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Downhill Skiing: Alpine Skiing, Snow Sports, Switzerland And Ski Resorts
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Published: June 13, 2007
The term downhill skiing may seem redundant – does anyone actually ski uphill? But downhill skiing simply refers to the form of skiing usually associated with the snow sport. Whereas cross-country skiing is an activity requiring the skier to walk or hike with skis for long distances, downhill skiing, or alpine skiing, does not require as much endurance from the skier.
Yet downhill skiing is still an excellent aerobic workout.
For example, a 190 lb. adult can burn close to 518 calories an hour skiing downhill with moderate effort. Exerting the same effort, a 90 lb. child burns around 226 calories per hour. Worried about that convenient but fatty fast food the kids love? 60 minutes of downhill skiing burn off most of the calories found in a fast food hamburger.
Invented in the later half of the 19th century in northern Europe, downhill skiing was introduced into the Winter Olympic Games in 1936. Today, snow sports competitions are divided into four disciplines: slalom, giant slalom, super giant slalom and downhill. Slalom involves skiing between closely spaced gates and emphasizes the technique over speed. On the other end of the spectrum, the downhill discipline asks mainly for speed in its competitors, although the technical aspect is not overlooked. Back when the snow sport made its debut in 1936, the downhill and slalom events were combined.
Famous alpine skiers include Lindsay Kildow, Bode Miller and Kirsten Clark, the only American downhill skier to win four consecutive U.S. championships. Miller performs in all disciplines at World Cup competitions, and has placed in the top four each year since 2002.
For fans of downhill skiing, ski resorts exist to best facilitate enjoyment of the snow sport. These resorts also have equipment for rental, lodging, food, and other luxuries including health spas and swimming pools. Resorts offer plenty of entertainment for non-skiers, but those coming to try downhill skiing for the first time need to know that not all ski slopes are created equal.
Park City Mountain Resort in Park City, Utah, is an example of a ski destination with a lot to offer. With 100 trails, fans of downhill skiing can find a slope or two to satisfy their needs. Park City's popular resort consistently pops up in top 10 lists, allowing for more snow sports like snowmobiling and snowshoeing to compromise for a more limited season (starting as late as December and ceasing in March). Aspen, Colo., is another popular destination for skiers, and Skiing Magazine recently voted the Aspen/Snowmass resort the best in America. This resort features four mountains ranging from 3,018 meters to 3,813 meters in height.
Downhill skiing isn't limited to America. The snow sport that originated in Europe is especially popular in Switzerland. Switzerland has a plethora of villages and resorts that cater to tourists who want a taste of the Swiss slopes. Zinal, Silvaplana, Toggenburg, and Crans Montana are just a few of the many options Switzerland offers fans of downhill skiing.
Even young children can take up downhill skiing; the snow sport embraces participants of all ages. It's an expensive sport, but its seasonal nature gives skiers the chance to save up for that Aspen trip in the off-season.
Sources:
Facts about Skiing/Snowboarding Safety. National Ski Areas Association. March 2006. 30 May 2007.
http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/press/0506/facts-about- skiing-and-snowboarding.asp
Doyle, Mike. “Olympic Skiing.” About.com: Skiing. 2007. About, Inc. 30 May 2007.
http://skiing.about.com/od/skieventscompetitions /a/olympichist.htm
Facts About Alpine Skiing. National Sporting Goods Association 2004 Sports Participation Study. 2004. WinterFeelsGood. 29 May 2007. http://www.winterfeelsgood.com/winterfeelsgood.php ?section=news&page=fact_alpine
Alpine Skiing Blends Art With Speed. WinterSports2002.com 2006. Desert News Publishing Company. 3 June 2007. http://www.deseretnews.com/oly/view/0,3949,3000012 3,00.html.
Aspen/Snowmass Resort Guide. Ski Express. 2002-2007. 4 June 2007. http://www.skiexpress.com.au/usa/mt_aspen.shtml
Results. BodyMillerUSA.com. 4 June 2007. http://www.bodemillerusa.com/BodeMiller.html
Ski Resorts: Switzerland. SkiCentral. 1995-2007. 4 June 2007. http://skicentral.com/switzerland.html
Yet downhill skiing is still an excellent aerobic workout.
Related Articles
Invented in the later half of the 19th century in northern Europe, downhill skiing was introduced into the Winter Olympic Games in 1936. Today, snow sports competitions are divided into four disciplines: slalom, giant slalom, super giant slalom and downhill. Slalom involves skiing between closely spaced gates and emphasizes the technique over speed. On the other end of the spectrum, the downhill discipline asks mainly for speed in its competitors, although the technical aspect is not overlooked. Back when the snow sport made its debut in 1936, the downhill and slalom events were combined.
Famous alpine skiers include Lindsay Kildow, Bode Miller and Kirsten Clark, the only American downhill skier to win four consecutive U.S. championships. Miller performs in all disciplines at World Cup competitions, and has placed in the top four each year since 2002.
For fans of downhill skiing, ski resorts exist to best facilitate enjoyment of the snow sport. These resorts also have equipment for rental, lodging, food, and other luxuries including health spas and swimming pools. Resorts offer plenty of entertainment for non-skiers, but those coming to try downhill skiing for the first time need to know that not all ski slopes are created equal.
Park City Mountain Resort in Park City, Utah, is an example of a ski destination with a lot to offer. With 100 trails, fans of downhill skiing can find a slope or two to satisfy their needs. Park City's popular resort consistently pops up in top 10 lists, allowing for more snow sports like snowmobiling and snowshoeing to compromise for a more limited season (starting as late as December and ceasing in March). Aspen, Colo., is another popular destination for skiers, and Skiing Magazine recently voted the Aspen/Snowmass resort the best in America. This resort features four mountains ranging from 3,018 meters to 3,813 meters in height.
Downhill skiing isn't limited to America. The snow sport that originated in Europe is especially popular in Switzerland. Switzerland has a plethora of villages and resorts that cater to tourists who want a taste of the Swiss slopes. Zinal, Silvaplana, Toggenburg, and Crans Montana are just a few of the many options Switzerland offers fans of downhill skiing.
Even young children can take up downhill skiing; the snow sport embraces participants of all ages. It's an expensive sport, but its seasonal nature gives skiers the chance to save up for that Aspen trip in the off-season.
Sources:
Facts about Skiing/Snowboarding Safety. National Ski Areas Association. March 2006. 30 May 2007.
http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/press/0506/facts-about- skiing-and-snowboarding.asp
Doyle, Mike. “Olympic Skiing.” About.com: Skiing. 2007. About, Inc. 30 May 2007.
http://skiing.about.com/od/skieventscompetitions /a/olympichist.htm
Facts About Alpine Skiing. National Sporting Goods Association 2004 Sports Participation Study. 2004. WinterFeelsGood. 29 May 2007. http://www.winterfeelsgood.com/winterfeelsgood.php ?section=news&page=fact_alpine
Alpine Skiing Blends Art With Speed. WinterSports2002.com 2006. Desert News Publishing Company. 3 June 2007. http://www.deseretnews.com/oly/view/0,3949,3000012 3,00.html.
Aspen/Snowmass Resort Guide. Ski Express. 2002-2007. 4 June 2007. http://www.skiexpress.com.au/usa/mt_aspen.shtml
Results. BodyMillerUSA.com. 4 June 2007. http://www.bodemillerusa.com/BodeMiller.html
Ski Resorts: Switzerland. SkiCentral. 1995-2007. 4 June 2007. http://skicentral.com/switzerland.html
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