The Freeheel Life Podcast

Armond DuBuque grew up just outside Seattle, Washington, and started skiing at the age of nine. He later picked up snowboarding, but by the early 1990s, while working at Stevens Pass Ski Area, he discovered Telemark skiing—and it stuck.

In his mid-20s, he set out to design his own Telemark binding, incorporating features he felt were missing from the options available at the time. With the help of his father, who had a small machine shop, he began prototyping his ideas and eventually produced a limited batch for public use. He called it the Ultimate Telemark Binding—or UTB, as it became known.

The UTB introduced several groundbreaking features that had never been seen before, including enclosed compression springs, rigid cables, a spring-loaded heel piece with bidirectional tension, a six-hole mounting pattern, a step-in mechanism, and built-in crampons.

This is an incredible story of youthful ambition, innovation, legal battles, and, of course, Telemark skiing. I had an amazing time documenting this chapter of Telemark history, and I hope you enjoy it too!

SHOW NOTES:

Armond's Original Patents:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US6234514B1/en?q=(armond+dubuque)&oq=armond

https://patents.google.com/patent/US5823563A/en?q=(armond+dubuque)&oq=armond+dubuque

https://patents.google.com/patent/US6923465B2/en?q=(armond+dubuque)&oq=armond+dubuque

Reading:

North America, United States, Alaska, Denali National Park, Mt. Hunter, First Ski Descent: https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12200419500/

Mt. Hunter Ski Descent - Alaska: https://pawprince.com/pawprince/adventures/hunter/home.html

Here is my latest technique video for you to check out: https://youtu.be/3b3X3EiQCCo

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My weekly e-mail newsletter is a great way to stay in contact with all of my content, events, product launches, etc.

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Dickie Hall played a pivotal role in reviving the Telemark turn, alongside many others, beginning in the 1970s. While he introduced the turn across the United States and later Europe, his influence on Telemark skiing in New England remains undeniable.

He was the founder and director of the North American Telemark Organization (N.A.T.O.) from 1975 to 2015, running a yearly schedule of workshops, camps, expeditions, and instructor and guide training programs. By his own estimate, he taught over 40,000 Telemark skiers and trained 1,000 instructors and guides worldwide.

Hall's career began in the early 1970s on the Killington Ski Patrol, followed by teaching Nordic skiing at nearby Mountain Meadows. He later established Trailhead Telemark and Backcountry Ski Center in Stockbridge. By the time he moved on from Trailhead, he had become Chief Examiner and Certification Chairman for PSIA-E Nordic. In the late '70s, he received an offer he couldn't refuse, an opportunity to start America's first alpine-based Telemark ski school at Mad River Glen.

Over the course of his career, he produced five films on Telemark and backcountry skiing, consulted and trained staff for the nation's leading outdoor schools, and served as an adjunct professor of ski mountaineering for the University of Alaska's Wilderness Studies program.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to have this conversation and document some of the incredible stories and history of Telemark skiing.

Please welcome to the podcast, Dickie Hall.

Here is my latest technique video for you to check out: https://youtu.be/3b3X3EiQCCo

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My weekly e-mail newsletter is a great way to stay in contact with all of my content, events, product launches, etc.

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Today's guest is a legend in the skiing world with roots that trace back to Seattle, Washington, where he discovered skiing at the age of 11 at Alpental Ski Area. Embracing the freestyle trends of the 1970s, he became a passionate mogul skier with his sights set on the US Freestyle Team. Though he achieved that dream, it was tragically cut short after a knee injury on his very first run.

But that setback didn't stop him. He soon became a central figure in Gregg Stump's iconic ski films, starring in classics like Time Waits for Snowman, Blizzard of Aahhh's, and more, solidifying his place as a pioneer in the ski culture of the era.

In 1988, he took his talents to K2, working as a product manager. By the mid-90s, he spearheaded the creation of K2's groundbreaking Telemark ski division. Under his leadership, K2 Telemark dominated the market, capturing over 50% of it with innovative ski designs, eye-catching graphics, and unforgettable names like She's Piste, Hippy Stinx, Heli Stinx, and many more.

In my view, K2 Telemark didn't just keep the tradition of the Telemark turn alive—it redefined it, pushing the sport into the future and reshaping its image for a new generation.

It's an honor to welcome to the podcast the one and only Mike Hattrup!

Check out my website and online store: https://www.freeheellife.com/ My weekly e-mail newsletter is a great way to stay in contact with all of my content, events, product launches, etc.

You can sign up by visiting Freeheellife.com and signing up on the front page of the website.

Thank You,

Josh Madsen

#SpreadTelemark Always

NOTE: Originally published Dec 26, 2024 for YouTube Members

Today I've got Kate Galliett Madsen on the podcast to talk over health and fitness in Telemark skiing. This has really proven to be a topic of interest that folks on my channel have been requesting more of lately and I wanted to have her back on to drop some knowledge for us. Kate and I are going to be working on some other video content to cover more health and fitness topics moving forward so I wanted to have her on to talk about some of the more general concepts we can be thinking about as we head into 2025.

Thanks for listening! — Josh Madsen

NOTE: Originally published Nov 25, 2024 for YouTube Members

In this engaging conversation, Josh Madsen and Craig Dostie delve into the world of Telemark skiing, discussing their unique experiences, the evolution of Telemark gear, and the recent release of the TX Pro boot. They explore the nuances of boot flex, the importance of subtlety in Telemark technique, and the challenges faced by skiers transitioning to new equipment. The discussion highlights the balance between performance and comfort, as well as the need for diverse options in telemark gear to cater to different skiing styles and preferences.

Check out my website and online store: https://www.freeheellife.com/ My weekly e-mail newsletter is a great way to stay in contact with all of my content, events, product launches, etc.

You can sign up on the front page of my website: www.freeheellife.com

#telemark #spreadtelemark #freeheellife #skiing

On this week's podcast I sit down for a conversation with the founding members of Midwest Telefest that included the owners, employees, and friends of Life Tools Adventure Outfitters. The Co-op turned outdoor shop was a hub for Telemark equipment in the Green Bay, WI area for many years and helped bring awareness to the great Telemark turn.

Midwest Telefest info: midwesttelefest.org

Today's guest has been in the Snowsports industry for nearly 30 years. He has worked in various retail positions along with working as a rep for such brands as Karhu, Dynafit, and more. We had a great discussion about where Telemark has been and where it's headed, where specialty retail might be going in the future, shifts in manufacturing, and why Telemark skiers are so passionate. I'm psyched to call him a friend and was really excited about this conversation we had recently.

Find Mike on IG: https://www.instagram.com/mike_kaz_abstracts

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Newsroom & Notes:

• Current Boots - what's up - will do video soon.
• YouTube Black Members LIVE w/ Craig Dostie THIS TUESDAY 1/30/24 at 5pm MST
• We are open today and still have SOME appointments THROUGH SATURDAY so be sure to book those on the service section of the website. NO MORE SERVICE DROP OFFS UNTIL FEB. 16TH. YOU CAN HEAD TO 7EVEN SKIS FOR MOUNTS UNTIL I GET BACK. https://www.7evenskis.com/
• BOOK SERVICE AT FREEHEEL LIFE: https://www.freeheellife.com/pages/telemark-ski-binding-service
• The week of February 5th-14th the brick and mortar shop will be closed. Midwest TeleFest
• WORLD TELEMARK DAY 2024 Meetup Locations: https://www.freeheellife.com/pages/stores-events-locator
• Check out my website and online store: https://www.freeheellife.com/
• Here is my latest free technique video for you to check out:https://youtu.be/SIs3qT4E2VY
• Latest Member Video: https://youtu.be/qPo98GcI_pE
• Check out my website and online store: https://www.freeheellife.com/
• Our weekly e-mail newsletter is a great way to stay in contact with all of our content, events, product launches, etc. You can sign up here: https://bit.ly/FHLMailingList

Andy Jacobsen has been a friend of mine for 20+ years and is a Telemark skier that I've always respected for his great style, backcountry proficiency, and determined and skillful competition skiing.

He was always a top performer in the early Telemark Freeski competitions during the early to mid-2000s and graced the big screen not only in the early Toughguy Production movies, but also as one of the original Powderwhore crew during the 10 years that Powderwhore was producing movies.

We had a great discussion about Telemark competition and film history, his inspirations early on as a young Telemark skier, and his experiences and life lessons along the way.

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Drew Nylen lives in northern British Columbia, on the Alaskan border, in a town of 300 people. His interest for Telemark skiing began in his youth when he started working at his local gear shop and was able to get his first freeheel setup. He's an ACMG apprentice ski guide who will be taking his full ski exam in April. His extensive guiding has taken him to the Arctic, including: Baffin Island, Greenland, and more. Currently he's working as an avalanche forecaster and field technician for Avalanche Canada.

Find Drew Online:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drewnylen

Guiding Services: https://yamnuska.com/

Join my YouTube channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9tPPZqLPCw2q4-tu9q3Ynw/join

Here is our latest technique video for you to check out: https://youtu.be/WOu6G2-nKGs

Check out our website and online store: https://www.freeheellife.com/

Our weekly e-mail newsletter is a great way to stay in contact with all of our content, events, product launches, etc. You can sign up here: https://bit.ly/FHLMailingList

#telemark #spreadtelemark #freeheellife #skiing

World Telemark Day Celebrates 10 Years For Telemark skiers from around the world the 1st Saturday in March is a special day, it's always World Telemark Day (WTD). This international celebration takes place this 2023-24 winter season on Saturday March 2nd, 2024 and marks one decade since its inception. "As a Telemark skier myself I saw how great the energy at Telemark gatherings always was," said WTD Founder Josh Madsen. "So I created a de-centralized event for everyone around the world, every year, that both the individual and groups can celebrate at the same time." That's what sets World Telemark Day apart from a normal organized event at a specific location, because it can happen any place you want! Whether you are the only Telemark skier at your local ski area or live in an area where you can meet-up with a group of other like-minded freeheelers WTD is for everyone.

How Can You Participate?

1. Go Telemark skiing! You can make it a day at the resort or a day in the backcountry — you choose.
2. 2. Connect with people on social media using the hashtags #WorldTelemarkDay & #SpreadTelemark - this is a great way to share where you are making the best turn on snow with participants worldwide.
3. 3. Set-up a group meetup at the hill for your local Telemark community to ski together for a few runs and take a group photo.
4. 4. Rolling solo? No problem. World Telemark Day is still for you. Connect with other Telemark skiers via social media that are celebrating the same thing on the same day.
5. 5. Use the high resolution WTD logo to make your own digital flyers, merch, etc.

Want To Take it To The Next Level?

For those individuals or groups looking to use World Telemark Day to help build their own event and grow their local Telemark scene here are some ideas:

1. Contact the marketing department at your local ski area. Contacts for the marketing department can generally be found on the ski area website or visit their office. Ask them if they would like to help get the word out via their channels and make it into an annual calendar item.
2. Feel free to use this press release along with the high resolution logo that you can download at: https://www.freeheellife.com/pages/world-telemark-day for any promotion.
3. Create your own WTD merchandise with the logo and use it as a fundraiser for your local Telemark club, kids program, etc.

"World Telemark Day is for everyone," says Josh Madsen. "I can't think of a better day to share the turn with first-timers, old friends, and your local community. It's your day to make it what you want and share it with the world."

#ProtectorsOfTheTurn #SpreadTelemark #FreeheelLife #Telemark #TelemarkSkiing #TelemarkSki #Skiing #Ski

Join our YouTube channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9tPPZqLPCw2q4-tu9q3Ynw/join

Here is our latest technique video for you to check out: https://youtu.be/WOu6G2-nKGs

Check out our website and online store: https://www.freeheellife.com/

Our weekly e-mail newsletter is a great way to stay in contact with all of our content, events, product launches, etc.

You can sign up here: https://bit.ly/FHLMailingList

#telemark #spreadtelemark #freeheellife #skiing