Short answers, pulled from the story.
Ancient paintings in the Altai Mountains suggest people may have practiced skiing more than 100 centuries ago. Scholars continue to debate this interpretation of the evidence.
The word ski comes from the Old Norse term skíð, which means split piece of wood or firewood. Asymmetrical skis were used in northern Finland and Sweden until at least the late 19th century.
Skiing was primarily used for transport until the mid-19th century but since then it has also become a recreation and sport. Military ski races were held in Norway during the 18th century.
Alpine skiing branched off from the older Nordic type of skiing around the 1920s when the advent of ski lifts meant that it was no longer necessary to climb back uphill. Alpine equipment has specialized to the point where it can now only be used with the help of lifts.
Various cross-country skiing events have been incorporated into the Winter Olympics since its inception in 1924. Ski jumping has also been a regular Olympic discipline at every Winter Games since 1924.