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