[skipowpow]

So my $75 ski and binding investment is now going to cost me $$$$$ for plastic boots and top notch instruction??? You guys suck!!

Seriously, thanks for the feedback. My intention was to have a couple of those days where we pull out her tele gear and see how it goes for a couple of runs and then decide if we need to invest more. Looking at mom's boots tonight and those skis = no fun.

QQ her alpine shell size is a 24. So 24 or 25 as she is a growing girl and is cursed with dad's big feet. If anyone has a line on something like that in the Denver area, let me know. I don't mind spending a little $ on gear just to have her grow out of it, because her sister definitely wants to give it a go too. It is hard to find the deals though and spending the day driving around looking tele boots has zero appeal.

10-4 on the outside instruction. I also appreciate the discussion on male/female instructors. I know with alpine she had a better experience with female instructors. However, she is at that fun time in a girls life (13) when cute male instructors have appeal too. So while I agree with James that it doesn't make a difference if they are really good, if anyone one wants to drop some names of good female tele instructors, let me know. Really any quality tele instructor that is good with kids is what I am looking for. This year we will be skiing Loveland and a couple days at Monarch. So suggestions there would be terrific.

Thanks again for the feedback.

[heather]

[hdiddy]

I would try to see out Ross Matlock @ Crested Butte if it's not too far out of the way. Level 3 PSIA, been in movies. He da man.

http://www.thesnowpros.org/index.php/PSIA-AASI/video-gallery/learning-lead-changes

I don't know if she does it anymore, but Dale Drennan (who now lives in CA) taught tele at Copper Mtn and I think goes back and forth from time to time. PSIA Level 3 and also a very gifted teacher. I've taken clinics with her at BV Telefest and been very happy with what she has to offer. I can ask her (friended through Facebook) if you want to see when she might be in CO this winter.
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Drive the cuff

[davygoat2]

learning one skill @ a time worked for me! saw plenty of videos linked to this site. I agree that having the right instructor is the best way.
I don't really have access to that here on the EC where I am so I'm flailing along and saving my coin for a Daddyday and a Telefest.
I'm feeling the groove on the groomers and Pow"ec style"
Kinda need it before I commit haricari in the bumps.
Instructor certs are great, but if you don't connect w/ them It's not fun for either of you.
Free the Heel Ski for Real!

[James]

[James]

[James]

[Shan]

Lots of advice given already re: teaching.

For boots, first look at the Turnaround page obviously, but also give Wilderness Exchange a look. They are having a swap on October 8th in the parking lot behind the store too.

[James]

^^^ Good idea.

Also Wilderness Sports in Dillon almost always has lots of older light tele boots for sale

[Starik]

Another option is Denver Craig's List, or for a town closer to you. Currently there are a few pairs of Mondo 24- 24,5 plastic telemark boots at much less than new prices. All with pics and generally decent descriptions. This can be very "precision shopping", with one auto trip for each item. Sometimes listed is telemark equipment that someone's kids have outgrown.

Finding what you want on Craig's List can be instant gratification or long, patient monitoring. I have accumulated a small collection of nearly new telemark boots and thermomouldable liners in exactly my size, over a year's time.

Starik

[telemarkerSteve]

my 2c:

- plastic boots from the get-go sounds like good advice, especially since she's used to alpine gear
- the tele comic book is (Allen and Mike) is awesome and seems like it might be kid friendly
- discuss how she wants to learn with her - maybe she wants lessons w/ Dad, though being ready to change plan to pro instruction at the first signs of frustration is a good idea; also if she doesn't care about instructor gender, then you can go with "best available" instructor of either sex
- bring the alpine gear in the car and knock off each tele lesson before it gets to be drudgery
- re drudgery: it's best to work on one thing or at most two things at time instead of overwhelming a student, but I wouldn't go all hardcore "you must master this before moving on" either; if she want's to switch to working on a different "one thing" then roll with it

of course, WTFDIK
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I believe it was Gandhi who said: "You must be the turn that you wish to see in the snow"

[QuiverQueen]

[JustinB]

Calibrate your sarcasm meter folks.

[Telerodder]

My middle daughter is 14 and a good intermediate skier. She watched me off and on and just sprung it on me she wants to try tele this year. I got some skis and looking for some t2s or better boots. luckily she has big feet so mens 27-28s will be plentiful to find. I gave her Paul Parkers book to read and honestly think she will just start doing it all on her own with a little coaxing. Im hopeing she will feel the way I felt the first time I linked a few freeheel turns and go."Why havent I been doing this all along!"
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Why do my legs hurt?

[JustinB]

Thar ya be. Should she get a bit frustrated, she can always parallel &/or dad can pony up for a lesson or two. As long as your kids want to keep playing with ya, life is good.
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Sh'ma Yis'ra'eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad.