Skiing

Skiing, sport of gliding over snow on long, thin runners called skis. It began some 5,000 years ago in northern Europe as a form of transport and became a sport in the 19th century. In 1924 the Fédération Internationale de Ski was formed and the first Winter Olympics held. It has increased enormously in popularity, either for pleasure or through participation in such Olympic-style activities as Alpine downhill slaloms, giant slalom obstacle races, Nordic cross-country skiing, or ski-jumping. Skis are generally made of laminated wood, fiberglass, plastic, metal, or a combination of these. They have safety bindings attaching the specially made boot firmly to the ski; ski poles are used for balance.