WHISTLER-How Skiing Began

HOW SKIING BEGAN
Skiing in Whistler is very popular and is the activity of gliding over snow using skis. These were originally wooden planks. You will see the type of skis now used at Whistler are usually made from fiberglass or related composites and are strapped to the feet with ski bindings. Originally used primarily for transportation, skiing evolved into a popular recreational and competitive activity during the 20th century.

Although skiing probably evolved gradually from snowshoeing, Norwegian Sondre Norheim is often called the 'father of modern skiing'. In the 19th century he invented bindings that enabled the skier to do turns while skiing down hills, this form of skiing was called Slalom by Norheim and his contemporaries. This type of skiing is now referred to as Telemark or Telemark skiing. Skiing originally was a practical activity that resembled today's Nordic or cross country skiing style.

The invention of firmer bindings to attach the skiers feet to the ski, enabled the skier to turn more effectively and led to the development of Alpine and Downhill skiing. In the early 20th century Austrian Hannes Schneider pioneered the idea of rotating the body to help steer the skis. This Arlberg technique, named for his home region, soon spread around the world and helped make skiing a popular recreational activity.

In some places, particularly in the United States skiing is often associated with wealth. Some resorts in the American state of Colorado are known as places where the affluent go on vacation. As all skiing equipment can now be hired this helps open the sport for more people to enjoy.

The term "ski bum" has been used to classify skiers who want to spend the entire skiing season at the resort engaging in their favorite sport whilst obtaining simple jobs, mainly in the local tourism industry to make a living. In reality many different types of people engage in skiing. Some people take days off of work occasionally, go after work, after school, or on the weekends and for short trips if the ski resort is near their home.

Recently skiers and snowboarders have engaged in rivalry on and off the slopes, which is usually friendly and increases the notoriety of both sports, snowboarders often share hills with downhill skiers.