| As flights to Europe become cheaper and as | | | | designed skis that are wider and longer than |
| the pound becomes stronger there are an | | | | normal skis. |
| increasing number of people deciding to go | | | | |
| off on Ski Holidays. Traditionally skiing had | | | | Off-Piste or Randonee skiing is when a skier |
| been restricted to the wealthy but there are | | | | leaves the marked runs or Pistes in search of |
| an increasing number of young people that can | | | | freshly dropped snow. It is an activity that |
| now afford to have a skiing break. Ski | | | | is done by advanced skiers. This is because |
| holidays are attracting a new audience. When | | | | the skier is never fully aware of the types |
| I started skiing I was daunted by the variety | | | | of terrain they will face and have to be |
| of types of different ski activities and was | | | | competent enough to deal with an enormous |
| afraid to ask. Here is a brief introduction | | | | variety of situations. The skier may travel |
| to the different types of skiing that are out | | | | to areas that are prone to avalanches and as |
| there. | | | | a result the practice is banned at many US |
| | | | ski resorts. It is legal everywhere but ski |
| Skiing is not just about hammering down the | | | | resorts will offer advice on where to avoid. |
| slopes in the fastest time possible. Alpine | | | | It is strongly recommended that you adhere to |
| freestyle focuses on finesse and performing | | | | this advice. |
| tricks on the slopes. It has been referred to | | | | |
| as acrobatics on skis. Skiers use jumps and | | | | Telemark skiing utilises flexible ski boots |
| rails to perform aerial tricks that are | | | | that do are not attached to the skis at the |
| similar to those performed in urban areas on | | | | heel. Named after the Telemark region of |
| skateboards. | | | | Norway and dates back to 1868 when the father |
| | | | of modern skiing Sandre Norheim used this |
| Cross country or Nordic Skiing is a type of | | | | type of binding when he competed in a ski |
| skiing that is performed worldwide. It is | | | | jump competition. Since then alpine ski |
| probably the most prevalent form of skiing as | | | | fittings have gradually replaced the telemark |
| it does not require a special ski area, it | | | | system as the telemark skis are better suited |
| can therefore be performed anywhere that has | | | | to rolling terrain than the steeper downhill |
| snow. Cross country skis are long and thin to | | | | runs. Telemark skiing is physically more |
| help distribute the weight of the skier. | | | | demanding than Alpine skiing. |
| Cross country skiers often use their ski | | | | |
| poles to propel themselves along as well | | | | As well as being a recreational activity for |
| pushing the skis sideways in a technique | | | | civilians, skiing is also utilised as a |
| similar to ice skating. | | | | training activity for the military. Warfare |
| | | | has also taken place on skis and ski troops |
| People off on their ski holidays may be | | | | have played a key role in military activity. |
| presented with the opportunity to attempt ski | | | | Records were made of ski warfare as early as |
| jumping. Ski jumping or Nordic jumping is a | | | | the thirteenth century. More recently ski |
| competitive sport that involves the skier | | | | troops helped Finland remain independent from |
| travelling down a specially constructed ski | | | | Russia during the Winter War. They also |
| ramp and off a jump at the end in an attempt | | | | helped repel the German forces during the |
| to achieve a further distance than the | | | | Lapland War. |
| competitors. The ski jumper uses specially | | | | |