History of the ski sport
Skiing was created in Northern Europe and Asia, thousands of years ago. According to some old stories, the first skis were made of the bones of big animals, strapped with leather strips to the toe of the boots. The history tells us that in the same time wooden skis were found in Norway, Finland and Sweden. The primitive skis were not suitable for speeding downhill because the ski bindings did not exist at that time and the loose toe straps could hold the feet only while skiing on a flat surface. The skis were used even in a war - during the Battle of Oslo (Norway) in 1200 where they appeared to be useful device, helping Norwegian scouts to spy on their Swedish enemies. In 1747, Norwegians were happy to form their own military ski company. From this time on, the constructing techniques in ski development advanced and managed to make skis faster both at the heels and toes of the boots. Thus, the skis were made to remain attached even in downhill skiing. Modern skiing dates from 1850, when the Norwegian Sondre Norheim tied pieces of twisted wet birch roots on his boots and thus invented the first ski bindings. After the roots dried up they turned stiff and were able to be more flexible than leather.

Another historical period in skiing tells us about the Austrian Mathias Zdarsky who introduced in 1896 the technique of pushing a ski at an angle towards the fall line in order to control speed. Four years later, another Austrian - Hannes Schneider decided to follow the Zdarsky's example and developed new maneuvers in stopping and turning, which he combined into the first formal method of ski instruction. It was named later as the Arlberg technique, on which most recent skiing techniques were based.

In the beginning of 1900s, skiing became a very popular and competitive sport. Switzerland was host of the first slalom race in 1921. Three years later, Nordic competitions became part of the first Winter Olympic Games. Alpine events were also included in the Games in 1936. In 1939-1945, we can learn from the war history that troops formed ski patrols in order to resist the Russian intruders, and in 1945, U.S. ski troops fought the Germans in the mountains of Italy.

After the war, skiing was seen from another point of view. Recreational skiing was more and more fascinated as this sport has become more widely spread and because of the fame of the skiing winners of international competitions. Another fact, giving a positive effect on this sport was the media which gave publicity to different ski meets and events. In 1960, around 400 ski resorts were built in the United States.

Nowadays, skiing is one of the most popular winter sport having about 45 million fans and thousands of ski resorts all over the world. The sport has developed and modified in many ways, giving birth to variations of which snowboarding is the largest.

What is skiing in fact?
In order to define the term skiing we have to turn to some official source of information like Encyclopedia Britannica, according to which skiing means recreation, sport, and mode of transportation that involves moving over snow by the use of a pair of long, flat runners, called skis, attached to shoes or boots.

Skiing has become so popular during the years so that everyone must have a general basic idea of what is it about. It is true that there are some people totally unaware of the concept and some specific details exist which would be of your interest if you plan to start practicing this sport. More specifically, skiing can be explained in general as an act with using the gravity to move downhill by gliding over the snow surface and assisting with two long and thin sticks to keep balance and control. As a principle, it is very similar to snowboarding which uses a wide board instead of the two thinner boards used by the skiers. When you use both of the boards as a skier, you are able to coordinate better your movements and control the speed and direction. The main principles you have to follow when skiing are balance, weight, and edge control.

Each year the sport enjoys more and more new adherents who are willing to start learning or to improve their skiing skills. The most common and correct way to learn skiing is to subscribe to a ski school and the statistics show that more and more people follow this practice. Among the other sports, skiing has its own advantages.

It is important to know that while skiing you can discover your real capacities not only physical but also psychological when trying to overcome an obstacle. You will see how good it is to feel you know something and you know to do it well, so to have fun. Like many say, the appetite comes with eating the same is with skiing. The more you know, the more it provokes you to be flexible and your reactions are being tested when coming upon a problematic situation and you have to think fast. Everyone can feel the satisfaction and incredible delight when managing to overcome the obstacles on his way and reaching the end of the slope.

In addition, doing a progress in skiing means you advance and it is good to try different techniques. The sport allows applying a variety of skiing methods and it is good to know all of them, no matter you will stick to some and use only the favourite ones. Your advance means that you have acquired certain style and you know how to control your ski equipment, body, rhythm and movements. And moreover, you are willing to experiment new tactics.

In general, it depends on the specific character, physical shape and willingness of the novice to learn but it is not too complicated as a process of learning, enough that the teacher has the ability to explain in understandable and correct manner.

There are some funny moments, for example when I was giving my first lesson to a friend explaining how she should not be afraid because the area, where we were, was completely flat. Suddenly she staggered and went few steps backwards, giving way to her panic. It appeared that she was standing on a little slant and she didnt have the proper behavior and reactions on the skis, so she fell down a simple psychological problem. Her next lesson was how to overcome the fear of the inclination. It took her two weeks to achieve the basic techniques. On the contrary, another friend understood immediately the concept and was able to start skiing only with few instructions and explanations. He was so willing to learn and he managed to do it really fast. So, it is very important to have the ambition to overcome your panic and to be ready to compromise with the inconvenient skiing conditions (cold and windy weather, crowds on the track, iced surfaces, etc).

Unlike many other sports, skiing gives you the outstanding opportunity to see the magnificent panorama of places that many others are not able to reach. Skiing allows you to cross easier and faster different terrains, as well as to overcome distances comparing to hiking, for example.

If you are among those who adore high adrenaline activities you will have the chance to perform high speed descends and to pass through terrains with high difficulty. Also while skiing you have the opportunity to ski for fun or to learn to ski professionally in order to compete in different tournaments.

It is important to know that skiing is a sport, which allows meeting new people, passionate like you and you can share your impressions, news and experience. As a rule, remember that when you become advanced, the sport will turn to a real pleasure, emotion and adventure.

Good luck!


Skiing equipment
One of the most important things that you have to consider is the equipment, the best that would suit you. Remember that there is no need to buy new skis and boots until you have the proper skills and experience in this sport. You have to be able to choose the right type of skis and boots so, at first it is most convenient to rent ski equipment. When you become more experienced you will have the opportunity to define your preferences about the type, length, brand, etc. In this section you just have to know the very basic things before subscribing to the skiing course.

Major elements of the ski equipment
Even after having this general information, you are still a beginner and you do not know how to choose the proper length and type of the skis. So, in order to choose the skis for your first attempts on the ski field, put the skis standing up in front of you with the tail on the floor. As a rule, the tip should reach between your shoulders and eyes.

As another essential part of the ski equipment, ski boots represent the link between your skis and your body. The good ski boots should be comfortable, fit well and support your foot and ankle while allowing them enough flexibility to move and maneuver. Your legs should feel warm, dry and protect you against impacts and injuries.

Regarding your safety, ski bindings are the most important piece of your equipment. They are the connection between your skis and ski boots and likewise between your skis and body. When making movements and there is pressure towards your boot, this is directed to your skis through your ski bindings. There is also another important role bindings perform: to release your boot from the skis when the pressure increases to a predefined level. This way, in case of a heavy fall, the skis will not remain attached to your legs. Otherwise, they could cause serious injuries like torn ligaments and fractures. Before getting to the slope: exercises on a flat surface

Although at home and being away from the slopes, you can still learn and practice some basic movements. For this purpose, if you have your equipment before the first skiing day, you can comfortably check out the elements that assemble the whole gear. Put on your ski boots and place your skis on the floor. While standing up, click in your ski bindings and try to get a feel of balance while having both feet in ski boots and ski bindings attached to your skis. Walk and move around, shifting your center of mass to different directions.

Some exercises for warming up
In order to feel fit, like in any other sport you have to warm up before start skiing. After putting on your boots and skis, it is normal that you fall and make some extreme movements in order to keep the balance. For this reason, doing some exercises will warm up your muscles, get your circulation going, and lubricate your joints which will decrease the chances of skiing injuries. Of course, doing a full body warmup is the best but at least you need to concentrate on the muscles that will serve you most: your upper and lower legs, your buttocks, back, and neck. If you do not have time for some fitness exercises, you can do some gymnastics at home. Being at the slope what can help you to energize is: running in small circles, sidestepping, walking up and down the slope, and jumping.

Some introduction to the basic lessons in the ski school
Once you have understood these first lessons, then it is time to learn how to fall down properly and after that some basic skiing techniques like making a snow plough, then making turns and how to link them together in one smooth motion.

It is not so difficult to learn skiing. However, you need to obtain a lot of skills and techniques in order to make you fully enjoy skiing. Apart from this, the more you practice these skills and train your instincts and reflexes, the more you will be able to advance and have fun at the slopes.