If you want to try telemark but don’t have access to the gear we would love to help! We have quite a few boot sizes and a wide range of skis sizes. Just contact us and well do our best to figure something out! We spend most of our time around our home base of Great Divide in Helena but can usually help out those in other parts of the state.
Lets start with boots!!
We suggest for anyone starting telemark skiing to start out with 75mm boots like the Scarpa T1 or the Garmont Syner-g. These boots are about as good as you can get. Comfortable as a ski boots have ever been and because of NTN taking telemark by storm you can find them dirt cheap. I can look online right now and find them easily for under 100$.
Black Diamond Push
Black Diamond produced some good boots…the Push as well as the Custom are classics and worth purchasing if found in good shape. The womens version, the stiletto is also a great boot.
Would pay up to $100 on the used market for any of these boots in good shape.
Garmont Syner-G
Great boot for all around skiing .
Would pay up to 100$ if they’re in good shape.
Scarpa T1 Four buckle boot
This is a charger. Stiffer than the 3 buckle T1 and a little heavier but if found used is a good purchase
Would pay up to $200 if your not ready to make the change to the NTN platform but want a hard charging stiff boot.
Scarpa T1 “Bumble Bee” Boot
A great boot. If you find these at a decent price and in decent shape your really can’t go wrong. Strong and stable!
Would pay up to 100 on the used market depending on how desperate you are/
Scarpa T2
Great 3 buckle boot that has a lot in common with the original T1. Great boot for less hard charging turn but for most people will be enough boot for a good time
Would pay up to $75 on the used market depending on wear and tear.
The bindings!!
It’s why were here…half the binding have the brain!
For bindings we highly suggest to go with a 22 Designs but that doesn’t mean that you won’t find a screaming deal on a ski set up with another binding mounted. Here are some favorites and some others and things you will want to watch out for!
22 Designs Axl.
A powerful binding that allows for free pivot when or if you decide to put skins on to ski tour. This is one of if not the best 75mm telemark binding on the planet!
Would pay $150-$250 on the used market
22 Designs Vice
This almost the same binding as the Axl except that the Vice doesn’t allow for free pivot for ski touring. Perfect for the resort telemarker!
Would pay $100 to $200 on the used market
22 Designs Hammer Head
Purchased from Rainey Designs and the original powerful binding this thing is still relevant and transfers power well! the predecessor to the vice.
Would pay $75 or if they’re already on a ski.
G3 Targa
A good binding that was once considered excellent.
Still a great binding for a new telemarker but if they break….and they do break it will be hard to find replacement parts as they are no longer produced
Would not buy this binding but if it is already on a set up it’s not the worst!
Black Diamond 01
The first telemark binding to offer free pivot
Due to breaking or folks getting tired of the cartridges unwinding mid turn you don’t see many of them on the mountain .
Would not buy these except for if they’re left on a pair of skis in a package.
Try Telemark MT 