Fun to the nth degree.
Also called "free heel skiing”, telemark is a skiing technique that allows easy direction changes and allows you to try your hand at downhill and speed. Freeride, in snowboarding and alpine skiing is an off-piste activity in fresh snow, which aims to have fun and a sense of freedom.
Freeride and telemark are the "free side" of the mountain. Different disciplines, but united by the pleasure of descents free from the constraints of traced or untracked paths.
Freeride consists of off-piste skiing, in contact with fresh snow, savouring that freedom that gives adrenaline and emotions like no other skiing discipline. The technological evolution of materials has made possible the availability of ever lighter and more performing tools.
Telemark, the free-heel skiing, represents the first Norwegian skiing technique of the mid-nineteenth century, rediscovered by advanced skiers open to the style of free-heel curves.
At Zinermann, in Livigno, we offer all the news from the best clothing and equipment brands for freeride and telemark.
Skis
Freeride skis have a greater center width than piste skis. We generally speak of skis ad hoc for freeride starting from 90-95 mm. The greater the width of the support, the easier it is to use the ski in deep snow. For telemark there are specific skis but it is also possible to adapt an alpine ski by mounting telemark bindings with free heel.
Atomic, Fischer, Nordica, Head, K2, Rossignol, Salomon, Stöckli, Völkl, Black Crows, Movement, Hagan, Blossom, Zinermann custom Made
Buy fromBoots
Freeride boots allow, despite their lightness, maximum control of off-piste skiing. Thanks to the possibility of freeing the upper part of the boot, they make it easy to walk during short climbs, and then block it downhill. The shoes are light and thermoformable, the sole of the boot is rubber coated to facilitate walking on sections with little snow. Telemark boots have a bellows on the front to flex the toes. In recent years they have evolved and divided into two categories: the classic 75mm boot and the new ntn system, with pins coming from ski mountaineering.
Atomic, Fischer, Head, K2, Nordica, Scarpa, Salomon, Rossignol, Dalbello, Lange, Tecnica, Crispi, Scott
Buy fromAttacks
Freeride bindings are divided into two variants. The first is very similar to alpine ski bindings, the difference lies in the wider support of the toe and heel of the boot in order to better manage the ski; in the second variant it has been added the possibility to release the heel to walk with skins for short uphill stretches. Regarding the Telemark attacks, starting from the classic 75mm - that has remained unchanged over the years - we have recently arrived at the NTN system, which is increasingly spreading and developed by various companies. The key difference is that the new system allows a better control of the ski.
Marker, Head, Salomon, Atomic, G3, Rottefella, 22design, The M Equipment
Buy fromPoles
The freeride and telemark poles are telescopic poles with a longer handle, adjustable in height. Some models have the option of including the avalanche probe in the stick.
K2, Rossignol, Salomon, Völkl, Komperdell, Leki, Black Diamond
Buy fromClothing
Gloves, jackets, trousers, underwear: freeride and telemark clothing is light and breathable, it facilitates movements and accompanies the body along curves and descents. Its materials are specifically designed to warm without retaining sweat.
Hestra, Level, Ortovox, Helly Hansen, Picture, D'Frent, Odlo, Smartwool, UYN, X-Bionic, Karitra
Buy fromSafety
Those who practice freeride and telemark must do it in complete safety. The avalanche kits contain everything you need for a first "self-help" in the event of an avalanche and to sound an alarm in case of emergency. Recently the avalanche backpack with built-in airbag has become more and more popular.
Ortovox, Pieps, Black Diamond, Barrywox, ABS, BCA
Buy fromFreeride