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Posts Tagged ‘Skiing’

Don’t you adore winter months? Or, much more significantly, Do you really adore spending time within the cold winter climate? If so, and you are looking for an excellent fresh hobby to try this winter months, consider snowboarding.

For numerous people, the concept of snowboarding sounds perilous, like it was only for bizarre younger guys. The concept of snowboarding on a big hill or mountain peak sounds daunting enough and the concept to do it on a snowboard seems way too difficult to be attempted. If they’re your thoughts, you should think again. Whether you have been snowboarding for many years or if you have never got down a winter months mountain, snowboarding can be an excellent method to spend winter days .

For those who have been a skier and therefore are planning on branching out into the world of snowboarding, good luck. The best guidance I could give you is to have patience. Simply because snowboarding is similar to snowboarding but yet very different, some individuals who ski well, might discover that snowboarding comes effortlessly and rapidly while others will discover the learning procedure difficult and quite frustrating. Please don’t give up simply because finally the techniques of snowboarding comes to almost anybody.

For those who have never been a skier, don’t have any panic. Having a skiing background is not always essential or even just valuable in understanding snowboarding proficiency. You, a non-ski expert, might really pick up the techniques of snowboarding a lot simpler than your skier friends. After some time you might find that snowboarding matches you like a glove.

Permit me to offer a few words of advice to anyone, ski expert or not, that really wants to enter the world of snowboarding. Initialy, do not expect you’ll jump on a board and pick up the ability all on your own. Just about all people will benefit greatly from using snowboarding lessons at the least to discover the actual fundamentals of the activity. So do not wait to sign your self up to buy a lesson or two prior to you go out for the slopes.

Another and perhaps much more essential little bit of advice is simple: lease. Avoid that temptation to run out and buy the latest board and snowboarding items simply to mimic a seasoned pro on the slopes. On your first few occasions out you should rent related equipment and take some time to discover what types of boards best meet your needs. By renting you are able to avoid making a costly slip-up that will leave you frustrated later.

So, regardless of whether you have been snowboarding for many years or not, each time winter arrives again make the choice to learn a new ability. Who knows, snowboarding may quick become the best source of entertainment.

The first evidence of skiing is from around 6300 BC to 5000 BC and skis made of hard wood dating from this age were found near Lake Sindor, in Russia. Other skis have also found in other locations made from the bones of large animas, with leather straps to bind the person’s feet to the ski. It is thought skiing evolved from snow shoeing as a mode of transport in northern Europe and Asia. The earliest skis were the pre-runners of modern day cross country skis and were for traversing across flat slopes.

A word sounding similar to ‘ski’ was used in Finland as far back as 6000 BC and cave drawings dating back 4000 years have been found in Norway showing skiers. Many old skis have been found in Norway dating back to around 3340 BC to 2940 BC.The ‘Salla’ ski was found in Finland and was 180 centimetres long and 15 centimetres wide and was thought to date from 3300 BC. Bog finds in Russia and rock paintings in Scandinavia show that skiing was definite a part of life in and around 3000 BC. The first ski with a curved edge was found in Finland and dates from 770 BC while the Liperi ski, found in eastern Finland, has a flat sole with a rounded boot space and dates from 450 BC.

Around 1500 years ago people started using skis lined with badger skin with bindings to attach the skis to their boots and in the Battle of Oslo (1200 AD), the Norwegians used skiing as a way of spying on their Swedish enemies. In 1747 Norway formed its first army Ski Company.

It was the Norwegian Sondre Norheim who developed the basis of skiing that we use today. In the 1850′s he experimented with creating stiff bindings using wet birch roots to tie his boots to his skis, thus allowing him far more control and then in 1870 he invented shorter, curved skis with more flexibility to allow turning. Mathuas Zdarskey then used this idea to develop even stiff bindings and allow the technique of pushing one ski at an angle to turn into the fall line and control speed on a descent. Hannes Schneider then went on to develop different stopping techniques, many of which we still use today.

Free skiing developed in the 1800′s but it did not become a recreational activity until 1868 when the mountains became more accessible to skiers by train and electric funiculars were invented around 10 years later to take skiers up the mountain.  It was not until the early 1900′s that skiing became popular and the first ski lift was invented in 1908. The development of the Telemark ski in the 19th century revolutionised skiing as it enabled much easier turning and the first ski package holidays were offered in 1903 to Switzerland. The first slalom race was held in Switzerland in 1921 and the first winter olympics in Chamonix, France not long after. In 1930 New York hosted the first big air competition and in World War II, Finland troops used ski patrols to resist the Russian invaders and in 1945 the Americans fought the Germans in the Italian mountains on skis.

The first aluminium skis were invented in France in 1934 and in 1935 the first bindings to also grip the heel were used. By 1960 fibreglass skis were being successfully marketed and in 1964 all plastic boots were being used. Through out the 1950′s and 1960′s skiing was a sport enjoyed by the affluent classes but as ski resorts grew and more package holidays were offered it became a sport available to more.

 

Generally, there are many important types of the Alpine Skiing. The Alpine Skiing is one of the most advanced types of skiing down a mountain. Most of the people think that ,skiing down the hill is an entertainment but it is a sport rather than the winter. The Alpine skiing is not about going down in the edges of the mountain,  but also skiing straight down the mountain. So, it is  included in the sport. The Alpine skiing involves the longer skis which gives more control while going down the hill. It also involves the natural speed when you travel down the hill, so you have to control them and where you have to slow down or change the directions.

The Alpine skiing is actually branched from the another form of skiing called the cross-country skiing. The main difference in the cross-country skiing is that, you do not start at the top of a slope. Instead, you use the skis on the bottom of your feet in the poles. With the evolution of Alpine skiing, the development of ski lifts are emerged. They are designed with the purpose of transporting the Alpine skiers to the top of the mountain slopes after a trip down. The Ski lifts are available to skiers in all the ski resorts. The Alpine skiing has quickly grown popular in different regions of the world. Some of these places include the North America, Europe, New Zeal and, Japan  and South Korea.

In order to get the Alpine skiing experience, it is important and careful to choose your equipment. It is always best to ask the advice of a professional about the type of the Alpine skiing equipment. They are,

Remember that a proper ski binding adjustments reduce the risk of injuries while skiing.
Then make sure that the ski boots fit your feet comfortably
Then take almost care in your dressing which is suitable for the Alpine skiing conditions.

Then if you are not interested in the thrill seeking skiing of Alpine skiing. Then you can prefer the cross country skiing, which takes away the majority of risk that is involved in Alpine skiing and has more  endurance in the sport. There is also a ski jumping, which is usually seen at the Winter games. If you are interested in doing skiing especially in Alpine skiing, it is best to take some lessons, and do some research and try it out that way.

Thus the skiing consists of lot of fun, but it can be dangerous as well. Then the Alpine skiing is really an  important factor, which can cause some serious injury. It is best to research and take the risk.

If you’re thinking of starting a new winter sport, you should know that the two most popular are skiing and snowboarding. There’s a bit of a healthy rivalry between these two sports, so you should consider which one you want to take up carefully.

You may be an accomplished skier looking to start up snowboarding or vice versa, in which case you’ll know firsthand all about your own sport. However you may also want to cross the divide and dabble with the other sport. In any case, here’s a guide to the differences between these two magnificent pursuits.

Similarities

Let’s start with their similarities. Both of these winter sports are downhill pursuits performed on snowy mountain or hill sides. They are both incredibly popular and create hours and hours of fun. Mountain ranges all over the world play host to some of the most outstanding resorts with dedicated professionals, budding amateurs and countless holiday makers, travellers and visitors all hitting the slopes either to ski or snowboard. So, what are the differences?

Equipment

The main difference between the two is the equipment used. Skiing, the more original of the two sports, uses two ski boards that are strapped to each foot with bindings. These boards are much thinner and longer than in snowboarding. Feet are placed forwards within the bindings, and skiers propel themselves downwards, using ski poles to help with navigation. For snowboarders, they just use one board, which is wider and not as long. Both feet are attached to the board using bindings, just like with skiing but your feet are placed side by side on the same board.

Bindings

For skiers it’s much easier to release their feet from these bindings; however for snowboarders it’s much more difficult. The different placement of the feet makes another difference between skiing and snowboarding. The former feels a lot more natural where as snowboarding can be more difficult to pick up. However this depends on the person as some people may find snowboarding much easier to pick up.

Terrain

The types of terrain that either sport can be performed on also differ. This is because of the equipment used as previously mentioned. As skiers are using both feet and have ski poles to help propel and navigate, they can perform on various terrains, performing over moguls and through wooded areas. Therefore skiing is good on bumps and ice. Snowboarders on the other hand perform on terrain that is a lot smoother due to the limitations of their control. Therefore snowboarders prefer powder and heavy snow.

Injuries

As a consequence of this, skiers do often suffer from more knee injuries than snowboarders because the motion is a lot harsher on the knees. Having said that, snowboarders can suffer from wrist injuries too, this is due to the force of their falls. When stationary there’s a difference between the two sports as well. For skiers, their poles can act as support when stationary; however for snowboarders they are usually sat down when not moving as they have no support from poles.

Falling Down

When trying to master either sport, you’ll be spending a lot of time falling over. Now for skiers it can be much easier to get back up, however you have to gather more equipment. For snowboarders, getting back up can prove to be very difficult and certainly takes time to master; having said that, you have much less equipment to look for and gather if you do fall over.

Both sports are fantastically exhilarating and whilst the objective of these downhill winter sports is similar, they also differ tremendously in terms of equipment, technique, style and culture. Snowboarding is the new kid on the block, having been created in the 1970′s or you could go for the more traditional, yet equally as popular sport of skiing. It is generally considered that skiing is easier to pick up than snowboarding, yet snowboarding offers something different to the winter sports enthusiast. Both sports have their army of followers, but which one will you choose?

Along with the skis, the sport requires the ski bindings and ski boots. The Skiing Rock Mountain is a demanding sport which subjects to the repeated stresses and involves the tiring exertion at high altitude.

You can enjoy skiing with different techniques, these techniques gives the resolution for all the problems of skiing in the Rock Mountain and they are discussed below. They are,

At first, when you come across a falling line on a mountain try to ski straight down without taking some turns. This work is best on the moderate pitches which are open without any obstacles.
Then, while skiing try to look ahead so that you can put forward your movement into a manageable stand point.
The Ski behind someone is faster than the technique which provides a moving target to ski with a  much faster speed.

One of the most important things in skiing Rock Mountain is the important boot balance. Now the ski manufacturers have added a special feature in boots and it is known as the canting adjustment ,which is a vital requirement in skiing and it is possible for the boot balancing. For women, the boots may be slightly mounted forward.

The selection of the perfect skis: Nowadays, the equipment options are available in a wide variety and it is bit difficult to choose the right skis. The main types of ski races are the Powder Skis, All Mountain Skis and the Carving Skis. The significant factor in the skis are their side cut. The difference in the width when comparing to the ski with its tail is known as the Side cut. The Side cut decides the radius of the ski’s Turing.

The Right ski selection is important because, it should fit into the style of skiing. There are more number of short cuts which requires the side cuts. The Customized Skis are also available for the women. There are different skiing levels for skiing in the Rock Mountains. You should go through these levels first, so that you will come to know which category you should try out.

Level one: They are the beginners and just now they are trained by the rookie skiers.
Level two skiers: These are the careful beginners who can ski using the basic ski types difficult for them and the skiers have skied twice or thrice before their lives.
Level three skiers: The Level-three skiers are the experienced beginners who are able to stop the circular snow plow which turns the simple learner tracks.
Level four: The Level-four-skiers are those people who can take the several linked-turns but are slow when compared to the trained ones.
Level six: They are more confident to make the turns in parallel directions and they can move easily on the blue trails. They need definite poles to take the turns.

Generally, it is more risky to ski in the rocky mountains but after a good research and training there is a good possibility of skiing around the same in a better way!

Cross Country Skiing, also know as nordic skiing or xc skiing requires some basic equipment that one can either rent or purchase. For the recreational cross country skiier looking to tour in their backyard or at a local cross country ski touring center, the beginner will need xc touring skis, boots, bindings and poles. Unlike alpine skiing, nordic skis are attached to the binding by only the toe, allowing the boot to flex as you are propelled forward. The cross country skis are narrower and lighter than their alpine cousin, and ski pole lenght is typically longer.

The sport of cross country skiing has two main techniques – classic skiing and skate skiing. The recreational user generally begins with the classic method, which is what most people typically have seen, using the diagnol stride. Classic cross country skiing for the beginner is a bit like walking or running. The skis are propelled forward by putting your weight on one leg and pushing forward with the heals down. The poles swing opposite the skis. Classic cross country skiing depends upon keeping your knees and ankel flexible, keeping your weight over one ski at a time, and putting the heel down first on the forward ski so you can engage the “kick zone” – where the wax or fish scales are located, and get enough traction to propel yourself forward. At first ski touring may require a bit more balance, since the ski bindings are fairly flexible and the heel is not attached to the ski. With enough practice, cross country skiing becomes easy and will allow you to get away from the crowds and into some beautiful winter scenery. For the beginning cross country skiier, taking a cross country ski lesson is well worth it.

Skate skiing is also great fun, but requires separate equipment, since skate skis are typically shorter, the bindings are much more rigid, and the boot is stiff. Some choose to dive right into skate skiing, since it is faster and requires more cardiovasular output. Skate skiing is a bit like speed skating, so if you have ever been ice skating, the transition is not too tough.

Most beginning xc skiiers have a tendancy to over dress. Nordic skiing is a cardiovasular sport and considerable energy is excerted. Dress in layers, so as you warm up as you are skiing you can shed the layers and remain comfortable throughout your ski.

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Cross country skiing opportunities in California can be found in both Southern California and Northern California. Southern California cross country ski trails are a bit less predictable for snow conditions than the Northern California cross country ski trails. In Southern California the cross country skier can find groomed trails at the Rim Nordic Ski Area in Running Springs, CA which is part of the San Bernardino Mountains. This area, situated near Big Bear, gets snow, but check with the xc ski area first to make sure there is enough of the white stuff to ski on. The Los Padres National Forest, also in Southern California offers cross country skiing, just north of Los Angeles.

Northern California is the cross country skier’s paradise for XC skiing. One of the premier locations for skiing is Mammoth Lakes, California. A cross country skier in Mammoth can ski on both groomed nordic trails as well as backcountry multi-use trails. Tamarack cross country ski area offers more than 35 miles of groomed trails, and is situated in the Lakes Basin area of Mammoth. The nordic ski trails are groomed daily. Cross country skis can be rented or purchased from Brian’s Bicycles and Cross Country Skis tel. (760) 924-8566, situated in town. Brian has been in business for over 30 years and offers great service. Groomed by the Forest Service, the Obsidian Dome cross country ski area offers free xc skiing and is situated 13 miles north of Mammoth Lakes on Highway 395. The Forest Service also grooms over 100 miles of multi-use trails throughout the Mammoth Lakes region. These trails are groomed weekly, and can be used by recreational xc skiers, snowmobilers, and those loving to show shoe. Mammoth Lakes gets considerable amounts of snow during the winter season and snow conditions are reliable.

The other hot spot in Northern California for nordic skiing is the Lake Tahoe area. One cross country ski resort includes the Kirkwood XC Ski Center situated just south of Lake Tahoe in the Eldorado National forest. The Tahoe-Donner Cross Country Ski Center and Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort both offer miles of groomed xc ski trails in the Lake Tahoe area. The Bear Valley Cross Country Ski area offers 45 miles of groomed nordic trails on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

For the Californian looking to go out on the skinny skis there are a lot of great xc ski areas. Having reliable ski equipment can make your experience even more enjoyable. For all your cross country ski gear needs Brian’s Bicycles and Cross Country Skis is California’s premier cross country ski shop. Visit the shop in Mammoth Lakes, California or purchase equipment at our online shop (xcskistore.com). Enjoy your ski!

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The sport of skiing has been around in its current form for over 200 years but dates back far longer. Initially in ancient times skiing was used for transportation from one place to another. Skiing has become one of the most popular winter recreational and competitive sports in the world. The different turns and techniques of skiing developed by Norheim went through a series of metamorphosis leading to the advent of advanced skiing techniques that are practiced today.

There are various types of skiing namely, alpine skiing, backcountry skiing, cross-country skiing, extreme skiing, telemark skiing, speed skiing, ski jumping, ski mountaineering, etc. So whatever type of skiing you want to indulge in you have to gain a sound understanding of the different techniques before you actually hit the slopes.

Some basic skiing techniques include the parallel turn, the carve turn, snow plow and the telemark turn to name a few. Out of these the parallel turn is used mostly by advanced skiers. Which technique to use all depends on the terrain you are skiing in and your personal skiing ability.

Most of the time an advanced skier will use most techniques on a single run depending on the particular instance. Some advanced techniques also include:

Straight downhill running: This technique is basically to go straight down the slope without turning. There are a number of instances where a skier wants or needs to gather speed. This technique is ideal for getting across flat areas or areas with a slight incline.

Downhill traverse: The most common technique used for descending over a variety of diverse terrains. To traverse means to glide across the slope at a slight downward angle. When skiing at a resort a traverse is usually necessary to get from the chair lift to the tops of the ski runs. Skiers in the backcountry will traverse to travel over terrain easily and quickly.

Snowplow: Widely used for slowing down, stopping or controlling forward motion by bringing the tips of your skis together forming a “v” shape. This is the first turn a beginner skier learns since it provides the most stability and control, however, advanced skiers still use the snowplow when needed.

Side slipping: Another braking technique employing a sliding action that is used to descend short pitches that are to difficult to ski the conventional way. A skier stands perpendicular to the slope and slides sideways downhill, sliding down the slope a foot or two at a time.

Step turn: The step turn is used to make a 180 degree turn while standing on the spot. It is particularly useful for making a switchback on a trail while ski touring. A skier simply stand perpendicular to the slope and swings the downhill ski around 180 degrees.

Sidestep: used for ascending/climbing short, steep slope in a restricted space amidst logs, stumps and other obstructions. The skier stands perpendicular to the slope and takes a step uphill with the uphill ski and then follows with the downhill ski. This is repeated until the skier climbs to the desired point.

Straight uphill climbing: To ascend gentle and moderate slopes. This technique requires the use of “skins” on the base of the skis to grip the snow and allow the skier to move uphill. Skins are made from synthetic hairs that are placed on to an adhesive backing. The hairs are positioned to point to the back of the ski.

Hip Plant: The hip plant technique is used a lot by expert skiers to reduce speed quickly. When skiing on extreme slopes the hip plant is the safest way to reduce speed and regain control.

If you are a beginner the best way to get a thorough understanding of skiing and its numerous techniques is to enroll in a ski school at your local resort. Before attempting anything advanced it is important to have a good understanding of the basics. This is true in skiing and most other aspects of life. Once you can confidently perform the basics of skiing such as the snow plow or parallel turn then move on to more advanced skiing techniques.

There is a great reason for which we love winter: winter sports. And for lovers of winter sports there are at least four reasons to prefer Europe: Italy, Austria, France, Switzerland. What they all have in common? Dignified Alps with their dizzying heights and ridges where snow never melts. And I think all skiers know what that means: skiing all year round.

Why skiing in Italy? Italy is the owner of a substantial slice of paradise for winter sports. Italy has the Dolomites with 1220 kilometers of ski slopes in 12 regions, 8 of 10 sunny days and 90% of guaranteed snow slopes (due to artificial snow systems). Like the Italian highways, ski areas are famous for their well-maintained trails, sunny and immaculate white. Italy offers many options for skiing. There are ski areas all year round or just summer ski areas. North – west of Italy is one of the best choices for ski vacations. Italian ski resorts are not as famous as those in Switzerland and Austria, but have a special charm, partly because of innate hospitality and friendship of the Italians and their positive attitude towards life.

Why skiing in Austria? Well, suffice to mention only that skiing is a tradition in Austria. Once you’ve skied in Austria will remain devoted to this cradle of the white sport. What do offer in addition to other places Austria? A great variety of attractions, numerous ski areas, from large, international, to the intimate, family, the best prepared slopes. Also ski kindergartens and auxiliary programs, recommends the ideal destination for families! Due to glaciers, ski season last 365 days!

Why France? Of course, Italy has the Dolomites and the “Dolce Vita”, but France is Mont Blanc and the “je ne sais quoi.” Maybe the French ski resorts are not as picturesque as those in Italy or Austria, but it certainly offers one of the coolest ski sensation in Europe, with very long slopes and near the right accommodation! France has a tradition of ski resorts for over 20 years. With the advantage on her side of the Alps, France has varied ski area, a long winter season and quality service. From the north, from Mont Blanc to the south, in Dauphine, French Alps host no fewer than 200 mountain resorts. Each region has its specificity, so that tourists can find the best winter destination.

Finally, but not last, “queen” ski destinations in Europe, Switzerland. Skiing in Switzerland can be characterized by “luxury”. Endless trails, mountain villages with a special atmosphere, specific mountain trains and train station located at the highest elevation in Europe (3400 m)! In fact, one of Switzerland’s strengths is the train rides, rides offering breathtaking mountain scenery. Prices slightly higher quality service guarantee. Skiing is assured throughout the year over 3000m altitude! Also in Switzerland are two of the most famous mountain ski resorts in the world: Zermatt and St. Moritz, last holding the highest standards of skiing in Europe, being in the past host of the Winter Olympics.

What is unique about skiing in Europe in the areas above is that you can enjoy skiing experience without boundaries. It is not unusual to pass the border on skis, for example in Italy there are places where you can ski directly into another country (i.e. international ski area Vialattea totaling six ski resorts in Italy and resort Montgenèvre in France).

More information about skiing in Europe right here: www.skiingineurope.net

 

Cross country skiing is one of the most all body workout there is. Cross country skiing is a great way to get out of the house during the long winter, and enjoy the great outdoors, while getting in shape. Nordic skiing also burns calories. With a moderate pace xc skiing can burn anywhere from 470 calories to 745 calories per hour. If you are racing then nordic skiing may burn anywhere from 900 to 1500 calories per hour. For average person burning 3500 calories will result in the loss of one pound of weight. So a couple hours a day of cross country skiing can shed those extra pounds fast! Many have used the nordic track one time in their life – the real thing is a lot more fun! This sport is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. You can enjoy the beauty of nature – mountain vistas, lakes, snow covered meadows all while experiencing a total body workout. Nordic skiing uses the entire body – arms, legs, lungs – all your muscle groups! It is a cardiovascular sport – so it exercises your lungs as well.

Cross Country Skiing, also known as nordic skiing or xc skiing requires some basic equipment that one can either rent or purchase to enjoy this sport. For the recreational cross country skier looking to tour in their backyard or at a local cross country ski touring center, the beginner will need xc touring skis, boots, bindings and poles. Unlike alpine skiing, xc skis are attached to the binding at only the front of the foot, allowing the boot to flex as you are propelled forward. The cross country skis are narrower and lighter than their alpine cousin, and ski pole length is typically longer.

The sport of nordic skiing has two main techniques – classic and skate skiing. The beginner wanting to tour out their back door generally begins with the classic method, which is what most people typically have seen, using the diagnol stride. Classic cross country skiing for the beginner is a bit like walking – only that you have snow under foot. The xc skis are propelled forward by putting the weight on one leg and pushing forward with the same leg. The poles swing opposite the skis. Classic cross country skiing depends upon keeping your knees and ankle flexible, keeping your weight over one ski at a time, and putting the heel down first on the forward ski so you can engage the “kick zone”. The kick zone is where the wax or fish scales are located. You want enough traction to propel yourself forward. At first ski touring may require a bit more balance, since the ski bindings are fairly flexible and the heel is not attached to the ski. With enough practice, cross country skiing becomes easy and will allow you to get away from the crowds and into some beautiful winter scenery. For the beginning cross country skiier, taking a cross country ski lesson is well worth it.

Most beginning xc skiers have a tendency to over dress. Nordic skiing is a cardiovasular sport and considerable energy is exerted. Dress in layers, so as you warm up as you are skiing you can shed the layers and remain comfortable throughout your ski. Skis and ski cloths can be purchase at our online store http://xcskistore.com.

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