I skied two days recently and did not have my standard alpine gear. But I did have my telemark (e.g. backcountry gear). So my new analogy is that skiing in tele gear is to skiing in alpine gear as is 1. riding english to riding western or 2. riding without stirrups to riding with stirrups or 3. riding bareback to riding with a saddle. With regard to the balance/skill that is required. I am not wanting to dis western riders but anyone who rides in an english saddle versus a western saddle will likely notice a difference. I was also told that some alpine skiers start the season in back country gear as it makes such a huge difference in improving their balance. At any rate I sure had a great time.
I am also a Tele skier. Yes, it is much more difficult. It makes a blue slope into a black immediately. But, I don’t do it for that reason. Tele skiing is like dancing. It is a way to express yourself on a slope the way no other skiing allows.
I do not see it as BETTER than other forms of skiing any more than I think my dressage and jumping is superior to other riding disciplines. It seems that my riding is also reflective of my desire to dance and express myself in a somewhat more flamboyant way.
By telemark, I’m assuming you mean cross country? And by alpine, I’m assuming you mean downhill? For us noobs who haven’t strapped on skis of any type in probably 15 years. 
