Skiing has increasingly changed since its origin in the 1760s. The equipment, skill, competition, and social aspects of skiing have all developed significantly. Skiing was initially used as a method of transportation but became a sport enjoyed recreationally or competitively. In 1767, ski competitions started in the military for monetary prizes. These competitions are the forerunners of biathlons, which combine skiing and target shooting. The first non-military national skiing competition was held in Christiania, now Olso, Norway, in 1868. Sondre Norheim won this competition. It is regarded as the beginning of a new era of skiing enthusiasm.
In the 19th century, skiing became an Olympic sport. According to Britannica, in 1936, at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, both men’s and women’s skiing debuted on the Olympic program. Downhill and slalom were the only events featured that year. Competitions have developed to include more than just downhill and slalom events. Local and Olympic competitions are divided into Nordic, Alpine, and Freestyle events. Nordic skiing includes cross-country racing, jumping, and biathlon. Alpine skiing is downhill, straight racing, and slalom racing around a series of markers.
The structure of skiing competitions has significantly evolved; the equipment required for skiing has changed with it. Kurt Stewart has been skiing for 39 years and worked as a ski instructor at Jack Frost for 15 years. When asked how he has seen skiing change over the last 20 years, he reflected, “The equipment has changed a lot. Skis are not as long now, and they have more shape to them. The sport is way more diverse, and I am seeing a lot of new people coming to learn how to do it.”
There are a variety of youth and adult skiing competition teams. These teams provide athletes with a structured program to promote success as defined by the person’s competitive racing goals. Teams honor their racing skills per the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Sports Education Program to develop strong athletes who desire to compete at high levels. Early in the season, these teams focus on fundamental ski techniques through structured free skiing. They progress throughout the season to shift focus to race tactics and increased exposure to gate training. According to Jack Frost Big Boulder Race Team, skiers are expected to compete in Eastern PA Regional Races and may be invited to PA State Championships.
18-year-old high school student Elizabeth Flexer started skiing at one-and-a-half years old and was a Pennridge Ski and Snowboard Club member during 9th and 10th grade. As a ski instructor at Bear Creek, she races occasionally in Bear Creek’s NASTAR program. She has seen the social aspect change and, with that, skiers’ confidence levels. Comparing middle school to high school, Flexer states, “I feel like a lot of middle school skiers are more hesitant when they go on trips because they are younger, but once they hit high school and go on trips, they get very full of themselves and do riskier things that could put them and others in danger.”
Bear Creek runs skiing races for the public between January 2nd and February 28th. They take place on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. NASTAR Giant Slalom races are on Tuesdays, and NASTAR Slalom races are on Wednesdays. Skiers’ runs during a race depend on how much they pay for. $10 pays for two runs at one of these races. $20 is worth unlimited runs at the race. A NASTAR Season Pass costs $90 and gets each skier unlimited runs at every race during the 2023-24 winter season. The season passes are available for purchase at the Snowsports School before the race. The equipment, skill, competition, and social aspects of skiing have all developed significantly, resulting in a better sport.
Sources:
https://www.bcmountainresort.com/activities/ski-snowboarding/nastar/
https://www.mabeyski.com/app/uploads/2021/02/Mabey-Ski_Ski-History_The-history-of-Ski-1024×1024.jpg
https://www.britannica.com/topic/military-skiing
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slalom#:~:text=Synonyms%20of%20slalom-,1,series%20of%20flags%20or%20markers
https://jfbbraceteam.com/competition-team/
https://www.boardie.se/ski-race
https://olympics.com/en/sports/alpine-skiing/#:~:text=Men’s%20and%20women’s%20Alpine%20skiing,separate%20downhill%20and%20slalom%20races
