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Alex Leblanc

USA

Alex Leblanc was born and raised exploring the Wasatch mountains of Utah.

After some years spent alpine skiing, snowboarding and downhill mountain biking, he switched to telemark in 2013. Every season he skies the Wasatch backcountry with some of the best, and continue to learn.

Credits : Aurore Valance - Loren Griswold

• Place of birth : Hill Air Force Base, Utah
• Place of residence: Ogden, Utah
• Specialization in telemark: Freeski
• At what age did you start skiing ? 5 years old
• When and why did you start telemarking? I started Telemark skiing when i was 19, always thought it looked surfy and fun watching my uncle Danny Campbell shred the tele.
• What do you like about telemark? I love the surfy freeness of the turn and of course all the powder face shots!
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? I love the meidjo for its active flex and lightweight touring capabilities
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking? Anywhere there is no tracks in front of me (:
• Where is your next destination or where would you like to go telemarking? I would love to explore more of Europe and hopefully South America one day.
• Did you compete? What prizes did you win? The only person I am competing with is myself.
• What is your job ? I make carbon fiber wings for jets, and ski tech on the side.
• What other sports or others activities do you practise? When I can't ski, I love to mountain bike and fly fish. Pretty much anything in the mountains.

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Bob Mazarei

Swiss

• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California
• Place of Residence: Le Châble, Switzerland
• Main Style of Telemark. Freeski, Freeride, Ski Mountaineering, Adventure, and Expedition Telemark.
• How old were you when you first started skiing? I saw snow for the first time at 15 years old amongst the mountains just north of Los Angeles. And I first skied the next year at 16 years old. I’ll never forget that first day. It changed my life forever.
• When and Why did you start Telemarking? I first telemarked at 24 years old. Ankle-high leather boots and skinny Japanese Swallow skis. I started telemark strictly as a training tool to help my alpine skiing. I was kind of stuck at a plateau at the time so I contemplated ways to improve. And the solution I came up with was Telemark. I figured if I could gain good balance and control on kit that felt like driving an icy road on bald tires, well, this could only help my alpine skiing. After a while, a strange thing happened. Telemarking on that early gear was so challenging, that satisfaction levels shot through the roof after each little progressive improvement, no matter how tiny. It was amazing to be a beginner again. My alpine gear was gone within a year.
• What do you like about Telemark? The first telemarkers I had ever seen were at Monarch Mountain, Colorado in the early 80’s. These two grizzled bearded guys awesomely pounding bumps on the tiny gear of the time. It was super aggressive, yet still like a soft dance. It was pushing the envelope. The better you got, the less you were on the cusp of headplanting, and the more you slid towards sublime control. The ratio changes are immensely satisfying. Nowadays all the challenges are still present, but with a much more stable overall platform.
• What do you like about Meidjo Bindings? Well, for me, it is time to go back to a lighter set-up. To try and recapture a bit of the magic of lighter gear. And Pierre is making this possible. One step at a time.
• What is your favorite spot for Telemarking? Spending the Winter - January to April of 1987 - in the Alps had a really profound effect on me. All I had known was the American version of skiing. I hit most of the classic Alps ski regions, two or more weeks in each spot: Innsbruck, St. Anton, St. Moritz, Zermatt, Verbier, Tignes/Val d’Isére, Chamonix. All these places are blow-mind and gigantic. But Verbier really stood out. Insanely great snow and ski terrain. Good vibes, and great skiers. On a high like you couldn’t believe, I returned to California and settled back into the daily  grind working in Downtown L.A. It was horrible… Finally, after four years, I said the hell with this. I just wanted to ski. I wanted to gain experience and improve my tele. That’s it. I had a big blow-out party, said goodbye to all my friends and family, bought a one-way ticket to Verbier, Switzerland, and bailed. This was 30 years ago. Why did I move to Verbier? Specifically to improve my tele. So Verbier is Home-Base, and it is hell of a basecamp. Chamonix is an hour drive, Italy is 45 minutes away. There are so many ski areas in the Alps, it’s nuts. And I’m here to try and explore as many as I can. But in the end, I have fun no matter where I ski.
• Where is your next destination, or where would you like to travel to Telemark? The List is Large. I want to ski all the countries of Central Asia. And 30 countries more after that.
• Did you compete? I once did a bump contest at Mt. Waterman, Southern California. I was the only telemarker. I ripped it up, pulled a final helicopter right in front of the judges table. The judges didn’t give a crap about this guy in leather boots. At the parking lot prize giving, people booed because I didn’t podium. Such is life. I did a few other races here and there for fun.
• What do you do for work? I’m in the Hospitality Industry in Verbier. This is my main job and it is what pays the bills. I work at night, so I’m able to ski everyday, whenever I like. I’ve had multiple 200 day seasons the last 10 years. And, I am Co-Editor of the bi-annual anthology book Telemark Journal International.
• What other sports or activities do you enjoy? Chasing my wife Fabienne around on hikes. Photography. Biking. Volleyball, and Tennis. Anything, really. Noteworthy trips, Expeditions, and Tele Ski Mountaineering.

Noteworthy trips, Expeditions, and Tele Ski Mountaineering and telemark ski descents in 51 different countries and on all Seven Continents.
—550m Paisy Peak - Antarctica Livingston Island - Summit first telemark descent.
—700m Elena Peak - Antarctica Livingston Island - Summit first telemark descent.
—1000m (approx) Cerro Martial - Argentinian Tierra del Fuego - Solo early telemark descent next to Ushuaia, the Southernmost city in the world.
—1094m Snarby Lillstind - Norwegian Lyngen Alps - Summit tele descent. Fjord boat trip with other descents as well.
—1191m Mt. Chasnachorr - Russian Khibiny Range Kola Peninsula - First tele descent and first telemarkers to explore the ridges and bowls of this wonderful area. Two trips to this Arctic Circle region.
—1471m Mt. Luxmore - New Zealand South Island Kepler Range - Solo summit tele descent.
—2606m Le Fou - Swiss Alps - East Face solo first tele descent.
—2840m Volcàn Villaricca - Chilean Lakes Region - Summit tele descent.
—2866m Mt. Baden-Powell - California San Gabriel’s - Many tele and snowboard descents.
—3068m Mt. San Antonio (Old Baldy) - California San Gabriel’s - Many tele descents.
—3083m Mont Rogneux - Swiss Alps - North Face, early tele descent.
—3228m Bec des Rosses - Swiss Alps - West Face, first tele descent.
—3232m Bec des Etagnes - Swiss Alps - North Face, early tele descent.
—3294m Mt. San Jacinto - California San Bernadino’s - Summit descent of the epic Snow Creek Route.
—3421m Tête Blanche - Swiss Alps Plateau Trient - First tele descent.
—3750m Tizi-n-Ougane (Pass) - Moroccan Atlas - Telemark descent.
—3805m Gumachi - Russian Caucasus - Tele from under the summit entering Georgia as well.
—3824m Bloody Mt. - California Sierras - Early tele descent.
—3900m (approx) Semionov Pass - Russian Bezengi - First telemarkers in this incredible region. Other Bezengi Glacier areas explored as well.
—3901m Aiguille d’Argentière - Swiss/French Alps - Couloir Barbey, First tele descent.
—4248m Mt. Shasta - California Cascades - Solo summit tele descent.
—4314m Grand Combin - Swiss Alps - Valsorey Face first tele descent.
—4400m (approx) Kundim-Mishirgi Glacier - Russian Bezengi - First telemarkers in this fabulous region.
—4500m (from) Monte Rosa - Swiss/Italian Alps - Couloir Marinelli, early tele descent of the longest couloir in the Alps.
—4807m Mont Blanc - French Alps - Summit tele descent.
—5300m (from) Trisul - Indian Himalaya - First telemarkers to explore the south side of Trisul.
—5300m (from) Karlytau - Kazakhstan Tian Shan - Early tele descent.
—5400m Lower Twin - Indian Himalaya - Summit first tele descent.
—5420m (from) Chacaltaya - Bolivian Corillera Real - Tele at the highest lift-served area in the world. It has since closed.
—5633m Mt. Elbrus - Russian Caucasus - Summit tele descent of the highest mountain in Europe.
—5671m Damavand - Iranian Alborz - Tele descent off the highest mountain in Iran.
—5897m Cotopaxi - Ecuadorian Cordillera Occidental - Highest active volcano tele descent.
—6000m (from) Chimborazo - Ecuadorian Cordillera Occidental - Stormed off at 6000m, tele from much lower.
—6100m (from) Sri Kailash - Indian Himalaya - Stormed off at 6100m, tele descent.
—7546m Muztagh Ata - Chinese Pamir - Summit tele descent.
-8013m Shishapangma - Tibetan Himalaya - Central summit gained, no supplemental O2, tele descent from 7500m.

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Alfred

Norway

• Place of birth and residence : Middle Norway
• Specialization in telemark : TelePark
• At what age did you start skiing? Cross country skis 1 year old. Alpine skis 2 years old...
• When and why did you start telemarking? 4 years old.
• What do you like about telemark? The opportunities. It's fun. And there are few near us that ski telemark. It's fun to showcase an alternative and fun way to ski.
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? They are light and fast to put on. They are good to ski. The release function.
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking? Sæterlia (Surnadal, Middle Norway)
• Where is your next destination or where would you like to go telemarking? Livigno
• Did you compete? What prizes did you win? In the alpine classes, with telemark skis: District Cup Younger Junior Big Air No. 2 and No. 3. District Cup Younger Junior Slopestyle No. 2 and No. 3. Younger Junior Open Class Oppdal Norway Freeride No. 1.
• What is your job? Youth school.
• What other sports or other activities do you practice? Telemark Racing, rollerblading, turn, diving, trampoline, climbing and MTB enduro.

Aymeric cloërec

France

Aymeric is a ski instructor in Tignes, France. He mainly practices Telemark and Alpine Skiing in freeride.

He lives in Séez in the Tarentaise valley at the foot of beautiful resorts such as Tignes, Val d'Isère, Les Arcs and La Rosière. In winter, he alternates his time between classes and trips in Europe to do shoots with Bertrand Clair and Guillaume Harleaux who produce the series "A la française".

In the summer, he is a mechanic craftsman and is involved in the maintenance of the ski lifts and trains by mountain bike or hiking for the following season.

• Place of birth : Les 7 Laux
• Place of residence : Haute-Tarentaise
• Telemark specialization: Freeride
• At what age did you start skiing? At 3 years old.
• When and why did you start telemarking? I started when I was a teenager, it was my father who introduced me to this slide and I immediately got hooked.
• What do you like about telemarking? The permanent balance game it requires, the fact of making an effort of style at each turn, to feel closer to the snow. I must admit, I like to have burning thighs too!
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? Lightness for the climb because I do a lot of touring, precision in the descent, progressiveness in bending... I was able to test these bindings when they were only at the prototype stage until the version we know today, we really tried to give our feeling and work on the development, Many small things have been improved since the 1st version.
• What is your favorite place to telemark? Without being too chauvinistic, the Haute-Tarentaise is a must for telemark and for all other sports as well. I like La Grave very much too.
• What is your next destination or place where you would like to go telemarking? Norway, a dream come true.
• Did you compete? I no longer have a background as a freeride ski competitor, in telemark the competitions are summed up in the meije derby, 2 podiums, best result in 2018 for the moment with a 2nd place in telemark and a 14th place in scratch.
• What is your job? Ski instructor, and telemark instructor! Specialized Off-Piste.
• What other sports activities or other activities do you practice? Mountain bike

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Bertrand Clair

France

• Place of birth: I was born in Bourg St Maurice in the heart of Haute Tarentaise, I learned to ski on the slopes of Les Arcs with my parents and La Rosière with friends
• When and why did you start telemarking? I started telemarking as a teenager on events like the black shoes or the pachonnée. I am based in St Foy Tarentaise, the birthplace of my grandparents, I teach skiing and telemarking at the ESF in Tignes Val Claret mainly during school holidays.
  The rest of the winter I am part of the Serial Heelers team made up of Aymeric Cloerec, Seb Mayer on telemark both and Yves Thollon the cameraman. We produce images (photos and videos) to promote the Meidjo binding through freeride and freetouring. We had the chance to go to Japan, Norway and Austria around Insbruk.
  All these films are available on YouTube: Telemarkable, Back to the roots, Accross the Alps…
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? The Meidjo is a versatile and lightweight telemark binding that can be used for touring with these heel sets as well as for freeriding with the locket locked for even more security on bar jumps for example.
  Not the least option, the heel to switch to alpine mode will appeal to ski patrollers or people less comfortable in difficult terrain and snow.
• What job do you do? In winter I am a ski teacher and in summer I am a heating plumber and at the moment I am building my house in St Foy Tarentaise

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Caroline Delattre

France

Based in Prades, in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises, Caroline is a telemark enthusiast just like her brother Romain, also a Meidjo ambassador. She has never ski again since... Telemark : an incomparable revelation of skiing and an unparalleled freedom that allows you to ride in all conditions (and there are some in the Pyrenees!!!) of snow, both in the resort and on hikes.

Like her brother, she is part of the "Fent'astik Telemark Pyrenees" team that develops telemark on the massif, during gatherings and initiations on the track for the most curious!

• Place of birth: Villeneuve sur Lot (47)
• Place of residence: Escosse (09) in the hills at the foot of the Pyrenees/in my converted van.
• Telemark speciality: freerando/ track
• At what age did you start skiing? At 5 years old at the Mongie resort in the Hautes Pyrénées with a great instructor, Papy Galiay.
• When and why did you start telemarking? I was initiated in 2009 by a skimmer from Ax les Thermes' "telemark Pyrénées" shop. I was starting to get bored skiing and I had 3 friends who did, I was a fan of the elegance of one of the 3... I wanted to test it, it was a revelation right away, I sold my alpine bindings and equipped my K2 miss demeanor with SX veils...
• What do you like about telemark? In telemark, I feel free and at the same time close to the very essence of skiing. I feel different and close to a unique and ancestral activity, based on movement, sliding. On the other hand, I admit, I love the sporting side... it's a demanding sport... I haven't practiced any other winter sliding since 2009, while telemark, so a good sheathing is mandatory with good thighs ! I love it. It's complete and sometimes hard on the body... a little masochistic side?

• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? The ease of fitting, the lightness, the general appearance nice to the eye (red and black, insert). In terms of behaviour, I find myself there because I am demanding (everything depends on the spring). What would be nice would be to have the color level tuner!
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking? My Pyrenean mountains globally.
• What is your next destination or place where you would like to go telemarking? Norway and Iceland...not very surprising no? but the ultimate trip would be to make a portion of paths with the local breeds of horses from there, the Norwegian FJORD and the Icelandic pony...then go riding.
• Did you compete? What prizes did you win? I have only competed in Andorra. I was a member of an Andorran club... Vice champion of Andorra in 2015, 1st in freeride contest in 2017. But overall, I hate it. I don't know how I got these awards...lol
• What do you do for a living? I am freelance in communication project management and influencer in outdoor sports and lifestyle in the Pyrenees.
• What other sports or non-sports activities do you do? I am a mountain fanatic so I do a lot of outdoor sports like enduro mountain biking, horse riding, touring, hiking, climbing, but also more recent sports: yoga, sophrology. It's all about desire, timing....and weather! My job allows me to be free on all this.

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Chems Giller

Swiss

• Age : 14

• Place of birth : Vevey, Canton Vaud, Switzerland

• Place of residence : Attalens

• Telemark Specialty : Freestyle

• At what age did you start skiing : 2.5 years old

• When and why did you start telemarking : When I was 7 years old, because my daddy does it and it always made me want to.

• What do you like about telemark : The feel, the comfort of the shoes, the playfulness, the joy it gives me.

• What do you like about Meidjo bindings : the lightness, the fit, the softness of the springs.

• What is your favourite telemark skiing spot : the Morgins ski area because there are a lot of slopes to have fun on.

• What is your next destination or the place where you would like to go telemarker : My next destination at the end of February is in Aletsch. My dream would be Japan (but it`s expensive)

• Did you compete : No

• What profession do you do: Student

• What other sports or non-sports activities do you do: Cycling, walking, scooter, unicycle, DIY, I make mini skates and from time to time I watch TV.

Danny Walton

USA

Danny Walton grew up in the ski mecca of Cleveland, Ohio, and earned the nickname Irie for his love of reggae music and positive attitude. Walton often compares reggae rhythms to telemark skiing. He brings that same energy to telemark skiing. Danny is a true ambassador for telemark skiing. One thing's for sure, Danny is delighted and ready to share his passion for telemark.

Credit photo : Jon Mancuso

• Birthplace: Cleveland
• Place of residence: Sun Valley, ID
• Telemark specialization: Freeskiing
• At what age did you start skiing? At the age of 4
• When and why did you start telemark skiing? My family used to go downhill skiing at weekends and I remember seeing telemark skiers! After school, I went cross-country skiing and learned to do telemark turns.
• What do you like about telemark skiing? The freedom and fluidity.
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? The toe technology and the lightness. The flex is super soft. They're also very durable.
• Where's your favorite place to telemark? Central Idaho is my home and there's a lifetime of lines waiting outside my door.
• What's your next destination or place you'd like to go telemarking? Lots of places on the list. I'd love to go to Alaska, Europe, Japan!
• Have you competed? What prizes have you won? I've never really been very involved in the competition scene, but I have been the harbinger of competitions at Grand Targhee.
• What do you do for a living? Big Mountain ski instructor for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, firefighter, small business owner.
• What other sports or activities do you practice? I'm a sponsored Stand Up Paddleboard athlete. I also enjoy surfing, climbing and hiking in the mountains with my wife and daughters.

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Drew nylen

USA

• Place of birth: Vernon B.C

• Location: Atlin B.C (Between the Yukon and Alaska)

• Telemark specialization: Freeski, ski expeditions.

• At what age did you start skiing? 12

• When and why did you start telemarking? I started telemarking around 18, I was inspired to take it up because of the simple and cheap equipment

• What do you like about telemarking? Telemarking is the most creative form of movement for me, you have more ability to express yourself.

• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? Active flex and light weight, premium build and reliability. I just think they ski like you would want a binding to in that what you barely notice them!

• Where is your favorite place to telemark? Greenland, Baffin island, or my home range in Boundary and Fairweathers!

• What is your next destination or where you would like to go telemarking? I would love to continue to find new and un-skied lines in the arctic and antarctic, but also visit the birthplaces of skiing Norwary, switzerland and mongolia!

• Did you compete? What awards have you won? No competitions for me! but I am part way through the exams to become a mountain guide.

• What job do you do? Ski guide, polar guide and avalanche forecaster

• What other sports or other activities do you practice? I run in the summers, fly fish, and play chess.

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Iloé Ravanel

France

Iloée lives in Chamonix and has always been passionate about telemark that she learned with her mother. It is thanks to the telemark club of Les Houches that she has evolved and progressed in her telemark practice and which has allowed her to join the Comité-Mont-Blanc.

• Place of birth: Sallanches

• Place of residence: Chamonix

• Telemark specialization : Competition

• At what age did you start skiing? -

• When and why did you start telemarking? I started telemark in 2010 when I was 10 years old. I was bored in downhill skiing and I wanted to change disciplines but not wanting to do like the others who went snowboarding, I started telemarking at the Club des Houches.

• What do you like about telemarking? Telemark is a complete sport with giant, cross-country skiing and jumping. It is important to have muscular strength but also to be enduring to be able to perform all season long. The atmosphere between us is warm, we have fun all the time even in competition! In addition, we stand out from other skiers on the slopes.

• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? It was my trainer Seb Mansard who put me on meidjos at first, and since then I haven't been able to return to NTN standards. The sensations of returning to the skis are obvious to me (i. e. by forcing on our ski the energy is sent back to us when we change direction).

• What is your favorite place to telemark? Of course in my Chamonix valley! You can be on the slopes and enjoy Mont-Blanc with telemark on your feet, it's just fun.

• What is your next destination or place where you would like to go telemarking? The next competition destination is not yet scheduled but I would like to go skiing (telemark), one day in Japan! What a dream this powdery powder with telemark!

• Did you compete? Yes, I compete. My best place this season was a 10th place at the World Cup in Praloup. The French Cups are coming so I can't tell you yet the results of this season but last year I finished 3rd in FIS behind Argeline Tan-Bouquet and Jasmine Taylor and 1st U21 (category under 21).

• What is your job? For the moment I am a student in Grenoble.

• What other sports activities or other activities do you practice? I do a lot of physical training during periods when we don't have our skis on. It makes me touch everyone full of sport: wheel-skiing, running, cycling, weight training... Otherwise I've been dancing and playing the flute for a long time.

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Kristian Winther

Norway

Kristian Winther was born and raised in Bodø, northern Norway. Back in Trondheim, Kristian usually cross-country skies. A good friend showed him a few years ago what it was possible to do in the park with telemark skis, and after that Kristian never left the telemark.

With a small hill near Trondheim, in Storlien, he spends most of his weekends in winter making double nose-presses, tele-grab and tele-slide and can be seen in Vassfjellet, the local station in Trondheim, on weekdays.

• Birthplace: Bod, Norway
• Place of residence: Trondheim, Norway
• Telemark specialization: Parkskiing
• At what age did you start skiing? Like all Norwegians, I was born with skis on my feet. I was a cross-country skier until the age of 20, when I took up telemark. I started skiing in the park in 2014 after a friend showed me that it was possible to have fun in the park with telemark.
• When and why did you start telemark skiing? In 2007, after buying a pair of Black Diamond Havoc boots in the sporting goods store where I worked, I immediately knew I wanted to try them out. I bought a pair of boots and 75 mm bindings the same day and set off on a hike immediately after fitting them. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be, but from that moment on, I was hooked.
• What do you like about telemark skiing? The freedom it gives you. With a free heel, you have even more possibilities to explore, both in the park and in the backcountry. And when you learn something new, there's always a way to improve it.
• Whether in the park or in the backcountry, more style in the turns, or just when you feel the need for speed, drop the knee as low as possible and make huges turns.
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? The Meidjo offers you perfect resistance when skiing. There's a constant resistance when going down from the knee, and you don't feel a sudden stop when going down as low as you can with many other types. This way, you have better ground perception and can trust your skiers to do their carving. And if, like me, you like to ski in the park or on the slopes, you can crank up the springs, or even crank up stiffer springs for more resistance, and then release them on the way back to the powpow. Being in my thirties, I'm afraid for my limbs, especially my knees. Skiers are prone to knee injuries, but the Meidjo has separate tension springs and release springs, giving you greater confidence in the binding. It gives you the option of having it released on different settings in the event of a hard fall. And of course, the weight! As Ronnie Coleman would say, ""Yeah, buddy, light""!
• What's your favorite place to telemark? The mountains at my parents' cabin will always have a special place in my heart, and visiting them with my dad, who is also a telemark enthusiast, is something I do whenever I can during the winter vacations.
• What's your next destination or place you'd like to telemark? The next place is a trip to Kvitfjell in mid-March. Kvitfjell Park is always on the cutting edge, and only a 4-hour drive from Trondheim, it's close enough for a weekend vacation. And I'd really like to go back to La Clusaz, where we went skiing last April. I only made it half a day before I was injured and had to look at the mountains and the bluebird from inside the cabin.
• What prizes have you won? I've never taken part in any telemark races. I was a competitive XC skier until I was 20, so after that I just wanted to have as much fun as possible on skis.What do you do for a living? Systems developer
• What other sporting or non-sporting activities do you enjoy? I got hooked on triathlon a few years ago, so a lot of my time is spent swimming, cycling and running. In autumn, I hunt grouse with my Irish setter, Sansa Bark, and I try to fish for trout during the summer.

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Laura Grenier Solliget

France

Laura is from Lamoura, a small ski resort located in the Jurassic massif near Geneva. When she was a teenager, she decided to live in the Alps, to fully live her passion for alpine skiing in competition.

In 2009, she turned to the telemark discipline and won several podiums in the World Cup. In parallel, Laura studied marketing and management at Inseec de Chambéry.

Now she shares her passion in Haute Savoie and juggles her activity as an instructor and trainer for the telemark club of Samoens.

• Place of birth: Saint Claude
• Place of residence: Samoens
• Telemark speciality: Freeride and track, the two are completely different. Adapting your technique to the terrain is what I prefer.
• At what age did you start skiing? At 2 and 1/2 years old
• When and why did you start telemark? 12 years old to get out of the monotony of alpine skiing
• What do you like about telemark? The attitude, the fluid gesture, being close to the snow and especially being different from the others
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? The fluidity of the movement, the progressiveness and a much larger margin of flexion of the rear foot. I discovered another way to telemark in the powder that I didn't have before. It is much easier to handle my skis. On the track I have improved my technique.
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking? I don't have a preference but I have a weakness for a beautiful virgin slope without obstacles.
• What is your next destination or place where you would like to go telemarking? In Norway
• Did you compete? What prizes did you win? Yes, I was part of Telemark's French team for 6 years. My best result: 3rd in the overall world cup ranking in 2014. And several times French champion.
• What is your job? I am a ski instructor mainly.
• What other sports or non-sports activities do you practise? Climbing, trail, travel and cooking

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Lena Attorresi

Italy

Lena Attorresi, born from the love of two ski instructors in 1990 in Austria and rised in the Italian Appennini, now resident in Livigno.

Since always, her biggest passion was skiing and compiting till year 18 in FIS competition.

After becoming a ski instructor in 2010, she decided to move to the Alps where she focused in Freestyle, Freeride and of couse Telemark skiing. After few years she became Ski and Freestyle coach and actually training the Freestyle club Livigno.

After several consecutive winters, she focused on her personal athletic career by completing the Telemark World Cup for Italy and the free-ride qualifying circuit, and began focusing on telemark for the young generation.
When she realized that her life revolved around winter, she launched her project TELEMARKIDS.

When she realized that she wanted only to ski and teach all the kids around the world she started to move in the southern hemisphere collecting many seasons of experience.

Always travelling with her telemark gear to make peoples stoke higher but sincerely her heart has been kidnapped for this special discipline called telemark.

Best results ski

• 1 place Engadinsnow 3* freeride qualifier Corvatch 2018
• 3 place Kappl Paznaun 2* freeride qualifier 2014

Best result télémark

• 8 place telemark world cup slovenia 2017
• Last important Summit: Cerro El Morado 4620m cajon del maipo Chile skins and telemark
• Second ascent from a women - first ascent in Telemark

• Age: 31
• Place of Birth: Austria, Neunkirchen
• Place of residence: Italy, Livigno
• Specialization in telemark: Telemark Isctructor since 2018 / Telemarkids Project.
• At what age did you start skiing: I started skiieng at age 3
• When and Why did you start Telemarking :The thing that has always fascinated me is that you were always closer to the snow than others. I started in 2012 in Livigno for my first skieda. I have really special memories hoe everything began.
• What do you like about telemark :OH actually i like many things about Telemark, telemarking is for me dancing without any help of music... Telemark is for me Art of bodyexpession in movement.
• What do you like about Meidjo Binding : Meidjo is a cool and innovative telemark bindig, it's light and easy to use, expecially in extreme conditions. A good point is that you can change the springs easily and set the stiffness according to different conditions.
• What is your favorite spot for Telemarking : For me it is important to share the spot with the people you love, if this factor is allways present you will find the perfect spot everyday. Cile will be so far my favorite spot to go, for the mouantains, for the people and for la buena onda inside.
• Where is your next destination or where would you like to go Telemarking : Recently I have had the chance to be part in a nice project. We skied in the center Appenni the Gran Sasso with my dear friend Silvia Moser.
  NEXT → Cile
• Did You compite: I competed in different telemark disciplins like telemark world cup and freeride.
  1 place engadine snow – corvatsch 2018 ski
  3place engadine snow – corvatsch 2019 ski
• What prizes did you win: :) i won becouse i've seen new places and met some cool people who I want to be part in my life forever. Once I won a nice price money … 400 francs
• What is your job: I'm a full year ski and telemark instructor. I like to stay and teach to kids because I would like to give them the possibylities to live the mountain at fullest and try to make them love nature.
• What other sports or non-sports activities do you do: Mostly I like to walk up mountains with low weight and mainly straight. Would love to learn climbing.

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Jasmin Taylor

United Kingdom

Jasmin has achieved seven World Cup victories across all three disciplines and has 45 World Cup podiums to her name. Jaz is a six-time British champion.

Jaz joined the British Ski Academy as an athlete at the age of 12, competing as an alpine skier. After becoming the youngest British Ski Cross champion, then at the age of 15, she formed the Freestyle ski team in 2009. It was during this period that Jaz began telemarking, a discipline for which she showed potential on a wide scale, competing in 2011 at her first Junior World Championships.

Jaz was invited to the Junior World Championships after the British telemark team noticed her results in the Coupe de France series following her frequent podium appearances.

Age : 24 - Results :

• Multiglisse Les Houches-Servoz
• 8x World Cup podium
• 5x British Champion
• 2x World Championship podium
• 1x French Cup Champion

Jasmine Taylor is a professional telemarker : Jasmin is the first British woman to win a medal at the World Championship in the telemark discipline. She spends the winter in Chamonix, France, where she trains for the 2019 World Championship season and World Championships. Persistent and hard-working, Jaz's exceptional talent for telemark is matched only by her fierce determination and ambition to one day become a World Champion.

• Age : 28 years old
• Place of birth : Colchester, Essex (UK)
• Place of residence : Ipswich, Suffolk (UK)
• Telemark specialty : Racing
• At what age did you start skiing 10 years old, on the dry ski slope in England.
• When and why did you start Telemark? 16 years old, with Sebastien Mansart whilst at the British Ski Academy doing a Telemark trail week.
• What do you like about telemark?The freedom of movement and feeling whilst skiing.
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? The accuracy from the foot to the ski.
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking? Les Houches, no place like home.
• What is your next destination or place where you would like to telemark? I would like to visit Japan.
• Did you compete? What prize did you win? Yes, this season in 2019 1st x1, 2nd x2, 3rd x4 during world cups.
• What is your job? Ski instructor
• What other sports or non-sports activities do you practise? I study Sport & Exercise Science, I like to sail and surf and wind surf.

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Lionel Condemine

France

Savoyard and Jurassian crossover, Lionel has lived in the Hautes ∙ Alpes since 1984. He taught cross ∙ country skiing on the sites of the Jura for many years but his heart has always gone to off ∙ piste and faraway places. He discovered telemark in the 80s with his foundry buddies. The kneeling ski hasn't left him since...

His job as a high mountain guide brought him to the southern Alps. He teaches telemark and accompanies it ever it travels (Nordic countries, Canada, Alpine countries...) and in his almost daily practice of touring hiking in winter. He is not a competitor at heart and telemark is for him a glide of elegance, freedom and soft efficiency.

There was no book in French that explored telemark, so he took the liberty of writing it. "From telemark to elegance" is just a celebration of this very special ski.

He likes the idea of the Meidjo, this binding promises a beautiful evolution in fidelity to this age ∙ old glide."

BUY THE BOOK

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Marie Boudreau

Canada

Marie Boudreau is our only Canadian ambassador. A telemarker since her teenage years, Marie has been part of the Canadian national telemark team and has been competing since she was 15 years old, winning 2 silver medals at international competitions in the United States.

In addition to her passion for telemark, she is a physical education teacher and music teacher.

• What do you like about telemark? The fluidity of movement that resembles a dance (I've always wanted to dance, but I don't really have a haha talent!), the physical effort required as well as the proximity to the snow (especially in the powder!)
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? Their lightness and great usefulness (touring and skiing in the resort)
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking? Mont-Comi Park, a small resort 30 minutes south of the city of Rimouski, Quebec. My parents have a cottage there and the resort is my second home.
• What is your next destination or place where you would like to go telemarking? I would like to go back to Western Canada or go to the American West for the first time.
• Did you compete? What prizes did you win? I have been competing since I was 15 years old. I have won several medals in provincial races as well as 2 silver medals in international races (races in the United States).
• What is your job? I am a physical education teacher as well as a music teacher. I couldn't decide which of my passions I wanted to share with the students so I decided to teach and share both!
• What other sports or non-sports activities do you do? I do a lot of outdoor activities with my family and friends (hiking, slackline, paddleboard, mountain biking), yoga and a little swimming. For the past 2 years, I have also discovered the aerial hoop; this circus discipline which gives me the opportunity to develop my artistic side. I have been playing the flute for several years (in addition to knowing a few notes on a large number of instruments!) and I love reading.

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Mika Garcin

France

Mikaël Garcin, known as Mika, lives in Barcelonnette in the Alpes de Haute Provence (France). He is a ski instructor at the ESI of PraLoup and practices intensively (and that is not to say) telemark especially in Freeride with an affection for the New School trend.
He has a weakness for Jib and freestyle.

Best results :

• 1er Trolls Sauze Super Sauze 2007
• 2ème Derby de Praloup 2008
• Participation Urban Jib Vars 2009 2010 2011 2012
• 23ème FWQ ** St Foy 2014
• 36ème FWQ ** Les Arcs 2014
• 23ème FWQ ** Chamonix 2014
• 20ème français Classement Freeride Temos FWQ 2014 (interne au classement skieur)
• 302ème Classement Mondial FWQ 2014 (interne au classement skieur)
• 1er Concours Photo Millet 2014
• 3ème au Madesimo Freeride Festival Catégorie Pro

• Place of birth : Gap, France
• Place of residence : Barcelonnette in the Ubaye valley
• Telemark speciality : I am versatile but I am a freestyler and freerider but I keep a preference for making beautiful curves in one side of Freeride
• At what age did you start skiing? I attacked telemark at the age of 15/16 but I was on skis from the age of four.
• When and why did you start telemarking? I started telemarking because my older brother was doing it and I wanted to do the same by stealing his equipment
• What do you like about telemark? What I like about telemark is the plurality of styles that are all effective, the gesture of playing with extra balance and the aesthetics it brings.
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? The Meidjo is for me a tool with which I can express myself, its robustness and the precision they bring me are perfect for all styles of practice in freestyle, hiking or freeride.
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking? My favorite spot is the link between Praloup and La Foux d'Allos but I like all the mountains where I can ride.
• What is your next destination or place you would like to go telemarking? I have many countries where I want to set down my Telemarks but for the moment my dream spot is still Alaska.
• Did you compete? What prizes did you win at ∙? Yes I did a lot of competition, I did four seasons on the FWQ in telemark where I was ranked in the skiers. I made top 20 overall in all four seasons, I competed in the Freeheel Life Cup in Grand Targee in 2018 where I finished 9th.
• What job do you do? I have two jobs: ski instructor at the ESI in Praloup and I am boilermaker the rest of the year.
• What other sports or others activities do you practise? I practice enduro mountain biking a lot, I find a lot of sensations of sliding, a lot of blocks in the gym to work on my mind and strengthen my back and especially hiking in the mountains to recharge my batteries.

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Miles Fey

Usa

Miles Fey is from a small town called New Boston, New Hampshire. His home ski mountain when he's not at school in Utah is Crotched Mountain in Bennington, NH.

He started telemarking in 2014 when He started ski instructing at Crotched and he doesn't think he will ever go back to alpine. He loves telemark because it provides him with a new challenge every single day.

• Place of birth : Concord, NH
• Place of residence : Boston, Maine
• Specialization in telemark : Freeskiing
• At what age did you start skiing? I started skiing at 2 years old and telemarking at 15
• When and why did you start telemarking? My sophomore year of high school and because one of my friends convinced me to do it.
• What do you like about telemark? The endless challenges that telemark presents because when you master something on telemark, you really master it.
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? The versatility of the Meidjo has to be my favorite part, touring, tele, and alpine all in one? It doesn't get much better than that. It lightweight and makes the best tele turn in my opinion.
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking? Back home in NH at Crotched Mountain.
• Where is your next destination or where would you like to go telemarking? Back to Austria!
• Did you compete? What prizes did you win? I actually raced telemark with the US team for a year and won 4 podiums including a 1st at Waterville Valley in NH. At Nationals in Wyoming, I placed 7th.
• What is your job ? I work in business development (sales) for a company called Addison Group
• What other sports or others activities do you practise? I enjoy hiking, swimming, cliff jumping, rope swinging, you name it. As well as playing pond hockey when I can in the winter.

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Paolo Tassi

Italy

He was born in Bologna in 1969 and he has skied since he was 3 years old, and then move to Cortina In 1992. In his life he had the opportunity to do a lot of different things but skied whise persistently present in all his years.

He raced with the young Alberto Tomba, but the big change of its ski career was when he met this incredible skier called Morten on telemark. What happened on december 1992 , when he was ready to become a ski teacher , is that Morten stile and the telemark totally kidnapped him on this new dimensiom of freedom and feelings into the Snow.

So he starts by exploring the potential of telemark in all the terrains on leather boots, he skied a lot of corridors in the Dolimites, he did guide course with this equipment, he was the first and the last....after him he changed the rules.

To find the way on the snow with telemark equipment, with a good friend Mauro Girardi, they cross the alps in the whinter, with a tent, backpack, a small amount of money they started in Austria at the bottom of the Ancogel and they walked during 2 months to reach Nevache at the spring time.
Best victory of his life.

When he became a guide he has to follow a dream , to ski where the snow is. So he started this new career and he rent a boat in Norway to take people on the fjords... it was the first of many ski trips because after he took his telemark skis in Giapan , Kamchakta , Kashmir , Libanon , Uzbekistan , Mount Elbrus , New Zeland , Canada , USA , Chile , Argentina , Equador , Bolivia , Iran , Iceland , Greenland , Alaska.... He shared adventures with skiers also in the 2 biggest telemark events in Italy , la Skieda in Livigno and la Scufoneda in Moena.

He always dreamt a light telemark equipment with 2 buckle in front , easy in easy off , releasable and strong: thanks to Meidjo realizing this!

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Remy Maisonnave

France

Remy is part of the "Fent'astik Telemark Pyrenees" team that develops telemark on the massif, during gatherings and initiations on the track for the most curious. Telemarker for 10 years, love to travel the world to ride the steepest slopes in telemark.

• Place of birth: Tarbes, Hautes Pyrénées.
• Place of residence: I live in Pougny, in the Ain.
• Telemark speciality: Freeride/Freerando.
• At what age did you start skiing? I started Nordic skiing in my parents' backyard when I was 3 years old.
• When and why did you start telemark? Inspired by the "new school" prowess of a certain Stéphane Dufour, on the web. Self-taught, I made my first Telemark turns in 2010. We will create the Fent'astik Pyrenees Team with Caroline and Romain Delattre in 2013. https://www.facebook.com/FentastikPyreneesTelemark/
• What do you like about telemark? The ease of movement, the aesthetics of the turn, the first trace... I like the style and the feeling of freedom that Telemark provides.
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? I have known the Meidjo evolution since its creation. It is a successful binding, easy to use, robust and above all lightweight. Meidjo, accompanies me in these sometimes hostile mountains which demands the equipment and puts it to a severe test.
• What is your favorite spot for telemark? Over the last 5 years, I have had the opportunity to travel through this sport, I like to vary my environment. Among the spots that have impressed me the most, whether on volcanoes or in the fjords of the North Pacific, I will always keep in mind the wild runs of Kamchatka.
• Where is your next destination or where would you like to go telemark? We are fortunate in France to have beautiful mountains with great potential. Despite this, curiosity and the desire to explore remain. I think of some countries in Eastern Europe, Canada or South America, trips that I would like to share with my community.
• Did you compete? What prizes did you win? Free... pleasure first and foremost. I preferred the visual to the competition, less stressful, but just as much adrenaline! This year, I am happy to present Telemark in the "Potchemu" project with ski buddies in Russia.
• What is your job ? Aviation maintenance technician.

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Romain Delattre

France

Romain lives in the Pyrenees Ariégeoises not far from Ax-les-Thermes. He started Telemark in 2008 on Ax's tracks, at the same time as his sister Caroline. From the first descents and these new sensations of sliding, he immediately caught the virus.

Member of the Fent'astik Pyrénées Telemark team, this association promotes the practice of Telemark through their beloved Pyrenean mountains and beyond. With the Meidjo 2.1, they hope to develop the free heel community to share these unique sensations with as many people as possible.

• Place of birth: Villeneuve Sur Lot (47)
• Place of residence: Pamiers (09)
• Telemark Specialty: none in particular if it is not to always try to ride with fluidity and relaxation whatever the terrain and snow conditions.
• At what age did you start skiing? 5 years old
• When and why did you start Telemark? in 2008 to discover a new glide, new sensations and for this particular gesture (genuflexion) and finally so natural.
• What do you like about telemark? The movement, the rhythm and the sensations, especially in powder.
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? It is an active fixation as I like with an unequalled progressiveness, reactivity and control. The lightness that really gave me back the pleasure of touring. Finally, it is simply a beautiful product.
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking? The Pyrenees in general with a preference for Ariège and Andorra.
• What is your next destination or place where you would like to telemark? I dreamed of making some slits while going down Mount Yote in Japan (Hokkaido)
• Did you compete? What prize did you win? I have participated in some classics (Telemark Andorra Championship) but it's not too much my kif!
• What job do you do? I'm a Business Manager
• What other sports or non-sports activities do you do? Hiking and mountain biking as well as mountain photography in summer. Tennis.

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Seb Mayer

Swiss

Seb was born in France. He started alpine skiing at 2 years old and started competing very early and, for several seasons, he was a runner with the FIS (International Ski Federation).

Currently, he lives in Verbier, Switzerland, the freeride downhill paradise.

During the summer, his time is spent trekking, climbing, cycling and especially long distance trail riding, and gardening.

Results in telemark :

• Derby de la Meije 1ère place 2004-2005-2006 2009 et 2012-2013-2014, 2ème en 2007-2008-2010 et 3ème en 2011 et 2015
• 1ère place Derby Monterosa 2004-2005
  1ère place Derby de Verbier 2006

And with Alpin :

• 2eme place Derby de la Meije 2001
• 1ere place 24H Freeride Gstaad 2009
• 1ere place Derby de Verbier 2007-2009-2010

• Age: 44 years old
• Place of birth : Aix-en-Provence, France
• Place of residence : Bruson/Suisse or Pelvoux/France
• Specialization in telemark : Freeride, Derbys...Serials Heelers
• At what age did you start skiing? 2 years old at Risoul
• When and why did you start telemarking? In 2001 in Val d'Isère with friends and live in Telemark festivals.
• What do you like about telemark? I like the gestures, the sensations and the freedom of movement, and of course the sharing between comrades!
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? I like its flex and unwind, its weight, the red springs, the control and maintenance of the shoe thanks to the inserts, the touring mode, the step-in...
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking? Beautiful faces to draw beautiful lines at high speed, the corridors of Verbier, the forest of Bruson and of course La Grave, Cham, the Dolomites...
• Where is your next destination or where would you like to go telemarking? I'm going to Norway for 10 days with the Serials Heelers team, then I'd like to discover Greenland, Iceland and Alaska telemark at your feet...
• Did you compete? What prizes did you win? I won a few Derbies in Telemark, including 6 times the Derby de la Meije
• What is your job ? I am a ski/telemark instructor in Verbier, in the summer I work as a landscape gardener still in Verbier.
• What other sports or others activities do you practise? Mountain bike, escalade, triathlon, tennis, squach, natation, surf, snowboard, trail running, alpinisme...sieste...

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Sam Mazarei

Swiss

• Place of Birth: Martigny, Switzerland
• Place of Residence: Le Châble, Switzerland
• Main Style of Telemark: Freeski and Freeride
• How old were you when you first started skiing? I first skied at 2 years old
• When and Why did you start Telemarking? I first telemarked a few days after I turned 6 years old. My dad gifted me a pair of boots on my birthday, and legendary ski photographer Marko Shapiro gave me skis and bindings. I started because of my dad.
• What do you like about Telemark? I love the art aspect of it. The infinite learning curve, the beauty of the Turn, and the fluidity of the skiing.
• What do you like about Meidjo Bindings? Light yet rugged makes the Meidjo Binding a truly well-rounded piece of kit, whether you are shredding the piste of the backcountry.
• What is your favorite spot for Telemarking? Anywhere a man can find some snow!
• Where is your next destination, or where would you like to travel to Telemark? I hope to travel soon to Japan to get some deep powder, and I would love to do a North American ski trip someday.
• Did you compete? I used to compete in alpine downhill at the winter camps I frequented as a child. Nowadays, I find the mountain itself is the challenge.
• What do you do for work? I work as a patroller for Téléverbier, the flagship resort of the four valleys. It’s a great company to work for. Verbier is the largest ski area entirely in Switzerland.
• What other sports or activities do you enjoy? I mostly skateboard and hike during the summers. Winters are strictly tele…

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Tim Shepard

Usa

Tim began competing in high mountain telemark competitions in 2010. This allowed him to ski with some of the best in telemark and work with people like Josh Madsen of Telemark Skier Magazine, JT Robinson of Vertical Integration, and Erik Fey from Telemarkdown.com.
In 2017, he moved to Aspen, Colorado, with his wife, to coach a high mountain telemark program for the Aspen Valley Ski Club.
When he's not coaching, you can find him skiing the slopes of Aspen or chasing fresh snow and big lines in the backcountry.

• Place of birth : Rutland, VT
• Place of residence : Carbondale, CO
• Specialization in Telemark : Big Mountain Freeride
• What age did you start telemarking : 13
• When and why did you start telemarking : My dad, uncle, and grandfather were all telemark skiers and I thought it looked like fun. Also just wanted another way to play on skis.
• What do you like about telemark skiing : Telemark is never boring, every snow condition and feature requires an adaptation of the turn which keeps me on my toes.
• What do you like about Meidjo: The Meidjo has a fast, responsive flex right from the moment you pick up the ski. I love the light feel, and they really like ripping big mountain lines at high speed. The Meidjo is the perfect companion for skiing big mountains in the backcountry or looping down the slopes.
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking : Wherever there's snow!
• Where is your next destination for telemarking : I have always dreamed about telemarking in Europe, but I have a very long list of places that I would like to go.
• Did you compete : I used to compete in big mountain telemark competitions when we had them. I won the Freeheel Life cup at Grand Targhee in 2018.
• What is your job : I'm a high-mountain telemark coach for the Aspen Valley Ski Club and I also work in building maintenance for the Aspen Ski Company.
• What other sports do you do: I run ultra-marathons and mountain bike.

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Tor Olav

Norway

He works as a IFMGA Mountainguide in Oppdal, Norway. He brings his guests skiing in his favorite skiing area; the coastal mountains further west of Oppdal in the region where he grew up, Sunndalsfjella.

Thats also where he has his part ∙ job for the Norwegian Avalanche Forecast. He has been skiing for 35 years, since mid ∙ 80`s. He started as a telemarkskier back then, because that`s what everyone did in my small hometown. That led him to win several Worldcup ∙ races on his telemarkskis in late 90`s. He was skiing and touring on alpine gear from 2000 ∙ 2012 (mostly because of the lack of good touring gear for telemark in those years), but then back to telemark in 2013.

He telemarks because that`s what gives him the best skiing and skitouring during a long and variable winter season.

• Place of residence: Oppdal, Norway
• Specialization in telemark: Touring and freeride
• At what age did you start skiing? -
• When and why did you start telemarking? When i was 10, because that`s what everyone did in my small hometown. I was skiing and touring on alpine gear from 2000- 2012 (mostly because of the lack of good touring gear for telemark in those years), but then back to telemark in 2013.
• What do you like about telemark? I telemark because that`s what gives me the best skiing and skitouring during a long and variable winter season.
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? I like the weight and the walk- mode of the Meidjo. The flex suits me good while skiing.
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking? I bring my guests skiing in my favorite skiing area; the coastal mountains further west of Oppdal in the region where I grew up, Sunndalsfjella.
• Where is your next destination or where would you like to go telemarking?
• Did you compete? What prizes did you win? That led me to win several Worldcup- races on my telemarkskis in late 90`s.
• What is your job ? I work as a IFMGA Mountainguide in Oppdal, Norway.
• What other sports or others activities do you practise?

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Joe Turner

Usa

• Place of birth : Augusta, Maine but grew up in Yosemite, CA. Have resided in Boulder, CO; Crested Butte, CO; Jackson Hole, WY and currently Big Sky, Montana since 2007.
• Place of residence: Three Forks, MT
• Specialization in telemark: Big Mountain Skiing
• At what age did you start skiing? 2 years old
• When and why did you start telemarking? I was living in Crested Butte, CO in 1997, after a few years of friends in Boulder, CO trying to get me to try telemark skiing on Berthoud Pass, I decided that the low snow conditions of the early season in CB would be a perfect time to try out telemark skiing in the hopes of adding a cardio aspect to my training for Extreme Skiing Competitions. After the very first run on telemark equipment and making high speed GS turns I never looked back and was instantly addicted to the telemark turn.
• What do you like about telemark? My favorite part about telemark skiing is EVERYTHING. Uphill, Downhill, light weight gear, powder faceshots, ability to ski all conditions well, spring-corn faceshots, comfortability & warmth of equipment, wind-blown faceshots, can charge or surf with style, groomer faceshots, and you can damn near do anything on telemark gear that can be done on alpine gear. Oh and did I mention the faceshots?
• What do you like about Meidjo bindings? What has me so turned on about the Meidjo binding is that it is the only progressive binding that allows for greater flex and a lower adaptable stance for greatest edge power while while skiing varying conditions while increasing torsional rigidity. The NTN bindings promote a more vertical stance, which is fine for most everyday skiing for the general public, but 75mm allows for a greater flex of the knees and stance bringing the skiers weight and center of gravity lower to the ski for maximum edge pressure in a tele stance while in hard-pack no-fall conditions and near vertical slope angles. The Meidjo is the answer and solves this situation perfectly while being dynamic and never compromising safety or performance. I feel confident skiing the sometimes icy super steep slopes of Chamonix and Big Sky or the neck deep powder that we get in Montana and Japan or even throwing my body off a silly big cliff into some fluffy landing, I know my skis and bindings will not fail, hopefully my body always keeps up ;-)
• What is your favorite spot for telemarking? There are so many great resorts to make your soul turn at that it is hard to say but my favorite so far is where I call home and that is Big Sky, Montana. On a whole other level is skiing the backcountry and that is truly where it is at for me, I doesn’t get any better than deep backcountry missions into wild terrain. I love the adventures that telemark has always promoted, the rest of the snow sports industry is just trying to catch up ;-)
• Where is your next destination or where would you like to go telemarking? Kamchatka, Russia; Tatras, Slovakia/Poland; Georgias & Causcaus Mountains
• Did you compete? What prizes did you win? I have been deeply embedded in the competition scene for quite some time. I was at the very first Telemark Extreme Comps ever held and my ski partner Scott Murray and I drove up from Crested Butte; Scott took home first place. Since then I have been a competitor, United States Telemark Ski Association  Regional Director, Organizer of Freesking Comps (Alpine, Snowboard & Telemark) and currently am a Senior Head Judge for the IFSA/FWQ.
• What is your job? In the summer I am a horse trainer and in the winter I am a Snowreporter for Big Sky Resort, IFSA/FWQ Senior Head Judge and an Athlete/Ambassador in the Telemark Industry. Always looking for adventures and like-minded souls to participate and help document travels.
• What other sports or others activities do you practice? I love to spend time with my kids and wife in the outdoors and also like to white water kayak & raft, ride horses, hike, hunt, backpack, camp, snowmobile and generally play and enjoy the outdoors while trying to positively contribute to this incredible planet we inhabit.

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