Long considered a means of transport and travel in countries with harsh winters, "Skiing" has become over time, a sport first practiced in the Nordic countries before spreading to the rest of the world.

Indeed, skiing, which is a sport of sliding and nature, has quickly spread thanks to the rise of ski resorts, offering enthusiasts wishing to practice it, a variety of activities combining its playful and sporting side. Skiing is done with skates or "skis" and has different aspects.

1. Alpine or classic skiing

Invented by the English, it consists of descending a snowy slope with the help of skis. Some suitable equipment is required for his practice, namely sticks, head helmet, ski boots and a wetsuit.

Also alpine skiing brings together 5 disciplines:

The descent dubbed "queen discipline"

  • Slalom
  • The giant slalom
  • The Super G
  • The handset

2. Nordic skiing

This is essentially the fact that the heel of the shoe is not attached to the skis. Practising on flat ground, it is an endurance sport that has different aspects such as:

  • Cross-country skiing
  • Ski jumping
  • Biathlon
  • Nordic Combined

3. Freestyle or free-skiing

Still called free skiing, it is a discipline of alpine skiing. Considered an extreme sport, freestyle skiing consists of performing tricks from snow or metal structures.

Recently appeared, it is practiced in special areas called Snowpark or off-piste and includes 5 disciplines including:

  • Big air
  • Half-pipe
  • Slopestyle
  • Boardercross
  • Kicross

4. Freeride skiing or off-piste skiing

It is a variation of alpine skiing akin to ski touring. Meaning "free practice," it consists of descending unmarked slopes and sometimes covered with a nice layer of fresh powder.

5. Extreme skiing

Extreme skiing is the practice of skiing on so-called extreme slopes (above 50 degrees of slope). It is a discipline close to mountaineering and ski touring. Its main difference with the others is the climb of the slopes on foot to know the snow conditions and anticipate difficult passages.

Today, the term "extreme skiing" is being abandoned in favour of "steep slope."

6. Speed Skior or Kilometer Launched "KL"

This downhill format is an integral part of alpine skiing. It is a winter sport characterized mainly by the descent of a snow-covered track as quickly as possible with the help of skis.

It is practiced on very steep slopes of 400 m to more than a kilometer long, and certain safety rules must be respected by the skier "the KListe". Here is a video that shows the French champion Bastien Montès on the track of Verbier (Switzerland):

7. The monoski

This is a discipline in which, with the help of multi-purpose boards, can ski on powder snow as well as in mogul fields.

For its practice, adequate equipment is required, such as ski poles, skis with standard fasteners and with a foot position identical to the direction of the board and slope.

8. Snowboarding

Commonly referred to as "snowboarding or snowboarding," it's a surfing-inspired discipline. Indeed, the followers of this discipline have a board position identical to that of surfers. The equipment consists, in addition to the board, of a pair of fasteners and boots.

Snowboarding consists of three disciplines:
  • The race
  • Le Freestyle
  • Boardercross
9. Freestyle skiing or freestyle skiing

It is the only ski event in which all disciplines are present at the Olympic Winter Games. For his practice, a perfect mastery of acrobatic techniques and skiing are necessary. It is made up of six disciplines:

  • The acrobatic jump
  • The bumps
  • Parallel moguls or skicross
  • The half-pipe
  • Ballet or acroski

10. Telemark

Telemark is the oldest alpine skiing technique. It was invented by a Norwegian carpenter in Telemark County, hence its name. Characterized by descents made with the heel, allowing the execution of harmonious turns called "telemark turns", it is essentially an amateur discipline. It consists of three events:

  • Classic
  • classic sprint
  • Parallel Sprint

In total it can be noted that there are several forms of skiing and with the development of the equipment, they can prove to be passable both on snow and on the water.
 

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