SUPERIOR - “Telly Night" at Mont Du Lac Ski Area highlights the old technique of Telemark skiing and is a Thursday tradition for a group of Northland skiers.

“When you look up onto the hill, you'll see the signature Telemark turn, where the skier drops one knee, bends the other, kind of taking a lunge forward,” explained skier Henry Pollan.

Telemark skiers can drop that knee because unlike alpine skis, only the fronts of their feet lock into bindings. The lunging motion creates the signature "Telly turn."

“It takes your two straight surfaces and then makes them into one curved surface so you have a big curved edge, which in turn turns your body,” said Pollan.

It's a method that requires lower body strength. “You have to have good strong legs but if you live in Duluth, you're probably well–suited for Telemark skiing,” said Pollan. “There's been times where I haven't exercised at all and then I get out on the hippy sticks, do a bunch of turns, try to go as low as you can, and then the next day, can't walk up the stairs,” said skier Steve Benson.

Benson first tried Telemark skiing in New Zealand over 20 years ago. “I took a lesson and I’ve never alpined since,” said Benson.

Jessica Sweeney of Duluth is in the same camp. She packed away her alpine skis 5 years ago. “It slows you down, it makes you enjoy it. When I alpined, I was a little speedster... I'd just fly down the hill. This makes you pay a little more attention and just enjoy the runs a little more.”

This style of skiing comes from the Telemark region of southern Norway. Sondre Norheim, considered the father of modern skiing, wowed many when he skied downhill with greater control than anyone had seen before.

“This is the original down hill skiing style,” said Pollan.

A style rejuvenated by those interested in the roots of downhill skiing, including the community of Telly skiers at Mont Du Lac. It's not likely they'll give up this way of skiing any time soon.

“There’s a kind of a gracefulness to it too that's pretty attractive,” said Benson.

“It’s challenging but it's fun and it's worth learning how to do,” said Pollan.