| The sport of telemark skiing is an interesting hybrid | | | | different kinds of telemark ski bindings, each of |
| of cross-country skiing and downhill skiing. Telemark | | | | which has different characteristics. Three-pin bindings |
| skiers can usually be found on the slopes, heading up | | | | are the most traditional version. Such devices have |
| the chairlifts and down the hills just like downhill skiers. | | | | three pins pointing up from the skis that correspond |
| However, the manner in which they come down the | | | | to holes in the duckbills of telemark skiing boots. The |
| hills, and the equipment they use to do so, is much | | | | duckbills are simply placed on top of the bindings and |
| more similar to cross-country skiing. Unlike downhill ski | | | | then secured in place with a locking mechanism called |
| boots, the boots of a telemark skier are attached to | | | | a "bale." This method is exactly the same as that |
| the skis only at the toes, just like those of a | | | | used by cross-country ski bindings, which allows |
| cross-country skier. It is this manner of binding and | | | | skiers to cover a wide range of territories. |
| the skiing style it dictates that makes telemark skiers | | | | Cable bindings have spring-loaded cables that hold the |
| so easy to pick out on the slopes. | | | | boots to the skis. The duckbills of the boots fit into |
| When a downhill skier wants to carve a turn, all he or | | | | sockets, but unlike three-pin bindings, cable bindings |
| she has to do is exert pressure on the edges of his | | | | have no pins. The cables of these types of bindings |
| or her skis. Because downhill ski boots are firmly | | | | stretch around the heels of the boots. Cable bindings |
| attached to skis from toe to heel, the skier's energy | | | | are popular because they restrain the heel better |
| is easily transferred to the skis. However, making a | | | | during turns, allowing the skier better control. |
| turn in telemark skis is a little more difficult. As | | | | However, they are heavier and make it more difficult |
| mentioned, telemark ski boots are attached to the | | | | for the skier to flex his or her boots. This means |
| skis only at the toes. To turn, the telemark skier | | | | that cable bindings are less suitable for cross-country |
| must accomplish two things at once: the foot on the | | | | skiing, as opposed to three-pin bindings. |
| downhill ski must remain flat and the leg straight, | | | | Lastly, hinged plate bindings actually allow the skier to |
| while foot on the uphill ski must go up on the toes, | | | | essentially switch back and forth between traditional |
| allowing the skier to bend that leg at the knee. This | | | | and cable bindings. "Free pivot" mode allows the heels |
| position allows the skier to effectively transfer his or | | | | of the boots to remain free, mimicking the control |
| her energy to the skis and control the turn. | | | | level to three-pin bindings. But "downhill mode" |
| Telemark skiing boots usually feature a "duckbill," an | | | | increases the cable tension on the boots, keeping |
| extra piece of plastic at the toes of the boots that | | | | them closer to the skis and allowing the skier more |
| interface with the skis' bindings. There are several | | | | control. |