Telemark: first steps
Bevilacqua
When and how did Telemark skiing start?
The etymological origin of the ski term comes from northern Europe, from Norway to be precise, where skiing denotes a breed derived from the most seasoned stock and, by extension the skis.
In the Scandinavian countries, skis were used as a means of transport and getting around. For this reason, the bindings must be movable to aid sliding along the immense expanses of snow typical of these countries. The basic technique consisted in a variation on today’s cross-country skiing. Skiing then became a reason for meetings and for holding competitions on special days: competitions mostly involved downhill skiing and jumping. Towards the mid 19th century, Sondre Norheim, a carpenter from the Telemark region, experimented with various systems for slowing down and changing direction, using a single pole as support, a variation on rasp braking. Thus it became possible to also take on downhill sections, taboo up till then, and this allowed Telemark skiing to spread even to those areas without great flat expanses of snow, such as the Alps. Afterwards, the absence of large flat areas of snow typical of the Norwegian landscape, together with the need to develop equipment capable of reaching greater speed, forced the heel to become fixed: thus cross country skiing became downhill skiing, giving rise to Alpine skiing. The death of Telemark was much lamented, which in effect disappeared from the Alps, remaining however, well rooted in Norway, where about a decade ago, it was re-valued by some American skiers. From then onwards, in the US, Canada and in Norway, the few aficionados became tens of thousands. So much so that almost all Italian telemark ski output is destined for foreign markets.
What was “La Skieda” … What is Free Heel Fest?
It was and is the most beautiful, fun packed and fascinating international week-long event dedicated to Telemark skiing. The first ever Skieda was held in 1995 and its success consolidated a tradition which has allowed the Spöl valley to become the meeting point for Telemarkers from every country in the world. The Skieda is not just the festival of “the easiest and most elegant skiing for getting around on deep snow”, but is also, and above all a different way of living with nature, sliding along on the “semeda" (the April snow). It is also an occasion for meeting and getting to know new cultures through the numerous secondary events: guided treks, competitions in period costume, cultural evenings with films and slide shows, dinners in the hostels, the fire party and the mythical Trepallina with open air barbeque, music and dancing, night time chats, snacks, stories and legends. The free heel technique allows for slower skiing, allowing greater appreciation of the landscape, for greater contact with nature.
Perhaps it would be easier to ask those who take part in the most important International Festival each year exactly what is Free Heel Fest…. go to the forum and ask….