2024 TELEMARK D DAY

2024 TELEMARK D DAY: 

Fall 2024 brings a major innovation: the long-awaited next-generation Scarpa TX PRO Telemark boot is finally available. I like to think that this breakthrough will be remembered by us telemarkers as a landmark event, just like the moon landing in 1969 or the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. In Telemark skiing, too, there have been milestones that revolutionized the sport, and 2024 could be one of them.

Let’s take a 30-year journey back to recall the innovations that have redefined Telemark skiing:

1993: The Introduction of the First Plastic Boot by Scarpa

In 1993, Scarpa revolutionized Telemark skiing with the launch of the Terminator model, the first plastic boot. This change marked a significant turning point, drastically improving ski control and performance in all conditions. The advent of plastic boots represented a definitive break from the past, leaving leather boots behind and ushering in a new era for Telemark.

In the years that followed, models like the T1, T-Race, and T2 led to continuous product evolution, with the T2 establishing itself as the most versatile boot due to its ability to adapt to different needs while ensuring ankle mobility. Alongside these, boots like the T3 and T4, more oriented towards touring, became a benchmark in Northern Europe’s mountains. Innovations such as asymmetric bellows, multi-density shells, and touring rockered soles further enhanced skiing efficiency and precision.

2007: The Advent of the NTN System

In 2007, Rottefella launched the NTN (New Telemark Norm) system, bringing Telemark into a new era. Scarpa followed suit with the TX series, designed to maximize the potential of this new standard. The NTN system not only improved the power transfer between boot and binding but also introduced greater versatility, making it compatible with alpine touring bindings like Dynafit, thanks to integrated inserts.

Meanwhile, the NTN boot allowed for the development of other binding types, including the TTS (Telemark Tech System), a lighter and more precise solution that closely mimics the characteristics of the traditional 75 mm system, creating an interesting alternative to NTN.

Competition Among Manufacturers:

Scarpa was not the only one driving the evolution of Telemark boots. Other Italian companies, such as Crispi and Garmont (which became Scott in 2013), also contributed to the development of innovative boots.

In terms of Telemark bindings, companies like the Canadian G3 dominated the market for years with the iconic Targa binding, which was the reference standard for 15 years. In 2004, 22 Designs introduced the HammerHead binding, followed by the Axl for touring and the Vice for resort skiing. With the launch of the Outlaw X, 22 Designs marked a new chapter in NTN binding history, introducing the first step-in model. Other binding manufacturers like Voilé, Black Diamond, ATK, and Kreuzspitze also brought important innovations. An example is the Meidjo, which combines the advantages of the TTS system into a lightweight, high-performance, and secure binding, appreciated for both precision and safety.

2024: The Wait is Over

And here we are in 2024, ready for a new revolution. Scarpa presents the brand-new TX Pro next-gen, a perfect combination of lightness, cuff mobility, comfort, and high performance. This boot incorporates the most advanced technologies:

• Shell: Made of Pebax Rnew®, it features Triple Injection technology combining multi-density materials for optimal flexibility and stiffness where needed.
• Closure system: Offers precise heel lock, uphill comfort, and downhill performance, with aluminum buckles to reduce overall weight.
• Cuff: Crafted from Pebax Rnew® for optimal foot wrapping and flawless power transmission to the skis.
• Liner: Intuition thermoformable PRO FLEX TK, made with abrasion-resistant recycled materials.
• Ski/Walk mechanism: Allows a quick switch between ski and walk modes.

In addition, 22 Designs hasn’t stood still: for 2024, they’re launching the new Bandit binding for the NTN system, promising fun on the slopes with a retractable ski brake and top-notch performance.

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