A sport that requires great skill, skiing is also a mode of transportation and a source of recreation. It involves sliding down a snow-covered slope on a pair of long, flat runners called skis. The skis are attached to shoes or boots.

Events

Alpine skiing evolved during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the Alps mountain ranges in central Europe. Alpine events include downhill racing and slalom. Downhill racing is the most dangerous of all skiing events. The skier descends a course 1 ¹/₂ to 3 miles (2.4 to 5 kilometers) or more long. The course has gates formed by paired poles, which are set at least 8 meters (26 feet) apart. The winner has to complete the course in the shortest time, without missing any gates. Ruts, large bumps, and steep pitches are some of the hazards faced by the skier.

Slalom is similar to downhill racing. However, the skier follows a winding course between gates. Slalom racing requires great skill in executing accurate turns while maintaining high speed. Giant slalom is a longer version of a slalom course.

Freestyle skiing is the newest of the skiing disciplines. It includes three events: acro, aerials, and moguls. The acro, also called ballet, has borrowed moves from figure skating and gymnastics. The skier performs a 90-second routine set to music. Jumps, pole flips, and spins are executed while skiing. The aerial consists of two varieties: upright and inverted. They include jumps, flips, and somersaults. Mogul skiing started as an attempt to navigate the large bumps, called moguls, on ski slopes. There are two compulsory upright jumps on these courses. The skier is scored on speed and turn techniques as well.

Equipment and clothing

Skis vary in length. The average Alpine ski is less than 7 feet (210 centimeters) long and about 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) wide. The cross-country ski is longer and narrower, while the freestyle ski is somewhat shorter than Alpine skis. Beginners often use short skis since they are easier to handle. Most experienced skiers use skis that are usually a foot longer than the height of the skier. These skis are steadier when running at relatively high speeds.

All skis are pointed, turned up, and usually slightly wider at the front and squared at the tail. Skis made for jumping are heavier, longer, and wider than Alpine skis. Jumping skis are about 8 ¹/₂feet (260 centimeters) long. Cross-country skis are much lighter than Alpine skis. Alpine skis have sharp steel edges along the bottom to bite into hard snow or ice. They sometimes have a shallow depression lengthwise along the running surface for better control.

Boots and bindings are a vital part of a skier's equipment. Most boots have an interior that is fairly soft and a heavy outer shell with stiff sides, usually of plastic. The sole is thick. The boots are generally clasped to the skis with release bindings.

Two ski poles are part of the ski gear. They are made of light but strong metal and can be held comfortably when the skier's forearms are parallel to the ground. Poles are helpful in climbing or walking and aid the skier in maintaining balance. A small ring near the pointed tip prevents the pole from sinking too deeply into the snow.

Organizations and games

In 1924 the International Ski Federation (FIS) was founded as the world governing body. It held world championships annually until 1939. Since 1950 the championships have been held once every two years. Skiing became an Olympic sport in the 1924 Games.

In 1967 an annual Alpine World Cup championship was established. A Nordic World Cup was added in 1979, and a freestyle world championship first took place in 1986.

History

The oldest skis, found in Sweden and Finland are thought to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. A rock carving of two men on skis, found near the Arctic Circle in Norway, dates from 2000 BC. There are references to skiing in China in the 7th century AD. Scandinavian seafaring warriors known as the Vikings used skis in the 10th and 11th centuries. Later the Sami people (Lapps) hunted on skis.

Some of the first skis were short and broad and resembled snowshoes. It is believed that the earliest skis were made from the bones of large animals. They were strapped to shoes with leather strips.

Skis were first used for transportation and are still used for travel in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and in the rural areas of some eastern European countries. Skis were first used in warfare in 1200, in the Battle of Oslo, in Norway. In 1590, skiing was introduced into central Europe.

Skiing as recreation and sport was a natural progression from skiing as transportation. In 1843 one of the first skiing competitions, a cross-country race at Tromsø, Norway, was held. There was competitive skiing on straight downhill courses in California in the 1860s.

The first big jumping event was held at Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway, in 1879. At about the end of the 19th century ski mountaineering developed in the Alps. In the 1980s a new sport called telemarking developed. It combined elements of downhill and cross-country skiing. Telemarking requires more strength and stamina than regular downhill skiing. Well-equipped ski areas and televising the sport have increased skiing's popularity.