Telemark Skiing Participation in Australia: An Exploratory Study

Sports tourism is a growing field of interest in tourism research. Tourism involving participating in sports is referred to as active sports tourism and would include the sport of telemark skiing. Telemark skiing began in the 1860s and, in the last four decades, has been seemingly reserved to those brave souls venturing into the backcountry for a time of camping, climbing mountains and skiing untracked, pristine snow. Over the last decade there has been an increase in the number of telemark skiers being seen on the slopes of Australian resorts, but there has been no research into who they are or what their backgrounds may be. This study began as research into telemark injuries and evolved into an exploratory study of telemark skiing participation in New South Wales, Australia. It highlights that most telemarkers surveyed have been involved in snowsports for many years. Additionally, the population surveyed is generally older than the average visitor to the resorts and with a higher proportion of males. This study emphasizes the need for marketers of telemarking in Australia to focus upon a younger audience as well as a female audience in order to develop their market, it also highlights the potential to attract current snowsport participants who may be looking for a new edge to their winter sport experience which is being made more accessible by the increased availability of plastic boots and shaped skis