History of skiing

Sami, indigenous people from northern Sweden and Norway, were the first to use cross country skis for transportation as they hunted. They were constructed of wood, moccasin shoes, leather straps, and fur. Ski poles were developed from hunting spears.

In the 1850s, Norwegians invented skis with bindings made of birch, so skiers would not lose skis and could have more control. Sondre Norheim also invented thin skis with curved tops so turns could be made much easier. These are now known as downhill skis.

In 1929, the first resort-based ski school was opened in the United States in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire. With the Winter Olympics follwing in 1932 which were held at Lake Placid, New York.

In the 1936s, the first ski lift was invented in Sun Valley,

Idaho

Types of skiing

Downhill/alpine Cross-country

The sport of sliding down snow-covered Cross-Country Skiing uses skis

mountain with fixed heel bindings. This is and poles to propel a skier across

used most commonly in races and snow-covered terrain. It can be

recreationally at ski resorts with ski lifts. used in races or for touring terrain.

Disabilities Extreme

There are adaptive ways of skiing for Those with high levels of dopamine,

those physically disabled such as who enjoy risk-taking, love extreme

hearing or sight impaired. skiing which involves skiing between

cliffs and going off of huge jumps.

Basic mechanics

How To Make A Parallel Turn

  1. Traverse across slope with weight on downhill ski and shoulders at the same angle of your skis.
  2. Push weight evenly against boots to initiate turn and lean forward.
  3. Change your edges as skis move forward.
  4. Push weight on the middle of the skis to turn out of the fall line.
  5. Turn out of the turn with your weight on downhill ski with skis at same angle as shoulders.

How To Plant Your Pole

  1. Push down pole into snow with wrist coming backwards as arm stays stable.
  2. Have pole on the inside of the turn within the first half of the length of the ski.
  3. Make sure skis are straight as pole is planted.
  4. Change edge of skis as pole is planted and prepare for next turn.

Instruction videos