The Zen Master of Telemark

Biff Russell has a unique teaching style for teaching telemark skiing. It's not that he doesn't focus on technique, equipment or traditions. To the contrary, he spends most of the time in his NATO (North American Telemark Organization) clinics addressing precisely these issues. What makes his on snow sessions so different is his goal. He wants his skier students to learn the feel of telemark, to get the whole gestalt, to search within and discover that sensation of oneness with the ski and the mountain. It's a Zen moment, and it works. Another RadXSports video produced at Belleayre Mountain and hosted by Tony Lanza.

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[soaniles]

The best food is bee vomit  worm poop is the best clothing silk gazelle hack is the best fragrance musk

The gentle tyrant sleep

The best feeling is when

Both urineary tracks come together

[GerryPallor]

@soaniles It took a while but I eventually got it.

[sdtommola]

How do I get hold of Biff?? I'm sure he taught me how to climb in the 'Gunks back in '93 and haven't seen him since. He was a fam friend and then I moved. I mean how many guys named Biff can there be in the Kats?!?

[GerryPallor]

@sdtommola Write me privately at gerry at radxsports period com with your email; and I'll forward the message to him.

[JeffreyMulac8]

I learned to X country ski at 40. I have congenital (mild) osteo genesis imperfecta, and the fear of banging into anything (hard snow) scared the crap out of me. Now, at 50, I am finally making Telemark turns down the easier runs at Crested Butte. I am obsessed! The coordination and grace required to make beautiful tele turns has given me growing courage and many Zen-even Sartori-moments. The coolest thing I have ever done. And the coolest crowd at any ski area!

[GerryPallor]

@JeffreyMulac8 Thanks for a heartfelt and insightful comment.

[1992volvo240]

Biff seems like a boss! Free the heel ski for real! Training wheels? Training HEELS!

[GiulianiPeter]

OIbvious bias towards rotary skiing with lack of emphasis on flexing and extending, which are balancing movements...

[ramus001]

"the whole gestalt" of tele turns? JFC... (facepalm). No disrespect to Mr. Russell, but it is just skiing FFS.

[GerryPallor]

@SkiStronger Thanks so much. That's why we make these videos.