A History of Skiing

Latest Posts

• What is Freestyle Skiing?

  Freestyle Skiing, or ski acrobatics, originated through combining different styles of skiing and has been practiced since the 1930s.  In the 1950s, Aerial Skiing became popular and in the mid- 1960s competitions started to be held in the United States.  Freestyle instruction programs were formed to introduce and coach interested skiers. What is Freestyle Skiing? Freestyle skiing combines acrobatics and skiing.  Flips and any movement that put the feet higher than the head are not allowed in upright skiing.  Freestyle skiing is called inverted skiing and includes stunts that are performed while in the air. Freestyle skiing comprises different types of jumps, flips, and spins that are done while in the air.  Aerial skiing consists of skiers jumping off 2 to 4-meter-high jumps that propel them still higher in the air.  Aerialists perform multiple twists and flips before they land on an inclined landing hill. Mogul skiing is a series of bumps formed by snow mounds, called moguls, that have to be navigated by the skier.  The navigation has to be done with correct technique, speed, and mastering the bumps, calmly, yet aggressively. Also forming part of Freestyle skiing, are Ski Ballet, Ski Cross, Half-pipe skiing, and slopestyle.  Each of these styles brings its aerobics, flips, jumps, and twists. A Freestyle Skiing Experience Most people, and even practiced skiers, will not experience the thrill of freestyle jumps, bumps, and flips.  But they can experience the thrill of playing online casino games which offer freestyle skiing, and alpine skiing.  At duelz-casino.ca, you can bet on skiers, skiing events, as well as play a game where you can experience freestyle skiing. Freestyle skiing is practiced and performed by skiers from all over the world.  Even those skiers that live in countries where it does not snow can practice certain jumps in waterparks, landing in water.  And then they can also follow the snow throughout the year to get in enough practice rounds.

• Snow and Games

  Snow and skiing have different meanings for different people.  For many people, skiing and snow mean holidays, fun, and relaxing.  For people living where it always snows, skiing is a way to travel where they want to be.  And, then you will find those people that turned skiing into a competitive sport. Fun in the Snow Going to a ski resort for a skiing holiday is popular among many people.  For the rich and famous, it is important to go skiing at the luxury ski resorts every year.  Showing off their skiing skills and glamorous outfits.  But you will also find the not so famous having fun skiing on snow slopes, or learning skiing skills from ski-coaches. However, there are those people that like to only watch the fun in the snow from a distance, without physically joining in the fun.  For these persons there are now new ways to participate in the games without putting on skis, dressing the part, or going outside.  They can play online skiing games. They can also play snow-related online casino games and slots.  These games are fun and easy and won’t let players break out a sweat.  You don’t have to leave your comfortable chair, because these games can be played anywhere and anytime.  For more information, you can go to duelzmobilecasino.ca, and choose your favorite games. Skiing as a Sport Skiing has also become a competitive sport.  Skiing has ancient origins where it was primarily a form of transport and travel on snow.  Now, in modern times, skiing has evolved into a competitive sport with different genres for competitions and sporting events.  You will find Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, and Telemark skiing, which is a form of Freestyle Skiing. Competitive skiers practice many hours a day to hone their skills.  Even though skiing is fun for all, it can also be hard work and practice for some.

• Skiers Equipment for Different Uses and Styles

  A ski is something worn to glide easily over the snow.  But, to enable snow-traveling in different conditions, skis are not the only equipment needed to do so.  Different types of skis are also used for different types of skiing.  Skiers participating in Freestyle Skiing events will use different types of equipment than those skiers only skiing for fun. A ski is, now, in modern times, a narrow strip of material that is semi-rigid to enable gliding over snow.  A ski is substantially longer than it is wide, and it’s mostly worn in pairs.  Skis have to be attached to ski boots with bindings. Asymmetrical skis were also used in some parts of Finland, where the longer one was used for gliding and the shorter for kicking and keeping the momentum.  Single long skis were also used to hunt seals.  The single, long ski was useful in moving through packed ice. Modern Skis and Equipment Different skis are constructed for different types of skiing and may contain different types of building materials. Alpine skis are designed specifically for ski resort skiing.  Different specifications are also used for certain uses, for instance, twin-tip skis for Freestyle Skiing, Slalom skis, powder skis, and still more. Backcountry skiing is any form of skiing that is done outside of the boundaries laid out at resorts.  The skis used for this type of skiing is Alpine touring skis and enables the possibility to ski uphill when needed. Nordic skis do not rely on ski lifts to get up hills and tend to be lighter in weight.  Different styles are available depending on the type of skiing to be done. Other Ski Equipment Equipment like goggles is worn to protect the eyes against the glare of the sun on the snow.  Ski helmets, to protect against possible falls are also standard equipment for skiers.  Ski poles aid to keeping your balance and rhythm while moving and executing turns.

• A History of Skiing

  In the Xinjiang region, now China, wall paintings that date back 5000 years show the use of skis.  It is said that modern skiing evolved from Scandinavian beginnings, it is, however, still debated because of other findings that might be older. Why Ski? Originally skiing was only used in utilitarian ways.  It was a way to travel over snow doing daily business and tasks.  Norse mythology described a god and goddess hunting on skis.  A few millennia later, there are reports of king Sverre of Norway that sent troops on a ski patrol. Skis were used to make traveling over snow possible.  Like everything else in the world, skis and skiing also evolved through the years and with technology.  At first, skis were used only to make daily travel safer and faster and chores easier. Skis Then and Skis Now People that lived in climates where snow fell for many months during the year, developed some form of skis and skiing.  In Russia, Sweden, China, Norway, Lapland, Scandinavia, and many other countries, also not situated in Europe and Asia, many fragments of skis were found. Some of these fragments can be traced back to prehistoric times.  Some of these first skis seemed to have been broad and short, resembling snowshoes, rather than modern skis.  Skiing has been employed by the military from very early on.  Ski troops were deployed in warfare and they also competed in military ski competitions. Modern Skis Skis had to be of thicker wood to not bend or bow when gliding, and not sink under the skier’s weight.  Skis evolved from this to the use of many other products like fiberglass, carbon fibers, and epoxy. Different materials are used in different brands of skis.  Wood, like Ash, Poplar, Beech, and Okume is most common for use in the core of skis.  Aluminum and foam can also be used for core materials and is cheaper. The outer part of the skis is manufactured from a wide array of different materials.  Fiberglass and other types of fibers are used for the outside.  The bottom part or base of the ski is now mostly made out of polyethylene.