Let's start with the "box" concept.  To the fore-crazy aggressive alpiner who would fall head over toes in the alpine position on telies (it's the free-heel, stupid) , the "box", i.e. the fore-aft feet displacement, is what creates the base for an effective balance and good muscle-skeletal position of the tele skier. 

The "box" can be defined in a variety of ways but I have quickly moved to define it in terms of the fore-aft feet displacement, where the fore ankle is bent allowing shinning the boot with the heel on and the aft leg is back far enough to engage the aft ski in the turn. 

Specifically, when in a turn, the inside and aft ski should actively engage in carving and shaping the turn.

Now, you may ask, what tele-box has to do with alpine skiing?  Well, everything.  The point is that besides the visual clues that may include large, really large box for aggressive tele skiers and shorter poles, obviously different binding technology and bio-mechanics there are striking similarities b/w the tele and alpine skiing, the most important being the rule of engagement for the inside ski in a turn.

I like to refer to the conscientious aft-movement of the inside turn ski as the "check-in".  In modern skiing it is increasingly important to more evenly load both skis, which allow for better turnshape/line control, larger force distribution at a higher inclination rate and a shorter line in a turn.

Experiencing these sensations is common not only to the racers.  These techniques are gaining popularity as more and more of the skiing public experiences them, redefined as carving.

So, to fully engage the turn inside ski you need to "check it in" by moving your lower leg aft as far as your equipment allows; on alpines because of the fix-heel just a notch, while on telies all the way until the softer boot and free-heel build enough pressure on the fore part of the ski to engage it and help shaping the turn.

I challenge you to say that there is no difference b/w alpine and tele skiing but you can hide a lot of bad habits behind the armor of the alpine equipment.  If you really want to learn the truth about your skiing go tele, even if only for a day.