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.

Types of skiing

Many different types of skiing are popular, especially in colder climes, and many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Ski Federation (FIS), and other sporting organizations. Skiing is most visible to the public during the Winter Olympic Games where it is a major sport.

Related Topics:
International Olympic Committee - International Ski Federation - Winter Olympic Games

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In skiing's traditional core regions in the snowy parts of Scandinavia, as well as in places such as Alaska, both recreational and competitive skiing is as likely to refer to the cross-country variants as to the internationally more well known downhill variants.

Related Topics:
Scandinavia - Alaska - Cross-country - Downhill

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For many people, "skiing" refers to recreational downhill skiing where one visits a ski resort, purchases a lift ticket, dons cold-weather clothing, skis, ski boots and ski poles, and embarks on a chairlift, gondola lift, or other means of mechanical uphill transport. Upon reaching the summit, the skier disembarks from the ski lift and travels downhill, propelled by gravity, usually along a marked run known as a piste. Ski routes are referred to as 'runs,' 'trails,' or 'slopes.' Off-piste riding includes areas within the ski resort's boundaries, frequently amongst trees, usually in pursuit of fresh fallen snow, known as powder snow, powder skiing, 'powder' or colloquially 'pow'. Skiing or snowboarding beyond the ski resort's boundaries remains a misdemeanor in some western states, due to the danger of avalanches on the un-patrolled areas; or the cost of SAR for lost or overdue sliders.

Related Topics:
Ski resort - Ski - Ski boot - Ski pole - Chairlift - Gondola lift - Summit - Gravity - Piste - Snow - Misdemeanor - Avalanche - SAR

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Skiing technique is difficult to master, and accordingly there are ski schools that teach everything from the basics of turning and stopping safely to more advanced carving, racing and mogul techniques. Some skiers take care to know the limits of their abilities, others get themselves into big trouble and the Ski Patrol has to come and rescue them. You fall, they haul. The venue, speed and technical difficulty associated with the sport can lead to collisions, accidents, hypothermia and other serious injury or illness, including death.

Related Topics:
Ski school - Mogul - Ski Patrol - Venue - Hypothermia

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Many non-skiers wonder why skiers are willing to risk such injury. Skiers have a variety of answers to this question, but a common explanation is that it simply feels good, rather like flying, and that, when done carefully, poses no greater risk of injury compared to other sports. Of course, there is some possibility of danger, but that is part of the appeal. Skiing is the fastest means of land transport possible without mechanical assistance. Many skiers have had experiences where they have achieved a union of the mind and the body by practicing this sport; where the mind trusts the body to perform in an exceptional manner and the body trusts the mind not to lead it off an un-navigable cliff. A sense of harmony and of peak experience can result in a feeling of wholeness of self.

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In addition to their role in recreation and sport, skiing is also used as a means of transport by the military, and many armies train troops for ski warfare. Ski troops played a key role in retaining Finnish independence from Russia during the Winter War, and from Germany during the Lapland War, although the use of ski troops was recorded by the Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus in the 13th century. The sport of Biathlon was developed from military skiing patrols.

Related Topics:
Military - Troop - Ski warfare - Finnish - Russia - Winter War - Germany - Lapland War - Danish - Saxo Grammaticus - 13th century - Biathlon - Patrol

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Skiing was pronounced "she-ing" at the start of the 20th century, after the Norwegian pronunciation, and was usually written "ski-ing".

Related Topics:
20th century - Norwegian

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