Alpine skiing facts for kids
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|
| Highest governing body | International Ski Federation |
|---|---|
| First played | 1850 |
| Registered players | Yes |
| Clubs | No |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | No |
| Team members | No |
| Mixed-sex | No |
| Type | Outdoor |
| Equipment | skis, poles, and boots, helmet, goggles |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Worldwide |
| Olympic | since 1936 |
| Paralympic | since the inaugural 1976 Winter Paralympics |
Alpine skiing, also known as downhill skiing, is a fun activity. It involves sliding down snowy mountains on skis. Your heels are attached to the skis, unlike other types of skiing. People usually enjoy alpine skiing at ski resorts. These resorts offer ski lifts, snow-making machines, and groomed trails. They also have restaurants and ski patrol to keep everyone safe.
Some adventurous skiers go "off-piste." This means skiing outside the marked resort areas. They might use snowmobiles or helicopters to reach untouched slopes. Back-country skiers use special gear. This gear helps them climb up hills and then ski down.
Alpine ski racing has been part of the Winter Olympics since 1936. The first slalom-like competition happened in Norway in 1886.
Alpine Skiing: Who Skis and Where?
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Alpine skiing is enjoyed by many people around the world. In 2023, about 55 million people participated in this sport. Europe has the most skiers, with about 30 million. North America follows with 20 million, and Japan has 14 million. There are thousands of ski resorts globally. These resorts have many ski lifts to take people up the mountains.
The Exciting History of Alpine Skiing
Skiing has a very long history. Ancient skis were found in places like Russia and Norway. People used them thousands of years ago for travel. The word "ski" comes from an old Norwegian word meaning "split piece of wood." Skis helped people cross frozen wetlands in winter.
In the 1760s, skiing became part of military training. Norwegian soldiers even had competitions. They skied down slopes, around trees, and practiced shooting.
Modern alpine skiing began in the 1850s. It changed from just transportation to a fun sport. A Norwegian legend named Sondre Norheim was very important. He created skis with curved sides. He also developed bindings that held the heel firmly. Norheim introduced the "slalom" turning style. His wooden skis look a lot like today's slalom skis.
Norheim won the first downhill skiing competition in Oslo, Norway, in 1868. He showed off a new turn called the "Christiania turn." This turn later became the parallel turn, which is common in alpine skiing today.
The word "slalom" comes from Norwegian. It means a trail on a slope. Early ski races in Norway were on challenging natural terrain. The first official slalom ski competition with rules happened in Mürren, Switzerland, in 1922.
Mastering Alpine Skiing Techniques
Skiing downhill involves controlling your speed and direction. If you ski straight down the steepest part of a slope, called the "fall line," you will go fastest. To slow down, you can turn your skis across the hill. This creates friction with the snow.
Good skiing technique uses turns to guide your skis smoothly. You can turn to change direction or to slow down. When you ski well, your movements look like a continuous series of "S" shapes. This helps you adjust to different parts of the slope.
How to Turn: The Stem Technique
The stem turn is an older but still useful way to turn. To do it, you push the back of one ski out to the side. Your ski tips stay close together. This action helps you slow down and turn. If you push both skis out, you slow down without turning.
Carving: Smooth Turns with Ski Edges
Carving is a modern and smooth way to turn. It uses the special shape of your skis. When you lean your skis onto their edges, they naturally bend into a curve. This curved edge then cuts into the snow. This makes your skis follow a smooth arc, changing your direction.
Checking Your Speed
Checking is an advanced way to control your speed. You quickly press down on one ski edge, then release, and press on the other. This quick back-and-forth motion helps you slow down. It lets you ski straight down a steep slope without going too fast. Skiers often use this on bumpy trails called moguls.
The Snowplough Turn for Beginners
The snowplough turn is the easiest way to turn. It's usually the first turn beginners learn. You make a "V" shape with your skis, like a snowplough. To turn, you press harder on the inside edge of the ski opposite to your desired turn direction. This helps you control your speed and turn across the hill.
Essential Alpine Skiing Equipment
To enjoy alpine skiing, you need special gear. This equipment helps you stay safe and have fun on the slopes.
Skis: Your Ride on the Snow
Modern alpine skis have changed a lot. They are shaped to help you make smooth turns. There are different types of skis for different activities:
- Powder skis are wide. They help you float on deep, fresh snow.
- Freestyle skis are for terrain parks. They help with jumps and tricks. These skis are often the same shape at both ends.
- All-mountain skis are the most common. They work well in many conditions, from fresh snow to groomed trails.
- Race skis are shorter and stiffer. They are designed for speed and quick, sharp turns in competitions.
Bindings: Connecting You to Your Skis
Bindings are devices that attach your boots to your skis. They keep you connected while you ski. If you fall, bindings are designed to release your boots safely. This helps prevent injuries.
Boots: Your Control Center
Ski boots are very important for controlling your skis. Early boots were made of leather with laces. Over time, they became taller for better ankle support. Today's boots are plastic with buckles. They have an inner liner for comfort and warmth. The stiff outer shell helps you steer your skis precisely.
Poles: For Balance and Push
Ski poles are held one in each hand. They help you keep your balance. You can also use them to push yourself along flat areas.
Helmets: Protecting Your Head
Ski helmets are highly recommended for safety. They greatly reduce the risk of head injuries. Helmets also keep your head warm. Modern helmets come in many styles. They often have vents, earmuffs, and mounts for goggles or cameras.
Protective Gear: Staying Safe on the Slopes
Besides helmets, other protective gear is used in alpine skiing. This includes mouth guards, shin guards, and back protectors. These items help protect skiers from impacts. They are especially important in racing events.
Alpine Skiing Competitions
Elite skiers compete in major events. These include the FIS World Cup and the Winter Olympics. Competitive skiing has two main types:
- Racing: This includes events like slalom, giant slalom, and downhill. These races are all about speed and precision.
- Freestyle skiing: This involves events like moguls, slopestyle, and halfpipe. Freestyle skiers perform jumps and tricks.
The triple crown of alpine skiing is a rare achievement. It means winning all three major World Cup titles in one season. Or, winning all three Gold medals at the Winter Olympics in Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Downhill. Only two skiers have ever done this:
- Austrian skier Toni Sailer won the Triple Crown at the 1956 Winter Olympics.
- French skier Jean-Claude Killy won the Triple Crown at the 1968 Winter Olympic Games.
Ski Trail Ratings: Knowing Your Slopes
Ski resorts use ratings to show how difficult a trail is. This helps skiers choose slopes that match their skill level. A beginner trail at one resort might be harder at another.
In the United States and Canada, there are four main ratings:
- Green Circle: Easy slopes, usually between 6% and 25% steepness.
- Blue Square: Intermediate slopes, between 25% and 40% steepness.
- Black Diamond: Difficult slopes, 40% steepness and up.
- Double Black Diamond: For experts only, very challenging terrain.
The steepest part of a trail determines its rating. Other factors like trail width and roughness are also considered.
Safety on the Slopes
Safety is very important in alpine skiing. In 2014, over 114,000 skiing-related injuries were treated. The most common injuries are to the knee, head, neck, and shoulders.
Professionals and doctors strongly recommend wearing helmets. Head injuries can be very serious. For every 1000 people skiing in a day, about two to four might need medical help. Most accidents happen from falling. Learning how to fall safely can help prevent injuries.
Health Benefits of Skiing
Alpine skiing is a great way to stay active. A 2004 study from Harvard Medical School found that alpine skiing burns a lot of calories. You can burn between 360 and 532 calories per hour!
Climate Change and Skiing
Climate change is affecting winter sports. Scientists predict that winter seasons will become shorter at ski resorts. This is due to global warming.
In North America, winter ski seasons might shrink by more than 50% by 2050. By 2090, they could be 80% shorter if greenhouse gas emissions continue. In Europe, half of the glacial ice in the Alps has already melted. Snowpack in the mountains could drop by 70% by 2100. However, if global warming is kept below 2°C, this reduction could be limited to 30%.
See also
In Spanish: Esquí alpino para niños
- Para-alpine skiing
- Skiboarding
 | Chris Smalls |
 | Fred Hampton |
 | Ralph Abernathy |
