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1 Skiing

Many different types of skiing are popular, especially in colder climes, and many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Ski Federation (FIS), and other sporting organizations.

In skiing's traditional core regions in the snowy parts of Scandinavia, both recreational and competitive skiing is as likely to refer to the cross-country variants as to the internationally more well-known downhill variants.

For many people, "skiing" means recreational downhill skiing in which one visits a ski resort, purchases a lift ticket, dons cold-weather clothing, skis, ski boots and ski poles, and embarks on a chairlift, gondola lift, or other mechanical method of uphill propulsion. Upon reaching the summit, the skier disembarks from the ski lift and travels downhill, propelled by gravity. One should not attempt this unless one has been to ski schoolA ski school is an establishment that trains skiers. In alpine skiing in North America, many resorts have their own ski school, whereas in Europe, a resort may have many different private ski schools. All instructors are trained and certified by their nat or otherwise learned how to turn and stop safely. If this is not the case, one's trajectory is likely to become uncontrollable and one's speed excessive, attenuated only by stationary objects such as treesThis article is about the biological organisms known as trees. For other meanings of the word see tree (disambiguation). oak tree in Denmark A tree can be defined as a large perennial woody plant. Though there is no set definition of size, it is generally.

At this juncture, the non-skier might ponder the question of "Why do it at all then?" Of course there are many possible answers to such a question, perhaps as many as there are skiers, but a good simple answer might be "It feels good", rather like flying. Of course, there is some possibility of danger but curiously, this is also part of the appeal of the sport; it is, after all, the fastest means of land transport possible without mechanical assistance. It is possible to achieve a union of the mind and the body by practicing this sport where the mind trusts the body to perform in an exceptional manner and the body trusts the mind not lead it off a cliff. A sense of harmony and of peak experience can result resulting in a feeling of wholeness of self.

In addition to their role in recreation and sport, skiing is also used as a means of transport by the militaryMilitary (from latin militarius miles "soldier") as an adjective describes anything related to soldiers and warfare. Used as a noun, it is equivalent to Armed force. See also Armed force Martial art Militaria Military history Military rule Military by cou, and many armies train troops for ski warfareSki warfare the use of ski equipped troops in war is first recorded by the Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus in the 13th century. The speed and distance that ski troops are able to cover has lead to parallels being drawn between them and light cavalry.. Ski troops played a key role in retaining Finnish independence from Russia during the Winter WarThe Winter War (also known as the Russo-Finnish War) broke out when the Soviet Union attacked Finland on November 30, 1939, three months after the start of World War II. As a consequence, the Soviet Union was expelled from the League of Nations on Decembe, and from Germany during the Lapland WarHistory Military history War History of Germany History of Finland World War II The Lapland War is a name used for the hostilities between Finland and Germany between September 1944 and April 1945. It carries its name since it was fought in the northernmo, although the use of ski troops was recorded by the Danish historian Saxo GrammaticusSaxo Grammaticus ca. 1150 ca. 1220) was a Danish medieval historian of whose life little is known. It is thought that his life was spent during the latter half of the 12th century and that he was born in Zealand. The sixteen books of Danish history of thi in the 13th century12th century 13th century 14th century other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. Events Fourth through eighth crusades of western European kingdoms against Islam Fall of. The sport of Biathlon was developed from military skiing patrols.

Skiing was pronounced "she-ing" at the start of the 20th century, after the Norwegian pronunciation, and was usually written "ski-ing".

For the origins and development of skiing, see the History of skiing.