Skiing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Skiing - Essay Example In USA, the first record of the use of skis was in Wisconsin in the year 1841 with the first ski race being held in 1867. Other famous events in the ski history in the US were held in the 1930s in locations such as Utah, Idaho, Stowe, Sun Valley and Ulta among others. Recreational skiing, which is the most popular type, has been traced to have originated in the Scandinavian countries with Norway being the location where it was most used. Initially, skiing was used as a method of movement (travel) as used by hunters across the snow-bound regions. In this period, steering and stopping techniques were developed while also various types of skiing such as Alpine and ski jumping were established as well. With the migration and traveling of the Norwegians around other parts of the world, there was an emergence of skiing as a sport. 1n 1924, the first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France where skiing sport was part of the military competitions. During this time, the ski equipment was greatly improved while the transportation devices for carrying skiers were also developed. With a growing interest in the recreational activity, there was an emergence of ski resorts largely in the urbanized areas. By the World War II, skiing sport had grown into a large industry that went beyond the traditional hardcore group such as the college club students and ski jumpers. After the war, the skiing industry experienced a rapid growth that was characterized by an increase in the number of ski areas and an improvement of ski equipment among others. The Winter Olympic games of the year 1960 were televised, making the sport more popular among the American population. The post-1970s years have seen a continuous growth of the sport that has seen the skiing industry become what there is in this day (Goeldner & Standley, 105-106). Today, there are numerous types and styles in which the sport enthusiasts enjoy it.