"Telly" skis deserve essentially the same TLC as alpine skis: Keep the edges sharp, the base flat, and the bottom well waxed. Telemark skiers may want their edges a little sharper in the tips and tails for extra bite in powder. Apply a middle-of-the-road, universal wax preseason to handle a wide range of snow conditions. After that, just monitor the edges and base, sharpening and waxing when needed. Applying a wide-ranging wax when you head out to ski isn't necessary, but it will help your skiing in all but the warmest and coldest conditions. If you want to learn how to wax for specific snow and temperature conditions each time you go out, check out the bible of backcountry skiers, Free-Heel Skiing: Telemark and Parallel Techniques for All Conditions, by Paul Parker.

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RELATED GORP LINKS
GORP Travel: Skiing and Snowsports
GORP Skiing/Snowsports
GORP Regional X-C Skiing Guide
GORP Gear

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Article © Michael Lanza, 2000.