Those Tele Guys: Recent Episodes
Those Tele Guys
Those Tele Guys is a podcast made by a couple of telemark skiers from Downunder. The show will talk tele, investigate topical issues, share their love of Australian winters, and have a good laugh.
In this season finale, Morgs and Rich dig deep into the numbers, embarking on a quest to settle a burning question: Was this the worst Australian winter season in the history of skiing? Armed with data from the trusty Spencers Creek snow gauge, they unravel the season's snowfall secrets.
But it's not all serious business! Get ready for a melodious twist as the freeheelers create a parody of a famous Thirsty Merc song that'll have you dreaming for next winter through every note.
And that's not all - tensions rise as Morgs and Rich find themselves in a legal battle against some crafty skiers trying to impersonate them. Will justice be served on the slopes?
Tune in for this season finale, filled with data, laughs, and legal drama, as "Those Tele Guys" wraps up another thrilling season of adventures, laughs, and everything telemark. Don't miss it!
Buckle up, folks! On this exhilarating episode of "Those Tele Guys," we're bringing you along for the ride, literally. Join us as we hit the road in Morgan's trusty Toyota Landcruiser, the ultimate adventure machine, en route to a day of epic backcountry skiing in the breathtaking Main Range. It's an audio experience like no other as we chat gear, excitement, and mountain tales while cruising through scenic landscapes. Whether you're a seasoned backcountry enthusiast or an armchair adventurer, this episode will have you yearning for the crisp mountain air and the thrill of the slopes. So, grab your virtual snow gear, hop in, and let's chase that corn skiing dream together.
Prepare for an immersive journey into the world of ski mountaineering alongside the remarkable Greg Hill. From awe inspiring descents to record breaking feats, Greg has truly made some remarkable achievements. Join us as we delve into his incredible odyssey, from planting trees in the backcountry to ascending and skiing over two million feet in a year. We'll also explore his commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, and how he's challenging himself and the world to make a positive impact. Whether you're an avid skier or simply an adventure enthusiast, this episode is an absolute must listen. So grab your skis and your sense of wonder, and tune in as we unravel Greg's remarkable career thus far!
**In this week's episode of "Those Tele Guys," Morgs and Rich channel their inner Neo from the Matrix as they face a pivotal decision for the 2024 ski season: to buy or not to buy the 'Epic Australia Pass' for $1000. Will they take the blue pill and embark on a winter of resort skiing, carving down the slopes with Pete the Snow Dragon? Or opt for the red pill, keeping their wallets intact and dedicating themselves to becoming strictly BC? Join these backcountry-loving knuckleheads as they dissect the pros and cons, navigate through budget considerations, and ponder the family-friendliness of it all.
We also dive into the mail bag to relieve our first ever 'Telemark Hate Crime.' Tune in to find out more...**
In this episode, we're talking about essential telemark skiing tips with a touch of randomness and a lot of fun! We've fired up the random number generator to select some golden nuggets of wisdom from the classic book, "Allen & Mike's Really Cool Telemark Tips." Originally published in 1998, this book has been a staple for telemark enthusiasts, and it's been updated to keep up with the evolution of the sport. Join us as we explore a handful of the 123 telemark tips available in the book, filled with humour and wisdom, and discuss how the world of telemark skiing has transformed over the years. Whether you're a seasoned tele-skier or just curious about this unique style, get ready for an informative and entertaining episode that's sure to make you want to hit the slopes!
Welcome to episode 13 of our podcast! In this episode, we have some exciting segments for you. Firstly, we will be reading some interesting messages sent in by our esteemed listeners. Secondly, we have a brand new segment called "Telemarketers Telemarketing," where we'll be making a prank call and sharing the hilarious conversation with you. Lastly, get ready for some musical entertainment as we sing a parody of Vance Joy's "Riptide" in "Songs of the Freeheelers" titled "Heels Are Stuck." So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
In this exciting episode, we dive into the world of telemark skiing with a special guest who knows the industry inside out. Join us as we sit down with Dave Bombard, the mastermind behind Bishop Telemark, to explore his journey from discovering free heel skiing for the first time to becoming a mechanical product design engineer, and eventually, designing one of the most unique bindings on the market. We uncover the story behind Bishop's innovative telemark bindings, learn about Dave's experiences in the ski town of Breckenridge, and gain insights into his unique vision for the sport. From carving turns to crafting bindings, get ready for an engaging conversation that delves into the heart and soul of the telemark world.
Get ready to dive into the world of telemark skiing as "Those Tele Guys" present a captivating interview with CJ Coccia, the lead behind TELE COLO. Hailing from New Smyrna Beach, FL, CJ's journey took him from surf swells and skateboards to the snowy slopes of Colorado, where he discovered the enchanting art of the telemark turn that would eventually lead to the transformation of a group originally known as Telemark Colorado in 2018.
TELE COLO has a mission to breathe fresh life into the telemark culture, bolster present and upcoming athletes, contributors, and the industry as a whole, fostering continuous growth within the sport and its vibrant community.
Join us as CJ shares his unique perspective on telemark skiing, and learn how his experiences have inspired his innovative filmmaking ventures. From King and Queens of the Heel, bindings dreams, and to pondering about the future of telemark, this episode guarantees to bring a smile to your face. Tune in for laughter, insights, and a whole lot of telemark passion!
Get ready for an eye-opening episode as "Those Tele Guys" bring you an unexpected mid-season review! In this unique edition, hosts Morgs and Rich delve into the rollercoaster of a winter they've been experiencing, with a twist of unanticipated warmth that has left the snow base feeling more like spring than mid-season. Join them as they discuss the challenges posed by the unprecedented warm weather, how it has impacted their skiing adventures and the creative ways they've adapted to the unusual conditions. Tune in to "Those Tele Guys" for a mid-season review that's all about embracing the unexpected!
In Episode 9 of "Those Tele Guys," we have the privilege of sitting down with the remarkable Australian XC skier, Philip Bellingham. His journey in skiing began at a young ago growing up in the picturesque town of Bogong near Falls Creek. From winning his first national title to competing in three Winter Olympics, including Sochi, Pyeongchang, and Beijing, Phil's passion and dedication to the sport are awe-inspiring. Beyond competitions, he's taken on daring adventures, like attempting to beat 'The Crossing' record from Mt. Bogong to Mt. Hotham, and exploring the world of randonee racing. Join us as we delve into Phil's skiing experiences, unforgettable Olympic moments, and the incredible adventures that have shaped his journey. Don't miss this captivating episode as we unravel the life of the indomitable Phil Bellingham on "Those Tele Guys"!
In Episode 8 of "Those Tele Guys," Morgs and Rich embark on a lively discussion about their telemark skiing journey across the 75mm and NTN platforms, exploring the diverse range of boots they have used over the years. From classic designs to cutting-edge technology, they delve into the nuances of different telemark boots, sharing personal anecdotes and experiences on the slopes. Tune in for an episode filled with passion, expertise, and a deep love for the art of free-heel boots on "Those Tele Guys"!
In this episode of "Those Tele Guys," we take a moment to connect with our wonderful listeners and bring their messages to the forefront. We start by discussing the current ski conditions, where sunny days and icy slopes challenge even the best of us.
However, things take a turn when Rich finds himself caught in a surface hoar trance, providing some light-hearted moments for all. Amidst the laughter, we share the interesting messages we've received from our fans, covering topics ranging from pow surfing to the amusing concept of adult powder skiing nappies.
To wrap up the show, we offer some telemark therapy, providing helpful tips to tackle common winter ski problems and enhance the skiing experience.
Join us in this captivating episode of "Those Tele Guys" as we sit down with Ya Reeves, an outdoor and environmental educator, author, and telemark skier from far East Gippsland. In this episode, our conversation revolves around Ya Reeves' debut novel, "Over This Backbone." The book explores the hidden truths we bury, revealing the moments when "I'm fine" masks deeper emotions and the realisation that battling alone doesn't define strength. This novel beautifully captures the essence of the Australian landscape and takes us on a profound journey of walking a long way and finding the courage to walk away.
Tune in to this thought-provoking episode as we unravel the inspiration behind "Over This Backbone" and gain insights into Ya Reeves' profound connection with nature and storytelling.
Join us in Season 4, Episode 5 of "Those Tele Guys" as we "go fishing in the local pond" with J.T. Robinson, a professional telemark skier renowned for his backcountry expertise. In this episode, we dive into J.T.'s personal journey of how he discovered telemark skiing and the experiences that shaped his career. From his high-flying days as a pro backcountry telemark skier to his transition into becoming a family man and backcountry touring guide, J.T. shares his insights and the inspiration behind his path. We also delve into his endorsement of Voilé equipment, including the Voilé V6 BC skis and the TTS Transit bindings, discussing their unique features and the impact they have on his performance in the backcountry. Join us for an engaging conversation as we explore J.T.'s telemark skiing journey and gain valuable insights for our own skiing adventures.
Join Morgs and Rich in Season 4, Episode 4 of "Those Tele Guys" as they share their invaluable insights on driving to the snow. In this episode, they delve into the important topic of fitting chains, providing "expert" advice on proper installation techniques, troubleshooting common issues, and ensuring traction on icy roads. With their own experiences as guides, they also cover route planning, vehicle maintenance, and road safety, equipping listeners with the knowledge and confidence to conquer the winter roads. Whether you're a seasoned snow chaser or a first-time winter explorer, this episode will give you the tools you need for a smooth and successful journey to the snowy slopes.
Join Morgs and Rich in Season 4, Episode 3 of "Those Tele Guys" as they explore the diverse and enchanting world of winter events at ski resorts. In this episode, they shine a spotlight on the captivating backcountry events, the grace and beauty of Nordic skiing, and the unique novelty events that add a touch of fun to the snowy season. From exhilarating gun-slinging ski races to peaceful pond-skimming adventures, they'll take you on a journey through the lesser-known aspects of the Australian skiing world. Plus, stay tuned for an exciting update on "Those Tele Guys" merchandise, featuring telemark skiing-inspired apparel and accessories that will let you show off your love for the sport.
In this hilarious and creative episode of "Those Tele Guys," Morgs and Rich take on the challenge of using AI to generate parody songs for telemark skiing. While the AI's attempts may have missed the mark, it sparked an inspired idea for our hosts to finish a song that Chat GPT started. Get ready for a memorable parody of the classic rock song"Tribute" by Tenacious D, reimagined for telemark skiing.
Join Morgs and Rich as they dive into the world of parody songs and explore the humorous side of telemark skiing. Laugh along as they share some of the AI-generated attempts and discuss the creative process behind crafting these hilarious and catchy tunes.
Welcome back to "Those Tele Guys" with Morgs and Rich!
In this exciting Season 4 premiere, we dive into the much-anticipated seasonal outlook for winter in the Australian Alps. As telemark skiing enthusiasts and lovers of the Australian alpine region, we're here to share all the insights, predictions, and excitement surrounding the upcoming ski season.
Join us as we give you a sneak peek into what's in store for Season 4 of "Those Tele Guys." We'll explore the factors that influence the seasonal weather patterns in the Australian Alps, helping you understand how weather systems, snowfall predictions, and temperature fluctuations can shape a skier's experience.
Get ready to geek out with us as we delve into the predictions and forecasts shared by meteorologists, ski industry experts, and local sources. We'll discuss the expected snowfall levels, temperature trends, and overall conditions for the upcoming winter season, giving you a sense of what to expect when hitting the slopes.
As always, we want to hear from you, our incredible listeners! If you have any questions, comments, or insights related to the seasonal outlook or ski season preparation, we encourage you to reach out. Your input makes our podcast engaging and informative, and we love incorporating your thoughts into future episodes.
So, join us as we kick off Season 4 with an in-depth look at the seasonal outlook for winter in the Australian Alps. Get ready for an exciting and action-packed ski season filled with powder turns, stunning landscapes, and endless telemark skiing adventures....hopefully....
Hooly dooly, another season of Those Tele Guys is done! Firstly, we would like to thank the many listeners that have supported our show with their ears. We also really loved meeting some of those listeners on the slopes and appreciate the kudos we received. It's been a turbulent few years so it was finally great to have a somewhat normal season where at least 2 out of 3 of Those Tele Guys were able to ski until their hearts were content.
In this episode, we break down an amazing season by discussing some memories of telemark that made 2022 such a stella year! This includes chatting about new equipment, some tough breaks with bindings, telemark stoke, events, and our favorite moments. We also deliberate a worrying climatic trend in the Bogong Bulletin, which actually suggests that maybe the season wasn't as good as we originally thought.
It's September and Spring has sprung. The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and the corn is being well and truly harvested both within the resort and out in the backcountry. Many skiers and boarders alike are reaping the rewards of a fantastic season, but the temperature is starting to get consistently warmer, making the snowpack melt faster than the Wicked Witch of the West. They'll be plenty of corn for a few weeks yet, but what the hell are we talking about anyway? What is corn snow? In this week's episode, we explain what corn is and how this famous spring snow got its name. We also break down other terminology to describe snow conditions we typically experience in Australia and also learn some new terminolgy we haven't heard of before, such as mash potatoes.
We also sing about corn in the songs for the freeheelers with a special parody of 'Its Corn' by the Gregory Brothers. Warning, this one is an earworm that may be hard to forget!
In this week's episode, we head down into the depths of the gear lab with Andy Crow. Andy has spent a fair amount of time conducting his own research in the nitty gritty of telemark equipment which has helped foster great technical conversations on chair lift rides and we thought our listeners would enjoy hearing what some of those chats sound like. Our 'talking tele' chin wag covers important topics such as Bishop equipment, mounting bindings, ski design, Franken bindings, and dream boots. We also review the Voile Ultra Vector BC, a pattern-based ski we have fallen in love with. A special song for the freeheelers also features at the end of the episode from a very happy human named Angus, so stay tuned for that!
After a two-year hiatus due to covid restrictions, Australia's biggest free heeling event was back! The Kangaroo Hopper is an iconic and challenging 42km Worldloppet international cross-country ski event held in the Bogong High Plains. The course meanders throughout Australia's unique alpine environment, taking in the unique flora and fauna that resides there. Skiers will need a good level of fitness and experience to successfully ski the fully groomed undulating course, which climbs up onto Heathy Spur to reveal spectacular views over Rocky Valley Dam, Falls Creek, and the surrounding High Plains.
This week, Ronice Goebel joins us to talk about the history of the Kangaroo Hoppet and her involvement with the Birkebeiner ski club over her 28 years of participating and volunteering. We discuss just how important this race is for the community and how it fits into the bigger picture of international racing.
Ronice also took some time to share her thoughts on the proposed Falls Creek developments that may alter the current trail network as we see it today. Ronice was very diplomatic in her response when addressing the issue and provided some good points worth thinking about. Please note, Those Tele Guys are very much sitting on the fence with this issue, but it's good to hear a voice from the cross-country skiing community about this topic. We would love to hear a voice about the proposal from the resort, so the door is always open!
Last weekend, Those Tele Guys were gifted a recording studio at the Victorian backcountry festival. Hundreds of volunteers slaved for hours to create an igloo to host a live episode that would feature anyone that dared to enter, and enter they did! The fluorescent sign emblazing the word 'recording' was barely illuminated upon the entrance before a hoard of happy participants came stumbling in. Over the course of the evening, we met a range of different people to chat about tele, split boarding and AT, but more importantly, we talked about just how good it was to be surrounded by a group of like-minded people celebrating everything BC!
A huge congratulations to the team that organised the 2022 Victorian backcountry festival! It was amazing to see the festival back in the flesh after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. So many passionate people were happy to share their positive experiences of the festival on the show, which highlights just how successful the weekend was. We can't wait for next year's festival already!
This week's episode is coming in early so we can help provide an update for the up-and-coming Victorian BC Festival, starting on Friday the 2nd of September. Rich caught up with Anne Chiew, the organiser of the festival, to talk about any updates or last minute changes attendees should know about. What's on, where to camp, what to eat, and where's the beer? You'll find the answers here.
Like all of our guests, we also ask Anne how she discovered her passion for the mountains and what makes them so special to her. Her passion and energy for Australia's Alpine region is infectious, and it's obvious to us that the festival is in good hands this year.
It's the first time the festival will be run in three years, so get around it if you can!
It's the end of August and it's time to dust off the skates because the Kangaroo Hoppet is back! The Hoppet is part of the World Loppet series and is a 42km XC ski race. Covid canceled the Hoppet in 2020 and 2021, but nothing can stop it this year! 900 participants have signed up to grace the Bogong High Plains and this week we chatted to at least two of them.
We were very happy to welcome Peter Holmes to the show and have been hoping to catch him for an interview for quite some time. Pete was one of our lecturers at university during our outdoor education studies and opened the door of telemark, nordic and backcountry skiing to many students. We find out where Pete developed his passion for skiing and how he found his love for teaching. We also get some insight about his business, Nordic Ski adventures, which aims to take guests 'chook footing' to some of the world's most iconic nordic ski destinations. Pete's longtime friend, Blair Hume, also joins the show to heckle him whilst enjoying a few tinnies, but also shares his own stories about growing up with nothing but three-pin bindings and leather boots.
Just like Morgan, it was a matter of time before Rich dipped his toes into the NTN world. He pulled on his new Garmont Kenais and stepped into his first pair of NTN bindings and felt lightning pulse through his veins. Like Harry Potter finding his perfect wand, he felt the UNLIMITED POWER instantly and found himself under the guidance of Snape (Lucas), who initially seemed evil in this NTN Slytherin ways, but in the end, was ultimately a true freewheeling guru. In this episode, Rich confesses his NTN sins to a Free-heeling Lord and shares his thoughts about his first time away from 75mm.
The Bogong Bulletin, the catch of the day, the mailbag, how to do stuff, and telemark brand power also feature this week.
This week we welcome Britain's modern-day telemark Eddie the Eagle. Jasmin Taylor holds the record for the British skier with the most World Cup and World Championships medals after winning her 30th World Cup medal in Pralognan-la-Vanoise, France in 2020. During the 2020–21 season, Taylor trained in Switzerland, as French ski lifts were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is now freeing the heel on the slopes of Mt. Hotham, Australia!
We had a great time chatting with Jasmin about how she got into telemark skiing, how the hell telemark racing works, whether telemark ever make the winter Olympics, and what exactly bought a skier of her caliber to Australia in the first place. Please enjoy as we dive into World cup telemark racing with Jasmin Taylor!
Wowzers, we have done it. 50 episodes of Those Tele Guys. Where has the time gone?
This week we have decided it's time to celebrate our podcast milestone by doing what we do best....talking telemark. We may not know exactly what we are talking about sometimes, but we sure do have a passion for it and for whatever reason, loyal listeners are tuning in. We thank you immensely for sitting by the wireless every week to hear our take on the free-heeling world as we would not have continued without the ongoing support we receive. Again, thanks for your support.
This week we focused on running some of our segments to honor what we have done in the past and we also introduce some new ones to give a sneak peek of what the future may look like for Those Tele Guys. Segments include the weatherman, the Bogong bulletin, the mailbag, catch of the day, Telemark brand power, telemark therapy time, and songs for the free heelers. Please enjoy our 50th episode!
Our guest this week wears several different hats from many walks of life. Kelly Van Den Berg is a backcountry guide working for Traverse Hotham and runs courses to get beginners into backcountry snow sports. Last year, Kelly ran an intro to backcountry skills day for women looking to get out beyond the ropes and it was a huge hit. This year, Kelly will be running another women's backcountry skills day on August 7th and it will undoubtedly be another great success. When not guiding on Hotham, Kelly is pursuing other goals across many different occupations and interests, including performance coaching, horse training, journalism, photography, and pack rafting. Kelly is also a committee member of the Mountain Safety Collective and also collaborates with the ABC in Gippsland to share information about some of her interesting adventures and recreational pursuits. Please enjoy getting into the backcountry with Kelly Van Den Berg!
Use the link below to book a spot with Kelly on the woman's skills day or see many more of the great tours Traverse Hotham offer:
https://www.traversehotham.com.au/
Our guest this week is a writer, adventurer, speaker, and environmentalist that has a keen interest in type 2 fun. Huw Kingston has completed many interesting adventures on foot, in a boat, on wheels, and on skis. In 1997, Huw completed a 600 km ski traverse of the Australian Alps, and this year he aims to repeat this trip but go one better by skiing all the lift-assisted resorts along the way whilst raising funds for a good cause. The Alpine Odyssey will aim to raise funds for Our Yarning, a charity organisation that Huw is deeply passionate about.nHuw has worked closely for a number of years as an ambassador for Save the Children, supporting their great work with a number of fundraising ventures. Our Yarning brings this fundraising closer to home, to support First Nations children to learn their own stories from books written and illustrated by Indigenous authors and illustrators.
We hope you enjoy listening to our interview with Huw Kingston and, if you care spare any pennies, we also hope that you can donate and help him reach his fundraising goal of $50,000. You can donate by jumping onto www.huwkingston.com
It was a matter of time before one of us caved to the powerful temptations of NTN. Just like Abu was drawn to the forbidden treasures inside the cave of wonders, Morgan was drawn to the shine of a pair of crispi evos sitting high on a shelf in a local ski store. The world around us hasn't imploded since he first laid his hands upon them and we can safely say that smiles were evident when he stepped in for the first time. In this episode, Lucas joins us to break down Morgans first day on NTN. Was it any different from 75mm? It is actually any better? What the hell is a duck-butt grabber? Will Morgan use ski 75mm again? These questions, and many more, will be answered.
We also discuss a hot topic in the Bogong Bullitin about the proposed changes to the XC network at Falls Creek. Are chook-footers really tying themselves to dozers to save the network? Tune in to find out!
Cam Walker joins the show once more, but this time it is not in regards to the Back Country Festival in September. This time we catch up with Cam to discuss the Mountain Journal, another one of his projects that is absolutely fantastic. The Mountain Journal is predominately a website that shares news, profiles, environmental information, and the culture of the Australian Alps and is written by Cam in an interesting and engaging manner that grips the reader in for more! For the second year in a row, the Mountain Journal has been released as a printed version in collaboration with Lamont magazine and is available to pick up at most of Australia's snow-covered destinations. We talk about where Cam found his passion and inspiration for such a huge project and what we can expect from the Mountain Journal in the future. Once you have finished listening to this episode, do yourself a favor and go grab a copy. You won't be disappointed!
The school holidays have arrived and so have the hoards of snow lovers to the NSW ski fields, including Those Tele Guys! Join us this week as we discuss our freeheeling adventure to the Snowy Mountains over the last week. We also talk about the strong telemark scene around Perisher and share some insight into our new favorite spot on the mountain, Guthega.
We also present a new mystery sound of telemark....can you guess what it is to win an elusive snickers and stickers prize pack? Songs of the freeheelers also features for the first time this season and we sure hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we did creating it!
This year, Australian skiers have seen the best snow propaganda in years, and so they should! It has been an amazing start to the season and everyone is certainly excited. However, we have also received a fairly large amount of rain in the last two weeks that has gone relatively unnoticed by most of Australia's snow lovers as the resorts certainly do not put as much emphasis on that as they do when 2 cm of snow dumps on their respective villages. This week, we talk about how to easily read the weather forecasts all by yourself by using some pretty stock standard applications you can download on your phone. We are actively promoting everyone to have a look at all the information available to get the best weather information to help you have the best day. We hope it helps.
In this week's episode, Those Tele Guys welcome Chris Ali, a long-time telemark skier and gear junkie, to help discuss the future of 75mm gear in Australia. In the last 12 months, many of the classic 75mm boots have been discontinued from the major boot-making brands, which makes us question what the future is going to be like for duck-billed equipment . Is there enough of a 75mm stronghold Downunder to keep Scarpa producing the t2 and t4? Tune in to hear our thoughts on the matter.
We also sneak in a cheeky prank call to Eastern Mountain Center, a well-known ski center in Melbourne to hear an honest opinion of where they think telemark is heading into the future.
Those Tele Guys are ready to have their biggest season yet and may hopefully live out many of their original plans from the last two covid ravaged years. This season should be the best in years as the ski resorts have already starting turing the lifts accross south-eastern Australia. But before they dive deep into the season, they have decided to conduct an internal review of the show to reflect on some of the segments that have glowed brightly or petered out to nothing.
They also discuss the seasonal outlook, rip open the mail bag and tune into the Bogong Bulletin for a look at the latest news. Also, Queen Elithzabeth joins us to pass on a very special message for the long weekend in honour of her birthday which traditionally coincides with the opening weekend for the ski season. While the seaon started one week earlier, we still really appreciate hearing from the head of the Commonwealth. God bless our gracious Queen!
The wait is over. Winter is back and Those Tele Guys are keen to complete a winter season of free-heel skiing that is free of lockdowns and other ski restricting rules. Life is somewhat back to normal and it appears that skiers and boarders alike are permitted to enter the Aussie Alpine region as they please in the declared winter season to chase some campaign Downunder powder. Morgs and Rich have plenty to discuss for the up-and-coming season but have decided to pay homage to some of the songs that have graced your ears over the last two seasons. By using a unique algorithm similar to Alan Turing's Enigma code, we have been able to determine the top 10 songs released for the free heelers on this humble show. Please enjoy as we take a trip down memory lane to remember some of the songs that kept us motivated to keep creating content for a ski-themed podcast in a time when we weren't allowed to ski.
It is time to put the summer wax on and for those for 'Those Tele Guys' to wrap up the podcast for the season. In this episode, we look back at the 2021 ski season and discuss various influencing factors that determined how winter unfolded for us in Australia. We talked about the weather, equipment, covid, and the general 'tele-vibe' that occurred throughout the season to paint an audible picture of our experience for the listeners to enjoy. We also catch up with Sven Gorham, a past guest of the show, who has been working as a patroller at the famous Treble Cone ski resort on the south island of New Zealand. He provides us with a seasonal breakdown and also sheds some light on the tele scene around his local haunt. The final 'songs for the freeheelers' also features, and keeping in the spirits of NZ, we parody a famous tune made by the Flight of the Concords.
Thanks for listening, and we will see you next year!
We may have eluded that Tele Guys were wrapping up for the season in this episode, but we managed to sneak in one more before we finish the podcast for another year. We found some time to sit down with Mark Oates to talk about some of the adventures he has completed throughout all of Australia's snow-laden states. Mark often posts fantastic photos and detailed trip reports on social media about his endeavors in his home state of Tasmania. He chases the snow while the conditions are good to ski amazing terrain in breathtaking locations, showing just how good Tassie can be for those willing to put in the hard yards. This guest has also completed the Australian Alps Walking Track in winter on two separate occasions. The AAWT is a 655-kilometer, point-to-point journey that travels through some of the most remote areas of Australia's rugged mountain ranges. In this episode, Mark shares some information about those two trips in regards to equipment, logistics, weather, motivation, and even a sneaky game of hide and seek with a lost food barrel. Please enjoy as we ski the Australian Alps Walking Track with Mark Oates.
Find out more about marks travels at https://markoates.exposure.co/
The 2021 season is wrapping up down here in Australia, so it is time to look ahead and use the power of hindsight to plan for the 2022 season. We hope for a season that is not hindered by Covid-19 for all Australians, and if all goes to plan with the government's vaccination roll-out, then we should have a season that is somewhat more 'normal' than what we have experienced over the last two years. We have compiled a few tips on how to be a dirtbag if we do get back to normal as many have suffered financially throughout the pandemic, highlighting the importance of making every dollar stretch as far as it can go. In this episode, we share some tips on how to save money on transport, accommodation, food, equipment, ski passes and entertainment. Please enjoy as we explain how to eloquently turn yourself into a skiing dirtbag.
People often ponder the mysteries of this big ol' world and Google has become an avenue to find the answers to such conundrums. At the touch of a button, we have a library at our fingertips to make us more informed and educated about certain topics we find interesting and valuable. Telemark skiing is apparently one of such topics that have confused the brains of many, and this is evident when perusing the catalog of previously asked questions that Google has filed away ready for any curious and shy alpine skiers on a path of enlightenment. In this episode, we go through some of the most commonly asked questions and see if our own knowledge of telemark skiing matches the internet mastermind of Google.
Over the past two years, back-country skiing in Australia has been thrust into the limelight due to the global pandemic. Many feared the resorts would not open and began collecting essential items to start learning how to earn your turns in the Australian Alps. People are also curious to learn where it all began in Australia, and exactly how long have skiers been seeking the solace of the mountains. Unfortunately, some people are lamenting that back-country skiing is a relatively new prospect that has only been made accessible due to modern equipment available to us today. It has certainly made it more accessible, but we must acknowledge that skiers have been hiking up hills in Australia in search of snow for a long time. In this episode, we talk about the early days of skiing in Australia, where it started, what they used, and where they went. We also share the story of Cleve Cole, an early skiing pioneer, that sadly lost his life after an ill-fated Hotham to Bogong crossing attempt.
**This week’s guest was first spotted in the distance free-heel skiing at Falls Creek. His distinguishing bright yellow pants and futuristic Bishop bindings make him easy to identify amongst the telemark crowd. He works for Tourism North East, a group actively working to strategically grow, enhance and promote the High Country tourism offering, and is also one of the main drivers behind the Bright Mountain Film Tour.
We ask Eddie where his love for telemark skiing began, what Tourism North East is currently working on, how he got involved with the Bright Mountain Film Tour, but most importantly, what it is like stepping into the modern era when using Bishop bindings. Please enjoy Riding the High Country with Eddie Wilson!**
These are dark days for resort skiing in Australia. New South Wales and Victoria are both in lockdown and all ski resorts are closed. Events have been cancelled, lifties are getting the boot and Vail are extremely busy processing refunds for season passes that were little used. Will restrictions ease enough to allow resort skiing to return for harvesting September corn? Unfortunately, nobody knows what the future holds, but with cases continuing to pop up all over the countryside, it is looking increasingly harder to see restrictions being lifted. Thinking about the future is somewhat unnerving at the moment, so in this episode, Those Tele Guys contemplate the good times had in the past to get us through these rough times. We take a stroll down memory lane and have a laugh about some of our finer moments shared on telemark skis. Thinking about these memories sure made us smile, and hopefully, they provide a few laughs for those listening too.
In this week's episode, we welcome Tim Macartney-Snape to the show. Tim is famously known for his mountaineering pursuits, particularly in relation to his two summit trips on Mt. Everest. His first summit of the mountain was made in 1984 with Greg Mortimer. The pair were the first Australians to reach the summit of Everest without supplementary oxygen via a new route on the North Face . In 1990, Tim completed his second summit, but this time he started in the Bay of Bengal and walked every single one of Everest's 8848 meters, becoming the first person to walk and climb from sea level to the top of the world.
We talk with Tim about these two journeys, ask where his passion for adventure began, chat about ski equipment but most importantly, ask if he really did summit the highest mountain in the world wearing an old pair of leather telemark boots. We hope you enjoy our chat with Tim Macartney-Snape.
In this week's episode, we chat we Rouchelle Gilmore from the Mountain Cosmos Podcast. Rouchelle is a rare Western Australian skier that has made the annual pilgrimage across the country for as long as she can remember. She is a ski instructor currently working at Mt. Hotham but has also spent a significant amount of time working Northern Hemisphere winters in Japan and America. The Mountain Cosmos is a show about 'life in the mountains, the ups, downs, and everything in between' and is definitely worth subscribing to if you have not done so already. It showcases mountain-loving people from all walks of life that offer different passions and perspectives that makes listening intriguing.
We catch up with Rouchelle to hear about her backstory, find out what motivated her to make a podcast, see what it was like living in a lockdown resort town, and finally, discuss future projects.
We also provide a little snippet of Telemark therapy time for anyone stuck in lockdown to help them get through these tough times. We feel for you.
In the words of the great band Abba, 'Mumma Mia, here we go again.' Things were going so well here in Victoria. We had powder days, bluebird days, and even ordinary days but Victorian snow lovers skied them all just to feel the white stuff beneath their feet. Our premier was gloating about having no cases one day and then shutting us down the next when eight cases popped up in Melbourne. Needless to say, after 9 days of operating since the last lockdown, the resorts had to shut their doors once more.
In this episode, we talk about the most recent lockdowns and conduct a mid-season review of the 2021 season. What will the future hold? To be honest, we have no idea but we can probably bet on more lockdowns and lost time on skis. In the long run, it is for the best of everyone, but it is just so sad to see an industry we love squirm under the giant, soul-crushing foot of COVID-19.
We also release a tear-jerking song to help all skiers get through this lockdown and promotional snow also features to bring you the latest gags. Enjoy.
This weeks guest will help provide you with some jaw-dropping images if you have ever stumbled across his Instagram account. Steve Leeder, also known as Steve Crazy amongst the skiing fraternity, has been hucking everything thrown at him on telemark skis since horses were cars, plays were movies and boots were leather. He can be found at Perisher chasing powder and promoting the fact that you can go big on tele gear without a problem and do it with style. In his spare time, Steve works at Wilderness Sports in Jindabyne, a well-known institution for back country skiers and adventure junkies.
We catch up with Steve to find out where he is from, where his journey with telemark skiing began, get this thoughts on gear and findout his future plans. Please enjoy as we huck it with Steve Crazy.
Ahhh, lockdown 5.0 is being enforced in the state of Victoria and our resorts have shut down. Needless to say, many snow-loving people are growing tired of this scenario that continues to plague our powder dreams. To top it off, the Australian Alps are getting absolutely hammered with pristine snow and could easily be the best lamb chowder for the season. Nevertheless, we are all playing our part and staying home to avoid this disease from spreading. In this week's episode, we provide the listeners some details about the recent lockdown, but more importantly, we introduce a new segment called 'Australian Alps, this is your life.' This segment aims to share historical skiing information that influenced how we experience the mountains in the modern era. In the first installment, we discuss the Summit Hut, Mt. Bogong.
We also get a song for the Freeheelers from Morgs featuring a parody of 'Am I ever gonna see your face again?' by the angels. Enjoy!
Those Tele Guys reside in Australia and love skiing on their own home soil, however, they have also spent a little bit of time on the land of the long white cloud and realise it is about time to catch up with somebody from their Southern Hemisphere neighbours. In this weeks episode, Rich and Morgs head 'Across the Ditch' to catch up with Ash-Weyman Jones (a.k.a Soyboooy) to hear how the NZ season is going and to learn what the telemark scene is like amongst the general population of sheep and hobbits.
Ash moved to NZ a few years ago from Australia and immediately was hooked on Telemark skiing. He loves spending time in the mountains during winter and is doing everything he can to help protect our winters for future skiers by making small changes to his lifestyle that can create massive change. Those Tele Guys learned a lot off Ash and they hope you do too.
Please join us as we host our first-ever session of telemark therapy. As telemark skiers, we standout against everybody else and are sometimes scrutinized for being different. Our motives are questioned while our equipment is ridiculed, and while this is all in jest (most of the time), this can really start weighing down on the shoulders of all the telemark skiers in the world. It is for this reason that we decided to host our first therapy session, so please, join us as we look to heal the wounds inflicted on us from our friends with training heels on.
It is time to bring out the leather and lace...
...but it is not what you think!
In this weeks episode, Those Tele Guys talk about one of their most recent escapades into the realm of pinheads and leather boots. For the very first time, Rich and Morgan ski telemark on equipment that is older than time itself and recorded this episode to share their experience.
Also, Those Tele Guys get together once more to record another tune for 'Songs for the Freeheeler.' Please enjoy, 'Stuck in the liftline with you.' There is also a bonus track sent to us from Ottawa, Canada from a huge fan of the show. Enjoy!
The Mountain Safety Collective (formally known as the Mountain Sports Collective) has gone from strength to strength since its inception a few years ago and has made a concerted effort to educate, train and promote backcountry enthusiasts to stay safe in alpine environments. This year, the MSC has gone a step further by announcing their new Avalanche Training Center at Mt. Hotham. We catch up with Rolf Schonfeld, a committee member of the MSC, who has been working hard to make this crowed funded dream a reality for many BC goers. Rolf has literally grown up with skiing and is extremely passionate about spending time in the Alps. He has a wealth of knowledge from touring in alpine regions all over the world and has learned that educating people is one of the most important steps to keeping people safe in the BC.
Congratulations Victoria, you have done it! We have made it to winter and the ski resorts have opened! It may have felt slightly different without our Melbourne friends skiing beside us, but we made the most of the limited snow conditions for the much anticipated 'Opening weekend.' Hopefully, our friends from the city will be able to join us for thousands of laps on Towers Chair in the near future.
In this episode, we talk about a really big storm that rocked Victoria, reflect on the most recent COVID skiing rules for Victorian resorts and discuss some highlights from the opening weekend. We also bring back...SONGS FOR THE FREEHEELERS! This time we use Elvis as our inspiration. Enjoy!
We are not sure which direction our season will head this year and we need all the advice we can get, so we travel to Salt Lake City, Utah to catch up with Taylor Johnson (a.k.a Tele Tay) to hear what it was like skiing during a Pandemic. Taylor is the store manager at the Freeheel Life, is a regular on Josh Madsen's Podcast show of the same name, and loves freeing his heels (and doing it well) at Alta ski resort. He also hosts the Lowdown, a series created by the Freeheel Life to share news and information about all the latest telemark equipment available.
Taylor provides us with some fantastic insight on their bumper season and what snow-loving fans did to make it feel somewhat 'normal' in a world where rules change quicker than Miranda Kerr at a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. We also talk about some gear choices, the Smelly Kneepad, and the parallels between Telemark skiing and golf. We expect that you will enjoy listening to this chat as much as we enjoyed recording it, and hopefully, our season will unfold much like theirs where everyone did what they could to allow the resorts to stay open and keep the industry alive.
Winter is here, and so are 'Those Tele Guys!' We last graced the air a few weeks ago for our season 2 prelude and we were looking quite optimistic about the season ahead. We had already received some big dumps, the resorts were pumping out promotional snow content and most importantly, life had gone back to some sort of 'normal' after the covid lockdowns of last year, however, this was not to last. Like Bill Murray in Ground Hog Day, Victorians have recently woken up to something all too familiar. Covid, lockdowns and facemasks are all back in the mix and are threatening our season yet again. Could this be the death of resort skiing for a second consecutive year?
In this episode we share our thoughts for the up-and-coming season, discuss the seasonal outlook for winter and have a laugh at some of the best tourism campaigns (promotional snow) that we have recently found.
We also hear from a Falls Creek Ski Patroller (and telemark skier), Jamie Armitage. Jamie is currently living at Falls Creek and we caught up with him to hear how the snow conditions are and what the general vibe was like after the recent lockdown news.
It certainly has been a long time between drinks for Those Tele Guys. Morgan and Rich have been busy throughout the summer with no time to spare for recording episodes, but suddenly their perspectives on life change with the early season promotional snow. In the blink of an eye, they bust out their microphones and blow off the dust to get into the swing of things for season 2 of 'Those Tele Guys.'
In this episode, we chew the fat, become familiar with our recording equipment once again and layout our plans for the up and coming winter season. This is merely a prelude for season 2, which will officially begin at the start of June.
A wise telemark skier once said "all good things must come to an end" and it is time for Those Tele Guys to do the same. The sun is shining and the birds singing, so our attention has been drawn to other recreational pursuits such as mtb-ing, climbing and finishing renovations. In this episode, we review the season and look into the future for Those Tele Guys. Will we return for another season? Will you ever get to hear the subtle tones of your three favourite free heelers ever again? Your questions will be answered.
We also present one last song for the freeheelers, as well as some bonus material if you make it to the end of the episode.
A few weeks ago, one of those tele guys managed to purchase an absolute bargain on facebook market place. A set of Line Profits mounted with our beloved 22 designs AXL. They were purchased from none other than professional mountain biker and telemark skier, Andrew Blair. Andrew has represented Australia all over the world in XC races and has won two national titles. In the off-season, he loves to earn his turns in the backcountry setting of the Main Range. We had a great time chatting about his passion for mountain biking and skiing and how it all began for him. He even shared some stories of how the two sports can be combined to make some memorable human-powered adventures. Please enjoy, a ride with Andrew Blair.
We also feature songs for the freeheelers once again, along with a new segment called "The mystery sounds of Telemark."
This is one of our favourite episodes of the season. George Turner is an avid telemark skier from Adelaide that has been in touch throughout the season. At some point, he highlighted techniques to get kids into tele, drawing from his own experience when teaching the turn to his two boys, Lenny and Albert. George sent us some photos of his kids absolutely slaying, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to interview one or both of them and find out why they like tele so much. We ended up getting Lenny (13 years old) on for a chat and we were blown away by the enthusiasm and wisdom he presented to us. We give you Lenny Turner, the future of telemark skiing in Australia.
What a strange season we have had Downunder. Only one out of three show hosts have managed to get some turns in, but despite this, we have managed to make a podcast that people are actually downloading. We have received emails from such people to ask questions, make suggestions and share stories, so in this episode, we do our best to answer them. What unfolds involves solving the mystery around what direction a flailing skier rotates in the Southern Hemisphere, a tale of Hannels Spur and debunking whether a Tim Tam can be slammed using various fortified wines.
In this weeks episode, we hade a very special guest to join Those Tele Guys. Stephen Curtain is a cinematographer, director, outdoor educator and an environmental science communicator. He has travelled to many wild places with a camera in his hands to capture the beauty and share the stories found within environments that are less known to the general public. An example of such work is 'Winter Dreaming,' a film that captures the essence and characters of backcountry skiing in the Australian Alps. In more recent times, he has been working on projects to promote environmental education in areas that have been affected by climate change both in Australia and overseas. We caught up with him to talk about how he fell in love with the mountains, what it was like swinging from a helicopter and what projects he is working on in the future.
You can find him @stephencurtain or at www.stephencurtain.com
A long, long time ago in the early days of the Australian winter season, a fan wrote a letter to us asking a bunch of questions about how to get into telemark skiing. We decided to make an episode about it and attempt to answer said questions to the best of our ability. Our answers may not resemble everyone's pathway to enlightenment, but they do provide information as to how we came to power.
We also get a song from Ferg! Hear it here first. It will be at the top of the charts in no time!
Earlier in the season, we received a message from a telemark idol of ours all the way from the USA. He applauded our efforts with the show and suggested we interview Sven Gorham, a fellow Australian that is all about telemark skiing and eating icecream. Sven has worked extensively in the snow for the last few years, jumping countries to guide and patrol in Japan and New Zealand. We caught up with him to talk about what it's like to patrol on telemark binding, how his freeheel journey began and where his icecream obsession is taking him in the future.
In this weeks episode, we chat to Simon from the Mountain Sports Collective. The MSC is a not-for-profit user group organisation for human-powered alpine sports in Australia, and have been providing information and resources to educate and keep BC users safe. From learning to tele ski in the BC, to getting caught in a slide, Simon's story about how the MSC came to be is interesting.
COVID continues to dominate the Victorian headlines and hinder the Australian ski season. Regional Victorian telemark skiers have been enjoying some turns when they could but their dreams of skiing August powder have been dashed by more restrictions and park closures. What does this mean for the much anticipated Victorian BC festival? We catch up with Cam Walker to hear the latest plans to keep the stoke alive.
We also discuss port Tim-Tam slams and Mt. Thebarton, a once-thriving skiing destination situated in the heart of Adelaide.
As outdoor educators, Those Tele Guys believe in the importance of education to enhance skills and knowledge in outdoor environments. Australia's alpine region is one of those environments and we believe one should do all they can to adequately prepare themselves for the conditions they might face. Avalanche Australia provides an avenue to do this and has been running courses to better educate people looking to move outside the resort boundaries. In this episode, we caught up with Adam West, the man behind the wheel of the organisation, to talk about the courses they provide, Australian snow conditions, BC safety and Gulmarg.
We'll see you next week for the usual segments and shenanigans. Enjoy!
In 2019, whilst skiing in one of Australia's fine winter storms, we bumped into Lucas, a fellow tele skier, whilst frolicking in the powder. For the rest of the season, we continued to catch up with him and learnt that he had a unique introduction into telemark skiing through the now-defunct Corryong Ski Club. We find out just how prolific the club was back in the day and ask why it no longer exists.
We also celebrate 1000 downloads. Thanks, everyone for the support! This might not be the greatest season here, but we'll keep the podcast going regardless!
The Victorian snowfields are filled with sadness and jealousy as the NSW resorts remain open while receiving a huge amount of snow from a rare south-easterly system. Many keen snow enthusiasts are now turning their attention to the backcountry and are looking for someone to head off with to chase some sort of winter season. For this reason, Morgs, Rich and Ferg chat about what makes the perfect partner in the backcountry. Some other strange topical items pop up throughout the show, including using a chickens ability to lay eggs as a seasonal forecast for the rest of the season. Apologies in advance for that one.
This week on the show we talk lockdowns, border closures, Epic Passes, and mountain rescues. Has the Victorian Government’s move to lock down Metropolitan Melbourne effectively crushed the hopes, dreams and business aspirations of Vail Resorts? Join us as we wildly speculate and attempt to shed some light on what is quickly becoming a dark winter.
Disclaimer: We recorded this episode on Wednesday and then the news was announced that the resorts were closing on Thursday. We did not manage to get this episode out in time, but we hope you enjoy it regardless!
In this episode, we travel over to Everest Sports in Bright to interview Simon Head. Simon is the proud owner of the store, which sells an array of quality equipment for adventure junkies and for those looking to get into the backcountry scene. He also has a plethora of knowledge that he is willing to share for those seeking advice for adventures in Australia's alpine region. We had a great time talking to him discussing his passion for the mountains, new gear and BC awareness whilst trying to justify why we still love our 75mm gear! We are looking forward to getting back and having another yarn in the future!
Morgan has returned to his home planet of Mt. Beauty in an attempt to rescue his friend Rich from the clutches of the vile high-pressure system parked over south-eastern Australia. Little does Morgan know that the galactic empire has secretly begun construction on a new armoured house even more powerful than the first dreaded cedar plank shack.
When completed, this ultimate weapon will shelter rebel skiers from the rain that will spell certain doom for the small amount of snow in the Australian Alps.
We talk to Jonathon Pollock, a climatologist from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology about the outlook for the season. Are we expecting big dumps or monsoonal rain? We try to find out...
In this episode, we call in a few telemark friends, Andy Crow and Ya Reeves, to discuss some essential items that we take in the backcountry. Everyone seems to stuff their bags with various things, some causing some serious eyebrow-raising, and we talk about a few of them.
We also hear a song for the freeheelers from Ya about the Lady Shredders. You are a Lady Shredder? This song is for you!
Many people in the world look at telemark skiing with a certain curiosity as to how it works. Like the Jedi, much of our knowledge is a secret to the universe, but we are looking to change this. In this episode, we pull in Jonathon Frakes, former host of Beyond Belief, to help us determine whether the telemark myths you may around the resort are indeed fact or fiction.
We also release another edition of Songs for the Freeheelers. This time it is a Johnny Cash parody. Enjoy.
In this episode, we chat with Cam Walker, the organiser of the Victoria Back Country Festival. Cam, is a very passionate skier who has been skiing and climbing mountains all over the globe. He has channelled his love for the snow to make a community event that brings out the best in all things BC, regardless of what craft you are on! We also discuss the future of the festival in these trying times. Will the show go on? Tune in to find out...
We also have a new bonus segment, 'Songs for the Freeheelers' for listeners that make it to the end...
In this weeks episode, we pull Fergs (one of the original 75mm ain't dead crew ambassadors) into the show to talk about our gear in the shed, why we like it and how we got it. We also discuss some news items in the Bogong Bulletin in relation to the most recent announcements around COVID.
DISCLAIMER: Pardon the audio quality on this one. One of the hosts sounded like they were shuffling a pack of cards during the recording. We did our best to eliminate it.
The future is clouded. One can not simply gaze into a crystal ball to make predictions about the season ahead of us. There is a strong chance that ski resorts will not open, which could cause an untimely death to alpine skiing as we know it today. Could this cause a surge in popularity for backcountry skiing? Join us and Brian, one of the owners from Rocky Valley Snow Sports, to get our prediction of the future.
Introducing, 'Those Tele Guys.' We have been talking about it for ages and now we have finally pulled the pin on this podcast grenade! In our first episode, we introduce ourselves, provide some light on why we are obsessed with 75mm bindings, talk about the scene Downunder and attempt to answer the question 'why tell?' to the best of our ability.