Telemark, intro setup?

Got me a pair of K2 hellbent skis (2009?) with some G3 tele bindings, and some Garmont voodoo 75 boots. 120$ invested total. Im stoked, but some homies say ill have less than a good time on em’.

Any thoughts?

$120 for a setup is hard to argue with.  The bindings are wimpy and won't help you progress quickly.  If you can upgrade to old Hammerheads or newer Vice/Axl you will have a much better time.  If you are an accomplished alpine skier, I suggest you just go skiing like normal (parallel turns) and get the feel of the gear (stay centered over your feet).  Start working on tele's once you feel ok skiing around the hill.  I ski Alpine Meadows (RIP) and would be happy to make some laps and give you some pointers.  Sorry, but I gave away all my old Hammerheads a couple years ago...

I think the opposite of Jay—if you’re actually genuine about wanting to tele, it’s a great setup because you can’t fake it because it’s a little wimpy. I think tele lost its soul with 4 buckle boots and mega active bindings. I’d tell people to start on leathers if I could. While most resort days I’m skiing X2 switchbacks on voile V6, I love getting after it with 3-pin rat traps, no cables and my objective BCs.

I’d also go ski with you this year, tho I have the evil empire pass (epic). I do suggest learning to turn lift serviced rather than BC. Aaron at the Nordic center at northstar is a tele instructor (sometimes teaches marines to tele at the cold weather camp on 108) and hosts a tele clinic on saturdays. Give them a call for the schedule when they open if you’re interested. FWIW snowboarders seem to pick up the tele turn faster than alpine folks.

If you are new to tele, I'd check out Urmas Franosch's videos. Am posting a few, plus a link to his Youtube channel. Urmas is a world class tele instructor and has been a member of the US Nordic Demo Team. I think he still teaches at Mammoth. I'm a life long skier and was fortunate enough to have 4 days of workshops at the 10th Annual Bear Valley Telemark Festival with Urmas, Craig Panarisi, Scott McGee. It improved my tele skills 100%. Telemark turns require good technique and having some guidance is important vs. trying to figure it out yourself. I see too many tele skiers "poodling", which is dragging the rear ski rather than weighting both skis and edges properly.

I recommend buying Urmas' DVD: https://skiwithurmas.com/instructional-dvd/

I completely agree with the above comment as far as learning inbounds at the resort instead of "earning your own turns". Put in as many miles as you can riding lifts and working on your stance, lead changes, transitions and turns, and then head into the backcountry.

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SkiWithUrmas/videos

There are good tips:https://adventuresportsjournal.com/quick-hit-tele-tips/

Whoa! Thanks for all the helpful insight. I’m excited to ride them and will for sure start at the resort.