Thanks to a willing and ready core of young skiers, their parents, our local outdoor store, Ned Ryerson, and the Ski Santa Fe Snowsports School, 12 students aged 6 to 14 enjoyed the sensation of telemark skiing for the first time this past weekend. This program had been a year in the making and it took the momentum of last year’s effort to actually put p-tex to snow this year. Sangre De Cristo Mountain Works (http://www.sdcmountainworks.com) served as the hub for gear pickup and offered a fine fleet of demo telemark equipment to the older participants – the excitement and energy in the store was palpable as students gathered to affix their boots to their skis and skied around on the carpet. TeleNed Ryerson of Aspen, CO inspired, advised on program details, and supplied twin-tip telemark rental equipment to the younger participants. A special thanks to those parents who stepped up and made donations to help defray the shipping costs from Aspen, CO. 

Tim Fowler coordinated Saturday’s events with his group of Adventure Team skiers and I coached the younger folks on Sunday. It was a great weekend of exploring a new sport for these young alpine skiers and all walked away with smiles, a heightened sense of balance, a new perspective on blue and green runs, as well as stronger legs. We have not yet set a date for the next youth telemark day, but if you or your child might be interested, please send an email to: dnh24@yahoo.com and I’ll keep you posted on future youth telemark happenings.