If, for structural reasons, you have only been able to take an academic interest in the instructions for snow-ploughing in soft snow, you can now learn a manoeuvre which will enable you in soft snow of any depth to stem as gradually or as steeply as you choose down a slope of any steepness.
[Illustration: FIG. 30.--Telemark-stemming.
_Stopping._ _R._ Unweighted. _L._ Weighted and edged.
_Going._ _R._ Weighted. _L._ Unweighted and flattened.]
_Telemark Stemming._--Find a steepish slope which is soft enough to prevent the least tendency to side-slip. Stand with the skis horizontal. Weight the lower, and place the upper one at an angle which will let it slide freely, as you did in learning ordinary stemming, but this time with its front bend touching the lower ankle, and its tip rather across the lower instep. Edge it normally, _kneel down on the front of it_, and slide off by flattening the other (Fig. 30). You are now stemming in what is practically Telemark position; the object of actually _kneeling on_ the upper ski is to save effort, which, of course, it does completely. It also gives the utmost steadiness. The centre of gravity being so low, you can in this position stop yourself much more suddenly with safety than you can in either snow-ploughing or ordinary stemming, and can also more safely take up the stemming position while running freely--if, of course, you then take the ordinary Telemark position and kneel right down first. In order to stem straight downhill you must place the upper ski _at right angles_ to the horizontal lower ski (you may have to get it in position with your hand before starting from a standstill on a steep slope); its point will then be right across the front instep. The front leg will be quite straight and the foot, of course, turned right inwards--a position which may sound awkward, but which most people find surprisingly easy, especially on a steep slope. If you want to stop suddenly, straighten--or rather, diminish the bend of--the upper leg, lifting its knee from the ski and throwing yourself well forward on to the lower one. And always remember to face round quickly towards its point as you do so, and to bring the other ski smartly to normal position by its side.