Home Winter Skiing: Chasing the Snow down the Mountain Slope

Winter Skiing: Chasing the Snow down the Mountain Slope

The arrival of the winter season doesn’t usually arouse much enthusiasm and joy among the majority of people. Despite the efforts of the rain, the wind, the cold and the storms to show us the impressive power and beauty of nature, most of us still prefer the warm and sunny days of the spring and the summer. However, there’s an increasingly larger group of people who wait impatiently for the arrival of the coldest and snowiest months of the year. Yes, we’re talking about the passionate skiers.

Skiing is for many one of the most interesting outdoor sports and, of course, the activity that makes winter so special. For this reason, quite a few ski resorts and hotels in Belgium alone remain crowded during the whole ski season. Fortunately, there’s no need to be an expert to enjoy the pleasure of skiing, although most beginners will certainly appreciate some first lessons at a ski school.

Together with Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries, Belgium has become a popular ski destination that attracts thousands of skiers every year. Wouldn’t you also like to learn how to ski and join them this winter 2012? Let us just show you the basics and help you get started!

Choosing the equipment

Getting the right equipment is the first step to become a (great) skier. Have a look at the list below and discover what you need to conquer the snow this winter:

Choosing the right ski style for you

Could you tell the difference between alpine and Nordic skiing? Or between freeskiing and backcountry skiing? Because skiing consists of much more than sliding down a snow-covered mountainside with a pair of long thin boards, we’ll introduce you to the most popular ski types. You’ll be probably surprised to discover the amount of different existing ski styles, disciplines and techniques.

Alpine skiing

Unlike other ski styles, like Nordic skiing, alpine skiing consists of sliding down a snow-covered hill with fixed-heel bindings. This is the most popular ski type among recreational skiers in Europe and therefore the one you’re most likely to come into contact with. Slalom, giant slalom, super giant slalom and downhill are the four existing disciplines in competitive alpine skiing races.

Freeskiing or Newschool skiing

Freeskiing is a non-Olympic ski type that combines characteristics of inline skating, bicycle motocross and especially street skateboarding. If you’ve ever seen those impressive skiers performing miracles in the air, called aerials or somersault jumps, you’ve seen freeskiing.

Nordic skiing

As opposed to alpine skiing, Nordic skiing is a winter Olympic game in which skiers slide down snow-covered mountains without the heel of the boot being fixed to the ski. Cross-country skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined, Telemark skiing and biathlon are all Nordic disciplines.

Backcountry skiing

Backcountry skiing consists of an extreme skiing variety where skiers ski over unmarked, ungroomed and unpatrolled slopes, often among trees. In many regions and countries, restrictions apply to this form of skiing due to the intrinsic danger involved.

Snowboarding

You may be wondering what the main difference between skiing and snowboarding is as both of them consist basically of descending a snow-covered slope. The particularity of snowboarding lies on the equipment used: instead of a pair of skies, you’d be sliding down a slope with a snowboard attached to your feet using special boots. Snowboarding mixes characteristics of skateboarding, sledding, surfing and, of course, skiing.

Biathlon

Biathlon is a winter sport that combines two disciplines: cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. A strange mix at first sight, indeed, but easy to understand when taking into account that biathlon was born in Norway as a training activity for the Norwegian army. Of course, the practice of this sport exceeds now the military boundaries and it’s become an increasingly popular Olympic game.

Do you already have a favorite? Choosing among the different skiing varieties is not that easy, but browsing some videos or photos around on the Internet will certainly help you make up your mind. So don’t wait any longer to grab your computer or even switch on your TV if a ski competition is looming. On the other hand, you may also want to have your car serviced at a garage and buy some good tire chains to avoid getting stuck on your way to your chosen ski resort.

Enjoy yourself!

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