Every four years in the Winter Olympics, we see professional athletes
compete in many areas ranging from downhill skiing to high-speed bobsledding.
We see the professionals demonstrate their spectacular abilities, and we try to
emulate them in our own activities. In the Olympics, cross-country and downhill
skiing are two very popular sports, and even non-professionals can get into them.
In this essay I will classify the various types of skiing into three categories
and inform you about each.
The first type of skiing that I will discuss is cross-country skiing.
As its name implies, cross-country skiing consists of horizontal travel across
flat land and relatively few hills. Cross-country skis are not optimized for
speed, but instead for easier long distance travel. This type of skiing is also
the least expensive of the three types and has recently been gaining many new
enthusiasts. A decent quality cross-country ski package would cost around $150.
As for choosing equipment, the skier should pick out poles that are as tall as
his shoulders. (For most people this would mean a 140 cm to 150 cm pole.) Skis
come in three common sizes, 190 cm, 210, cm and 240 cm, and the proper length
depends on the height of the person. To determine the size needed, the person
should hold his hands above his head and choose the ski that most closely
approximates the distance from the base of his palm to the floor. The
following table gives some guidelines as to which ...
Another key ingredient to the track is the paddles. Paddles are the pieces coming off of the track itself, a picture these paddles is shown below. This is what provides the traction for the snowmachine to move. In today's market these paddles come in sizes ranging from 1 inch to 3 inches. The saying "bigger is better" does not hold true for these paddles though. When the paddles get to big the rotating mass actually bogs the machine down and reduces performance. Polaris Industries have found, through the use of physics and other tests, that the most efficient paddle length is 2.4 inches. This length gives the most grip in deep snow while still being semi-economical on trails.
Snowshoeing is excellent exercise. But, finding the best snowshoe equipment is a harder task. Here is some information on snowshoeing and equipment you will need. Use it before purchasing your snowshoe equipment.
Cross-country skiing is as much of a competitive sport, as it is a back country one. Cross-country skiing is enjoyed by people of all ages, and can be relatively inexpensive. There is no need for lift tickets and with a little maintenance equipment can last for decades. As a result of its broad audience, many people don't realize that physics plays a large role in cross-country skiing. This web page was designed to briefly describe some of the concepts behind the physics of skiing, and give a basic understanding of both the sport and the science.
weight depending on the size and height of the rider. The snowboard is measured in inches. Children ride between a 38"-43". Women usually ride between 45"-53. For men, the sizes can run from 55"-65".
At 6pm on a Saturday evening, Sally and her parents were on their way to go skiing for their 20th time. The whole family was extremely excited and looking forward to this, especially since the place was somewhere they’d never been to before. As they were in the car, Sally was daydreaming about what the place would look like, and wondered if her worst fear would be there: ski lifts. Everything about this scared her. The car is out in the open, has no roof, and the ride could malfunction at any time. Since this unanswered question was on her mind now, she decided to ask her parents to see if they knew. “I’m just wondering, do either of you know if there are going to be ski lifts at the place?” Both of her parents paused in confusion but didn’t
The level of athleticism and skill required for a successful vault is overwhelming. Pole-vaulting, a Track and Field event, was introduced to the Olympics in 1896 (The Physics of Pole Vaulting, 2009). The goal of this event is to get over a bar that is set at a certain height using a vaulting pole for a boost. The athlete has three attempts to get over each height; once they have failed the three attempts, they are out of the competition. Athletes that are able to get over the height within the three attempts move on to the next height, which usually increase by 3 to 6 inch increments. Although the vaulting pole is crucial in pole-vaulting, there is more to it then that, all of which play a huge role in how high you get.
Skiing is a sport enjoyed by millions of people around the world. The adrenaline rush that skiers get from flying down the slopes is unmatched, but all too often the cause for this rush is overlooked. Physics plays a crucial role in skiing and without it, there would definitely be no skiing. The concept of skiing is simple. You attach a ski to each foot, go to the top of a hill or incline, and slide down, turning side to side. From this basic concept of sliding down an inclined plane, a worldwide sport has evolved. In this paper, I hope you gain a useful knowledge of the vitally important role that physics plays in the sport of downhill skiing.
First, you will need a snowboard. Make sure that you also buy the boots and bindings, if they do not come in the same package with the board. You will need to dress in a comfortable, loose-fitting outfit to allow flexibility. Never disregard your safety. Gloves, goggles, helmet, and wrist guards are a must, especially for beginners.
Pieter and I were determined to become proficient water skiers, while Rhea had knee issues that limited her participation. The Gibson Girl only had a forty horsepower motor, which wasn’t sufficient power for faster skiing or for doing tricks like skiing barefoot. I remember using the Comfort for some of our skiing before Dad traded the outboard for a sixteen-foot Gar Wood Junior, which had an inboard motor and more power. Pieter and I spent hours practicing the basics of getting up efficiently, skiing across the wake and then jumping the wake. It wasn’t long before we developed a passion for mastering slalom skiing. I wanted to ski all the time during that period.
Boarders and skiers have differences and similarities in their equipment. Snowboarding requires only one piece to guide you down the slopes, where skiing uses four. In skiing you require two slender pieces of fiberglass along with two poles. Snowboarding, with its single wide piece of fiberglass, uses bindings to lock your feet onto the board leaving no room for a scavenger hunt your equipment on the slopes. When you fall in snowboarding you have three less things to worry about. Instead of a plastic boot used by skiers, snowboarders use custom fitted boots with all the flexibility you need. Snowboards and skis are made out of the same material and they both require waxing. Like some skis, snowboards are carved upwards on both tips of the board for freestyle movements. The equipment is made for the boarder or skier to use on the same slopes.
I was the first person to ski off of the chairlift that day; arriving at the summit of the Blackcomb Mountain, nestled in the heart of Whistler, Canada. It was the type of day when the clouds seemed to blanket the sky, leaving no clue that the sun, with its powerful light, even existed anymore. It was not snowing, but judging by the moist, musty, stale scent in the air, I realized it would be only a short time before the white flakes overtook the mountain. As I prepared myself to make the first run, I took a moment to appreciate my surroundings. Somehow things seemed much different up here. The wind, nonexistent at the bottom, began to gust. Its cold bite found my nose and froze my toes. Its quick and sudden swirling movement kicked loose snow into my face, forcing me to zip my jacket over my chin. It is strange how the gray clouds, which seemed so far above me at the bottom, really did not appear that high anymore. As I gazed out over the landscape, the city below seemed unrecognizable. The enormous buildings which I had driven past earlier looked like dollhouses a child migh...
The clothes you wear skiing depends on the weather conditions of that particular day. If it is a cold and windy day, then you should wear at least three layers of clothes. You should put on a pair long johns first, followed by sweatpants, and then your waterproof snow pants. A good pair of waterproof/breathable pants are needed to keep dry and warm. (Anders) For your upper body clothes, you should wear some kind of long sleeve under armor shirt, followed by a normal long-sleeve shirt, a hoody, and then your waterproof winter coat. As for a hat, you need something that will cover your entire head, as well as your ears. There is a good chance that your face might get wind burnt, so it is not a bad idea to put a bandana or some kind of cover across your face, preferably covering your mouth, cheeks, and nose. The gloves you wear should be nice and warm on the inside, waterproof on the outside, and with plenty of room to move your fingers around. Depending on how cold your feet get, it would not be a bad idea to wear two pairs of thick socks. Goggles and a helmet are optional while skiing but they are extremely recommended. Goggles are meant to keep blowing snow and wind out of your eyes so you can concentrate on proceeding down the slope. (Anders) Wearing a helmet on the slopes reduces the risk of getting a concussion. Some helmets come with added ventilation, removable earpads, and built-in headphones. (Anders) It is best that the goggles are pressed to your face as much as possible so they do not fog up while you're skiing. Goggles are nice because they make everything darker during the daytime. That is why it is best to let them rest on your head while you are skiing at night so you can see better. The most important gear for skiing is, of course, the skis along with the boots and poles. In order to know if the skis are a good size for
Skiing, as a sport has existed since the early 1800’s, although depictions of skis have been discovered throughout Europe dating back thousands of years. Skiing as a recreational activity became popularized in the mid 1800’s however it did not arrive in the United States until around 1841. Once the concept of skiing reached the states, it took off. The United States continued to power advances in skiing for decades, with the introduction of rope tows, then actual ski lifts. By the 1950’s several ski areas had begun snowmaking and trail grooming, two American born inovatio9ns which ensured better skiing conditions and launched the US far ahead of Europe in ski technology (Fry 38). Skiing continued to evolve throughout the 1900’s, constantly changing and adapting to improve athlete performance and recreational experiences. Skis and equipment changed quickly and frequently, ski bindings, which...
Thin air encompasses me as I commence the final day of skiing at Vail, Colorado. Seven days of skiing elapse rather painlessly; I fall occasionally but an evening in the Jacuzzi soothes my minor aches. Closing time approaches on the final day of our trip as I prepare myself for the final run of the vacation. Fresh off the ski lift, I coast toward the junction of trails on the unoccupied expert face of the mountain. After a moment of thought, I confidently select a narrow trail so steep that only the entrance can be seen from my viewpoint.
Challenge plays an essential role in defining a sport; it provides the individual with the feeling of achievement in success. Skiing poses challenge even in its simplest foundations. Skiing on a poor quality hill, with icy snow and poor upkeep can sometimes create more challenge than a well-groomed slope. Skiing in the backcountry away from lifts and other people in freshly fallen snow provides an opportunity for the best of skiers to test t...