Telemark Only Festival  – The Iconic Telemark Event in the Alps

The Telemark Only Festival in Mürren, Switzerland, is one of the most iconic gatherings for free-heel skiers in Europe. It combines high-level telemark coaching, social events, and unforgettable alpine scenery on the famous Schilthorn above the Lauterbrunnen valley.

What Is the Telemark Only Festival?

The Telemark Only Festival is a multi-day event dedicated exclusively to telemark skiing. As the name suggests, it is all about free heels, elegant lunging turns, and the unique culture around modern telemark skiing. The event brings together passionate telemarkers from many countries who want to improve their technique, test equipment, and celebrate the sport together.

Unlike general ski festivals that mix alpine, snowboard, and touring, this event is focused 100% on telemark skiers. This creates a strong sense of community on the slopes and in the village, where everyone shares the same love for free-heel skiing.

Location: Mürren and the Schilthorn Area

Mürren is a traditional car-free mountain village in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The village sits on a sunny terrace at around 1,650 metres with spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. From Mürren, lifts and cable cars give access to the Schilthorn area, one of the most famous ski regions in the Alps.

The Telemark Only Festival uses the slopes around Mürren and Schilthorn, offering a wide variety of terrain for all levels. From gentle pistes for beginners to steeper sections and freeride options for experts, the area is ideal for practicing modern telemark technique.

Who Is the Event For?

The Telemark Only Festival is designed for:

• Motivated beginners who want their first structured telemark lessons.
• Intermediate telemarkers who already ski parallel or telemark and want to refine technique.
• Advanced riders looking for coaching in carving, steeps, moguls, or freeride.
• Instructors and guides who want to connect with the wider telemark community.

Because of the mix of workshops, guided groups, and free skiing, participants can choose exactly how intense or relaxed they want their festival experience to be.

Typical Program and Activities

The exact schedule changes each year, but the core elements of the Telemark Only Festival usually include:

Coaching and Workshops

During the daytime, certified telemark instructors and experienced guides lead:

• Group lessons for different levels, from first telemark turns to advanced carving.
• Technique workshops focusing on stance, balance, edge control, and transitions.
• Themed sessions such as bumps, off-piste basics, or efficient touring technique.

This structured coaching makes the festival ideal for telemarkers who feel stuck at one level and want to make real progress in just a few days.

Telemark Test Village

A key attraction of the Telemark Only Festival is the opportunity to test modern equipment. In the test village, participants can:

• Try different telemark skis from various brands.
• Compare NTN and traditional 75 mm bindings.
• Test telemark boots with different flex patterns and fits.

This is extremely valuable for skiers who are considering an equipment upgrade and want to feel the difference on snow before buying.

Avalanche and Freeride Training

Many editions of the festival include safety and freeride modules, for example:

• Avalanche awareness training and use of beacon, shovel, and probe.
• Basic decision-making for off-piste skiing.
• Guided freeride runs when conditions allow.

For telemarkers interested in touring or sidecountry skiing, this part of the program is both educational and inspiring.

Social Evenings and Community Events

The Telemark Only Festival is not just about technique – it is also a social gathering. Typical elements are:

• Evening meetings in mountain restaurants or village bars.
• Presentations, films, or photo slideshows about telemark adventures.
• Informal meetups where participants share tips, stories, and future trip plans.

This strong community feeling is one of the main reasons why many skiers return year after year.

Telemark Only Night – Special Evening Event

Alongside the main festival, organisers sometimes host a special night skiing event reserved for telemark skiers. For a few hours in the evening, a selected slope is open exclusively for free-heel riders under the lights. This creates a unique atmosphere and great photo and video opportunities, as well as a more playful setting than daytime workshops.

Travel and Access to Mürren

Reaching Mürren is part of the experience. The village is car-free, which adds to its charm and safety, especially for families.

By Train and Cable Car

Most international travellers arrive by train via Interlaken Ost. From there, the typical route is:

• Train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen.
• Bus or cable car towards Stechelberg, depending on the chosen access.
• Cable car and/or mountain railway up to Mürren.

Connections are well coordinated, and Swiss public transport makes the journey smooth and scenic.

By Car

Drivers can leave their car in the valley (for example, in Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg) and continue to Mürren by lift. Since the village itself is car-free, planning parking in advance is recommended during peak periods and major events.

Accommodation Options

Mürren offers a wide range of accommodation for Telemark Only participants:

• Traditional alpine hotels with panoramic views.
• Mid-range family-run guesthouses.
• Self-catering apartments and chalets.
• Simple, budget-friendly options for younger riders.

Because the village is compact, most places to stay are within walking distance of lifts, ski school meeting points, and evening venues, which is perfect for a festival environment.

Why Telemark Only festival Is Worth Attending

The Telemark Only Festival has a reputation as a must-do event in the telemark calendar for several reasons:

• Pure telemark atmosphere – the whole event is built around free-heel skiing and its culture.
• Intensive learning – several days of focused coaching accelerate technical progress.
• Equipment insight – the chance to test different setups on snow is extremely helpful.
• Iconic scenery – skiing above the dramatic cliffs of the Lauterbrunnen valley with views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau is unforgettable.
• International community – telemarkers from different countries meet, ride together, and often plan future trips.

For many participants, the festival becomes an annual tradition and a highlight of their ski season.

Example of a Typical Day at the Festival

A typical day at the Telemark Only Festival might look like this:

• 08:30–09:30 – Warm-up runs and meeting with coaching groups.
• 09:30–12:30 – Technical sessions on piste or themed workshops.
• 12:30–14:00 – Lunch break and relaxed free skiing with friends.
• 14:00–16:00 – Equipment testing, freeride clinics, or personal coaching.
• Evening – Social event, film night, or informal meet-up in the village.

Participants can adapt the intensity to their own energy and skills, switching between structured lessons and free skiing.

Tips for First-Time Participants

If you are planning to attend the Telemark Only Festival for the first time, the following tips will help:

• Book accommodation early, especially if you want a hotel close to the main lift.
• Make sure your boots fit well; long days on telemark gear require comfort and support.
• Bring layers for changing Alpine weather and good eye protection.
• If you are new to telemark, consider a pre-festival lesson at your home resort so you can benefit even more from the coaching.
• Plan to arrive at least one day before the event starts to settle in and explore the village.

Telemark Only Festival and the Global Telemark Community

Events like the Telemark Only Festival play a key role in keeping telemark skiing visible and vibrant. They connect generations of skiers, from young newcomers discovering free-heel skiing for the first time to veterans who have been lunging down the mountains for decades.

For telemark guides, instructors, and passionate amateurs, the festival in Mürren is an ideal place to recharge motivation, test new ideas, and feel part of a global community that loves the unique rhythm and flow of telemark turns.

Telemark Only Festival 

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