Where did skiing come from?

It is centuries old, exact origins unknown. Widely attributed to ancient Norsemen who began gliding on long flat boards to cross vast snow covered distances more quickly. They called this mode of travel "shee" or "skee." Norseman who had to deal with downhill sections carried a stick -- the first ski pole -- which they dragged between their legs as a primitive brake.

Lift served downhill skiing evolved in Europe prior to World War I, and became popular in the USA in the 1930s. Cross country and downhill skiing did not become thought of as separate sports in this country until Hannes Schneider brought the Arlberg method to North Conway NH in the late 1930s.

For more information on the evolution of skiing in the USA, I suggest you visit The New England Ski Museum website:

http://www.skimuseum.org/view3.html

First answer by ID1378551806. Last edit by Rickbolger. Contributor trust: 92 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 37 [recommend question]

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