Telemark
Free Heel - Free Mind
Experience a new sense of freedom on Arosa’s slopes
Experience skiing anew with a traditional technique
Telemark originated in 19th-century Norway. The free heel and the characteristic telemark step still define the technique today and create a very distinctive feeling on skis. If you already ski confidently, telemark lets you rediscover familiar slopes – with more movement, rhythm and new possibilities. Arosa's wide slopes are ideal terrain for your first telemark turns.
- For anyone who skis confidently in parallel on blue and red slopes – no prior telemark experience needed
- Individual progression in private lessons – paced to your ability
- Whether on piste, in the park or in powder – telemark opens up new possibilities
- Rental telemark equipment is available at the Riedstall through Andy Heilmann
Free heel – free spirit
Three reasons why experienced skiers are discovering the free heel for themselves.
Movement instead of standstill
Every turn includes a step. The flowing movement engages your whole body. That makes telemark more active and physically demanding than alpine skiing – and for many, that's exactly the appeal.
Familiar slopes, rediscovered
What's long become routine on alpine skis feels exciting again on telemark gear. Familiar slopes feel completely different, and the free heel opens up new ways to play with the terrain.
More than just piste
Powder, bumps or the park – every kind of terrain feels new again on telemark skis and offers plenty of room to play. And if you want to go further, the telemark setup also works with climbing skins for ski touring.
This is telemark
Step by step to the telemark turn.
The equipment
Telemark requires special equipment. The binding and boots enable the free heel and the characteristic telemark step. In the lesson we'll explain the different systems and their features to you.
The basic position
As the foundation of telemark technique, the basic position stays with you from the very start. You'll learn its key features and develop a feel for it. It keeps being refined from your first telemark day onward.
The telemark turn
With the step change, the skis swap position: the outside ski leads, the inside ski follows offset with a free heel. This is how your first telemark turns come together. Little by little, you'll link the turns smoothly and adapt your turns to the terrain.
Beyond the basics – progressing step by step
From your first telemark turn to skiing all kinds of terrain, you'll develop your technique step by step. Your prior experience and goals determine where the journey takes you – we accompany you along the way and tailor the lesson to you individually.
Beginners
Getting used to the free heel, the lunge step while standing, and first controlled turns on flat terrain.
Advanced
Linked telemark turns on blue and red slopes, clean leg change and a calm upper body position.
Refinement
Dynamic turns at higher speed, skiing on more demanding terrain and fine-tuning your technique.
Practical information for your telemark day
Equipment
Don't have your own telemark equipment yet? No problem: suitable gear can be rented from Andy Heilmann (Heili) at the Riedstall with advance notice (from shoe size 36.5 to 45.5) – we're happy to put you in touch. Rental prices per person: lesson CHF 20, half day CHF 25, full day CHF 35. Please bring the rental fee in cash.
Requirements
Can you ski confidently in parallel on blue and red slopes? Then you already have what you need to get started with telemark. No prior telemark experience is required. A good basic fitness level helps, since the unfamiliar movements challenge your legs and core, especially at the start.
Dates & Meeting Point
We teach telemark as a private lesson throughout the winter season – half day, full day, or over several days. We agree the meeting point and start time with you at booking.
Group size
A telemark private lesson can be booked alone or with up to 6 people of a similar level at the same price. Each additional person beyond the first costs CHF 10 extra for full-day bookings.
Telemark lessons with Skischule Arosa
We offer telemark as a private lesson from CHF 171 – in a small group and by individual arrangement. A single 55-minute lesson is not available for telemark. As not all of our instructors teach telemark, we are happy to plan the date with you in advance. Tell us what you can already do and what you would like to achieve, and we will provide the right instructor.
Private telemark lessons
The private lesson can be booked daily – alone or with up to 6 people at the same price. We don't offer a single 55-minute lesson for telemark; lessons start from the morning Early Bird slot.
Until and including 31.10., you receive a 10% discount on snowsports courses; from 1.11., a 5% discount applies when booking up to 30 days before the course starts. A private lesson can be booked alone or with up to 6 people of a similar level at the same price; each additional person beyond the first costs CHF 10 extra for full-day bookings.
Frequently asked questions about telemark lessons
The most common questions from our guests – answered briefly and reliably.
What does a telemark private lesson cost in Arosa?
The private lesson starts at CHF 171 for the morning Early Bird slot and goes up to CHF 486 for the full-day rate. We don't offer a single 55-minute lesson for telemark. These are starting prices; the booking system shows the binding prices.
What is telemark and how does it differ from classic skiing?
In telemark, the heel is not fixed, and the turn is made in a distinctive lunge stance. This requires different balance and legwork than classic skiing, but can be practised on the same slopes in Arosa.
Do I already need to be able to ski to start with telemark?
Yes. You should already be confident skiing parallel on blue and red slopes. You don't need any prior telemark experience, though – the free heel and lunge technique are built up from scratch in the private lesson.
How many people can share a private lesson and what does it cost?
A private lesson can be booked alone or with up to 6 people of a similar level at the same price, from CHF 171 for the Early Bird slot. Each additional person beyond the first costs CHF 10 extra for full-day bookings.