As an avid downhill skier I was interested to find out more about other types of skiing and whether I was missing out. Here is an overview of the three types of skiing to give us all an opportunity to think again about how we might want to ski.
The three types of skiing are Alpine, Nordic and Alpine Touring, distinguished by the way the boot attaches to the ski. In Alpine the boot is fixed to the ski at the front and the back. In Nordic, the boot only attaches at the front, allowing the heel to rise. In Alpine Touring the boot can do both.
Each type of skiing is very different because of the way the boot and ski connect and the main two types of skiing, Alpine and Nordic, can also be sub-divided into a variety of different disciplines and experiences. Below is an explanation of the 3 types of skiing and the various disciplines within each type.
The Three Types of Skiing and their Disciplines
Alpine Skiing
Alpine Skiing was developed by the British in the late 1800s and early 1900s in the French Alps. It is the sport of skiing down snow-covered mountains.
The particular distinguishing feature of Alpine Skiing is that the skis are attached to the ski boots at both the front and the back. This is a fundamental element of the design of Alpine Ski equipment as it enables a complete connection between skier and the ski. As a result of this strong connection, it is possible to enable even the most subtle of movements or changes in weight, between skis and along skis, to be directly transferred to the skis. This allows precise turns of varying radius and speed, and enables skis to carve turns through the snow and ice, rather than skid.
The ability to carve is fundamental to ski racing. By carving turns skiers are able to maintain their speed and momentum as they change direction and so reduce the time it takes to complete a race. Ski design has improved over the years too, increasing the circ*mstances in which a carved turn can be executed by a skier and this has improved enjoyment of the sport too.
The downside of ski boots being attached so firmly to skis is that it is very difficult to walk with skis on. This means that walking all but a very short distance in skis or trying to walk uphill, is impossible in skis. Alpine ski resorts have therefore developed systems of ski lifts which whisk skiers up the mountains in relative comfort and with great speed.
From the 1930s the competitive sports associated with Alpine Skiing have developed. Ski racing includes both speed and technical disciplines. These comprise the speed disciplines of Downhill Racing and Supergiant Slalom (Super-G) and the technical disciplines of Giant Slalom and Slalom.
More recently, additional competitive disciplines have developed in downhill skiing. They started with mogul skiing and the, as snowboarding pushed the boundaries of tricks and jumps, competitive sports developed from the snow parks and continue to progress quickly.
Nordic Skiing
Named after the area of Europe where it developed, Nordic skiing includes both cross-country skiing and Telemark skiing. With boots that attach to skis only at the boot toe, the heel is able to rise, making walking and moving around on the flat, or even travelling up hill relatively easy.
Both cross-country skis and Telemark skis have bases to their skis that allow the ski to slide forward easily.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skis are lightweight and very thin. The associated ski boots are also lightweight. The skis have a scaled texture in the “kick zone”. The kick zone is the area of the ski that is beneath the toe area of the boot. The kick zone comes into contact with the snow when you have weight on one ski and stops the ski from sliding. It is off the ground when weight is evenly distributed between the two skis.
Even a gentle downhill gradient can be difficult to traverse on cross-country skis as they don’t have metal edges and so given how narrow they are too, even a traditional snow plough can be difficult to manage. So it is important to start cross-country skiing on established routes with the right level of difficulty for your experience.
There are several techniques used in cross-country skiing. The classic technique involves moving forward with the skis parallel, using a striding motion and employing your ski poles too. The other technique often used is a skating action. There are specialist skis for each technique or combi-skis allowing for both techniques to be used.
Cross-country skiing is fantastic for your fitness – even more so than Alpine Skiing, for example – and can be one of the most cardiovascular intense sports in existence. It is also a sport for all ages and levels of fitness – it is easy to learn, the equipment is relatively cheap, and you can practice skiing at whatever level of intensity you choose.
In a busy ski resort, there is nothing more satisfying than heading away from the hustle and bustle of the regular slopes and ski lifts to the surrounding area where nature and the real stillness of the mountains can envelope you.
Telemark Skiing
Telemark skiing enables skiers to ski downhill despite binding that only attach the boot to the ski at the toe. It is a much more strenuous sport that Alpine Skiing, with strength and stamina required in the legs and better balance. This is because of the way in which turns are made when skiing. The turns, “telemark” turns, involve the downhill ski moving ahead of the uphill ski, and the uphill knee bending almost to a kneeling position to complete a turn.
Telemark skier often now use Alpine Skis, but with alternative, telemark bindings.
Telemark skiing is not for beginners – Alpine skiing is much easier to learn. Often it is Alpine ski instructors or expert skiers that turn to telemark skiing as a new challenge. Some also turn to it because of the feeling of surfing when telemarking in powder.
Alpine Touring
The third type of skiing, is practised increasingly by more extreme skiers. Essentially it involves using Alpine skis, but with binding that can either allow the heel to move, or hold the heel firmly in place. These binding allow for skiers to stride out with their skis when they want to, but to also fix their heels when they want to ski down a slope.
Touring skis are used with “skins” to head into off-piste areas, climbing up slopes where there are no lifts and then, when at the top, skiing using Alpine Skiing techniques to ski down.
What is the difference between Alpine and Downhill skiing?
Alpine Skiing is the same as Downhill Skiing. It is called Alpine Skiing because this type of skiing was invented, by the British, in the Alps. It is also know as Downhill Skiing because the nature of the ski equipment means that it can only be done by going down hill. This is different to Nordic or cross-country skiing, which is designed to be used on the flat and also to go up the slopes.
The “Downhill” is also a type of racing in Alpine Skiing. It is the fasted of the racing disciplines, with racers travelling down the mountain at speeds of up to 100 miles an hour and typically between 75 and 95 mph.
Conclusion
So, there are plenty of different types of skiing – a type to suit everyone! If you want a relaxed, gentle trip through the mountains, then nothing can beat a few days of gentle cross-country skiing. And if you are out to get some intensive, calorie burning, exercise, then the same cross-country skiing practised more vigorously is the perfect sport.
Alternatively, Alpine or downhill skiing, can be a great workout, depending on the slopes you are skiing and the way you ski those slopes – short turns down a steep slope, or a mogul field, will burn a lot of calories! There is great skill that comes with a series of perfectly carved parallel turns. Some find developing this skill and practising it in a variety of turn lengths and on different slopes is both thrilling and beautiful to feel – dancing with the mountain is something that keeps many of us coming back for more year after year.
Telemarking or Alpine touring can lead you to more extreme adventures on the hill and is for the real adrenaline junky. Which is your choice? Happy tracks!
