Snow skiing is a great hobby to keep fit. Not only can you be close to Mother Nature, you enjoy the fresh air and send time with the mountains. With training and a little drill one too can take up snow skiing not just as a hobby but also as a way of life. Skiing in the winters has emerged as a popular, entertaining and enjoyable sport. Skiing is a leisure activity and a competitive winter sport in which the contestant uses skis to slither on snow. Several types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Skiing has a history of nearly five millennia. Skiing may have been practiced as early as 600 BC .The word 'ski' is one of a handful of words Norway has spread to the international community. It comes from the Old Norse word 'skíõ' meaning 'split piece of wood or firewood'. Modern skiing started to evolve in Scandinavia. Asymmetrical skis were used in northern Finland and Sweden up until the late 1800s in which the skier wore a long straight non-arching ski for sliding on one leg, and a shorter ski for kicking on the other. 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 a manner similar to modern ski waxing. Early skiers used one long pole or spear. The first portrayal of a skier with two ski poles dates to 1741.

The advancement and development of equipment and ski lifts drove skiing to evolve into two main genres in the 1930s, Alpine or down-hill skiing and Nordic or cross-country skiing. The Nordic disciplines comprise of cross-country skiing and ski jumping, which commonly share the use of binding that attach at the toes of the skier's boots but not at the heels. Cross-country skiing may be practiced on dressed trails or in under developed backcountry areas. Alpine skiing typically takes place on a piste at a ski resort. It is characterized by fixed-heel bindings that attach at both the toe and the heel of the skier's. Backcountry skiing can be accessed by helicopter or snowcat. Telemark skiing is a ski turning technique and FIS-sanctioned discipline where equipment similar to Nordic skiing are used and the ski bindings having the ski boot attached only at the toe. Nowadays, there are many variants to snow skiing such as snowboarding, which can be tried out. Even physically challenged people can learn to ski with the aid of technology which now provides special skiing equipment. So, do not just look at the snow from your window. Go out, take a deep breath and relish the wonders and marvels of nature. Skiing is a wonderful hobby and it is also a sport that keeps you fit for life.

Hobbylancer and You

At Hobbylancer, discover great skiing spots, interact with other skiers and learn the techniques of the activity. Connect with skiers from around the world, sign up for skiing expeditions and set out on your next big skiing adventure. Share videos, apply to part of teams and explore the world of skiing with us at Hobbylancer.