telemarking vs downhill style when backcountry...why the differences?

I will speak as a testament against this notion. I have blown my knee out only one time - on telemark gear.

Sorry about your knee, but the experience of patrollers, etc. who spend 100s of days/year on skis is that tele skiers suffer fewer knee problems, ACLs in particular.  You can blow your knee tele skiing, of course, just like you can snowboarding or surfing.

 but many at skiers still use their regular downhill ski boots, am i correct?

some may start that way, or for "side country". But if you stay with it you will get a proper pair (or two) of AT boots.

Many do use or switch to AT boots, some don't. My brother and many of his friends ski the Presidentials in NH and prefer the maximum performance of alpine boots over AT boots in the challenging terrain that they cover. They don't have issues with comfort, either.

MR..I think much of it depends on where you are touring/skiing. How much walking, rolling terrain, crampon use, skinning and type of skiing all are factors. The AT boots have come a long way since the 80's when I had my previous pair.

I agree with that post.  The knee is stronger when it's bent.  


Not many, at least not for long.  

Ducking 'coz I didn't make -one- tele-turn last season.

 If it would help to have someone to share the misery and pain of freeheel downhill with, give me a call. You know I like to whine. Hmm... we only skied together that one time. Was it the whining? Did it turn you off to the sport altogether? :( Sorry.

 if'n you're worried about the style to get down the hill, an' not the safe way to get down the hill...
I'm s'posin' you have a lot more to worry 'bout.

you know, that ol' internet armchair q back gem.

Seriously, if you are worried about the peak baggin, go AT.

if'n you are worried about the style or pow, well then, get better at what you do...

my best friend is a fruit booter, 
my wife does the randonee,
I'm a knuckledragger...

somehow, we all make it down and get along, 

can you imagine???...???...

the difference is...

different people want to do different things....

that's about it...

super gnar ski mountaineerin', if you ain't tele'd yet, ='s AT.

 Only reason to alpine on tele gear is the hidden dangers which can be in the snow, hitting things with your knee is no fun at all, otherwise I prefer tele turns 98% of the time.
The other 2% just too lazy on low angle groomers to bother.

Telemark turns are just another type of turn. Its another turn option, not a requirement when on free heel gear. I make it down the slope, you make it down the slope, we both have fun.

1/  well at first after buying my new diabello cross kryptons (3 buckle) I was feeling a bit angry at not knowing earlier about at gear and boots, thinking i should have bought some at boots i could use for both....but from what i've read they're not perfect either (despite current models being much more supportive and stiff to resemble alpine boots)...so eventually i'll just have to splurge and buy a new set of skis/lighter binding and boots...IF i end up liking the sport....so for now as suggested this first season out i'll just rent the skis (but use my own boots) from valhalla pure or mec and play it by ear....was told at the end of season all rental stuff gets discounted 40% anyway so would be a good time to 1/better assess if i like the new activity and 2/better assess my needs for which type of ski after having demo'd some.

 2/i have taken the advice of many members here, btw, and joined both  BCMC and the Alpine club (vancouver bc) section and already signed up for some beginner runs and the 'intro to backcountry skiing' 4 day course...instructor was a bit wary allowing me in as i'm only a good green/slight blue skiier and i know skiing in ungroomed terrain with a pack is most different from downhill skiing...so i'm to take as many lessons as i can and even use a pack on some runs to get a better feel of reality....plus may be volunteering at cypress to get the free season's pass so i'll be skiing my arse off to ramp up my skills (and hopefully meet some new ski friends, too).