The first evidence of skiing comes from Scandinavia, where it was used as a method of transport during the long, snowbound months of winter over 4000 years ago. Its spread was primarily due to its military value until the last two centuries, but now it has blossomed into a popular sport and a multi-billion pound industry.

• Prehistory - Skis were first used in prehistoric times to enable man to continue his hunter-gathering existence throughout winter.
• Early History - During this period many legends and myths grew up around those who were skilled on skis.
• 16th to 18th Centuries - During the l6th, 17th and l8th centuries, the use of skis spread rapidly as they proved their military usefulness.
• 19th Century - By the 19th century, skiing was being practised for enjoyment, and no longer merely for functional reasons.
• 20th Century - Pre War - The period before the 2nd World War was characterised by a rapid rise in the popularity of the sport, and a corresponding improvement in equipment. Ski competition developed as a means of settling debates about the pros and cons of alternative techniques.
• 20 Century - Post War - As prosperity returned after the dislocation of the 2nd World War, people once again took to the slopes. This was a period of rapid devlopment of resorts and lift systems for the mass ski market.

During the 1980's skiing matured into a major sport and leisure industry throughout Europe, USA, Canada and Japan. New materials, such as carbon fibre, titanium and kevlar continued to improve ski equipment, while new fibre and insulating materials improved ski clothing, offering skiers increased comfort and freedom.

Novel ways of sliding appeared offering a challenge to those jaded by normal skiing. Monoskis, mini-ski, ski-scooters and hang-gliders all enjoyed a boom; parapenting and snowboarding became established as major sports, and telemarking enjoyed a rebirth.

Snow: Solid precipitation in the form of small white or translucent ice crystals of various shapes originating in the atmosphere as frozen particles of water vapour!

That is the dictionary description of snow but basically snow is a form of frozen water; Skiers therefore like to call the snow on the mountain the 'frozen wave'.

To many people, snow is snow and there is only one type to ski on. Not so to a skier who could arguably say that there is several types but really there are two types:

• Dry Snow- Dry snow is more evident at higher altitude and more common in most places in Europe, USA and Canada in the early winter months from November to February. With the ground at below freezing temperature this type of snow settles fast but due to its composition can be carried by winds and cause snow dunes. You cannot mistake dry snow as it has that smooth crunch compact sound when you walk on it and has that cotton wool look to it. The best example of dry snow can be found at the top of a peak which has not been pisted, and is know as `Virgin' snow.
• Wet Snow- This type of snow is found mainly from low altitude but normally when the air temperature increases to just above freezing. When the temperature increases suddenly and then falls just as sharply the snow crystallises and forms globules of soft ice. When skiing around this type of snow you will hear the sound that resembles scrapping of ice off the windscreen of a car. During the months of March onwards, or if the temperature rises, the wet snow starts to turn into slush and again in to different types, from dry slush which clumps together when you ski over it to the wet slush that turns to water.

Different techniques are required to Ski across these different types of snow. Normally on dry snow you will find the skis cut through very easyily and less effort is required. Whereas contrast skiing on wet snow will require more edging and effort to work the ski round in turning.

Throughout the world there are breathtaking mountain ranges which all bring some sort of challenge to man. To the skier the mountain brings a number of exciting challenges from peaks well above 3000 feet in Europe with fantastic scenery. The most common skied mountains are The Alps, Pyrenees and Dolomites in Europe, along with the mountains in Canada and Rocky Mountains in USA.

Summer Skiing is becoming more popular with skiers not just heading for the glaciers in Europe but branching out to the ski areas of Argentina, New Zealand, Victoria in Australia and Chile.

Throughout entire different ski regions you will find two types of ski resort:

• Traditional Resort  (Tree Line Villages) -These resorts were normal villages before becoming ski resorts. Best examples of this type of village can be found in Austria i.e. Kitzbuhel, Westendof, Soil and Bad Gastein. The villages and part of the ski runs are set amongst the tree line of the mountain and are very picturesque.
• Purpose Built Resort  (Above Tree Line Villages) -These resorts were built to cater for mass market skiing. Built high above the tree line at the bottom of some of best ski areas; many being snow sure. France has plenty of purpose built resorts i.e. Avoriaz, Tignes and Les Menuire. As they are built around skiing, these villages do lack the picturesque and characteristic qualities of the traditional villages.

It is important to understand the difference between a south-facing slope and a north facing slope and the same applies to the resort. You will normally find a lot of slopes face northwards so as not to get too much of the sun's rays. These slopes will hold the snow longer throughout the season.

South facing slopes are far more exposed to the sun and during mild season will lose the snow very quickly. But these slopes are great for skiing as you can encounter different types of conditions in one run and is great for topping up the tan.

In the very early years of skiing the only way to get up the mountains was to pick up your skis and throw them over your shoulder and walk up the mountain. The first lifts to be introduced onto the slopes were the dray lifts. The buff on lift was a circular plastic disk attached to a pull and ratchet system with the disk placed between the legs. This dragged the skier up the slope. Next came the T-bar lift system, which worked along the same lines as the buff on lift but could service two people; the bar was placed under the bottom, just above the legs. These types of lifts were very hard on the skier's legs, as balance was important in order not to fall off. Next came the chair lift, which went further than the dray and gave the skier a short time to rest.

Nowdays the most popular way to get up the mountain fast is the gondola system. The gondolas are little pods, which hold up to eight people carried along a steel cable. For access to the highest peaks and glaciers cable cars and funicular trains are used which can carry up to 150 plus.

In every resort a piste map is published every season, which indicates the location of all the runs, showing the degree of difficulty by the different colours. The map will also show the position of all the lifts along with restaurants, cross-country trails, toboggan runs and village. In addition, the map will show very important locations such as first aid posts, hospitals and police stations. Even though the maps are updated regularly they should not be regarded as cartographically accurate.

Whether you are a beginner or an expert skier, it is always advisable that you carry a piste map when skiing.

In every resort on the mountain slope there are areas which are called pistes. These are officially marked, groomed and patrolled ski routes under the jurisdiction of either the village community or the lift company who have acquired the lease and transit rights over privately or publicly owned mountain land.

Each pisted run is graded by the angle degree of the run and are given a colour code as follows:

• Blue Run (easy run). These runs are usually at the bottom of the mountain, near the village centre. Ski schools use blue runs for beginners as they have very gentle gradients.
• Red Run (intermediates). In Europe the red run does vary a lot in different resorts with some very easy and a good step up for the second week skier, and in some cases are challenging due to narrow paths opening out to not so steep sections.
• Black Run (Difficult). Again like the red run the black run can vary by resort. The black run ranges from steep vertical drops in the extreme case to long challenging mogul fields.

• Green Run (easiest). In North America the green run is made up of runs similar to the European blue run but do consist of plenty of flat paths known as trails.
• Blue Run (more difficult). The blue run in North America can be challenging with more wide long runs covering small mogul fields.
• Black Run (most difficult). In North America black runs are given a different grading of diamonds depending on the degree of the vertical drop and moguls field. The grades run from single to triple diamond.

It is recommended that all skiers should always stick to pisted runs for their level of skiing. Another great challenge is off piste skiing. This type of skiing tackles terrain that has not been groomed and is outside the pisted governed area. Off piste skiing should not be attempted by anyone less than a top end intermediate or above and NEVER without a qualified resort guide. Many a tragedy has occurred by people ignoring the above rule.