Telemark is a term borrowed from skiing, which describes a technique of turning that requires special equipment and involves a very specific leg and foot action to generate the turn.

A Telemark in modern ballroom dancing is also a type of turn, involving a very specific technique of leg, foot and body action. There are many types of Telemark turn, most of which begin with the man turning around around the lady as she takes a heel turn, with the full amount of turn completed in one measure of music.

The Closed Telemark is often thought of as the most basic of the Telemarks, although ironically it can be the most difficult to master. It is a reverse (left turning) figure of 3 steps taken in closed position that begins with a lady's heel turn, as in the basic Foxtrot Reverse Turn or Waltz Double Reverse Spin. It takes a total of 3/4 of a turn to the left, beginning with the man facing diagonal center, and ending with man facing diagonal wall (lady natural opposite). At the completion of the rotation, the man will be positioned to move forward outside partner on the lady's right side, into almost any natural figure.