[style b=false i=false size=16px color=#202122 bgcolor=#fff][h1]History of skiing[/h1][size=12.88px]From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/size][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#mw-head][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Jump to navigation[/style][/url][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#searchInput][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Jump to search[/style][/url][bgcolor=transparent][center][style size=13.16px bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img=File:Ski-kampioen Jan Boon demonstreert op Duinrell.ogv]upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Ski-kampioen_Jan_Boon_demonstreert_op_Duinrell.ogv/250px--Ski-kampioen_Jan_Boon_demonstreert_op_Duinrell.ogv.jpg[/img][left][size=12.3704px]Video demonstration of a variety of ski techniques used in the 1940s.[/size][/left][/style][/center][/bgcolor]
[url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skiing][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Skiing[/style][/url], or traveling over snow on [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]skis[/style][/url], has a history of at least eight millennia. The earliest archaeological examples of skis were found in Russia and date to 6000 BCE.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-1][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​1][/style][/url][/sup] Although modern skiing has evolved from beginnings in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavia][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Scandinavia[/style][/url], 5000-year-old wall paintings suggest use of skis in the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xinjiang][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Xinjiang[/style][/url] region of what is now [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]China[/style][/url]; however, this continues to be debated.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-:0-2][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​2][/style][/url][/sup][sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-3][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​3][/style][/url][/sup][sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-4][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​4][/style][/url][/sup] Originally purely utilitarian, starting in the mid-1800s skiing became a popular recreational activity and sport, becoming practiced in snow-covered regions worldwide, and providing a market for the development of [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_resorts][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]ski resorts[/style][/url] and their related communities.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-5][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​5][/style][/url][/sup]
[style size=13.3px bgcolor=#f8f9fa][center][h2]Contents[/h2][/center][list]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#Etymology][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][color=#202122]1[/color]Etymology[/style][/url][/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#Early_archaeological_evidence][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][color=#202122]2[/color]Early archaeological evidence[/style][/url][/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#Skiing_as_transportation][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][color=#202122]3[/color]Skiing as transportation[/style][/url][/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#Skiing_as_sport][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][color=#202122]4[/color]Skiing as sport[/style][/url][/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#Skiing_as_recreation][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][color=#202122]5[/color]Skiing as recreation[/style][/url][/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#Evolution_of_equipment][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][color=#202122]6[/color]Evolution of equipment[/style][/url][/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#Gallery][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][color=#202122]7[/color]Gallery[/style][/url][/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#See_also][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][color=#202122]8[/color]See also[/style][/url][/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#References][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][color=#202122]9[/color]References[/style][/url][/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#Further_reading][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][color=#202122]10[/color]Further reading[/style][/url][/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#External_links][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][color=#202122]11[/color]External links[/style][/url][/*]
[/list][/style][h2]Etymology[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=1][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h2][i]Further information: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Ski[/style][/url][/i]
The word [i]ski[/i] comes from the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Norse][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Old Norse[/style][/url] word [i]skíð[/i] which means "cleft wood", "stick of wood" or "ski".[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-6][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​6][/style][/url][/sup] In Old Norse common phrases describing skiing were [i]fara á skíðum[/i] (to travel, move fast on skis), [i]renna[/i] (to move swiftly) and [i]skríða á skíðum[/i] (to stride on skis).[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-7][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​7][/style][/url][/sup] Modern Norwegian and Swedish, however, do not form a verb from the noun.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-8][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​8][/style][/url][/sup][sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-:1-9][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​9][/style][/url][/sup] Other languages make a verb form out of the noun, such as [i]to ski[/i] in English, [i]skier[/i] in French, [i]esquiar[/i] in Spanish and Portuguese, [i]sciare[/i] in Italian, [i]skiën[/i] in Dutch, or [i]schilaufen[/i] (as above also [i]Ski laufen[/i] or [i]Ski fahren[/i]) in German.[sup][[i][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]citation needed[/style][/url][/i]][/sup] [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_language][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Finnish[/style][/url] has its own ancient words for skis and skiing: "ski" is [i]suksi[/i] and "skiing" is [i]hiihtää[/i]. The [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_people][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Sami[/style][/url] also have their own words for "skis" and "skiing": for example, the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lule_Sami][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Lule Sami[/style][/url] word for "ski" is [i]sabek[/i] and skis are called [i]sabega[/i]. The Sami use [i]cuoigat[/i] for the verb "to ski" (the term may date back to 10,000 years before present).[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Historical_dictionary_of_Skiing-10][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​10][/style][/url][/sup]
[h2]Early archaeological evidence[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=2][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h2][bgcolor=transparent][center][style size=13.16px bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Skidmuseet_(02).jpg[/img][left][size=12.3704px][url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalvtr%C3%A4skskidan][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Kalvträskskidan[/style][/url] at the ski exhibition in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ume%C3%A5][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Umeå[/style][/url].[/size][/left][/style][/center][/bgcolor]
The oldest information about skiing is based on archaeological evidence. Two regions present the earliest evidence of skis and their use: the Altaic region of modern China where 5000-year-old paintings suggest the aboriginal use of skis,[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-:0-2][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​2][/style][/url][/sup] and northern Russia, where the oldest fragments of ski-like objects, dating from about 6300–5000 BCE were found about 1,200 km northeast of [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Moscow[/style][/url] at Lake Sindor.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-11][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​11][/style][/url][/sup]
[h3]Rock carvings[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=3][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h3][i]See also: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_carvings_at_Alta][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Rock carvings at Alta[/style][/url][/i][bgcolor=transparent][center][style size=13.16px bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Alta_Felszeichnung_Elch_und_Ski_(cropped).jpg[/img][left][size=12.3704px]Skier hunting with bow and arrow, [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_carvings_at_Alta][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Rock carvings at Alta[/style][/url], Norway, about 1000 BCE.[/size][/left][/style][/center][/bgcolor]
The earliest Scandinavian examples of skiing date to 3000 or 4000 [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BCE][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]BCE[/style][/url] with primitive carvings. An image of a skier holding a single [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_pole][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]pole[/style][/url] or an ax with both hands, is found in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Norway[/style][/url]. The Rødøy carving shows skis of equal length. A rock carving at Norway, from about 1000 or 500 BCE depicts a skier seemingly about to shoot with bow and arrow, with skis positioned in an angle (rather than parallel) to offer good support.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Weinstock-12][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​12][/style][/url][/sup] [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_drawings][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Rock drawings[/style][/url] in Norway dated at 4000 BC[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-13][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​13][/style][/url][/sup] depict a man on skis holding a stick. Near the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Sea][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]White Sea[/style][/url] in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Russia[/style][/url], rock carvings were discovered in 1926 and dated to 2000 or 2500 [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BCE][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]BCE[/style][/url]. One of the Russian carvings depicts hunting of big game with hunters on equal length skis. The hunters apparently used their bow and spear as poles.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Weinstock-12][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​12][/style][/url][/sup]
[h3]Ski samples[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=4][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h3]
The first primitive Scandinavian ski was found in a peat [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bog][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]bog[/style][/url] in Hoting in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A4mtland_County][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Jämtland County[/style][/url] in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Sweden[/style][/url] which dates back to 4500 or 2500 BCE. In 1938 a ski was found from [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salla][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Salla[/style][/url], Finland that has been dated back to 3245 BCE. Noted examples are the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalvtr%C3%A4skskidan][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Kalvträskskidan[/style][/url] ski, found in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Sweden[/style][/url] and dated to 3300 BCE, and the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vefsn][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Vefsn[/style][/url] [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordland][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Nordland[/style][/url] ski, found in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Norway[/style][/url] and dated to 3200 BCE.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-14][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​14][/style][/url][/sup] There are some 20 findings of ancient, well-preserved skis in drained bogs in Norway, indicating that skis have been widely used in Norway, particularly Northern Norway, since prehistoric times. Skis have also been uncovered in ancient graves.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Gotaas-15][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​15][/style][/url][/sup] In 2014, a ski complete with leather bindings, emerged from a glacier in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinheimen_National_Park][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Reinheimen[/style][/url] mountains, Norway. The binding is at a small elevated area in the middle of the 172 cm long and 14,5 cm wide ski. According to the report the ski is some 1300 years old. A large number of organic artifacts have been well preserved for several thousand years by the stable glaciers of [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppland][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Oppland[/style][/url] county and emerge when glaciers recede.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-16][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​16][/style][/url][/sup] A ski excavated in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Greenland[/style][/url] is dated to 1010.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-17][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​17][/style][/url][/sup] Based on findings in the Nordic countries and elsewhere, researchers have identified at least 3 main types: arctic, southern and central Nordic. The arctic type was short and covered with fur, and used from northern Japan in the east to Ob river in the west. The Sami people probably brought this type to the Nordic region. The southern type had one short and one long ski, and was used in forest areas of Southern Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. The central Nordic type also had one short with fur (the [i]andor[/i]) and one long, and was used in large parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Gotaas-15][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​15][/style][/url][/sup]
[h2]Skiing as transportation[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=5][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h2][bgcolor=transparent][center][style size=13.16px bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_British_Army_in_Norway_April_-_June_1940_N160.jpg[/img][left][size=12.3704px]British troops with skis in Norway, April 1940[/size][/left][/style][/center][/bgcolor]
[url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norse_mythology][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Norse mythology[/style][/url] describes the god [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ullr][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Ullr[/style][/url] and the goddess [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ska%C3%B0i][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Skaði[/style][/url] hunting on skis, Ullr and Skaði has later been regarded as the god and goddess of skiing and hunting.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup] Early historical evidence includes [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procopius][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Procopius[/style][/url]' (around CE 550) description of [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_people][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Sami people[/style][/url] as [i]skrithiphinoi[/i] (or [i]skridfinns[/i]) translated as "ski running samis" (Sami people were commonly referred to as [i][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_people][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Finn[/style][/url][/i]).[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup] Birkely argues that the Sami people have practiced skiing for more than 6000 years, evidenced by the very old Sami word [i]čuoigat[/i] for skiing.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-19][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​19][/style][/url][/sup] [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulus_Diaconus][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Paulus Diaconus[/style][/url] mentioned what may have been Sami and described how they chased animals by a twisted piece of wood that they painstakingly shaped into resembling a bow.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Gotaas-15][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​15][/style][/url][/sup] [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egil_Skallagrimsson][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Egil Skallagrimsson[/style][/url]'s 950 CE saga describes King [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haakon_the_Good][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Haakon the Good[/style][/url]'s practice of sending his tax collectors out on skis.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-20][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​20][/style][/url][/sup] The [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulating][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Gulating law[/style][/url] (1274) stated that "No moose shall be disturbed by skiers on private land."[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup]
[bgcolor=transparent][center][style size=13.16px bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:No-nb_bldsa_f3b030.jpg[/img][left][size=12.3704px][url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fridtjof_Nansen][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Fridtjof Nansen[/style][/url] and his crew posing for the photographer with some of their gear for the 1888 Greenland expedition. From left: [url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ole_Nilsen_Ravna&action=edit&redlink=1][style color=#ba0000 bgcolor=initial]Ravna[/style][/url], [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Sverdrup][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Sverdrup[/style][/url], Nansen, [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristian_Kristiansen_(explorer)][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Kristiansen[/style][/url], Dietrichson and [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Balto][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Balto[/style][/url]. Ravna and Balto in their [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_people][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Sami[/style][/url] clothing.
[i]Credit: Siems & Lindegaard[/i][/size][/left][/style][/center][/bgcolor]
The saga of king [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sverre_of_Norway][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Sverre of Norway[/style][/url] reports how Sverre around year 1200 sent troops on ski to patrol the Aker area near Oslo. During Sverre's siege of [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%B8nsberg_Fortress][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Tønsberg Fortress[/style][/url], soldiers boldly skied down the steep cliff. According to the saga, [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haakon_IV_of_Norway][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Haakon IV of Norway[/style][/url] as a baby in 1206 was transported by soldiers on skis through the hills between [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudbrandsdalen][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Gudbrandsdalen[/style][/url] and [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%98sterdalen][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Østerdalen[/style][/url] valleys, this event inspired modern day [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birkebeinerrennet][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Birkebeinerrennet[/style][/url] ski marathon.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup] [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_warfare][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Ski warfare[/style][/url], the use of ski-equipped troops in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]war[/style][/url], is first recorded by the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Danish[/style][/url] historian [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxo_Grammaticus][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Saxo Grammaticus[/style][/url] in the 13th century. The speed and distance that ski troops are able to cover is comparable to that of light [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavalry][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]cavalry[/style][/url]. Swedish writer [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olaus_Magnus][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Olaus Magnus[/style][/url]'s 1555 [i][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Description_of_the_Northern_Peoples][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]A Description of the Northern Peoples[/style][/url][/i] describes skiers and their climbing skins in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scricfinnia][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Scricfinnia[/style][/url] in what is now Norway.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-21][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​21][/style][/url][/sup] The garrison in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trondheim][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Trondheim[/style][/url] used skis at least from 1675, and the Danish-Norwegian army included specialized skiing battalions from 1747 – details of military ski exercises from 1767 are retained.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Bergsland-22][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​22][/style][/url][/sup] Skis were used in military exercises in 1747.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-23][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​23][/style][/url][/sup]

In 1799 French traveller Jacques de la Tocnaye visited Norway and wrote in his travel diary:[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-24][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​24][/style][/url][/sup]
[quote]
In winter, the mail is transported through [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filefjell][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Filefjell[/style][/url] mountain pass by a man on a kind of snow skates moving very quickly without being obstructed by snow drifts that would engulf both people and horses. People in this region move around like this. I've seen it repeatedly. It requires no more effort than what is needed to keep warm. The day will surely come when even those of other European nations are learning to take advantage of this convenient and cheap mode of transport.
[/quote]
Norwegian immigrants used skis ("Norwegian snowshoes") in the US midwest from around 1836. Norwegian immigrant "[url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowshoe_Thompson][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Snowshoe Thompson[/style][/url]" transported mail by skiing across the Sierra Nevada between California and Nevada from 1856.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup] In 1888 Norwegian explorer [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fridtjof_Nansen][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Fridtjof Nansen[/style][/url] and his team crossed the Greenland icecap on skis. Norwegian workers on the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buenos_Aires_and_Pacific_Railway][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Buenos Aires - Valparaiso railway line[/style][/url] introduced skiing in South America around 1890.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup] In 1910 [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_Amundsen][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Roald Amundsen[/style][/url] used skis on his [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amundsen%27s_South_Pole_expedition][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]South Pole Expedition[/style][/url]. In 1902 the Norwegian [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consul_(representative)][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]consul[/style][/url] in Kobe imported ski equipment and introduced skiing to the Japanese, motivated by the death of Japanese soldiers during snow storm.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup]
[h2]Skiing as sport[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=6][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h2][bgcolor=transparent][center][style size=13.16px bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gr%C3%A5kallbakken_Trondheim_Wilse_06293.jpg[/img][left][size=12.3704px]Ski jumping in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trondheim][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Trondheim[/style][/url] 1907[/size][/left][/style][/center][/bgcolor]
The first recorded organized skiing exercises and races are from military uses of skis in Norwegian and Swedish infantries. For instance details of military ski exercises in the Danish-Norwegian army from 1767 are retained: Military races and exercises included downhill in rough terrain, target practice while skiing downhill, and 3 km cross-country skiing with full military backpack.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Bergsland-22][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​22][/style][/url][/sup] Slalom (Norwegian: [i]slalåm[/i]) is a word of Norwegian origin that has entered the international skiing vocabulary. In the 1800s skiers in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telemark][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Telemark[/style][/url] challenged each other on "wild slopes" ([i]ville låmir[/i]), more gentle slopes had the adjective "sla". Some races were on "bumpy courses" ([i]kneikelåm[/i]) and sometimes included "steep jumps" ([i]sprøytehopp[/i]) for difficulty. These 19th century races in Telemark ran along particularly difficult trails usually from a steep mountain, along timber-slides and ended with a sharp turn ("Telemark turn") on a field or icy lake.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-25][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​25][/style][/url][/sup]
[list]
[*]1809: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olaf_Rye][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Olaf Rye[/style][/url]: first known [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_jumper][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]ski jumper[/style][/url].[/*]
[*]1843: First public skiing competition ("betting race") held in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troms%C3%B8][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Tromsø[/style][/url], Norway on March 19, 1843. Also the first skiing competition reported in a newspaper.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1861: First ski clubs: [i]Inderøens Skiløberforening[/i] founded in the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tr%C3%B8ndelag][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Trøndelag[/style][/url] region of Norway[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-26][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​26][/style][/url][/sup] (possibly in 1862). [i]Trysil Skytte- og Skiløberforning[/i] founded 20 May 1861 in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trysil][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Trysil[/style][/url].[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-27][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​27][/style][/url][/sup] [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skiing_in_Australia][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Skiing established in Australia[/style][/url] at [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiandra,_New_South_Wales][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Kiandra[/style][/url], which led to the founding of the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiandra_Snow_Shoe_Club][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Kiandra Snow Shoe Club[/style][/url].[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-28][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​28][/style][/url][/sup] Ski racing as an organised sport commences in America[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-29][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​29][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1862: First public [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_jumping][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]ski jumping[/style][/url] competition held at [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trysil][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Trysil[/style][/url], Norway, January 22, 1862. Judges awarded points for style ("elegance and smoothness").[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1863: First recorded female ski jumper at Trysil competition.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1864: From January 1864 "Trondheim Weapons Training Club" organizes regular training and competition races (cross-country and jumping), in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trondheim][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Trondheim[/style][/url], Norway.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1872: The oldest ski club in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]North America[/style][/url] still existing is the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nansen_Ski_Club][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Nansen Ski Club[/style][/url],[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-30][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​30][/style][/url][/sup] which was founded in 1872 by [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegians][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Norwegian[/style][/url] immigrants of [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin,_New_Hampshire][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Berlin, New Hampshire[/style][/url] under a different name.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-31][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​31][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1878: On the occasion of the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_Universelle_(1878)][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Exposition Universelle[/style][/url] in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Paris[/style][/url], the Norwegian pavilion presents a display of skis. This ancestral means of locomotion draws the attention of visitors who buy many of them. [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Duhamel][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Henry Duhamel[/style][/url] experiments with a pair at [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamrousse][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Chamrousse[/style][/url] in the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alps][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Alps[/style][/url].[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Bivouak-32][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​32][/style][/url][/sup][sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Chamrousse-33][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​33][/style][/url][/sup][sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-FT-34][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​34][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1879: first recorded use of the word [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slalom_skiing][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]slalom[/style][/url].[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-sondrenorheim.com-35][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​35][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[/list][bgcolor=transparent][center][style size=13.16px bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:No-nb_bldsa_k7a004.jpg[/img][left][size=12.3704px]Picture of [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fridtjov_Nansen][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Fridtjov Nansen[/style][/url] used at an exhibit in Germany in 1881 to show what Norwegian skiing was (original created in photo studio).[/size][/left][/style][/center][/bgcolor][list]
[*]1884: First pure cross-country competition held in Trondheim when [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_jumping][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]ski jumping[/style][/url] was dropped from the annual competition.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-36][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​36][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1893 Franz Reisch makes first descent on skis at Kitzbuhl[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Schneeschuh-37][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​37][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1893 [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Adolf_Baillie_Grohman][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]William Adolf Baillie Grohman[/style][/url] starts skiing in the Tyrol with his family using four pairs of skis sent from Norway as a present.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-TheField-38][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​38][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1893: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrik_Angell][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Henrik Angell[/style][/url] introduces skiing in Montenegro.[/*]
[*]November 1895: creation of the [i]Ski Club des Alpes[/i] in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenoble][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Grenoble[/style][/url] by the friends of Henry Duhamel to whom he had distributed fourteen pairs of skis acquired during his trip to Finland[/*]
[*]1904: First ski race in Italy, at [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bardonecchia][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Bardonecchia[/style][/url].[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Bergsland-22][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​22][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1905: foundation of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-39][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​39][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1905/1906: The notion of "slalom" (Norwegian: "slalåm") used for the first time at a race in Sonnenberg. Skiing between poles with flags called "Wertungsfahren" at Münchenkuggel.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Bergsland-22][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​22][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1906: A slalom race were held in Oslo.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Bergsland1952-40][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​40][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1908: Sir Arnold Lunn founds the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_Ski_Club][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Alpine Ski Club[/style][/url][/*]
[*]1908: The Kiandra Snow Shoe Club of Australia holds an "international contest" of "ski running".[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-41][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​41][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1922: start of the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasaloppet][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Vasaloppet[/style][/url].[/*]
[*]1922: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Lunn][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Arnold Lunn[/style][/url] creates modern slalom competitive skiing.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Bergsland1952-40][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​40][/style][/url][/sup][sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Hussey:9-42][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​42][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1922: First team ski race event at [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varsity_Trip][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Varsity Trip[/style][/url] between Oxford and Cambridge Universities.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-43][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​43][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1924: formation of the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Ski_Federation][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]International Ski Federation[/style][/url], also the first [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1924_Winter_Olympics][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Winter Olympics[/style][/url].[/*]
[*]1924: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kandahar_Ski_Club][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Kandahar Ski Club[/style][/url] formed in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCrren][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Mürren[/style][/url], [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Switzerland[/style][/url][sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Kandahar_Story-44][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​44][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1929: Norwegian instructors arrive in Sapporo and train Japanese in ski jumping.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1931: FIS international slalom contest.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Bergsland1952-40][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​40][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1932: start of the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birkebeinerrennet][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Birkebeinerrennet[/style][/url][/*]
[*]1936: Winter Olympics includes downhill race.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Bergsland1952-40][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​40][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_Winter_Olympics][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]1952 Winter Olympics[/style][/url].: Women's Nordic skiing debuts[/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralympic_cross-country_skiing][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Paralympic cross-country skiing[/style][/url] debuts at the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_Winter_Paralympics][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]1976 Winter Paralympics[/style][/url].[/*]
[*]1992: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mogul_skiing][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Mogul skiing[/style][/url] and [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freestyle_skiing][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Freestyle skiing[/style][/url] added to the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Winter_Olympics][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]1992 Winter Olympics[/style][/url].[/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Winter_Olympics][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]2002 Winter Olympics[/style][/url]: Appearance of sprint and mass start cross-country events in Salt Lake City.[/*]
[*]2009: campaign for the inclusion of women's ski jumping leads to its inclusion in the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Winter_Olympics][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]2014 Winter Olympics[/style][/url].[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-45][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​45][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[/list][h2]Skiing as recreation[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=7][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h2][bgcolor=transparent][center][style size=13.16px bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Seks_unge_kvinner_fra_Kristiania_skiforening,_1890-%C3%A5rene_(8592417676)_(cropped).jpg[/img][left][size=12.3704px]Young women of [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oslo][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Oslo[/style][/url] (then Christiania) [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_for_the_Promotion_of_Skiing][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]skiing association[/style][/url], about 1890. Single pole technique photographer Gihbsson/[url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Norway][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]National Library of Norway[/style][/url][/size][/left][/style][/center][/bgcolor][list]
[*]1849: First public "ski tour" organized in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trondheim][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Trondheim[/style][/url], Norway.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Saur-18][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​18][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1868: Mountain resorts became commercially viable when city-dwellers could reach them in winter by train.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-46][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​46][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1901 : First skiing in the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyr%C3%A9n%C3%A9es][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Pyrénées[/style][/url] on January 29 at [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Llagonne][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]La Llagonne[/style][/url] ([url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyr%C3%A9n%C3%A9es-Orientales][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Pyrénées-Orientales[/style][/url], [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]France[/style][/url]).[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-47][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​47][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1910: first rope tow.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-48][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​48][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1936: The first [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chair_lift][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]chair lift[/style][/url] is introduced at [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Valley,_Idaho][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Sun Valley, Idaho[/style][/url][/*]
[*]1939: the Sno-Surf is patented in the USA. Made of solid white oak, it had an adjustable strap for the left foot, a rubber mat to hold the right foot, a rope with loop used to control speed and steer, and a guide stick used to steer. The first commercially successful, precursor to the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowboard][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]snowboard[/style][/url], the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snurfer][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]snurfer[/style][/url] was introduced in 1965.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-49][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​49][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1952: The first major commercial snow-making machinery installed at [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grossinger%27s_Catskill_Resort_Hotel][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Grossinger's Catskill Resort Hotel[/style][/url] in New York state, USA.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-50][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​50][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[*]1970s: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telemark_skiing][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Telemark skiing[/style][/url] undergoes a revival possibly inspired by [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stein_Eriksen][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Stein Eriksen[/style][/url] and his book Come Ski With Me.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-51][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​51][/style][/url][/sup][/*]
[/list][h2]Evolution of equipment[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=8][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h2][h3]Skis[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=9][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h3][i]Main article: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski#History][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Ski § History[/style][/url][/i]
Asymmetrical skis were used at least in northern Finland and Sweden up until the 1930s.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Historical_dictionary_of_Skiing-10][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​10][/style][/url][/sup] On one leg the skier wore a long straight non-arching ski for sliding, and on the other a shorter ski for kicking. The bottom 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 similar manner to modern [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_wax][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]ski waxing[/style][/url]. Early record of this type of skis survives in works of [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olaus_Magnus][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Olaus Magnus[/style][/url].[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-52][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​52][/style][/url][/sup] He associates them to [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_people][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Sami people[/style][/url] and gives [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_languages][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Sami[/style][/url] names of savek and golos for the plain and skinned short ski. Finnish names for these are [i]lyly and kalhu[/i] for long and short ski.

The seal hunters at the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Bothnia][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Gulf of Bothnia[/style][/url] had developed a special long ski to sneak into shooting distance to the seals' breathing holes, though the ski was useful in moving in the packed ice in general and was made specially long, 3–4 meters, to protect against cracks in the ice. This is called skredstång in Swedish.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-53][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​53][/style][/url][/sup]

Around 1850 artisans in Telemark, Norway invent the cambered ski. This ski arches up in the middle, under the binding, which distributes the skier's weight more evenly across the length of the ski. Earlier plank-style skis had to be thick enough not to bow downward and sink in the snow under the skier's weight.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Evolution_of_Ski_Shape-54][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​54][/style][/url][/sup] Norheim's ski was also the first with a [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidecut][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]sidecut[/style][/url] that narrowed the ski underfoot while the tip and tail remained wider. This enabled the ski to flex and turn more easily.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Evolution_of_Ski_Shape-54][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​54][/style][/url][/sup]

In 1950 [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Head][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Howard Head[/style][/url] introduced the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_Standard][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Head Standard[/style][/url], constructed by sandwiching aluminum alloy around a [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plywood][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]plywood[/style][/url] core. The design included steel edges (invented in 1928 in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Austria[/style][/url],[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Evolution_of_Ski_Shape-54][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​54][/style][/url][/sup]) and the exterior surfaces were made of [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenol_formaldehyde_resin][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]phenol formaldehyde resin[/style][/url] which could hold wax. This hugely successful ski was unique at the time in having been designed for the recreational market, rather than for racing.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-fry-55][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​55][/style][/url][/sup] 1962: a [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibreglass][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]fibreglass[/style][/url] ski, [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kneissl][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Kneissl[/style][/url]'s White Star, was used by [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Schranz][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Karl Schranz[/style][/url] to win two gold medals at the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIS_Alpine_World_Ski_Championships][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]FIS Alpine World Ski Championships[/style][/url].[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-fry-55][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​55][/style][/url][/sup] By the late '60s fibreglass had mostly replaced aluminum.

In 1975 the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsion_box][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]torsion box[/style][/url] ski construction design is patented.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-56][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​56][/style][/url][/sup] The patent is referenced by Kästle, Salomon, [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rottefella][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Rottefella[/style][/url], and [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madshus][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Madshus[/style][/url], but in fact torsion box skis became common beginning in 1962 with the introduction of the Dynamic VR7 and VR17 race skis.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-57][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​57][/style][/url][/sup] In 1993 [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elan_(company)][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Elan[/style][/url] introduced the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elan_SCX][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Elan SCX[/style][/url]. These introduced a new ski geometry, common today, with a much wider tip and tail than waist. When tipped onto their edges, they bend into a curved shape and carve a turn. Other companies quickly followed suit, and it was realized in retrospect that "It turns out that everything we thought we knew for forty years was wrong."[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-Evolution_of_Ski_Shape-54][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​54][/style][/url][/sup] The modern [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin-tip_ski][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Twin-tip ski[/style][/url] was introduced by [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_Skis][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Line[/style][/url] in 1995.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-58][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​58][/style][/url][/sup]
[h3]Bindings[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=10][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h3][i]Main article: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_binding#History][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Ski binding § History[/style][/url][/i][bgcolor=transparent][center][style size=13.16px bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Old_ski_binding.jpg[/img][left][size=12.3704px]Old ski binding[/size][/left][/style][/center][/bgcolor]
In the early days of skiing the binding was also similar to those of a contemporary snowshoe, generally consisting of a leather strap fastened over the toe of the boot. In the 1800s, skiing evolved into a sport and the toe strap was replaced by a metal clip under the toe. This provided much greater grip on the boot, allowing the ski to be pushed sideways. The heel strap also changed over time; in order to allow a greater range of motion, a spring was added to allow the strap to lengthen when the boot was rotated up off the ski.

This buckled strap was later replaced by a metal cable.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-59][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​59][/style][/url][/sup] The cable binding remained in use, and even increased in popularity, throughout this period as cross-country skiing developed into a major sport of its own. Change eventually came through the evolution of the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rottefella][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Rottefella[/style][/url] binding, first introduced in 1927. The original Rottefella eliminated the heel strap, which held the boot forward in the binding, by drilling small holes in the sole of the boot which fit into pins in the toe piece. This was standardized as the 3-pin system, which was widespread by the 1970s.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-rot-60][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​60][/style][/url][/sup] It has now generally been replaced by the NNN system.

The introduction of ski lifts in 1908 led to an evolution of skiing as a sport. In the past, skiers would have to ski or walk up the hills they intended to ski down. With the lift, the skiers could leave their skis on, and would be skiing downhill all the time. The need to unclip the heel for cross-country use was eliminated, at least at resorts with lifts. As lifts became more common, especially with the introduction of the chairlift in 1936, the ski world split into cross-country and downhill, a split that remains to this day.

In 1937 Hjalmar Hvam broke his leg skiing, and while recuperating from surgery, invented the Saf-Ski toe binding.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-61][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​61][/style][/url][/sup]
[h3]Boots[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=11][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h3][i]Main article: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_boot#History][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Ski boot § History[/style][/url][/i][bgcolor=transparent][center][style size=13.16px bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SMOM_Bass_boot.JPG[/img][left][size=12.3704px]A typical "universal" ski boot of the leather era. This example, by G. H. Bass, includes an indentation around the heel where the cable binding would fit, and a metal plate at the toe for a Saf-Ski release binding. The leather strap is a "long thong", used by downhill skiers to offer some level of lateral control.[/size][/left][/style][/center][/bgcolor]
Ski boots were [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leather][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]leather[/style][/url] winter boots, held to the ski with leather straps. As skiing became more specialized, so too did ski boots, leading to the splitting of designs between those for [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_skiing][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]alpine skiing[/style][/url] and [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-country_skiing_(sport)][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]cross-country skiing[/style][/url].[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-62][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​62][/style][/url][/sup]

Modern skiing developed as an all-round sport with uphill, downhill and cross-country portions. The introduction of the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_binding][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]cable binding[/style][/url] started a parallel evolution of binding and boot.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-63][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​63][/style][/url][/sup] Boots with the sole extended rearward to produce a flange for the cable to firmly latch became common, as did designs with semi-circular indentations on the heel for the same purpose.

With the introduction of ski lifts, the need for skiing to get to the top of the hill was eliminated, and a much stiffer design was preferred, providing better control over the ski when sliding downhill.
[h3]Glide and grip[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=12][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h3][i]Main article: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_wax#History][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Ski wax § History[/style][/url][/i]
Johannes Scheffer in Argentoratensis Lapponiæ (History of Lapland) in 1673 probably gave the first recorded instruction for ski wax application[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-64][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​64][/style][/url][/sup] He advised skiers to use pine tar pitch and rosin. Ski waxing was also documented in 1761.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-65][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​65][/style][/url][/sup]

1934 saw limited production of solid [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminum][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]aluminum[/style][/url] skis in [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]France[/style][/url]. Wax does not stick to aluminum, so the base under the foot included grips to prevent backsliding, a precursor of modern fish scale waxless skis.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-66][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​66][/style][/url][/sup] In 1970 waxless [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_skiing][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Nordic[/style][/url] skis were made with fishscale bases.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-fry-55][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​55][/style][/url][/sup] Klister, a sticky material, which provides grip on snow of all temperatures that has become coarse-grained as a result of multiple freeze-thaw cycles or wind packing, was invented and patented in 1913 by [url=no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_%C3%98stbye_(skiprodusent)][style color=#36b bgcolor=initial]Peter Østbye[/style][/url].[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-waxing-67][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​67][/style][/url][/sup] Recent advancements in wax have been the use of [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactants][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]surfactants[/style][/url], introduced in 1974 by [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hertel_Wax][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Hertel Wax[/style][/url], and [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorocarbons][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]fluorocarbons[/style][/url], introduced in 1986, to increase water and dirt repellency and increase glide.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-gripandglide-68][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​68][/style][/url][/sup] Many companies, including [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swix][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Swix[/style][/url], Toko, Holmenkol, Briko, and Maplus are dedicated to ski wax production and have developed a range of products to cover various conditions.
[h3]Poles[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=13][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h3][i]Main article: [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_pole#History][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Ski pole § History[/style][/url][/i]
Early skiers used one long pole or spear. The first depiction of a skier with two [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_pole][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]ski poles[/style][/url] dates to 1741.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-69][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​69][/style][/url][/sup] In 1959 Ed Scott introduced the large-diameter, tapered shaft, lightweight aluminum ski pole.[sup][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_note-fry-55][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][​55][/style][/url][/sup]
[h2]Gallery[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=14][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h2][list]
[*][bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ullr.jpg[/img][/bgcolor][size=13.16px]
11th-century depiction of a hunter on skis from the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%B6ksta_Runestone][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Böksta Runestone[/style][/url]
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[*][bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nordiska_taflor_-_no-nb_digibok_2014031428009-131.jpg[/img][/bgcolor][size=13.16px]
Norwegians skiing with a single pole, 1870.
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[*][bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Goldi_hunter_on_skis_on_ice,_holding_long_spear_LCCN2004708051.tif[/img][/bgcolor][size=13.16px]
Asian [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanai_people][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Nanai[/style][/url] hunter on asymmetrical skis, 1895
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[*][bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kiandra_carnival_1900_Charles_Kerry.jpeg[/img][/bgcolor][size=13.16px]
[url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiandra][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Kiandra[/style][/url] "Snow Shoe" (Skiing) Carnival, [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales,_Australia][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]New South Wales, Australia[/style][/url], in 1900.
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[*][bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lappar_i_sn%C3%B6storm_av_John_Bauer.jpg[/img][/bgcolor][size=13.16px]
Depiction of Samis skiing, by [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bauer_(illustrator)][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]John Bauer[/style][/url] ca. 1905.
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[*][bgcolor=#f8f9fa][img]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Theodor_von_Lerch_in_Japan.jpg[/img][/bgcolor][size=13.16px]
[url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austrians][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Austrian[/style][/url] soldier teaching skiing to the [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Japanese_Army][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Imperial Japanese Army[/style][/url] in 1911.
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[/list][h2]See also[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=15][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h2][list]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmenkollen_Ski_Museum][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Holmenkollen Ski Museum[/style][/url][/*]
[*][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kongsberg_Skiing_Museum][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Kongsberg Skiing Museum[/style][/url][/*]
[/list][h2]References[style b=false size=13px][color=#54595d][[/color][url=en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_skiing&action=edit&section=16][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]edit[/style][/url][color=#54595d]][/color][/style][/h2][size=12.6px][list=1]
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[*]^ [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_ref-:0_2-0][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]Jump up to:[sup][i][b]a[/b][/i][/sup][/style][/url] [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_ref-:0_2-1][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial][sup][i][b]b[/b][/i][/sup][/style][/url] [/*]
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[*][b][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_ref-6][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]^[/style][/url][/b] Caprona, Yann de: [i]Norsk etymologisk ordbok[/i]. Oslo: Kagge forlag, 2014. [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]ISBN[/style][/url] [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9788248910541][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]9788248910541[/style][/url].[/*]
[*][b][url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_skiing#cite_ref-7][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]^[/style][/url][/b] Grønvik, Ottar (2000). [i]O̧ndurdís og o̧ndurgoð: studier over den førkristne religion i Norden[/i]. Oslo: Det norske videnskaps-akademi. [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)][style color=#0645ad bgcolor=initial]ISBN[/style][/url] [url=en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/8290888325][style color=#0645ad bgcolo