The edges used in a Telemark turn are the same as with a parallel turn, but a Telemark turn involves leading the turn with the outside ski while trailing the inside ski. When initiating a turn, the skier edges the outside ski (which becomes the downhill ski at the completion of the turn) with a flat heel while simultaneously lifting the heel on the inside ski to shift the ski to the back of the Telemark stance. Through the turn, the skier’s weight is shifted onto the outside ski by a ratio of 50/50 up to 80/20 depending on snow conditions, and rests primarily on the toe-half of each foot–even the outside foot which has its boot heel in contact with the ski. Inexperienced Telemark skiers often find it difficult to place enough weight on their trailing, inside (”heel-up”) ski to force it to turn, or “carve” in unison with the outside ski.
While there is universal agreement that a Telemark turn must involve staggered skis, there is no agreement on how much the skis should be staggered. Increasing the stagger (the fore/aft separation of the skis and boots) increases the amount that both knees are bent and brings the skier’s torso closer to the snow. Some Telemarkers enjoy an extremely low stance with the trailing knee almost in contact with the ski top, while others prefer a taller stance, with a consequently smaller stagger, that allows quicker transitions between turns. As a general rule, the back leg should be tucked in, with the knee of the trailing leg aligned vertically over the leading foot. Telemarkers who turn with their trailing knee considerably behind their leading foot are often referred to as a “dog-legger” because their rear leg resembles that of a wounded dog. “Toe-dragger” can also be used to describe Telemark skiers who do not tuck in their rear leg.
It is possible to make parallel turns on Telemark equipment, which is why penalties are assessed if the boots are not staggered by at least a boot’s length in FIS Telemark competitions. This element of technique is up to the skier, although a very low stance is to be avoided where hard uneven snow might cause the lowered knee to collide with the ground or ski. Some Telemark skiers, therefore, use kneepads to reduce the risk of injury.
Accomplished Telemark skiers, like accomplished alpine skiers, keep their torsos vertical and oriented downhill while linking turns, thus avoiding turning too far. This position also allows greater control over the fine tuning of weight distribution. Also when skiing in thick powder it is very important not to lean too far forward. The lack of a fixed heel means that it is quite easy to go headfirst into the snow if one hits a hard patch. Poles are optional. With or without, the skier’s hands should be in front of the body. Some Telemark skiers continue to ski with a single long pole or “lurk” held in both hands in traditional style. The lurk should only contact the snow on the inside of the turn.