When you’re on that chairlift looking out at the beautiful mountains and then staring down at your skis, thinking, who in their right mind thought it was a good idea to go down a mountain with two sticks strapped to boots as fast as you can? At the same time, thanking the Gods  you are on a chair lift to carry your butt up the mountain rather than bootpacking or skinning up.  Who invented this crazy sport and why?  

The history of skiing traces all the way back to ancient times with Rock carvings and paintings depicting skis preserved in bogs dating back to 8000-6000 BC. Hundreds of ski fragments have been found in bogs in Sweden Norway, and Finland that are 1,000 to 3,500 years old.  

The oldest ski found dates back from 6300 BC and discovered near Lake Sindor in Russia.   However, skiing was not only in Europe but also in northern China, the Han Dynasty have written references, and 5000 yr old paintings suggest the use of skis. 

The ancestors of the Sami, the indigenous people in Scandinavia, are believed to be the first community to invent skiing.  The Sami had renowned skills during Roman times to use their skis for hunting.

In 1206 A.D., Norwegian military skiers, the Birkebeiners (Thorstein Skevla and Skjervald Krukka) carried , 2-year-old Haakon Kaakonson, the King’s heir over the Dovre Mountains from Lillehamer to Osterdalan, creating one of the most famed legendary backcountry races.  Since 1932,  the Birkebeiner race has continued along the same route from Rena to Lillehammer.

In the Early 1800’s, the design of the ski progressed and the cambered ski in Telemark, Norway was invented, skiing had become a popular sport and recreational activity.  1860’s, Alpine ski racing as a sport was recognized in North America and Norway, and Ski Clubs were organized and created in Europe and North America.

By the 1930’s, Europe, North America, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Chile, and Argentina were all skiing.  The first Winter Olympics (1924) in Chamonix, France, featured Nordic Skiing but the popularity of downhill skiing was growing, by 1936 it was included in the Winter Games hosted in Germany. 

That same year, the first chairlift was invented by James Curran and installed in Sun Valley, Idaho. After the installation, all resorts started to develop different devices like rope tows (T bars, poma) and gondolas, allowing skiers to go up and down the mountain multiple times, eliminating the tiring climbs up.  Best invention ever!

Fast forward years later, technology and innovative designs of new skis, boots and gear have advanced to become lighter and stronger.  Skis and equipment have been designed for different terrains and level of skiers.  Outdoor manufacturers are much more aware of environmentally friendly materials to use in their equipment to protect our environment.   

Although skiing was created for war, hunting, and transporting, we are blessed to have it evolve to be one of the best winter recreational activities!