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.

Snow and weather

Generally, downhill skiers prefer powder because it is more enjoyable. Downhill racers prefer icy slopes because the ice allows for a faster speed. Stiff skis work best for icy conditions. A snow base of 50 inches (1.3 m) of snow is usually below optimal for mountains on the U.S. West Coast, but this is considered good for the East Coast. Annual mountain snowfalls are used as a measuring stick to determine how good a hill is for downhill skiing. The top ski resorts will generally get 600 inches (15 m) or more of annual snowfall. Mountains on the East Coast tend to be icier than mountains on the West Coast. High altitude mountains generally have the least ice due to lower average temperatures, and a greater tendency for sublimation instead of melting as temperatures rise. Also, it is commonly thought that European ski mountains tend to be more icy and have longer lift line-ups, though North American mountains are not excluded from this phenomenon.

Related Topics:
U.S. West Coast - East Coast - Sublimation - North America

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The elevation of a ski hill greatly affects the amount of snow it gets. The temperature drops 3 °C for every thousand feet (10 °C/km). So for example, Whistler-Blackcomb has an elevation difference of 5,000 feet (1.5 km) so it is 15 °C colder at the top than the bottom. Hence it can be nice and sunny with no snow at the bottom but the top has plenty of snow.

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