tele n00b binding query

[rockhead]

so somewhat on a whim i decided to give telemark skis a shot and picked up a set of gently used rossi skis with rotte cobra bindings and a pair of more-than-gently-used garmont boots. all seem to be in fine working order. but when i clip into the bindings, the heels of the boots "float" above the heel plate. i can press them down easily under body weight, however didn't know if this was normal or not. i turned down the tension on the bindings to the point of being floppy, and the heels were still raised. have only ridden them once myself.

is this a problem? if so, what can i do about it?

http://homepage.mac.com/briancowles/.Public/pics/IMG_0944_2.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/briancowles/.Public/pics/IMG_0945_2.JPG

[PWDR8S]

Have you been drinking Red Bull?

[RR]

Pay no attention to that Jedi!

It's fairly normal, but those boots are barely up to the task with those skis and bindings. They will do, especially if they fit well, so don't feel like you have to rush out and drop a weeks pay for spiffy new Syner-G or T2x boots.

Good score!

[rockhead]

Have you been drinking Red Bull?
you offering?

it was a too-good-deal-to-pass-up find. but i knew the boots would be the first upgrade.

this is assuming i pick up this whole technique thing.

[RR]

you offering?

it was a too-good-deal-to-pass-up find. but i knew the boots would be the first upgrade.

this is assuming i pick up this whole technique thing.If you have the time get to Wildcat this Staurday for the NET Telefest. for the price of a lift ticket you get lessons and demos....that would be the Jedi way. Don't sweat the conditions, the lessons will be on something well groomed or, at least, mostly on something well groomed.

It won't be Wildcat cold...barely even chilly. Sunday will be chilly due to wind. Take your new skills to the Sherburne Trail on Sunday. Hike up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and ski down the Sherbie. Note the crossover trails up high. Folks do short laps using those and the TRT.

Free the heel, free the mind :cooldog:

[Telemark]

Liberos and Dirty Birds? That's going to be a bit of a chore to turn properly. I second the idea of going to a telefest and demo some boots to go with your setup. Or demo a whole rig. Matching boots to the skis will help your technique.

The heel lift is OK, you might try loosening the bindings a tad.

[surfsnowywaves]

Don't worry about the heel lift. Its known as "rocker launch," and is inevitable. As boots get older, they develop more of it, but as you mention, your body weight will easily flatten it out. It is simply due to the bellows becoming broken in and retaining some of their bended nature. This will barely affect your skiing.

As far as what everyone says about the boots to binding combo, I wouldn't fret about it hugely. Most people ski boots that are way too ridiculously stiff anyways, and develop sloppy technique by doing so. Better equipment will allow you to do steeper and more technical stuff, but won't make you a better skier. (I recently met a guy at Smuggs who skis at the area with leathers and voile cable 3-pins. And he was skiing better than I was doing on my snowboard:eek: ) You'll do just fine.

Most importantly of all, have fun! As mentioned, the telefests are GREAT! It's where I got my first lesson, and since then I've been back for more! They're an AWESOME group of fellows! Oh, and be prepared for tumbling!

[bucksaw]

As snowy says, "Rocker Launch" and everyone's got it. It's something that just sort of developed with all the modern gear. G3 makes a shim but that doens't work with your traps. You should be fine lots of people have it and most don't even notice.

I also agree with Snowy on the boots. Those boots (while by todays standard are light) should be fine. Sure the light boot you have will not let you boss the ski around much but your learning. The big burly boots will only allow you to cheet when learning.

Have fun dude!

[rockhead]

thanks for the advice. the boots are just that: just a cheap introduction before i decide to go all in. it was really that lift that had me concerned a bit about fit or the boot/binding combo. one trip out: it's super fun.. learning to ski all over again certainly has me choking on my pride!

[RR]

when you can lift the front foot you are getting enough weight and power onto the back foot...

If you will skip the clinics/lessons try mono-marking.

Assume the position and hold it for turns in both directions (remember about the weight over the back foot). skip trying to carve until you can skid your way through mono-marking both left-foot-back and right-foot-back (remember to keep that weight onto the back foot).

During that process you don't need to crouch or even get you knee down to the ski. An errect, natural posture and a very modest knee bend will help you feel the power your back foot's ankle can put into steering the turn.

When all that is going well it's time to consider that beginning a turn is about getting the edges into it and that can be done with neutral feet or even with alpine set feet. As the edges bite and you start to change direction, schmooze into the lead change (no need to snap into it on easy terrain) so the back foot can really set the edge. Remember, this works best with your posture errect, feet shoulder width apart side to side and about the same back to front.

Best not to let your feet get spread too far apart and best to not get very low either. Both of those positions will leave you unable to quickly make any changes dictated by conditions, traffic or fixed obstacles.

[Luddite]

I looked for a pair of Liberos all summer before getting my Excursions. A little stiffer than the Excursion I think it's a sweet boot for the thickets/trees. I was going to match it up with my Outtas though...
If you do go bigger in the boot I'd encourage you to keep the Liberos for a future touring setup.