Skiing

Skiing is the activity of gliding over snow using skis (originally wooden planks, now usually made from fiberglass or related composites) strapped to the feet with ski bindings. Originally used primarily for transportation, skiing evolved into a popular recreational and competitive activity during the 20th century.

Safety

When a major celebrity dies in a skiing accident, or someone dies in an avalanche, the public is often made aware of some of the dangers of skiing. In early 1998, when Michael Kennedy and Sonny Bono died within a few days of each other in skiing accidents, there was a major movement to get people to wear helmets.

Related Topics:
Avalanche - 1998 - Michael Kennedy - Sonny Bono - Helmet

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In North America, a color-shape rating system is used to indicate the difficulty of trail or slope. Trails at Western areas are usually more difficult than those at Eastern areas. The ratings are:

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• Green circle: An easy trail. Good for beginners, although sometimes Eastern green slopes are narrow and icy, sometimes referred to as "bowling alleys."
• Sometimes, a double green circle is used to indicate something easier than a green slope, but this is rarely used.
• Blue square: An intermediate slope. Blue slopes are usually somewhat steep, but are usually groomed and wide. (Grooming is a process in which a large machine called a snowcat runs over the slope and smooths the snow, clearing it of bumps and moguls.
• Black diamond: A difficult slope. Black diamonds are often steep, and may or may not be groomed. (In the West, grooming is more uncommon on black diamonds.)
• Double-diamond: Very difficult. Usually extremely steep, and almost never groomed. (In the East, a "double-diamond" is often just an ungroomed slope.)
• Some areas do not use the double-diamond, and a black diamond indicates anything more difficult than a blue square.