Lochlan+Kriesfeld+Skiing

Skiing The practice of skiing has been around for centuries. It consists of strapping a set of two strips of smooth yet rigid material to a the feet of the skier and using those strips of material, called skis, in a manner that involves sliding over snow or ice. Thus, we have the practice of skiing.

In order to attach a ski to a foot, said foot usually wears a boot with bindings at the toe and usually the heel as well. These bindings use a generic lock-and-key system, except that any boot will lock with any ski of the same type. Skiing generally falls into two categories, alpine skiing, which is downhill skiing with both the toe and heel locked to the ski, and free-heel skiing, with only the toe locked, and allowing free movement of the heel on the Y-axis. That means you can move your heel up and down but not your toe.

**ORIGINS ** Skiing has been around for many thousands of years, cave drawings and other archaeological finds place the activity at 5000 years old.

The word "ski" comes from the Old Norse "skid", meaning board/piece of split wood. It is the word used for 'snowshoe.

Now, supposedly skiing was created by the Scandinavian god Ull, the God of Frost, Glitter and Skiing. This is a highly question able theory. A far more likely one is that someone saw a stick of wood gliding through the snow and thought 'my god that's fast, if I strap those to my feet now....'

Regardless of its origins, skiing has become a very popular pastime worldwide and even an Olympic sport. There are races, people following famous ski tracks and whole businesses have been founded based on skiing. It has become one of the most popular snow sports in existence.

**Who Can Ski ** One of the best things about skiing is that just about anyone can participate in this activity, if they have the balance and leg control. Even if you have a prosthetic limb, if you can control it almost as well as a natural leg then the world of skiing is wide open to you!

**When And Where ** The best time to ski is the middle to early end of winter. This is usually when the best quality snow is on the mountains. It’s had most of winter to fall and has not begun to melt yet. The time will of course vary each year. The best places to ski are much easier to predict; somewhere high with slopes.

My preference is Falls Creek, although there is also Mt Buller, Mt Hotham and Charlotte Pass; Dinner Plain, Perisher Blue and Thredbo. There are too many places to list! It is not difficult to find a place to ski.

**Why Should YOU ski? ** <span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif';">I will not presume to tell you why you should ski, but I will tell you why I ski.

<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif';">Not only is it one of the most enjoyable things I know when the weather is right; it also helps me to keep fit and healthy. The high mountain air is great and I know of no greater sport to enjoy.

**<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif';">How To Ski ** **<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif';">Getting Ready To Go ** <span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif';">Before you even step outside with your skis you need the proper equipment, to protect yourself from the cold and possible falls. In order for beginners not to fall over one should have a pair of stocks. These are poles held by the skier that are used to assist in balance and movement, especially moving on a flat surface. Stocks are a specially made item for skiing that can be bought or hired at any ski shop or hire.

<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif';">In order to stay outside for the long periods of time required to truly enjoy yourself, and in case of blizzards and/or biting winds, you will need a set of spec <span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif';">ially made ski pants to go over your own. Good quality ski pants are well insulated and waterproof, extending down to your foot and able to fit over the top of your ski boot for a good five-six centimeters. Along with the insulated ski pants you will need a good ski jacket as well. This has mostly the same criteria as the ski pants, but you don't need them to fit over your boots. But they should have a few pockets for your phone and anything else you might take out.

<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif';">A real danger when skiing is snow blindness. The reflective white snow can really blind a person permanently; that is why goggles are needed. These can be purchased from any snow-sport shop and must be tinted. Another danger of skiing is frostbite. This most often occurs in the fingers and toes where there is little to no insulation, so well insulated gloves are required, these must be well insulated yet allow reasonable mobility of the fingers of the wearer. Along with the specially made ski boot that attaches the ski to the foot of the skier, one must wear thick and warm socks, as the boots are poorly insulated. Also recommended, though not a necessity, is a well-insulated, strong, ventilated helmet such as the one shown to the right. If a helmet is not worn, then a simple woolen beanie should suffice, although this will be much less effective at protecting your head should you fall. There are other accessories one can wear to keep warm if they are required, such as a neck-warmer, balaclava, under-gloves or thermal underclothes.

**<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif';">The Basics ** <span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif';">Now you know what is needed, you are ready for your first attempt. Be careful though, it is not as easy to begin as it will eventually get. Beginners should find a nice easy track to begin. When skiing, you should lean slightly forward when moving straight downhill, but when turning, as is recommended to do constantly to control speed; you should attempt to remain vertical. Once you have some experience, you should try turning while keeping your skis parallel. This is difficult to do, but it is a much better technique that increases control and speed. Your knees should also be slightly bent.



Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skiing http://www.kbski.com/content/pages/orgins http://www.livestrong.com/article/351274-origins-of-skiing/ http://www.worldloppet.com/30yosatw/WL_10.pdf http://skiing.about.com/od/beginningskiers/a/howtoski.htm http://www.kit2fit.com/range/product/?2268,0,0,51,4 http://7art-screensavers.com/skiing-wonders.shtml http://www.skihire.com.au/products/Intermediate-Demo-Skis,-Boots-and-Poles.html http://www.fullonadventure.co.uk/xc-ski-boot-rental/