| 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. Skiing is not just about hammering | | | | legal everywhere but ski resorts will offer advice on |
| down the slopes in the fastest time possible. Alpine | | | | where to avoid. It is strongly recommended that you |
| freestyle focuses on finesse and performing tricks on | | | | adhere to this advice. Telemark skiing utilises flexible |
| the slopes. It has been referred to as acrobatics on | | | | ski boots that do are not attached to the skis at the |
| skis. Skiers use jumps and rails to perform aerial | | | | heel. Named after the Telemark region of Norway |
| tricks that are similar to those performed in urban | | | | and dates back to 1868 when the father of modern |
| areas on skateboards. Cross country or Nordic Skiing | | | | skiing Sandre Norheim used this type of binding when |
| is a type of skiing that is performed worldwide. It is | | | | he competed in a ski jump competition. Since then |
| probably the most prevalent form of skiing as it does | | | | alpine ski fittings have gradually replaced the telemark |
| not require a special ski area, it can therefore be | | | | system as the telemark skis are better suited to |
| performed anywhere that has snow. Cross country | | | | rolling terrain than the steeper downhill runs. Telemark |
| skis are long and thin to help distribute the weight of | | | | skiing is physically more demanding than Alpine skiing. |
| the skier. Cross country skiers often use their ski | | | | As well as being a recreational activity for civilians, |
| poles to propel themselves along as well pushing the | | | | skiing is also utilised as a training activity for the |
| skis 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 | | | | Shaun Parker has been an avid skier for many years. |