Telemark makes its mark in region

I started telemark skiing three years ago to keep up with my friends in the backcountry. I fell in love with it.

The turn is graceful and addictive, and happens to be the fastest- growing winter sport in terms of equipment sales. With the new-shape skis and the plastic boots, the sport has become much more approachable for everyone.

The telemark turn originated in Telemark, Norway. Legend traces it back to Sondre Norheim, a farmer on the Telemark plateau. He had some spare time in the winter (like many of us) to perfect the turn which was considered the first "controlled" ski turn. As you know, it took off and the sports of skiing and snowboarding were born.

Telemarking has yet to be recognized as an Olympic sport while both skiing and snowboarding are. Not for long, if the United States Telemark Ski Association (USTSA) has anything to say about it. This governing body of telemark skiing is working to get their Classic and Sprint Classic race events a spot at the 2010 Olympic Games in Canada.

As with the U.S. Ski team, the U.S. Telemark Ski Team travels around the globe to World Cup competitions. Brandon Moon of Sandpoint made the U.S. Telemark Team this year. He'll travel to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Slovenia for competitions this winter.

Because telemarking is not an Olympic sport, the racers are more challenged to find endorsements to fund their travel expenses, race fees and equipment. Moon needs to raise $15,000 for this year alone. He is successfully resorting to grass-roots fund-raising within the community. Local businesses are stepping up as well as his friends and neighbors who attended a fund-raiser for him at Eichardt's in Sandpoint.

"As a U.S. National Telemark team member, I have the opportunity to represent my country and community at this season's World Cup series in the European Alps and gain experience to bring back and apply toward (our own events in the Inland Northwest)," Moon said.

That's important, because a major factor in the success of the Olympic effort is to increase the popularity of races and events specific to Telemark skiing. There is no shortage of races in the region.

The Inland Northwest 4 x 4 Telemark Race Series is hosted by Inland Northwest Ski Areas Association and Mountain Gear. The events are held at Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, Silver Mountain and 49 Degrees North and are open to all levels. Each event is accompanied by a free telemark ski clinic hosted by U.S. Telemark Ski Team member Carole Hill.

"The number of telemark events is increasing in the area," said Rick Dethman of Mountain Gear. "We are seeing a lot of recreational racers. They love to run gates, meet other like-minded people and win prizes, too."

Kevin Nye, owner of Outdoor Experience in Sandpoint, started the Selkirk Classic at Schweitzer 24 years ago. This year's dates are Jan. 8-9. The event combines giant slalom, touring and Nordic jumping on Saturday, with single giant slalom on Sunday. Sunday's event is traditionally a costume race, adding an element of drama.

"The whole idea for the Selkirk Classic is to have a great time," Nye said. "We make it competitive for the racers that care, but we also make it fun so that anyone can feel that they too can race."

Schweitzer and Outdoor Experience will host the U.S. Telemark Nationals Feb. 24-27, the only telemark event of this caliber to be held in the United States.

All five Inland Northwest ski areas are seeing the growth. Terry McLeod, director of The Mountain Learning Center at Schweitzer, has added three certified telemark instructors and more clinics.

Mt. Spokane is seeing a huge conversion. Its mountain manager, lift maintenance staff and two patrollers are all on telemark skis. To meet the demand, the ski area has added a certified instructor to its staff and a short list of telemark specific classes and clinics.

SIDEBAR: THIS WEEKEND Plenty of snow fun planned Visit www.skiinlandnorthwest .com for the latest conditions. -- Snow Search party at Schweitzer, 4 p.m. Saturday -- Lookout Pass Ski Shop Demo Day, Saturday -- Atomic Demo Day at Silver Mt., Sunday - - Nordic: Snow came in a heap to the Winthrop area this week and most of the Methow Valley is being groomed. -- The Mt. Spokane telemark race scheduled for today is postponed.

Lisa Gerber's column appears every Friday during the ski season. If you have an event or story idea, contact her at skiinglisa@bigleapcreative.com.

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