As each school year ends, summer is on our minds. When the new school season arrives, we have the fall to look forward to. But what about after fall? While some dread the drop of snow and decrease in temperature, many people see the season as the most eventful. More activities, more festivities, and, of course, skiing.

Skiing is a recreational activity where the one who is participating slides across the snow in a carving motion. It’s also considered to be a large international competitive sport. Skiing originated around 600 BC in Scandinavia. It began as a sport in 1843 in Norway. Many people wait all year in anticipation for the winter season, just for the wintry season, to carve down a large snowy mountain.

Some people may be wondering why others would spend money to go down a large mountain on two little boards. As deranged as the concept may be, skiing is very beneficial for human health. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced skier, you give your cardiovascular system a good workout by coming down the hill. This will elevate your heart rate and increase blood circulation, bringing more nutrients and oxygen to your tissues and helping to make you stronger. If wearing the right amount of cold weather clothing, you can stay nice and warm to keep your muscles from tightening up.

Some of the more common types of skiing include:

Alpine:

This is the most common form of skiing. Sliding down snowy slopes with fixed heel bindings. Alpine skiing is very common at ski resorts with the use of ski lifts, artificial snow, and grooming.

Cross Country:

If the name didn’t give it away, Cross Country skiing involves different terrains and long horizontal trails. The movement needed to ski is generated by the locomotion of the skier, rather than gravity helping you down the hill. The skis used are much longer and narrower. This form is considered to be a recreation and a sport.

Freestyle:

Freestyle skiing brings in more challenging factors that what you’ll find with Alpine skiing. Different obstacles or “challenges” include: moguls (large bumps), half-pipes, and aerial jumps. This type of skiing is more in favor to athletes or competitive skiers.

As you may see, skiing is more than just a fun hobby. It became a practice more than 5 millenniums ago. Despite the costs and cold weather that some might not be able to bear, skiing provides a fun activity for the weekend warriors who love the cold. At FHS, we have many opportunities to get out and try this recreation. If you have a slow friday, why not get out and hit the slopes?