The Long & Not-So Long Ago History of Skiing
As we are in the very beginnings of the skiing season across much of the northern hemisphere, it is important that we not forget how this great recreation came about, evolved and turned into a present-day phenomenon. Nearly all forms of skiing had its beginnings in something related to survival. Whether used for hunting, for gathering, for escape, for war, for military maneuvers or for traveling over expansive distances and mountains, we can thank those who persevered for the evolution later turned recreation sport of skiing. As you hit the slopes this holiday skiing season, be sure to keep in mind the histories of this now worldwide pastime.
Long Ago-ish History of Skiing:
I think it is safe to say—and historians who get paid to do this sort of research likely agree—that the modern type of skiing we know today was invented somewhere in northern Europe. Skis dating from about 5000 years ago were found on the border of France and Switzerland with a ski as old as 6500 years old found in a swampy bogland in Sweden. Even older drawings of skiers using one pole are depicted in carvings from over 7000 years ago in Nordland, Norway. A ski recently found and carbon tested dates at over 1000 years old.
Ergo, we can safely assume that, yes, northern Europe generally and Nordic people specifically were setting a world example even way back when. Most of the time, unlike today however, these Nordic and Sami populations used skiing as a way of survival and livelihood rather than recreation and holiday getaways. Be thankful (heck we should throw an annual party) that these guys survived to pass on their intimate knowledge of this sport.
Not So Long Ago-ish History of Skiing:
If you know some history of skiing, then you’ve probably heard the name Sondre Norheim pop up now and then around the midday meal. Some researchers give Norheim the honor of the “father of modern day skiing.” All those slopes you’ve enjoyed, all those innovations to your over-priced skiing equipment and all those cracked bones, twisted ankles and bruised knees and tailbones can be attributed, then, to Norheim himself.
Again, thanks goes out to northern Europe and Norway again, Norheim advanced the sport of skiing by his innovations in secure and stiffer ski bindings. He didn’t use animal skin or leather like others before him, but made his quite tough but pliant straps from the dug up (or newly dead) roots of birch trees. Norheim’s contribution, especially to downhill skiing, made it possible for skiers to not only go downhill faster, but accompany this newfound speed with jumps, turns and before unseen maneuvers—today, they might be aptly more known as “tricks.”
Norheim some decades later kept making improvements to his and other’s design with more narrow, curved and shorter skis—today’s telemarking. All sorts of woods and layers of wood were used for decades to come, and improvements came quickly with international exposure; however, Norheim’s crafty hand played a huge role in what we all get to enjoy (no matter the type or skiing) today.
Yes, you are certainly correct with norther Europe leading the way way back then to the improvements of modern day skiing. I am a ski instructor and have read about evidence prehistoric skiing in Asia as well as Europe. As you know but failed to point out, skiing evolved from snowshoeing and eventually became more sleek as people needed to travel faster over, down, around and through mountain passes. Norheim really only advanced the sport of modern downhill skiing in the middle 1800s. He also, as you said, did a lot with telemark skiing. Be sure to talk about Matthias Zdarsky in 1890s who invented even firmer bindings (and the “snowplow”) that made turning that much easier. With improvements, came ease of use; with ease of use came an interest; with this interest came the modern day craze of skiing.
This is a nice surmise of the histories of skiing. You both nicely point out the key inventors and give creed where credit is due but let’s not forget about Fritz Huitfeldt who used the toe iron. This little renovation in Norheim’s design gave the heel more range of motion and was used for about 40 years—longer than both Norheim and Zdarsky I believe. Skiing has changed today with all sorts of varieties, namebrands and styles, but these guys really do deserve some sort of collective festival in their name. Next time you’re out skiing with your buds, be sure to give a toast to these three (and others).
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