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TeleKidz: Bringing telemark skiing to the young

Dec 19, 2022·Telemark
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There is something magical about children in the snow. And their smile says it all.

FIS Telemark is moving forward with FIS SnowKidz, the first phase of the Bring Children to the Snow campaign. It is a unique program and communications platform that enables organisers around the world to share and showcase their events to bring children to the snow.

A series of FIS TeleKidz events are organized all along this season during telemark World Cup, FIS or national races. It’s not all about racing. The TeleKidz project aims to be the medium to spread and promote the telemark spirit to the youngest and to give them the opportunity to discover what is telemark skiing (passion, fairplay, fun and art of living). The TeleKidz project will also help to highlight existing children's programs and events.

Sébastien Mansart Great Britain Telemark Coach said, "We need to have more people coming to telemark skiin,g especially young riders. The TeleKidz is the opportunity to give access to our sport without having to face with the current lack of gear for kids. In this context we plan to provide gear for kids during events like FIS race, world cup and festivals. The format is simple and very fun: Initiation in the morning and kids contest in the afternoon. This format aims to give to FIS and NSAs the opportunity to detect future talent and to give them the chance to find clubs or regional teams.  It’s about promoting telemark for kids at all levels. This project relies on a synergy between all stakeholders."

It’s a great opportunity for kids to learn new skills: jumping, freeheel-skiing and skating, improving their balance and skiing techniques in a fun way. They’ll meet like-minded souls and make new friends, and discover the amazing discipline of telemark skiing.

Christoph Wenger, President of the LOC Swiss Telemark Championships 2023 said, "With various offers, whether annual offers, taster sessions lasting several days or clinics with the local alpine ski clubs, the Mouch'Paba Telemark Club (Thyon) does a lot to offer children a new snow sports experience. The constant search for balance, the polysportivity of the discipline also refines the feeling in the basic snow sport discipline. The TeleKidz program is another building block to present the discipline of Telemark to a wider audience."

TeleKidz'events calendar: 
Les Houches (FRA) - 1/01/23
Les Contamines (FRA) - 7/01/23
Bardonecchia (ITA) - 14/01/23
Les Rousses (FRA) - 4/02/23
Grimentz (SUI) - 4/02/23
Aal (NOR) - 18/02/23
Airolo (SUI) - 4/03/23
Krvavec (SLO) - 11/03/23
Oberjoch (GER) - 18/03/23
Thyon (SUI) - 2/04/23

More info: https://snowkidz.com

Video and photos © Yoan Reymond and Sam Decout