The Silver Star Mountain Resort is offering a new challenge for young skiers through its Youth Telemark Program.
Coached by World Cup Telemark skier Shane Landreville, the reigning national champion, the program is sanctioned by the B.C. Telemark Ski Association and runs for 10 Sundays starting in the New Year.
Following an injury last season, Landreville chose to take a season off from racing in order to coach a youth-specific program.
“Telemark skiing offers a lot for both experienced and inexperienced skiers,” said Landreville. “It’s a unique discipline and attractive to young skiers interested in trying something new, looking for a new challenge, or even taking up skiing.”
B.C. Telemark and Landreville have worked to create an affordable program at $75 for the 10 sessions to encourage participation. They have gone even further by sourcing ski gear for prospective youth to use for the season.
The youth program is meant to introduce all aspects of Telemark skiing, and Landreville will guide skiers through the steps of making Telemark turns and introduce mogul skiing, carving and powder turns. The program is open to all levels.
Telemark skiing is the original form of skiing and requires a Telemark-specific binding where the heel is not attached. The lift of the heel through the turn allows for more movement and a true skiing sensation, said Landreville.
“Telemark seems to have a mystique that it’s difficult to learn and difficult on the body,” he added. “Recent advancements in gear has made Telemark skiing much easier to learn, much easier on the body, and not nearly as difficult as it is perceived.”
For more information on the Youth Telemark Program, visit www.bctelemark.com
