Before skiing became a sport skis were mostly used for non recreational purposes like basic transportation for personal and business reasons. The oldest ski ever found (~4500 years old) was discovered in Sweden.
There is evidence though, through old cave and rock drawings that show that skis might have existed even before the ones found more than 4500 years ago. To start with, hunters and travelers might have used skis as they were used quite a few times during the long winter months in Northern Europe and Russia. Fast movement was not an issue when creating the first designs for skis because they were mostly needed keep people from sinking into the snow surfaces when they traveled around.
When you look at the history of downhill skiing, Norwegians from the Telemark area of Norway are thought to have been the first to turn skiing into a sport. This was around the year 1700. These crazy Norwegians (I am part Norwegian so I can say that) are also credited with coming up with both the Telemark and Christie turns which help to control downhill control and speeds. With a love of alpine skiing and jumping, these early adopters created Nordic and Alpine skiing.
When you examine the history of downhill skiing in more detail you will discover that in the 1800′s the first jumping, skiing and cross country events started to occur. Then, in the 1900′s skiing really began to take off when Norway’s neighbors, the Europeans, discovered how thrilling skiing was. Nordic style equipment was used heavily during this time. The first Winter Olympic Games in Chamonix, France in 1924 reinforces this information. This first set of games only had five sport events of which two were Nordic – Nordic Ski Jumping and Combined. Then, in 1932, the first Winter Olympic Games took place in Lake Placid, NY. This Olympics featured an additional event – Cross Country Skiing.
When skiers began taking on more and more rough terrain, their gear and skills required them to adapt. Being able to make Telemark turns worked fine in Norway’s rolling, mostly flat terrain but the skis did have the needed control needed on European slopes like the Alps. This is why the concept of Alpine skiing was crafted.
When you read about the history of skiing downhill you’ll discover that Alpine Ski gear use a special type of boot that is mounted to the ski with both the boot’s toe and heel section attached to it. This supplies the skier with greater control so they can ski faster and better negotiate steep terrain.
Both downhill and slalom skiing came into existence by incorporating using this more modern and newer gear. As a result, the Winter Games (Austria – 1936), the very first alpine Skiing Event took place in the Olympic and it was named “the combined”. Additionally, during the 1930′s, Europeans adopted alpine skiing and its popularity zoomed. When World War II ended, ski areas (with ski lifts) started up in Austrian and Swiss Alpine ski resorts.
Then, during the 1952 Oslo Winter Olympics, the new event named the Giant Slalom began. The Giant Slalom incorporated different parts from prior alpine Skiing Events.
The Super Giant Slalom, a combined Giant Slalom and downhill mix, was the 4th alpine skiing event added on to both the 1983 World Cup and 1988 Winter Olympic Games. During this period of time, skiing gear makers have been creating safer and faster equipment for athletes. This has brought the new gear to an even higher skill level. And along with better training it has improved all parts of this fantastic sport.
All types of downhill skiing are increasing in popularity. Skiing is one of those sports that can be enjoyed for your whole life.