Telemark Technique
Switch
As Featured in Fall Line Magazine
» Telemark Technique Tips » How to Telemark Switch » February 2014.
How to Telemark Switch
Be bold, have a go and you might just find it improves your overall telemark technique
What’s the point in learning to ride switch? Is it just so that you can show off to your friends? Make strangers stop and stare? Well yes, but also no. When we are skiing and telemarking we are always looking to improve and to do this we must challenge ourselves. We must test our skills outside our comfort zone and this will raise our awareness of what we are doing, both right and wrong. For example, you cannot ride switch unless you commit fully to that low telemark stance and in doing so that might just make you commit a little more when going forwards.
Switch Telemark is a challenge and a skill that is rewarding to master. It will also improve your overall body management and ski and edge awareness and in doing so help to improve your technique and feel for your skis on the snow. If you can do it backwards you will definitely be able to do it forwards.
Be realistic. When learning and practising any new skill it needs to be done on terrain you know well and are very comfortable telemarking on. Ride it forwards and check it out for potential hazards and also pick somewhere quiet. Wear a helmet. You will hit the deck! Realistically it is back to the greens for a while.
Be committed to what you are doing. You will be out of your comfort zone going backwards but you need to commit to the movements fully, most especially getting that knee down, in order to find stability.
If you found this useful - share the love....
test your skills outside your comfort zone and this will raise your awareness of what you are doing, both right and wrong...
Telemark Technique and Tactics for Skiing Switch, Step by Step...
Step 1
Transition into Switch
It might sound daunting but is actually quite simple. Continue a standard telemark turn back up the hill. Once right round the curve look over your down hill shoulder so that you can see the terrain below you and let the skis run backwards. Stay foot flat on your outside downhill ski letting the inside ski run back down the hill first with that heel lifted. You are riding switch. Alternatively, pop a quick 180 off a lip and you will be there!
Step 2
Separate
Look over your downhill shoulder as much as possible – its good to know where you are going. It will also help you to separate and open your feet into a wider stance giving you more lateral stability and maintain pressure on the outside turning ski.
Step 3
Lead Change
This is the moment of transition when your skis come through under your body in opposite directions and we change edges. Aim for equal movement between skis, one forward and one back, and allow your torso to rise and then fall so that your centre of gravity remains in the middle of your stance giving you some fore and aft stability. At the same time move your head to look over your other shoulder and let your upper body follow round.
Step 4
Twist your Torso
Look down the hill and rotate your shoulders to achieve separation of the upper body. It’s like coiling and compressing a spring which is then uncoiled and then coiled again as you go up and down through the lead change. Be as up right as possible. Don’t let your chest fall to the snow. This is the equivalent of leaning back! Coil and uncoil that spring as you go up and down through the lead change
Step 5
Let Them Run
Use the bottom half of the turn, once you are in a stable low telemark position and on your edges, to let the skis run giving you the momentum for the lead change to transition into the next turn. Maintain your speed. Controlled speed is your friend allowing you to coordinate your movements.
Step 6
Poles
We can’t pole plant but we can still use our poles for stability. They should either be out to your sides aiding balance or pointing back up the hill. You can initially drag the uphill pole for a bit of stability but long term this is a bad habit as it can encourage you to lean up the hill.
We Work with the Best...
What our Clients Say
Nicko - a quick note to say very many thanks for the last week; I felt that my skiing has come a long way in a very short period of time. Nothing is better than being taught correct technique! Matt S
More Tele Technique Tips
Check out our other technique articles featured in Fall Line Magazine...
We have the Telemark 'How to' Series and the 'Drills for Specific Skills' Series.
The Telemark 'How to' Series
How to Carve
Learn how to carve or improve your telemark carving with our article on Carving Telemark Turns
How to Telemark Couloirs
Learn how to ski couloirs or improve your couloir skiing with our article on Telemarking Couloirs
How to Telemark the Bumps
Learn how to ski bumps or improve your bumps skiing with our article on Telemark Skiing the Bumps
How to Telemark Switch
Learn to telemark switch or improve your free-heel switch skiing with our article on Telemarking Switch
How to Tele Powder in the Trees
Learn how to tele powder in the trees with our article on Telemark Skiing Powder in the Trees
How to Make a Telemark Slash Turn
Learn how to smash a telemark slash turn with our article on the Telemark Slash Turn
How to Telemark the Steeps
Learn how to ski the steeps otr improve your steep skiing with our article on Telemarking the Steeps - Coming Soon...
How to Escape the Intermediate Rut!
Learn how to escape avoid the biggest mistakes intermediate telemark skiers make Coming Soon...
'Telemark Drills for Specific Skills' Series
Telemark Carving Drill
Improve your telemark carving with the Edge Change Before Lead Change Drill...
Telemark Rails Drill
Learn how to do rails on telemark skis with the Telemarking the Rails Drill...
Free Heel Powder Drill
Improve your powder skiing with the Pink Panther for the Powder Drill...
Telemark The Steeps Drill
Improve your steep skiing with the Heels Up for the Steeps Drill...
MonoTele Drill for the Bumps
Improve your telemark skiing in the bumps with the MonTele Drill Coming soon...
Rate and Range for the Lead Change
Smooth out your lead change with the Rate and Range Lead Change Drill Coming soon...
Fancy Skiing with us? Check out our Telemark Courses
Find out More...
Who on Earth are Tele Tracks? Find out who we are and what we do...
Why Ski With Us?
Find out what makes us different... Specialist Telemark Coaching
Telemark Courses
Find out about our Telemark Group Lessons
Private Telemark Lessons
Find out about our Private Telemark Lessons
Telemark in Val d'Isere
Find out more about Telemark Skiing in Val d'Isere
Telemark in Tignes
Find out more about Telemark Skiing in Tignes
Tele Touring Courses
Find out about our Telemark Touring Courses
Try Tele Days
Find out about our Try Telemark Days
Join Our Mailing List
Sign up for Events, News and Specials...Spam! Seriously? We're too busy Skiing Pow!
If you don't recieve an email requiring your verification, then please check your spam folder...