot is probably too big, but everything else should work. Lets talk.

May be interested in the T1s. PM sent.

@Guardian, I wouldn’t overthink 75mm v NTN other than that if you are going to stick w it, NTN gear is easier to find. Agree w the advice above that a rounder flex will be easier to learn on. At first controlling speed is a challenge so a stiff and burly ski will only steepen the learning curve. Get a binding that has adjustable spring tension. I’ve always found a stiffer spring flex helps with control but too stiff of a rebound will also make learning a challenge. Too soft a spring flex is also a challenge, especially coming from a strong alpine background. Being able to play with that tension as you learn is a big bonus.

[Danno]

Oh, yeah, forgot this piece of advice: whatever you buy, make sure to tell everyone that you tele. Because they care.

[TeleBeaver]

Don't ask don't tell. I have my reasons.

Having always skied stiff boots, stiff skis on alpine I figure I should go straight to an NTN setup? Complaint I see of 75mm stuff is lateral slop.

I have 184 K2 Annex 108......too long/fat for first tele setup? Stockli DP Pros in 173 as an option as well from Bunion.

I'll be skiing these with the GF and venturing into some pow with her as well so don't want to be totally under-gunned. It's been soft everywhere this year.

I'm around a 25.5 to 26 boot. Thinking maybe going to the local second hand ski place and finding a boot there and putting new liners in.

K2 Annexes are honestly great tele skis. Pretty easy going flex that is still stiff enough to rally when you want to. I'd slap some NTN binders on those and give it a shot. The Outlaw X is the best NTN binding out there right now. Older outlaws are fine too, the step in is just less refined and the toe cages have been known to break. Rotte freerides are okay but will chew your boots up and are less powerful, which isn't always a bad thing when you're starting out. You will be on small NTN bindings with a 26.0 boot. Large bindings start at 26.5.

[Peruvian]

The Outlaw X is the best NTN binding out there right now.

This is not necessarily true.

[jmedslc]

This is not necessarily true.

Hmm well yeah.

While I agree w your objection to a point, esp given the personal preference and varied use case aspect of things, I too hold that the Outlaw X is “the best telemark ski binding “ available today.

The Outlaw X is not the lightest binding on the market by any means, but the total package plus made in USA makes it so. The only NTN tele binding I haven’t tried is miedjo and with everything else available the outlaw rules in downhill performance while being proficient in the uphill. I’m not a lightweight skier and put in a lot of days at the resort, slack and backcountry and these have held up exceptionally well given the abuse they’re subjectEd to.

[jmedslc]

In related news I took out my “big boy skis” today and holy shit these might be too much for a daily driver here in big cottonwood. Might have to cash or trade these magnificent skis away.

[teleposeur]

What do you have leaning up in the garage, if you can make p turns on it, you can rip tele on it? Of course easier is easier.

Scarpa discontinued their big 75mm boots, so that market might be a bit fraught; and as you noted NTN is now officially the future.

Scarpa subjectively seem to be the finest boots, they have more room in the instep, but are generally narrower in the last than the others, they size the half size and the size up in a shell- 25.5, 26 etc,. Don't listen to any of that groovy teleboots are comfortable and loose and feel like skiing in slippers nonsense, if you want performance, you'll want fit just like an alpine boot, but you knew that.

[bodywhomper]

Scarpa ntn have a different (wider in forefoot) shell last than scarpa 75mm. Opposite is true for Scott. I fit well in Scott 75mm and scarpa ntn, but Scott ntn and scarpa 75mm are too narrow in the forefoot for me. I do not know about crispi.

If you size to a classic alpine race fit (thin liner with foot almost touching toes to heel when she’ll fitting), you’re most likely going to loose toes nails or have some toe pain from smashing them into the shell when flexing the bellows.

jmedslc, sorry to read about your disappointment. I sometimes struggle with that, too. I enjoy longer stiff skis, but I’m not a big guy. I find it challenging to figure out correct ski length because barely anybody I have found skis like me with tele turns and has my medium-ish weight of 155#.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Local second hand had no tele boots. They did have some interesting skis I had to resist. 185 Kuro....192 DPS Lotus.

If anyone has or sees a 26 NTN boot post em up here. Thanks.

Tried to join the Tele swap on Facebook and it said I was approved but still can't actually see any listings.

[jmedslc]

Oh, yeah, forgot this piece of advice: whatever you buy, make sure to tell everyone that you tele. Because they care.

Psssssh Michael cares. I demurred for todays variable conditions and skied my daily 181 ripsticks. Glad I did cause the black ones woulda been a handful out there.

[jmedslc]

Local second hand had no tele boots. They did have some interesting skis I had to resist. 185 Kuro....192 DPS Lotus.

If anyone has or sees a 26 NTN boot post em up here. Thanks.

Tried to join the Tele swap on Facebook and it said I was approved but still can't actually see any listings.

Try freeheel life in SLC. You can call the store and ask someone to look in the used gear room.

[Danno]

The tele group shows you as a member (at least I think so, I know your first name and know you have a hella stache and someone fitting that description was in the new members listing).