Extreme Skiing

Heliskiing: Extreme sporting adventure

In 1924 the Olympics were held in Paris, France. In the same year a winter sports festival was held in Chamonix but it was not sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee or IOC. The games were simply called Olympic Winter Carnival. The resounding success of the games caught the IOC by surprise and they had no other choice but to sanction a separate set of games for winter which eventually led to the establishment of the Winter Olympic Games in 1928.

The Early Years of Olympic Skiing

St Moritz, in Switzerland, hosted the first games in 1928 and the nordic skiing was the only skiing event. It was in 1936 that alpine skiing was introduced for both men and women. After the Second World War, St Moritz again hosted the winter Olympics and now alpine events formed the major chunk of the schedule.

Records in Alpine Skiing

Oslo in Norway played to the winter Olympics in 1952. The skiing program was expanded by the inclusion of women’s cross country skiing and giant slalom for both men and women. The 1956 Winter Olympics in Italy belonged to the Austrian alpine skier Toni Sailer who won all alpine events. In 1968 at Chamonix the feat was repated but this time the laurels went to Jean-Claude Killy of France.

After Killy there were many racers have won two events but never managed to win all three. This is quite disappointing because it is highly unlikely that a racer will emerge who can master all three events. Racers, nowadays, concentrate on only one or two events as they believe in specialization. A Grand Slam in alpine skiing will remain a dream only for many. The 2006 event was held in Turin in Italy where Benjamin Raich of Austria won the Slalom and Giant Slalom event. The 2014 edition will be held in Sochi in Russia and we harbor a faint hope that someone will emerge who will sweep the alpine events.

Ski gear – essentials for a safe adventure

Skiing has emerged as an adventure sport in the recent past. Increasing number of professionals and amateurs look forward to visiting ski slopes every year. However, without a proper ski gear, this adventure sport can turn into a nasty accident, even crippling one for life.

A set of essentials are needed to make the ski trip truly memorable.

Warm thermal body wear

The first protective layer in this category comes in form of thermal underwear. This not only keeps one warm but also ensures that one is always dry inside. Thermal body shirts and thermal pants form the other layers of protection, ensuring that one enjoys a truly memorable ride. Snowboarding socks should essentially be used to keep feet warm and comfortable.

Jackets and ski boots

An essential for a skiing, jackets and ski boots protect one from biting cold. Ski fleece or wool sweater will offer comfortable and safe ski session as one can concentrate on skiing without caring for cold. Comfortable ski boots that fit you perfectly are an essential without which one should not venture out.

Helmets and hats

Exposing the head to cold can be disastrous. One can even end up loosing one’s life. Wear a comfortable hat. Better if you opt for a ski helmet, as it can take over the impact of any potential fall.

Ski goggles and gloves

Ensure that you are equipped with a appropriate ski goggles and gloves. Ensure that the gloves are padded as it can take on the impact, in case you fall on hard ice.

Ski and ski bindings

Ensure that you have a sturdy pair of skies. The skies should be firm enough to let you attach the boots through ski bindings.

Ski poles

Have a good pair of ski poles and enjoy the experience.

Always carry extra protective clothing. This can always be removed, if not required. Skiing is a professional sport for the bravehearted. Go prepared and enjoy the experience.

Powder skiing- mistakes to avoid and drill to follow

Powder snow basically refers to fresh snow that is dry and light. The techniques are different from those in hardpack slopes. Skiers face some basic problems and need basic drill skills to get hold of powder skiing.

Below are listed the common problems and basic drills associated with powder skiing.

Common Problems

Not able to handle skis

This problem occurs due to alignment gap between the two skis. Ensure that both the skis are properly aligned and you do not have any snow crammed between the ski boots and ski bindings.

Not able to negotiate a turn with precision

A common problem skiers face in powder skiing is difficulty in negotiating a turn. One needs to bend both skis while negotiating a bend. Lack of proper training and stiff skis can be a reason for this.

Ski boots and ski binding combination is not appropriate

Ski boots and ski bindings can also be responsible for trouble during skiing. The skis could be lacking in wax or the wax might have been applied improperly. Check the equipment properly before you take the final plunge.

Basic drills

Some people love powder snow skiing. For others this may be a challenge.Below is listed a simple exercise that will enable a person with minimal power skiing skills to develop a firm footing in powder skiing.

Exercise

The center of gravity must be backwards and over the heels. The upper body needs to be upright, even as you bend lower. The idea is to distribute the weight equally on two feet. As your toes touch the top interior of the ski boots, it means you have gained the proper composure. Maintain the same and practice hard until you develop perfection in this style.

Powder skiing is considered the best form of skiing. Avoid the common mistakes and follow the rules. You will definitely enjoy the ride.

Top ten reasons to ski in Austria

Planning to ski in Austria this season? Austria not only offers great weather but is also home to some of the best ski slopes in the world, with sharp vertical gradients that are sure to surge your adrenaline levels to a new high. This is just one of the many reasons for which one needs to head to the slopes in Austria. Read on to get a better perspective.

a) Affordability

A ski trip to Austria comes cheaper than you might have thought. If you are close to the east coast, the trip comes for $100 to $300. This is inclusive of lift tickets, transfers, food expenses and tips, of course.

b) Climate

The climate is much better than in the Alps . What better way to ski, than on a clear, sunny day!

c) Vertical drops

Skiing is all about vertical drops. The distance between the lift served point and the end of ski run should be a minimal of 1000 feet. Austria scores best on this account with some of the resorts offering vertical drops ranging between 4,500 feet to 6,000 feet.

d) Authentic village life

Not only does the region has four and five star hotels equipped with the best facilities, Austria also offers ski points ending right within the villages. This provides one with a unique opportunity of exploring rural life at its best.

e) Best ski schools

Austrian trainers are known to be the best. What better way to learn skiing, than from someone perfect in the art.

f) Snow

Powdery and fluffy snow is considered best for skiing. Austria is blessed that it has perfect conditions for skiing with fluffy snow lasting till late summers.

g) Safety management

Due care is given to safety issues. Orientation maps, danger signs and safety nets make the Austrian slopes safe for skiing.

h) Host of activities

Even if one is not a ski enthusiast, Austria has much to offer. Sleigh rides and ice skating lessons are a norm in Austria and help visitors relish the real pleasure of being in the region.

i) Explore the wilderness

The wilderness of Austria is charming. Nature enthusiasts will find a range of activities to indulge in, apart from skiing. Guided treks and mountain climbing are some of the things one can indulge in.

j) Little known fact

Austria is regarded as the birthplace of downhill skiing. What better place to ski downhill, than Austria.

Its time to pack your bags and head towards your next ski trip to Austria. Be safe and enjoy the trip!

Ski fitness: Get in shape for the ski season

With snow falling across the country and your heart yearning to ski, the time seems ripe to prepare your body for the ski season. Skiing calls for an agile, flexible and strong body. Hence getting fit is crucial. So, just like skiing ski conditioning should be fun too. All this training need not be done at a gym with a whole bunch of weights, but can be simply done on a playground, some grassy area.

1. To begin with conditioning warm up a bit! Start with 10 minutes of running with small bursts of 5 seconds each and then stop and do some dynamic stretching: move your muscle through its range of motion to just holding a stretch.

2. Front leg kicks, side to side lunges and a few butt kicks along with upper body rotation should be next in line. As your body gets warm, increase the intensity of exercise. Do the following on a 20-yard stretch of grass.

3. Facing sideways go from start to finish by crisscrossing your legs. Do both side twice.

4. Sprint twice at 60 percent of your max speed.

5. Facing forward, run with knee high and thighs parallel to ground. Do this thrice.

6. Sprint twice at 70-percent of your max speed.

7. Facing forward, quickly cross each leg over the other as you run forward. Thrice is ideal!

8. Sprint twice at 80-percent of your max speed.

9. Sit ups! Standing a foot from a bench that is about half feet high, sit back in a squat, just touch your butt and stand back again. Repeating 20 times is good!

10. Facing forward, sitting in a squat position, explode upwards, stretching through your knees and hip and alight on the bench in a squat. Return to ground and repeat the same 20 times.

11. Repeat this combination three times and do 10-20 push-ups while resting.

12. With the bench two feet behind you, place one of your instep up on the bench. Drop your hips down with keeping your knees bent. 15 reps on each leg, thrice is ideal.

That’s all folks! So, next time your friend competes with you in skiing, dare to beat him with nonchalance!

How to ski freestyle 

Skiing is an adventure sport that gets perfect with time and practice. As one gains confidence its time to shift to freestyle skiing. Freestyle skiing is essentially a combination of ski tricks and acrobatics.

Below are listed the various freestyle skiing tricks:

D Spin 720 trick

This ski trick is usually practiced on a powder. When you start off, you need to turn the head and throw the shoulders either to the right or to the left. As you tuck up, the skis will cross. This shall make you spin. As you spin, find out a landing place. Its time to make a safe landing as you come out of the spin.

Half crab mute grab trick

In this method one needs to ski backward while approaching the jump. The weight is to be centered around the feet. One needs to look over the shoulder and spin while hitting the lip. As you complete the rotation cycle, you need to look for the landing.

Backflip mute grab trick

Speed and rotation will do the trick in backflip mute grab. You need to get into a tucked position to go for a perfect backflip mute grab. You will need to arch your back and spot your landing.

Daffy trick

One leg needs to be in the front and other one in the back, in case you are thinking to perform the daffy trick. This means that the ski in the front will aim in upward direction while the other will be pointing in the downward direction. Bring the skis to the normal position as you prepare to land.

Zudnick trick

This trick essentially starts when you are airborne. You will need to extend both the legs forward before you go for the final plunge.

Freestyle skiing is a skill that can only be perfected if one has passion and the will to excel in the sport. Be safe and take care as you hit a rough edge!

The top black rated ski destinations to visit in 2012

Ski trails are categorized according to their difficulty levels under a color system. If you’re a novice or new to the adventures of skiing, you should probably go for a green or a blue trail, which have a slope gradient of less than 25%. Black or Black diamond is the color for experts because it includes from difficult trails to extremely steep avalanche chutes. If you are an adventurous skiing expert, these destinations are for you to try, for others its knowledge.

1. Alta Chutes, Jackson Hole resort, US

The Jackson’s skiing has been called by some as the most extreme double-black challenge. This one is not for the average skiers or extreme wannabes; but only for strictly professionals. It is among North America’s most dangerous ski runs. Evidently, the Alta Zero has a lot of expert-only access slopes such as the Cody bowl and Granite Cannon, apart from the popular Alta chutes, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

2. The Highline Ridge, New Mexico

About 55% of the terrain in Taos has been rated as black constituting about 36 slopes in the area, 19 out of which have been rated double-black. Skiers are not just subjected to extreme danger of descending, but also to a tiresome hike of 12,481 feet to Kachina Peak.

3. Face de Bellevarde, France

The Europe’s extreme ski trail of the Face de Bellevarde Resort is rightfully rated black as you would need sharp blades and sharper skills to make it through in one piece. It is for the ones with expertise and a lot of experience.

4. Breckenridge, Colorado

Head over to Breckenridge, Colorado skiing region with extreme caution. More than half of the area is rated black diamond for that matter. Breckenridge Lodging has the needed amenities to host travelers who are daunting enough to experience extreme thrill among 4 interconnected resorts.

The black rated ski destinations can either be marginally tougher than the red slopes or extremely steep and dangerous. North American rates the most dangerous as black diamond. Remember, these slopes are just for expert skiers, not to be attempted by learners.

She is the former overall World Cup cross-country winner, but of late has been struggling with some fitness problems… The 26-year-old Norwegian Marit Bjoergen has decided to quit some of the competitions this season… She is worried that if she takes part in too many events, she may suffer in the latter stages of the season. She has dropped a number of races from her list that include La Clusaz, France, Rybinsk, Russia, Davos, Switzerland and Changchun, China, totaling to eight races. I was in great shape in July last season but that’s not the case now. I want to have energy during the season. She had an awesome last season winning the overall World Cup… But she suffered from bronchitis a week before the Olympics that hampered her performance in the games…The cross-country season starts on October 28th in Dusseldorf, She is a great athlete and hope she does well this year, facing minimum fitness problems. Via: eurosport

Janica Kostelic of Croatia is a ‘Ski Queen’ she is one of the most thriving woman in the history of Alpine skiing… The former overall World Cup Champion has unfortunately opted out of the coming World Cup season. The 24-year-old has won the overall World Cup titles on three occasions and has combined tally of nine world championship and Olympic gold medals to her credential. The decision to opt out has come due to her persistent injures, she was quoted saying, My decision is to miss this season, primarily because I’ve had lots of problems with my knees and back. We shall see what happens later. Her exclusion is a worry for all the Alpine ski fanatics… However all we can just hope for is that she recovers from the injuries and is fit to compete next season. Check out the video that follows. Via: eurosport