thumb|Telemark ski racer executing Telemark's unique lunging or "free heel" turn. Telemark skiing is a skiing technique that combines elements of Alpine and Nordic skiing, using the rear foot to keep balance while pushing on the front foot to create a carving turn on downhill skis with toe-only bindings. Telemark skiing is named after the Telemark region of Norway, where the discipline originated. Sondre Norheim is often credited for first demonstrating the turn in ski races, which included cross country, slalom, and jumping, in Norway around 1868. Sondre Norheim also experimented with ski and binding design, introducing side cuts to skis and heel bindings (like a cable).
thumb|telemark ski racer executing telemark's unique lunging or "free heel" turn telemark skiing is a skiing technique that combines elements of alpine and nordic skiing using the rear foot to keep balance while pushing on the front foot to create a carving turn on downhill skis with toe-only bindings telemark skiing is named after the telemark region of norway where the discipline originated sondre norheim is often credited for first demonstrating the turn in ski races which included cross country slalom and jumping in norway around 1868 sondre norheim also experimented with ski and binding design introducing side cuts to skis and heel bindings (like a cable)