Alternative Forms Of Snow Skiing

Article Written By: Adriana Noton

Cross-country skiing, also known as Nordic, has been around for a long time. Tracing its roots to Norway and Sweden, Telemark and ski jumping are also types of Nordic skiing. The bindings on the boots in this sport attach to the skier's boots' toes, and the heels have no bindings. However, Alpine is different. Tracing its roots to the Alps of Europe and also known as downhill, the bindings attach differently. They fasten to both the toes and heels of the skier's boots. Alpine includes such types as alpine freestyle, freestyle, and freeskiing. While the latter two basically evolved from the former, they all involve using balance and acrobatics in the air.

Nordic skiing is also referred to as cross-country. No preconceived ski area is necessary for this, as it comes from a very old kind of ski race. Participants raced on terrain that was partly uphill, partly downhill, and partly flat. Before it became a well-known race, cross-country was more known as a way of travel in winter.

Freestyle cross-country is slightly different. As long as the origin of power is human, any method can be used to move along on the skis. The classic way to ski cross-country is similar to the freestyle method, but any skating action is prohibited.

Outdoor parks known as terrain parks are where these skiers hone their skills. Imagine a skateboard park for skiers. Freeriding, known also as freeskiing, is an offshoot of freestyle. There is a major difference, however. Freeriders, instead of using terrain parks, opt to use natural open spaces such as isolated backcountry spots and mountainsides. Freeriders also use cliffs or natural runs to make their experiences even better.

Ski competitions have enjoyed great popularity over the years. Especially popular, though, are Nordic jumping, slalom racing, and downhill racing. Downhill is a race to a given finish line straight down a mountain. It is timed and the winner is whoever skis fastest.

Slalom racing is not too dissimilar. Skiers race downhill as fast as possible. However, the difference is that skiers must pass through a series of gates, known as slaloms, on the way down to the finish line. Each gate has one red pole and one blue pole and racers must pass between each colored pole that constitutes a gate.

Nordic jumping also goes downhill, but it isn't timed. Length is the key for this sport. The skier starts downhill on the snow, then onto a ramp, and then into the air. He or she travels in the air as far as can be without alighting. The farthest jumper wins. And no poles are used.

About the Author

If you're considering skiing on the mountains in the Collingwood area, then finding Blue Mountain accommodation should be on your to-do list. A nice cozy cottage is perfect for warming up after a long day of skiing the slopes.

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