Not many people appreciate skiing. But for those who already experienced gliding down the snowy mountains, they can list many reasons why skiing is a must-try for everyone. It can help ease your stress, invigorate your soul, and leave you with a smile on your face after a productive day of skiing. But despite the number of people who enjoy skiing, many still are not familiar with many ski facts and lingo.
If you plan on skiing any time soon, then you will surely appreciate learning about the following ski trivia.
“Ski” Word Fun Facts
Did you ever wonder where the word ski was derived? It actually came from an Old Norse word “skÃð.” It means a “split wood”. Cars usually run up to120 miles per hour while speed skiers can go up to156.3 miles per hour. This is why many dubbed speed skiing among the fastest non-motorized sports on dry land.
In the past, skiing was used as a form of transport in the European mountains. This sport used to be a men’s sport. Women were motivated to ice skate instead.
If you ski downhill with moderate effort, you can burn a considerable amount of calories. You can burn 340-400 calories per hour. This is why many people consider skiing as a great way to get in shape.
Ski Death Rates Are Extremely Low
If you are afraid that skiing increases your chances of getting injured or dying compared to other sports and outdoor activities, then you are wrong. People are more likely to die when canoeing than skiing. You are less likely to get injured while skiing instead of playing professional rugby or football.
This goes to show that skiing is a fun and safe activity you can indulge in despite the dangerous slopes you can take. We can thank the invention of different skiing gears for the decrease in injuries and death rate for skiing. Ever since the invention of protective ski gears, more skiers are more likely to escape death.
So, the next time you’re out shopping for a ski helmet, for instance, don’t hesitate to invest in one of the best helmets in the market. The Giro Union MIPS Helmet, for instance, offers more than just enough protection for a helmet with a snug fit. Its multi-directional impact protection system can safeguard you against angled impact, reducing your risk of acquiring serious brain injury.
Ski Tow as Your Taxi Up the Slope
These days, we use ski lifts to take ourselves up the mountains. There are many types of ski lifts, including basket or cage lifts, chairlifts, cabriolets, cog railways, funifors and funitels. But back in the days, you have to hike your way up every single time.
Ski tows are what the Germans used in the Black Forrest. These were created in 1908 and are still being used today. A ski tow or the tow rope is basically a continuous power-driven conveyor with tow bars.
Many people are having a hard time going up the mountain with the help of a ski tow. If you come across one, it is worth trying the ski tow for the experience. Here are some tips you need to know to successfully use a ski tow.
Snurferas the First Snowboard
One Christmas day, ShermanPoppenbounded his kids’ skis to create a surf-like contraction. He then equipped this with a rope that will serve as its steering wheel. He and his kids then began having fun down the snow-filled hills near their home.
His idea was well-beloved by the neighborhood kids that he panted his idea. He used to call it Surf-Type Snow Ski. In the end, his wife suggested merging the two words snow and surfer, which led to its name,snurfer.
Poppen’s idea sold more than a million snurfers. This led to the invention of a new sport. Nowadays, we know snurfers as snowboards.
This goes to show that skiing has a rich history to tell. It is not simply a sport everyone can enjoy. It also teaches us how time flies and how one thing can evolve from one thing to the next. The next time you go on a ski trip, keep these fun facts in mind. There are still so much interesting things we can learn from skiing.