Editing Skiing

{{short description|Recreational activity and sport using snow skis}}
{{other uses|Skiing (disambiguation)|Water skiing|Skier (cricket)}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
[[File:Ski Famille - Family Ski Holidays.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Alpine skiers]]
'''Skiing''' is the use of [[ski]]s to glide on [[snow]] for basic transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive [[winter sport]]. Many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC), and the [[International Ski and Snowboard Federation]] (FIS).

{{TOC limit|2}}

==History==
{{Main|History of skiing}}
[[File:Ski-kampioen Jan Boon demonstreert op Duinrell.ogv|thumb|right|Video demonstration of a variety of ski techniques used in the 1940s.]]
Skiing has a history of almost five millennia.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Formenti |display-authors=etal |title=Human locomotion on snow: determinants of economy and speed of skiing across the ages|journal=Proceedings. Biological Sciences |volume=272 |issue=1572 |pages=1561–1569 |date=2005|pmc=1559840 |pmid=16048771 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2005.3121 }}</ref> Although modern skiing has evolved from beginnings in [[Scandinavia]], it may have been practiced more than 100 centuries ago in the [[Altai Mountains]], according to an interpretation of ancient paintings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ancient paintings suggest China invented skiing|work=China View|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|date=25 January 2006|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-01/25/content_4098439.htm|access-date=2015-01-27|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329044654/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-01/25/content_4098439.htm|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Marquand|first=Edward|title=Before Scandinavia: These could be the first skiers|work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|date=15 March 2006|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0315/p01s01-woap.html|access-date=8 March 2015|archive-date=9 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009125303/https://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0315/p01s01-woap.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, this continues to be debated.<ref>{{cite web|last=Krichko|first=Kade|title=China's Stone Age Skiers and History's Harsh Lessons|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=19 April 2017|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/19/sports/skiing/skiing-china-cave-paintings.html|access-date=9 May 2020|archive-date=28 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528200711/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/19/sports/skiing/skiing-china-cave-paintings.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Larsen|first=Nils|title=Origin Story: Where did skiing begin?|work=International Skiing History Association|date=12 June 2017|url=https://www.skiinghistory.org/news/origin-story-where-did-skiing-begin|access-date=9 May 2020|archive-date=2 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502032612/https://www.skiinghistory.org/news/origin-story-where-did-skiing-begin|url-status=live}}</ref>

The word "ski" comes from the [[Old Norse]] word "skíð" which means to "split piece of wood or firewood".<ref>Caprona, Yann de: ''Norsk etymologisk ordbok''. Oslo: Kagge forlag, 2014. {{ISBN|9788248910541}}.</ref>

Asymmetrical skis were used in northern Finland and Sweden until at least the late 19th century. On one foot, the skier wore a long straight non-arching ski for sliding, and a shorter ski was worn on the other foot for kicking. The underside of the short ski was either plain or covered with animal skin to aid this use, while the long ski supporting the weight of the skier was treated with animal fat in a similar manner to modern [[ski wax]]ing.

Early skiers used one long pole or spear. The first description of a skier with two [[ski pole]]s dates to 1741.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hergstrom|first=P|title=Beschreibung von dem unter schwedischer Krone gehörigen Lappland|year=1748|publisher=von Rother|location=Leipzig}}</ref>

Troops in continental Europe were equipped with skis by 1747,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000085/17470620/014/0002|title=Newcastle Courant|access-date=29 September 2019}}{{subscription required|via=The British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> and into the 21st century many nations continue to equip and train specialized troops for [[ski warfare]].

Skiing was primarily used for transport until the mid-19th century but, since then, it has also become a recreation and sport.<ref name=Saur>Saur, Lasse (1999): ''Norske ski - til glede og besvær.'' Research report, Høgskolen i Finnmark.</ref> Military ski races were held in Norway during the 18th century,<ref>Bergsland, Einar (1946): På ski. Oslo: Aschehoug.</ref> and [[ski warfare]] was studied in the late 18th century.<ref>{{cite web|title=How concern for the national health and military preparedness led France to build the infrastructure for Chamonix, 1924|url=https://skiinghistory.org/news/french-connection-first-winter-games|date=30 January 2014|author=E. John B. Allen|work=International Skiing History Association|access-date=17 July 2014|archive-date=25 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725112252/https://skiinghistory.org/news/french-connection-first-winter-games|url-status=live}}</ref> As equipment evolved and [[ski lift]]s were developed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, two main genres of skiing emerged—[[alpine skiing|Alpine (downhill) skiing]] and [[Nordic skiing]]. The main difference between the two is the type of [[ski binding]] (the way in which the [[ski boot]]s are attached to the skis).

==Types==
===Alpine===
{{Main|Alpine skiing}}
Also called "downhill skiing", Alpine skiing typically takes place on a [[piste]] at a [[ski resort]]. It is characterized by fixed-heel bindings that attach at both the toe and the heel of the skier's boot. [[Ski lift]]s, including [[chairlifts]], bring skiers up the slope. [[Backcountry skiing]] can be accessed by  [[heliskiing|helicopter]], [[snowcat]], [[hiking]] and [[snowmobile]]. Facilities at resorts can include [[night skiing]], [[après-ski]], and [[glade skiing]] under the supervision of the [[ski patrol]] and the [[ski school]]. Alpine skiing branched off from the older Nordic type of skiing around the 1920s when the advent of [[ski lift]]s meant that it was no longer necessary to climb back uphill. Alpine equipment has specialized to the point where it can now only be used with the help of lifts. Alpine Touring setups use specialized bindings which are switchable between locked and free-heel modes. [[Ski skins|Climbing skins]] are temporarily attached to the bottom of alpine skis to give them traction on snow. This permits Nordic style uphill and back-country travel on alpine skis. For downhill travel, the heels are locked and the skins are removed.

===Nordic===
[[File:Påske.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Spring [[ski touring]] on [[Hardangervidda]], Norway]]
{{Main|Nordic skiing}}
The Nordic disciplines include [[cross-country skiing]] and [[ski jumping]], which both use bindings that attach at the toes of the skier's boots but not at the heels. Cross-country skiing may be practiced on groomed trails or in undeveloped [[backcountry]] areas. Ski jumping is practiced in certain areas that are reserved exclusively for ski jumping.

===Telemark===
{{Main|Telemark skiing}}
Telemark skiing is a ski turning technique and FIS-sanctioned discipline, which is named after the Telemark region of Norway. It uses equipment similar to Nordic skiing, where the ski bindings are attached only at the toes of the ski boots, allowing the skier's heel to be raised throughout the turn. However, the skis themselves are often the same width as Alpine skis.

==Competition==
The following skiing disciplines are sanctioned by the [[International Ski and Snowboard Federation|FIS]]. Many have their own world cups and are included in the [[Winter Olympic Games]].
* [[Cross-country skiing (sport)|Cross-country]] – Encompasses a variety of formats for [[cross-country skiing]] races over courses of varying lengths. Races occur on [[homologated]], groomed courses designed to support classic (in-track) and free-style events, where skate skiing may be employed. The main competitions are the [[FIS Cross-Country World Cup]] and the [[FIS Nordic World Ski Championships]] (held only in odd-numbered years), and various cross-country skiing events have been incorporated into the Winter Olympics since its inception in [[1924 Winter Olympics|1924]]. The discipline also incorporates: cross-country [[ski marathon]] events, sanctioned by the [[Worldloppet Ski Federation]]; cross-country [[ski-orienteering]] events, sanctioned by the [[International Orienteering Federation]]; and [[biathlon]], a combination of cross-country skiing and [[rifle]] [[shooting sports|shooting]]. [[Paralympic cross-country skiing]] and [[paralympic biathlon]] are both included in the [[Winter Paralympic Games]].
* [[Ski jumping]] – Contested at the [[FIS Ski Jumping World Cup]], the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships (odd-numbered years only), the [[FIS Ski Jumping Grand Prix]], and the [[FIS Ski Flying World Championships]]. Ski jumping has also been a regular Olympic discipline at every Winter Games since 1924.
* [[Nordic combined]] – A combination of cross-country skiing and ski jumping, this discipline is contested at the [[FIS Nordic Combined World Cup]], the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships (odd-numbered years only), and at the Winter Olympics.
* [[Alpine skiing]] – Includes [[Downhill (ski competition)|downhill]], [[Slalom skiing|slalom]], [[giant slalom]], [[Super-G|super giant slalom]] (super-G), and [[Para-alpine skiing|para-alpine]] events. There are also [[Alpine skiing combined|combined]] events where the competitors must complete one run of each event, for example; the Super Combined event consists of one run of super-G and one run of slalom skiing. The dual slalom event, where racers ski head-to-head, was invented in 1941 and has been a competitive event since 1960.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Lizza|first=Chris I.|date=1997|title=The first dual slalom duel|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qVgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA42|journal=Skiing Heritage Journal|language=en|publisher=International Skiing History Association|volume=10|issue=3|pages=42|issn=1082-2895}}</ref> Alpine skiing is contested at the [[FIS Alpine Ski World Cup]], the [[FIS Alpine World Ski Championships]] (held only in odd-numbered years), and the Winter Olympics. [[Para-alpine skiing]] is contested at the [[World Para Alpine Skiing Championships]] (odd-numbered years) and the Winter Paralympics.
* [[Speed skiing]] – Dating from 1898, with official records beginning in 1932 with an {{convert|89|mi/h|km/h|adj=on}} run by Leo Gasperi, this became an FIS discipline in the 1960s. It is contested at the FIS Speed Ski World Cup, and was demonstrated at the [[1992 Winter Olympics]] in [[Albertville]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Lipsyte|first=Robert|editor-last=Vizard|editor-first=Frank|title=Why a Curveball Curves: The Incredible Science of Sports|publisher=Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.|series=Popular mechanics|date=2009|pages=224|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-q9M4pe3kmUC&pg=PA173|isbn= 9781588167941}}</ref>
* [[Freestyle skiing]] – Includes [[mogul skiing]], [[Freestyle skiing#Aerial skiing|aerials]], [[ski cross]], [[half-pipe]], and [[slopestyle]]. The main freestyle competitions are the [[FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup]] and the [[FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships]] (held in odd-numbered years). The discipline was first demonstrated at the [[1988 Winter Olympics]] and was added to the Olympic programme in 1992. It became an Olympic sport in the [[2014 Winter Olympics|2014 Sochi Olympic games]] when the [[Slopestyle|Slope-style]] and [[Half-pipe skiing|Half pipe]] events were introduced.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/freestyle-skiing|title=Freestyle Skiing - Winter Olympic Sport|date=2019-11-26|website=International Olympic Committee|language=en|access-date=2019-12-05|archive-date=9 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109021757/https://www.olympic.org/freestyle-skiing|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Telemark skiing|Telemark]] – Named after the Telemark region of Norway, this discipline combines elements of Alpine and Nordic skiing. A relatively new competitive sport, Telemark racing is contested at the FIS Telemark World Cup and the FIS Telemark World Championships.
* [[Grass skiing]] – Originally developed as an alpine skiing training method, skiing on grass has become established as a skiing discipline in its own right. It is contested at the FIS Grass Skiing World Cup and the FIS Grass Ski World Championships.

==Equipment==
[[File:SkiCollection.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Four groups of different ski types, from left to right:<br />1. Non-sidecut: cross-country, telemark and mountaineering 2. Parabolic<br />3. Twin-tip<br />4. Powder]]
Equipment used in skiing includes:
* [[Ski]]s, which may have [[ski skins|skins]] applied or be textured for uphill traction or [[ski wax|wax]] applied for minimizing sliding friction. [[Twin-tip ski]]s are also designed to move forwards or backwards.
* [[ski boot|Boots]] and [[Ski binding|bindings]]
* [[ski pole|Poles]]
* [[ski helmet|Helmets]]
* [[Ski suit]]s
* [[Ski goggles]]
* [[Gloves#Sport and recreational|Skiing gloves]]
* [[Balaclava (clothing)|Ski masks]]

==Technique==
Technique has evolved along with ski technology and [[ski geometry]]. Early techniques included the [[Telemark skiing|telemark]] turn, the [[stem (skiing)|stem]], the [[stem Christie]], [[snowplough turn|snowplough]], and [[parallel turn]].

New parabolic designs like the [[Elan SCX]] have enabled the more modern [[carve turn]].

==On other surfaces==
Originally and primarily an outdoor [[winter sport]] on snow, skiing is also practiced on synthetic [[dry ski slope|"dry" ski slopes]], on [[Sand skiing|sand]], [[indoor skiing|indoors]] and with [[ski simulator]]s. With appropriate equipment, [[grass skiing]] and [[roller skiing]] are other alternatives which are not performed on snow.

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">
File:Wilmot-ski-racer-cmsc.jpg|Giant Slalom Ski Racer 
File:Freestyle skiing jump2.jpg|[[Freeskiing|Freestyle]] switch 720 mute grab
File:Calgary.jpg|A ski jumper using the [[V-style]]
File:Priit Narusk at Tour de Ski.jpg|Cross country skiing—free-style or skate-skiing
File:Danplastic.jpg|Dry slope racing
File:Vail Veterans monoski.jpg|A skier with a disability on a [[Para-alpine skiing#Sitting|sit-ski]], using two outriggers.
</gallery>

== See also ==

* [[Glossary of skiing and snowboarding terms]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Skiing}}

{{Winter Olympic sports}}
{{Skiing}}
{{Orienteering}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Skiing| ]]
[[Category:Winter Olympic sports]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Partial squatting position]]