10 Interesting Facts About the Fascinating Sport of Skiing

How can the fascinating sport of skiing not have its own share of interesting facts? Here we bring to you the 10 most amazing ones, along with a few others. Take a look!
Mukulika Mukherjee
Last Updated: May 11, 2018
"You let yourself go," said Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, "gliding delightfully over the gentle slopes, flying down the steeper ones, taking an occasional cropper, but getting as near to flying as any earthbound man can. In that glorious air it is a delightful experience."
The slopes of the Swiss Alps are one of the most sought-after skiing destinations in the world today, but you'd be surprised to know that this was not the case always. Though, ski fragments dating back to circa 8000-7000 BC were discovered in Russia which indicate skiing existed during prehistoric times, it was more as mode of transport and that too limited to colder countries.
The credit to popularizing skiing as recreation and sport in the English speaking world goes to an unlikely source - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The creator of the famous Sherlock Holmes took a keen interest in skiing and convinced people of its safety and thrill through his articles in the Strand Magazine. He even inspired the locals to take up skiing, and the rest, as they say, is history! After this brief history lesson let us turn to some interesting and little known facts about skiing which, as you all know, is an immensely popular recreational activity and sport among people of all ages.
10 Fascinating Facts About Skiing
The first recorded downhill skiing race was held in Sweden, in 1879. Alpine skiing as a sport made its Winter Olympic debut in the year 1936.
A Little More About Skiing
- According to the International Ski Federation (FIS), one basic safety rule of skiing is to look up and down the slope before you start, so as not to collide with other skiers.
- The twin-tip ski allows the skier to take off and land backwards. It is a modified version of the alpine ski.
- Cross-country skiing is one of the seven winter sports that have been a part of every Winter Olympic Games till date.