Learn how to beautifully dance
the Open telemark
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Open Telemark in the Slow Foxtrot.
It includes the requisite timing, steps, footwork, alignment, movement, turn, sway, rise & fall and hold— for both the Man/Leader and the Lady/Follower, as per “The Ballroom Technique” publication.
It also contains notes, tips and advice that has been manually collated and typed in, from a variety of online and offline sources, as well as a compilation of (3rd party) YouTube videos demonstrating and teaching how to do a beautiful Open Telemark!
Finally, at the end are some test questions that you could use to informally test your general understanding of this figure, or more formally as part of your pathway to becoming a teacher or adjudicator.
The Open Telemark is usually a silver level Foxtrot figure. For the full list of Foxtrot figures corresponding to each medal level, as per the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), see the Figure List for Foxtrot.
Open Telemark (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DC.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | LF fwd | H T | Facing DC | DC | com to turn L | com to rise e/o 1 | Closed | ||
| 2 | 3 | Q | RF to side, then brush LF to RF | T | Backing DW | DC | 1/4 (1→2) | L | Up | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | LF to side | T H | Facing DW | LOD | 1/2 (2→3) body turns less | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
Open Telemark (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DC.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | RF back | T H | Backing DC | DC | com to turn L | rise slightly e/o 1. NFR | Closed | ||
| 2 | 3 | Q | LF closes to RF (heel turn) | H T | Facing LOD | Under Body | 3/8 (1→2) | R | cont to rise on 2 | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | RF fwd | T H | Facing DC | LOD | 1/8 (2→3) body turns more | R | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
General Notes
See also general technical notes on Foxtrot technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced Facing DC (as described above)
| Bronze | Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Feather Step |
| Silver | Feather Ending Hover Cross Hover Feather Natural Telemark Top Spin |
| Gold | Natural Hover Telemark Natural Twist Turn Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Ending Natural Zig-Zag from Promenade |
Commenced Facing LOD
| Bronze | Feather Step |
| Silver | Feather Ending |
| Gold | Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot Natural Twist Turn (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Ending (at a corner) Natural Zig-Zag from Promenade |
Commenced Facing DW
| Bronze | Closed Impetus & Feather Finish (at a corner) Feather Step Reverse Turn & Feather Finish Basic Weave Natural Weave |
| Silver | Feather Ending Hover Feather Natural Telemark (at a corner) Top Spin Weave from Promenade |
| Gold | Bounce Fallaway with Weave Ending Curved Feather to Back Feather & Feather Finish Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot Natural Hover Telemark (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Ending (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending Natural Zig-Zag from Promenade |
Following Figures
Ended Facing DW (along side of floor)
| Bronze | Three Step Change of Direction 1-4 of Reverse Turn to Basic Weave |
| Silver | Hover Telemark Outside Swivel Reverse Wave Top Spin |
Ended Facing DW (into a corner)
| Bronze | Change of Direction 1-4 of Reverse Turn to Basic Weave |
| Silver | Hover Telemark Reverse Wave Top Spin |
| Gold | Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
List of Abbreviations
| Timing | S: Slow Q: Quick |
| Steps | RF: Right foot LF: Left foot fwd: forward diag: diagonally CBMP: Contra Body Movement Position i/e: inside edge |
| Footwork | T: Toe H: Heel F: Flat |
| Turn | L: Left R: Right cont: continue com: commence |
| Alignment & Moving | LOD: Line of Dance DC: Diagonal Centre DW: Diagonal Wall |
| Rise & Fall | NFR: no foot rise com: commence cont: continue e/o: end of |
| Position | OP: outside Partner PP: Promenade Position CPP: Counter Promenade Position PO: Partner outside |
| Sway | L: Left R: Right F: Forward |
For a more detailed explanation of terms and abbreviations, see the Glossary.
Demonstrations
These 3rd party (external) demonstration videos typically show the Open Telemark being performed from different angles, perspectives and speeds. However, they generally have little or no commentary or explanation.
For videos that also include commentary and tips that are aimed at assisting you perform the figure properly, see the next section “Tutorials”.