Skiing
Skiing has a history of almost five millennia. Ancient paintings in the Altai Mountains suggest people may have practiced skiing more than 100 centuries ago, though scholars continue to debate this interpretation. 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. On one foot, the skier wore a long straight non-arching ski for sliding, while a shorter ski was worn on the other foot for kicking. The underside of the short ski was either plain or covered with animal skin to aid movement, while the long ski supporting the weight of the skier was treated with animal fat similar to modern ski waxing. Early skiers used one long pole or spear. The first description of a skier with two ski poles dates to 1741.
Troops in continental Europe were equipped with skis by 1747. Into the 21st century many nations continue to equip and train specialized troops for ski warfare. 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. Ski warfare was studied in the late 18th century. Equipment evolved and ski lifts were developed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These developments allowed two main genres of skiing to emerge: Alpine downhill skiing and Nordic skiing. The main difference between the two is the type of ski binding that attaches boots to skis.
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. Alpine skiing typically takes place on a piste at a ski resort. It is characterized by fixed-heel bindings that attach at both the toe and the heel of the skier's boot. Ski lifts including chairlifts bring skiers up the slope. Backcountry skiing can be accessed by helicopter, snowcat, hiking and snowmobile. Facilities at resorts can include night skiing, après-ski, and glade skiing under the supervision of the ski patrol and the ski school. Alpine Touring setups use specialized bindings which are switchable between locked and free-heel modes. Climbing skins are temporarily attached to the bottom of alpine skis to give them traction on snow.
Many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. Cross-country skiing races occur on homologated groomed courses designed to support classic in-track and free-style events. The main competitions are the FIS Cross-Country World Cup and the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships held only in odd-numbered years. 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. Speed skiing dating from 1898 with official records beginning in 1932 became an FIS discipline in the 1960s. It was demonstrated at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville. Freestyle skiing was first demonstrated at the 1988 Winter Olympics and added to the Olympic programme in 1992.
Skiing equipment includes skis, boots and bindings, poles, helmets, ski suits, goggles, gloves and masks. Skis may have skins applied or be textured for uphill traction or wax applied for minimizing sliding friction. Twin-tip skis are also designed to move forwards or backwards. New parabolic designs like the Elan SCX have enabled the more modern carve turn. Asymmetrical skis were used until the late 19th century when one foot wore a long straight non-arching ski while the other wore a shorter ski. The underside of the short ski was either plain or covered with animal skin to aid movement. The long ski supporting the weight of the skier was treated with animal fat similar to modern ski waxing. Modern equipment allows for specialized use that often requires lifts for downhill travel.
Technique has evolved along with ski technology and ski geometry. Early techniques included the telemark turn, the stem, the stem Christie, snowplough, and parallel turn. Telemark skiing is named after the Telemark region of Norway and uses equipment similar to Nordic skiing where bindings attach only at the toes allowing the heel to be raised throughout the turn. However the skis themselves are often the same width as Alpine skis. Ski jumping is practiced in certain areas reserved exclusively for ski jumping. Cross-country skiing may be practiced on groomed trails or in undeveloped backcountry areas. Grass skiing originally developed as an alpine skiing training method has become established as a discipline contested at FIS events. On other surfaces skiing is also practiced on synthetic dry ski slopes sand indoors and with simulators.
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Common questions
When did skiing begin according to ancient paintings in the Altai Mountains?
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.
What is the origin of the word ski and what does it mean?
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.
How many years has skiing been used for transport before becoming a sport?
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.
Which year did Alpine skiing branch off from Nordic skiing?
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.
When were cross-country skiing events incorporated into the Winter Olympics?
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.