I started telemarking this year with Asolo Extreme Pros (leather) and Volkl Prestos with Voile 3 pin cables. Let me tell you your standard black diamond ski run is quite exciting again with this setup. I had to really check my ego delicately turning down runs I would normally straightline. It is fun with the right mindset. You can't go fast, but really getting rewarded for edging that back ski and focusing on not using your poles for any balance allowed rapid progression. I could see it getting really old after awhile though. The snow was good on Sunday, so I switched back to alpine. I found the focus required in leather tele boots on the inside ski REALLY improved my lazy turns on alpine gear. Noticeable improved powder skiing, where I would normally just be lazy with my weighting on monster AT boots.
My tele gear was free. If I were to spend money, I would definitely get a beefy plastic boot. Despite what they say on TTips.com, I consider the T2 or Veloce really burly, heavy boots. If you can get leather boots and a light pair of skis to goof around for really cheap, it is a fun experience. But as an advanced alpine skier, I would see you find them limiting quickly. Inbounds, I use them when the snow is tracked out but the groomers are still good. I didn't realize how much of a benefit they can be to my alpine skiing.