Winter sports directory
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Ski and snow accommodation for beginners
Ski and snow accommodation for intermediates
Ski and snow accommodation for experts
Ski and snow accommodation for advanced
Ski and snow accommodation for
Ski and snow accommodation for the alps
Ski and snow accommodation for france
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Ski and snow accommodation for italy
Ski and snow accommodation for switzerland
Ski and snow accommodation for bulgaria
Ski and snow accommodation for pyrenees
Ski and snow accommodation for canada
Ski and snow accommodation for usa
Ski and snow accommodation for colorado
Ski and snow accommodation for rockies

Special offers for ski and boarding holidays in france
Special offers for ski and boarding holidays in the alps
Special offers for ski and boarding holidays in austria
Special offers for ski and boarding holidays in italy
Special offers for ski and boarding holidays in switzerland
Special offers for ski and boarding holidays in pyrenees
Special offers for ski and boarding holidays in colorado
Special offers for ski and boarding holidays in usa
Special offers for ski and boarding holidays in canada
Special offers for ski and boarding holidays in bulgaria
Special offers for ski and boarding holidays in rockies

Cheap ski chalets in france
Cheap ski chalets in the alps
Cheap ski chalets in austria
Cheap ski chalets in italy
Cheap ski chalets in switzerland
Cheap ski chalets in pyrenees
Cheap ski chalets in usa
Cheap ski chalets in canada
Cheap ski chalets in Colorado

Cheap ski chalets for beginners
Cheap ski chalets for intermediates
Cheap ski chalets for advanced
Cheap ski chalets for experts
Cheap ski chalets for powder skiing
Cheap ski chalets for heli skiing
Cheap ski chalets for cat skiing
Catered ski and boarding holidays in france
Catered ski and boarding holidays in the alps
Catered ski and boarding holidays in austria
Catered ski and boarding holidays in italy
Catered ski and boarding holidays in switzerland
Catered ski and boarding holidays in pyrenees
Catered ski and boarding holidays in colorado
Catered ski and boarding holidays in usa
Catered ski and boarding holidays in canada
Catered ski and boarding holidays in bulgaria
Catered ski and boarding holidays in rockies

Family ski chalets in france
Family ski chalets in the alps
Family ski chalets in austria
Family ski chalets in italy
Family ski chalets in switzerland
Family ski chalets in pyrenees
Family ski chalets in usa
Family ski chalets in canada
Family ski chalets in Colorado

ski and boarding holidays in france
ski and boarding holidays in the alps
ski and boarding holidays in austria
ski and boarding holidays in italy
ski and boarding holidays in switzerland
ski and boarding holidays in pyrenees
ski and boarding holidays in colorado
ski and boarding holidays in usa
ski and boarding holidays in canada
ski and boarding holidays in bulgaria
ski and boarding holidays in rockies

Short break ski holidays
Short break ski holidays in france
Short break ski holidays in europe
Short break ski holidays in austria
Short break ski holidays in the alps
Short break ski holidays in switzerland
Short break ski holidays in italy

weekend ski and boarding holidays in france
weekend ski and boarding holidays in the alps
weekend ski and boarding holidays in austria
weekend ski and boarding holidays in italy
weekend ski and boarding holidays in switzerland
weekend ski and boarding holidays in pyrenees
weekend ski and boarding holidays in colorado
weekend ski and boarding holidays in usa
weekend ski and boarding holidays in canada
weekend ski and boarding holidays in bulgaria
weekend ski and boarding holidays in rockies
Easter ski and boarding holidays in france
Easter ski and boarding holidays in the alps
Easter ski and boarding holidays in austria
Easter ski and boarding holidays in italy
easter ski and boarding holidays in switzerland
easter ski and boarding holidays in pyrenees
easter ski and boarding holidays in colorado
easter ski and boarding holidays in usa
easter ski and boarding holidays in canada
easter ski and boarding holidays in bulgaria
easter ski and boarding holidays in rockies

self catered Ski and snow accommodation for beginners
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for intermediates
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for experts
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for advanced
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for the alps
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for france
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for austria
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for italy
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for switzerland
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for bulgaria
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for pyrenees
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for canada
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for usa
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for colorado
self catered Ski and snow accommodation for rockies

france ski accommodation
austria ski accommodation
USA ski accommodation
Switzerland ski accommodation
Italy ski accommodation
Bulgaria ski accommodation
Canada ski accommodation
Pyrenees ski accommodation
Colorado ski accommodation

Ski accessories
Ski accessory shops
Ski wear
Ski head wear
Ski goggles
Ski glasses
Ski hats
Ski protection
Ski helmets

Artificial ski slopes in the UK
Artificial ski slopes in England
Artificial ski slopes in the South
Artificial ski slopes in Wales

Dry ski slopes in the Uk
Dry ski slopes in the south
Dry ski slopes in England

Cat skiing in Canada

Childcare in french ski resorts
Childcare in france
Childcare in ski resorts

Child friendly chalets in france
Child friendly holidays in france

Ski nannies
Ski nannies in france
Ski nannies in europe

Ski kindergartens

Ski clothes shops
Ski clothes
Ski jackets
Ski suits
Ski trousers
Ski shops
Ski wear shops in the Uk
Ski shops in the uk
Ski shops in france

Competition skiing
Competition skiing in USA

Corporate ski holidays
Corporate ski chalets
Corporate ski packages
Corporate ski weekends

Tailor made ski packages
Tailor made ski weekends

Cross country skiing
Cross country ski insurance
Discount ski cards

Ski DVD’s
Snowboarding DVD’s
Extreme sports DVD’s

Ski equipment
Ski equipment shops in the UK
Skis and bindings
Ski bindings
Ski boots
Ski Equipment suppliers
Ski Equipment rentals in the UK
ski Equipment rentals in france
snowboards
snowboard shops
snowboard clothes
snowboard boots
snowboard bindings
snowboard rentals
telemark equipment
extreme skiing, france
extreme skiing

rental skis in uk
rental skis in europe

Flights to france
Ski flights
Group skiing
Ski groups
Group skiing holidays

Heli skiing
Heliskiing packages
Heliskiing holidays
Heliskiing in Canada
Heliskiing in France
Heliskiing in Europe

Holiday planners
Holiday planners for skiing holidays
Holiday planning
Holiday advice

In resort services for france
In resort services for ski
Grocery services in ski resorts
Chalet food for ski resorts
Chalet supplies

Instruction
Ski instruction
Ski instruction in the uk
Ski instruction in France
Ski instruction in Switzerland
Ski instruction in canada
Ski instruction in USA
Ski instruction in Italy
Ski instruction in austria

Private Ski instruction in the uk
Private Ski instruction in France
Private Ski instruction in Switzerland
Private Ski instruction in canada
Private Ski instruction in USA
Private Ski instruction in Italy
Private Ski instruction in austria

Instructor courses in the uk
Instructor courses in Canada
Instructor courses in France
Instructor courses in USA
Ski Instructor courses in the uk
Ski Instructor courses in Switzerland
Ski Instructor courses in USA
Instructor courses in France

Ski jobs
Ski jobs in Europe
Ski jobs in USA
Ski Jobs in Canada

Ski Jobs in France
Ski Jobs in Austria
Ski Jobs in Italy
Ski Jobs in Switzerland
Ski Jobs in Bulgaria

Mountian guides
Mountain guides in France
Mountain guides in Switzerland
Mountain guides in Canada
Mountain guides in USA
Mountain guides in ski resorts

Personal training for ski holidays
Personal training

Powder skiing
Powder skiing in Europe
Powder skiing in the alps
Powder skiing in france
Powder skiing in canada
Powder skiing in usa
Powder skiing in italy
Powder skiing in austria
Powder skiing in switzerland

Ski property in france
Ski property in usa
Ski property in Austria
Ski property in Europe
Ski property in Bulgaria
Ski property in the alps
Ski property in Canada
Ski property in usa
Ski property

Ski provisions

Racing camps
Ski racing camps
Ski racing camps in Europe
Ski racing camps in usa
Ski racing camps in Canada

Ski Resorts in france
Ski Resorts in switzerland
Ski Resorts in italy
Ski Resorts in pyrenees
Ski Resorts in austria

Ski Resorts in Lapland
Ski Resorts in Norway
Ski Resorts in Finland
Ski Resorts in canada
Ski Resorts in colorado
Ski Resorts in usa
Ski Resorts in rockies
Ski Resorts in Europe
Ski Resorts in the alps

Banff
Fernie
Chamonix
Chatel
Courchevel
Grand massif
La Rosiere
Les Arcs
La Plagne
La Tania
Les Carroz
Les Gets
Megeve
Meribel
Morzine
Samoens
Serre Chevalier
Klosters
Telluride
Vail
Breckenridge
Steamboat
Vermont

These are the other resorts I want to include – hope you can use this format (saved typing them al out!!)
Arinsal
El Tarter
Pas De La Casa
Soldeu
Alpbach
Axamer Lizum
Bad Gastein
Bad Hofgastein
Bad Kleinkircheim
Ellmau
Finkenberg
Fulpmes
Galtür
Ischgl
Kaprun
Kirchdorf
Kitzbühel
Kühtai
Lech
Mayrhofen
Niederau
Obergurgl
Obertauern
Rauris
Saalbach
scheffau
Schladming
Seefeld
Söll
Sölden
St. Anton
St Johann in Tirol
St Wolfgang
Westendorf
Zell am See
Zürs
Borovets
Pamporovo
Banff
Big White
Fernie
Jasper
Kicking Horse
Lkimberley
Lake Louise
Silver Star
Sun Peaks
Tremblant
Whistler
Portillo
Valle Nevado
Alpe D'Huez
Argentière
Avoriaz
Brides-Les-Bains
Chamonix
Courchevel
Flaine
Isola 2000
La Clusaz
La Grave
La Plagne
La Rosière
La Tania
La Grand Bornand
Les Arcs
Les Deux Alpes
Les Menuires
Meribel
Motteret
Montgenèvre
Morzine
Risoul
Serre Chevalier
St Jean
St Sorlin
Tignes
Val D'Isère
Valloire
Valmorel
Val Thorens
Aosta
Aprica
Bardonecchia
Campitello
Canazei
Cervinia
Champoluc
Cavalese
Claviere
Cortina
Courmayeur
Gessoney
La Thuile
Madonna Di Campiglio
Passo Tonale
Sauze d'Oulx
Selva
Sestriere
Val Di Fassa
Geilo
Hemsedal
Lillehammer
Voss
Kopaonik
Bled
Bohinj
Kranjska Gora
Sierra Nevada
Andermatt
Arosa
Château D' Oex
Crans Montana
Davos
Engelberg
Flims
Grindelwald
Interlaken
Kandersteg
Lenzerheide
Les Diablerets
Leysin
Saas Fee
St Moritz
Verbier
Villars
Wengen
wilderswil
Zermatt
aspen
Beaver Creek
Breckenridge
Copper Mountain
Heavenly - Lake Tahoe
Jackson Hole
Keystone
Killington
Mammoth
New Hampshire
Park City - Utah
Snowbird - Utah
Squaw Valley - Lake Tahoe
Steamboat
Stowe
Sunday River
Telluride
Vail
Winter Park

Restaurants in ski resorts
Restaurants in france
Restaurants in Austria
Restaurants in Switzerland
Restaurants in Italy

Ski insurance
Powder ski insurance
Winter sports insurance
Winter ski insurance
Ski holiday insurance
Cross country ski insurance
Travel insurance

Ski fitness
Fitness for skiing
Ski fitness training

Ski races
Ski races in uk
Ski races in france
Ski races in the alps
Ski races in switzerland
Ski races in Austria
Ski races in italy
Ski races in usa

Ski schools
Ski schools in the UK
Ski schools in the alps
Ski schools in europe
Ski schools in france
Ski schools in austria
Ski schools in Italy
Ski schools in switzerland
Ski schools in usa
Ski schools in canada
Ski schools for beginners
Ski schools for intermediates
Ski schools advanced
Ski schools experts
Ski schools for off piste
Ski schools for powder
Ski schools for telemarking
Ski schools for cross country

Off piste skiing in europe
Off piste skiing in the alps
Off piste skiing in france
Off piste skiing in switzerland
Off piste skiing in usa
Off piste skiing in canada

Ski touring
Ski touring in the alps
Ski touring in france
Ski touring in Europe
Ski touring in usa
Ski touring in canada

Snowcat skiing
Snow cat skiing in Canada
Snowcat skiing in france
Snowcat skiing in Europe
Snowcat skiing in the usa

Snowboarding
Snowboarding in the uk
Snowboaring in Europe
Snowboarding in france
Snowboarding in Switzerland
Snowboarding in Austria
Snowboarding in italy
Snowboarding in usa
Snowboarding in Canada

Snowboarding camps
Snowboarding camps in the uk
Snowboaring camps in Europe
Snowboarding camps in france
Snowboarding camps in Switzerland
Snowboarding camps in Austria
Snowboarding camps in italy
Snowboarding camps in usa
Snowboarding camps in Canada

Special need skiing
Special needs skiing holidays
Special needs skiing holidays in Europe
Special needs skiing holidays in austria
Special needs winter sports holidays
Skiing for the disabled

Telemark skiing
Telemark skiing in Europe
Telemark skiing holidays
Telemark skiing packages
Telemark skiing in lapland
Telemark skiing in austria
Telemark skiing in italy
Telemark skiing in switzerland

Tour operators
Ski tour operators
Cheap tour operators
Ski Tour operators to the alps
Ski Tour operators to france
Ski Tour operators to switzerland
Ski Tour operators to italy
Ski Tour operators to usa
Ski Tour operators to colorado
Ski Tour operators to austria
Ski Tour operators to europe

Transfers to/from ski resorts
Ski transfers in france
Ski transfers in Austria
Ski transfers in Europe
Ski transfers to/from Geneva
Ski transfers to/from lyon
Ski transfers to/from moutiers
Ski transfers to/from chambery
Private transfers to ski resorts
Private minibus transfers

Ski travel

Ski tuning
Ski waxing
Ski repairs

Dog sledding
Winter sport activities
Ski activity holidays
Ice driving
Snowmobiling

Private Chalets
Zermatt holidays
Alpine winters
Snow finders
Chalet maria
Haus Salzburg
Ski st Anton
Devonshire Lodge
Canadian Powder Tours Chalet Holidays
Alpine Active Chatel
Alpine Escape Ski

Alpine Pursuits
Alps Accommodation
Alps in Style
Bonne Neige Ski
Bridgets Chalet Holidays
Chalet Bartavelle
Chalet Chovettaz
Chalet Emilie
Chalet La Luciole
Chalet Gueret
Chalet Harmonie
Chalet Le Sabot
Chalet les Noisettes
Chalet Morzine
Chalet Motdit
Chalet Refuge
Chalet Shiraz
Chalet Teresa
Chalet sur la Montagne
Chatel Chalet Holidays
Come-Ski.com
CoolChalets
Flexible Breaks
Fresh Traxxx
Haig Ski
HighLife
La Corteina Mountain Lodge
Le Chalet Holiday
Holiday Chalets France
Les Alpes Chalet Holidays
Mountain Sun Ltd
Natural Chamonix
Off Piste Madness
Peak Leisure
Rude Chalets
Maison Jaune
Ski Bon
Ski Degrees
Snow and trek
Stanford Skiing
Suto Chatel
The Gourmet Chalet Company
The Oxford Ski Company
Venture Ski
Mountainbug Holidays
Action-Outdoors
Action Outdoors
Chesa Flurina
AMS Rentals
Chez Zita
Morzine Apartments
Mountain Heaven
Alpine Quests
Auberge sur la Montagne
Hotel le Ruitor
Hotel Telemark
Hotel Chalet Alpina
Minmore House Hotel
Wyndham Peaks resort
Highland Powder skiing
La Belle vue
Arctic Discovery
Bella Coola Heliskiing
Mica Heli skiing
Mountain Tracks
Ski-Exp-Air
Brilliant weekends

Skiing is the activity of gliding over snow using skis (originally wooden planks, now usually made from fiberglass or related composites), with metal edges, strapped to the feet with ski bindings. Originally used primarily for transportation, skiing evolved into a popular recreational and competitive activity during the 20th century.

History
Main article: History of skiing
Skiing probably evolved gradually from snowshoeing and originally was a practical way of getting quickly from place to place in snowy climates. Early forms of skiing resembled today's Nordic, or cross-country, style.

Sondre Norheim is often called the "father of modern skiing". In the 19th century, Sondre Norheim invented bindings that enabled the skier to do turns while skiing down hills. This form of skiing was called Slalom (sla låm, Norwegian dialect expression for a difficult track) by Norheim and his contemporaries. This form of skiing is now referred to as Telemark skiing or telemarking.

The invention of firmer bindings to anchor the skier's feet to the ski, likely by Austrian Matthias Zdarsky, enabled the skier to turn more effectively and led to the development of Alpine, or Downhill, skiing.

Shortly thereafter, in the early 20th century, Austrian Hannes Schneider pioneered the idea of rotating the body to help steer the skis. Soon this Arlberg technique, named for his home region, spread around the world and helped make skiing a popular recreational activity.

Types of skiing
Many different types of skiing are popular, especially in colder climates, and many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Ski Federation (FIS), and other sporting organizations. Skiing is most visible to the public during the Winter Olympic Games where it is a major sport.

In skiing's traditional core regions in the snowy parts of Scandinavia, as well as in places such as Alaska, both recreational and competitive skiing is as likely to refer to the cross-country variants as to the internationally better known downhill variants.

For many people, "skiing" refers to recreational downhill skiing where one visits a ski resort, purchases a lift ticket, dons cold-weather clothing, skis, ski boots and ski poles, and embarks on a chairlift, gondola lift, or other means of mechanical uphill transport. Upon reaching the summit, the skier disembarks from the ski lift and travels downhill, propelled by gravity, usually along a marked route known as a piste, 'run,' 'trail,' or 'slope'. Most ski resorts use mechanical equipment to 'groom,' or pack down and smooth, the snow surface on certain ski trails. Grooming is normally associated with trails of lesser difficulty. Off-piste skiing includes skiing in unmarked or unpatrolled areas either within the ski resort's boundaries or in the backcountry, frequently amongst trees ("glade skiing"), usually in pursuit of fresh fallen snow, known as powder.

Skiing or snowboarding outside a ski resort's boundaries, also known as out of bounds skiing, is illegal in some ski resorts, due to the danger of avalanches on the un-patrolled areas; or the cost of search-and-rescue for lost or overdue skiers. France and Canada are two of the few countries permitting this activity. However, lost or overdue backcountry travellers are usually held responsible for the cost of search-and-rescue service if uninsured. Backcountry skiers traveling in steep terrain prone to avalanches are encouraged to take avalanche training, travel with other experienced people, and carry special equipment for self-rescue. It is recommended that skiers make the local ski patrol aware of where they are going if they stray off-piste in case of avalanches or bad weather that could put skiers in danger.

Emergency medical technicians evacuating an injured skier from a ski areaSkiing technique is difficult to master, and accordingly there are ski schools that teach everything from the basics of turning and stopping safely to more advanced carving, racing, mogul or "bump" skiing and newer freestyle techniques. The venue, speed and technical difficulty associated with the sport can lead to collisions, accidents, hypothermia and other injury or illness, occasionally including death. Regional Ski Patrol organizations, such as the National Ski Patrol in the U.S., exist as a voluntary organization to provide guidance, help, medical assistance and emergency rescue to those in need of it.

Many non-skiers wonder why skiers are willing to risk such injury. Skiers have a variety of answers to this question, but a common explanation is that skiing simply feels exhilarating, rather like flying, and that, when done carefully, poses no greater risk of injury compared to other sports. Also, since the sport is often performed in remote areas at high altitudes, the air is clean, and the views may be really beautiful. Of course, there is some aspect of danger, but facing the danger is part of the appeal for some. For beginning skiers learning under a trained instructor, skiing speeds are low, the terrain is not steep and is often well-manicured, and the risks are relatively low. For extreme skiiers, testing their expert abilities against ever more challenging terrain, the risks may be much higher. Many skiers have had experiences where they have achieved a union of the mind and the body by practising this sport; where the mind trusts the body to perform in an exceptional manner and the body trusts the mind not to lead it off an un-navigable cliff. A sense of harmony and of peak experience can result in a feeling of wholeness of self.

In addition to its role in recreation and sport, skiing is also used as a means of transport by the military, and many armies train troops for ski warfare. Ski troops played a key role in retaining Finnish independence from Russia during the Winter War, and from Germany during the Lapland War, although the use of ski troops was recorded by the Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus in the 13th century. The sport of Biathlon was developed from military skiing patrols.

Skiing was pronounced "she-ing" at the start of the 20th century, after the Norwegian pronunciation, and was usually written "ski-ing".

Skiing for people with disabilities

Snowbird ski resortDownhill skiing for people with disabilities is a recreational pastime open to those with any manner of cognitive and/or physical disabilities. Adaptations include the use of outriggers, ski tip retention devices, ski sliders, sit skis (dual and mono), brightly colored guide bibs, ski guides, and inter-skier communication systems or audible clues for blind skiers. Recreational skiing programs for people with disabilities exist at mountains across the globe. In the Northeastern part of the United States, Maine Handicapped Skiing is one of the largest, operating out of the Sunday River ski resort. In the western part of the United States, the National Sports Center for the Disabled at Winter Park Resort near Denver, Colorado attracts world-class disabled athletes from Europe, Asia, and North America. Currently the International Ski Federation (FIS) sanctions a number of regional, national, and international disabled skiing events. Skiing for people with disabilities became popular after World War II with the return of injured veterans.

Skiing and society
This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers, and should be edited to rectify this.
Please improve the article, or discuss the issue on the talk page.
In some places, particularly in the United States, skiing is often associated with wealth. Some resorts, particularly several in the American state of Colorado, are known as places where the affluent go on vacation.

The term "ski bum" has been used to classify skiers who spend the entire skiing season at the resort, engaging in their favorite sport and obtaining jobs, mainly in the local tourism industry to make a living. More commonly many different types of people engage in skiing. Some people take days off of work occasionally, go after work, after school, or on the weekends, for short trips if the ski resort is near their home. This makes up the bulk of the ski crowd.

Since the 1980s when snowboarders began to share hills with downhill skiers, a small rivalry between skiers and boarders has developed both on and off the slopes, though it has usually remained friendly and has increased the notoriety of both sports. Skiers have often called boarders human moguls as the rest state for boarders is a sitting stance with the board perpendicular to the slope. This is because it is difficult to balance on one edge of the snowboard while stationary.

Ski trail ratings

North America
In North America, a color–shape rating system is used to indicate the difficulty of trails (otherwise known as slopes or pistes).

There is no governing body that assigns difficulty ratings to ski trails. Instead, ski resorts assign ratings to their own trails, marking a given trail according to its relative difficulty when compared with other trails at that resort. As a result, identically-pitched trails at different resorts can have different ratings.

Although slope angle is the primary consideration in assigning a trail rating, other factors come into play — including trail width, normal snow conditions and whether or not the resort regularly grooms the trail.

Ski Trail Difficulty Ratings in North America
Green Circle Easiest The easiest pistes at a mountain. Green Circle trails are generally wide and groomed, typically with slope angles ranging from 6° to 25°. These trails are typically the most popular trails among newer skiers and snowboarders.
Blue Square Easy Intermediate difficulty, usually more difficult than Green Circle-marked slopes. The slope angle commonly ranges from 25° to 40° and the snow is usually groomed. Blue Square runs comprise the bulk of pistes at most ski areas, and are usually among the most heavily-trafficked.
Black Diamond Difficult Amongst the most difficult at a given mountain. Black Diamond trails are steep (often 40° and up) and may or may not be groomed, though the introduction of winch-cats has made the grooming of steep slopes both possible and more frequent.
Double Black Diamond Expert These trails are even more difficult than Black Diamond, due to exceptionally steep slopes and other hazards such as narrow trails, exposure to wind, and the presence of obstacles such as steep drop-offs or trees. They are intended only for the most experienced skiers.
This trail rating is fairly new; by the 1980s, technological improvements in trail construction and maintenance, coupled with intense marketing competition, led to the creation of a Double Black Diamond rating.

Variations Various Variations such as doubling a symbol to indicate increased difficulty, or combining two different symbols to indicate intermediate difficulty are occasionally used. One example is a diamond overlapping a square to indicate a trail rating between a Blue Square and a Black Diamond.
Terrain Parks Various Terrain parks are whole or portions of trails that can offer a variety of jumps, half-pipes, and other special "extreme" sporting obstacles beyond traditional moguls. The trails are typically represented by an orange rectangle with rounded corners.
Usually, the terrain park will carry its own trail rating, indicating the level of challenge. A terrain park with a Black Diamond or Double Black Diamond rating would contain greater and more challenging obstacles than a park with a Blue Square rating.

Europe
In Europe, pistes are classified by a similar, colour-coded system, although shapes are not used (all ratings are circles). The ratings are:

Green
Learning or 'baby' slopes. These are usually not marked trails, but tend to be large open, gently sloping areas at the base of the ski area.
Blue
An easy trail, similar to the North American Green Circle, and are almost always groomed, or on so shallow a slope as not to need it.
Red
An intermediate slope. Steeper, or narrower than a blue slope, these are usually groomed, unless the narrowness of the trail prohibits it.
Black
An expert slope. Steep, may or may not be groomed, or may be groomed for moguls. It is worth noting that 'Black' can be a very wide classification, ranging from a slope marginally more difficult than a 'Red' to very steep avalanche chutes like the infamous Couloirs of Courchevel.
Yellow
In recent years, many resorts reclassified some black slopes to yellow slopes. This signifies a skiroute, an ungroomed and unpatrolled slope which is actually off-piste skiing in a marked area. Famous examples are the Stockhorn area in Zermatt and the Tortin slopes in Verbier. In Austria, skiroutes are usually marked with orange squares instead.
Alpine slope classification in Europe is less rigidly tied to slope angle than in North America. A lower angle slope may be classified as more difficult than a steeper slope if, for instance, it is narrower and/or requires better skiing ability to carry speed through flatter sections while controlling speed through sharp hairpin turns, off-camber slope angles or exposed rock.

Japan
Japan uses a color-coded system, but shapes do not usually accompany them. Some resorts, mainly those catering to foreigners, use the North American or European color-coding system, adding to the confusion. When in doubt, check the map legend. The usual ratings are:

Green
Beginner slopes. These are usually near the base of the mountain, although some follow switchback routes down from the top.
Red
Intermediate slopes. At most ski areas in Japan, these constitute the majority of the slopes (40° to 60°, depending on how the slopes are accounted).
Black
Expert slopes. These are the steepest and most difficult slopes at the ski area. The difficulty of these compared to like-classified slopes at other ski areas is heavily dependent on the target audience.
Japan has more than 600 ski areas (108 in Nagano Prefecture alone), many of them small and family-oriented, so comparisons between slope classifications in Japan and "equivalent" slopes in Europe or North America are minimal.

Snow and weather
Skiers and snowboarders can encounter a wide range of snow and weather conditions, in part due to the location of specific resorts and global weather patterns at the time.

Natural snow ranges in consistency from very light and fluffy to dense and heavy, depending upon atmospheric conditions as it falls. Snow is often measured by moisture content, or the amount of water in a given volume of snow. Some areas of the United States' Rocky Mountains, for example, can receive considerable amounts of snow with a moisture content as low as three to five percent; in the Northeastern United States and the Alps, moisture content is more typically 15 percent or more. Snow made by mechanical snowmaking often has moisture content of 35 percent or more.

Temperatures play a critical role in snow moisture content, but other atmospheric conditions are also relevant. Air currents and other factors determine snow crystal shape; obviously, the farther apart given snow crystals are, the more air is contained in the newly settled snow, resulting in lower net moisture content in a given volume of snow. Snow produced mechanically typically has high relative moisture content and low amounts of loft because the crystal structure resembles small, dense pellets.

Even the fluffiest snow has mass, and snow typically settles under its own weight after time. This is one reason why untouched snow measuring 20 cm on the day it falls might be measured at 15 cm the day following. Snow is also subject to sublimation - a process by which water can go directly from a frozen state to a gaseous state without first melting. It is this same process that ultimately makes ice cubes shrink in a freezer.

There are other factors that impact snow beyond its moisture content and crystal shape, however. Snow is impacted by wind, sunlight, skier traffic, ambient air temperature, relative humidity and grooming equipment; all of these factors combine to change snow crystal shape and density over time.

Thus, skiers and snowboarders typically encounter a wide range of snow conditions over the course of a season. Some of the more common conditions include:

Powder: Light, fluffy snow, found during and immediately after a snowstorm. Skiing and snowboarding in deep powder snow is a favorite among skilled, experienced skiers and snowboarders; sometimes know as powderhounds.
Packed Powder: Packed Powder is powder snow that has been compressed, either by means of mechanical snow grooming apparatus or skier traffic. The term can also be used to describe snow that has been properly made with adequate control over snowmaking apparatus. This snow condition is favored by beginners and the majority of recreational skiers, in that it tends to be relatively forgiving, easy to turn upon, and requires less skill to negotiate than powder snow.
Granular snow: Granular snow crystals are small pellets. Depending on sun and temperature conditions, it may be wet granular snow - meaning that there is a considerable amount of unfrozen water in it, or loose granular snow, which has no unfrozen water. Wet granular snow will form a snowball; loose granular snow will not. Wet granular conditions are often found in the springtime. Loose granular conditions are generally produced when wet granular snow has re-frozen and then been broken up by snowgrooming apparatus.
Corn snow: Corn snow is the result of repeated daily thaws and nightly re-freezing of the surface. Because of the thaw-refreeze cycle, snow crystal shapes change over time, producing crystal shapes somewhat akin to wet granular, but larger. True corn snow is a delight to ski or ride.
Ice: skiers and snowboarders typically regard any snow condition that is very hard as 'ice.' In fact, true ice conditions are comparatively rare. Much of what is perceived to be ice is actually a frozen granular condition - wet granular snow that has refrozen to form a very dense surface. Telling the difference is comparatively easy; if one can get a ski pole to stand up in it, the surface is likely to be more of a frozen granular surface than an icy one - and while it's certainly not as enjoyable as many other snow conditions, skilled skiers and snowboarders can successfully negotiate it. In fact, it's a preferred condition among racers, in that the surface tends to be quite fast and race course conditions tend to remain more consistent during the race, with fewer ruts developing on the course. Another form of icy condition can be found at higher elevation resorts in the Rocky Mountains and in Europe; direct sunlight can melt the top layers of snow crystals and subsequent freezing and produce a very shiny, slick surface.
Crust: Crusts are extremely challenging conditions. A crust condition exists when soft snow is covered by a harder upper layer upon the surface. This crust can be created by freezing rain (precipitation formed in warmer upper levels of the atmosphere, falling into a temperature inversion at which surface temperatures are below freezing, and freezing on contact with the ground), by direct sunlight, and by wind loading which packs down the upper layers of the snowpack but leaves lower layers more or less unaffected.
Spring Conditions: a catch-all term ski areas use to describe conditions when numerous different surface types can be found on the mountain - usually in the later part of the season, although the term is sometimes used during an extended midwinter thaw. The term also generally reflects the presence of bare spots and/or areas of thin cover. With spring conditions, the snow is usually firm in early morning (even reaching frozen granular status if left ungroomed), breaking a softer corn or wet granular surface mid-day, and is often very soft and mushy in afternoon (many skiers refer to this type of snow condition as 'mashed potatoes," due to its heaviness). In some instances when the snow is untracked, sun baked, slightly dirty, with the consistency of a snow cone, it is called 'tecate powder.' The speed with which conditions change on a given spring day is directly related to the exposure of the slope relative to the sun. East- and south-facing slopes tend to soften first; west-facing slopes generally soften by mid-day. North-facing slopes may hold on to their overnight snow conditions throughout the day.

New developments
The combination of kiteboarding technology with skiing has led to the creation of a new sport, snowkiting. Harnessing the pull of the wind with a kite, snowkiters are able to make very large jumps and travel uphill.

Skiing topics

Types of skiing
Alpine skiing (also known as Downhill skiing)
Backcountry skiing (also known as Off Piste skiing)
Cross-country skiing (also known as Nordic skiing)
Extreme skiing
Freeskiing
Heliskiing
Newschool skiing
Telemark skiing
Speed skiing
Ski jumping
Ski mountaineering
Ski touring
Snowboarding
Snowkiting

Freestyle skiing
Cat skiing is a type of snow skiing that involves the use of a snowcat to transport skiers up mountainous terrain rather than helicopters or ski lifts used at ski resorts. It is considered a form of backcountry skiing or off-piste skiing, as the hazards encountered in a backcountry mountain environment are the same and professionals often guide participants.

Turning techniques
Stem techniques
The Snowplough - (also known as the wedge) - see snowplough turn
The Stem Christie
Parallel turn
Carve turn
Telemark turn
Pivot turn

Equipment
Skis
Ski bindings
Ski boots
Ski poles
Ski wax
Ski suit
Ski helmet
Ski gloves
Sunglasses
Specialized Alpine touring equipment

Competition events
Arlberg-Kandahar competition
Winter Olympic Games
Winter Paralympic Games
Four Hills Tournament
Winter X-Games

Alpine events
Alpine Skiing World Cup
Alpine World Skiing Championships
Freestyle
Slalom
Giant slalom
Super Giant Slalom
Downhill
Alpine skiing combined
Speed Skiing
Moguls

Nordic events
Biathlon
Nordic combined
Ski jumping
Cross-country skiing

Skiing organizations
International organizations:

International Biathlon Union (IBU)
International Free Skiers Association (IFSA)
International Ski Federation (FIS)
International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA)
International Skiing History Association (ISHA)
National organizations:

Iran Ski Federation
US National Ski Hall of Fame
Professional Ski Instructors of America
Swiss Ski Association (in French and German)
List of Swiss Ski Schools + other national Ski Schools
British Association of Snowsport Instructors
Ski Club of Great Britain
United States Ski and Snowboard Association
Croatian Ski Association / Hrvatski skijaški savez (HSS)
National Ski Patrol

Ski safety
Skiing is a winter sport that everyone can enjoy, but there are a few things you should consider before hitting the slopes. Here are some valuable tips to consider before going out skiing with your friends and family.

First, you should be fit for this activity because injury may occur if you're not fit enough. Just like other sports before you go out you should do some warm ups. This will lessen the probability that injury will occur.

Ask for assistance, if you feel you're not good enough to hit the slopes you should consider skiing with an expert or instructors by your side. Skiing is prone to injury so it's a must that you know your skiing fundamentals. Knowing your limitations is the first step in NOT getting injured.

Safe skiing equipment is a must. Make sure all your equipment is in good condition; especially the ski bindings make sure they are properly adjusted to suit your needs.

Here are some tips on what to bring before you go skiing.

1. Wear Ski Gloves and mittens it will provide your whole hand with warmth.

2. Goggles or sunglasses to protect your eyes from harm. Because flying particles may enter your eyes and/or tearing will occur from the cold if you're not wearing any eye protection

3. Fleece top or sweater; the mid-layer or insulating garment.

4. Parka, anorak, or shell; in other words, your outer layer garment

5. Poles that are right for your height

6. Thermal underwear and ski socks

7. Wear a Helmet to avoid head injuries.

8. Boots sized properly when worn over one pair of warm socks

9. Water-resistant and windproof pants

10. Skis that are the right length for your height and ability, mounted with bindings properly adjusted for your height/weight and ability.

Avalanches
Cornice (climbing)
Crevasses
Mountain rescue
Ski patrol

Ski resorts
National Ski Areas Association

Ski lifts
Aerial tramway (or cable car)
Chairlift
Detachable chairlift (often a higher speed chairlift)
Funitel
Funicular
Gondola lift
Rope tow
Platter lift (or button lift)
T-bar lift
Telemix
Magic carpet

Other
History of skiing
Artificial ski slope
Indoor ski slope
Ski Simulators
List of ski areas
Piste
Ski resort
Ski school
Ski warfare
Snow
Snow cannon
Ice
Snowcat (piste basher)
Physics of skiing
Apres-ski

Health and injuries
Altitude sickness
Injuries
Anterior cruciate ligament
Fracture
First aid
Wilderness first aid
Frost bite
Hypothermia
Windburn
Physical fitness
Exercise
Snow blindness
List of famous skiing deaths
Shin-bang

Ski videos and movies
Skiing and snowboarding video and movies as a genre, emerged with such classics as Otto Lang (film producer) Ski Flight, Warren Miller, Dirk Collins and other now famous ski movie makers.

Related sports
Grass skiing
Monoskiing
Skwal
Skiboarding
Snowboarding
Snowshoe walking
Snowkiting
Water skiing
Sports
Winter sport