Extreme Skiing

2006-10-08T23:51:00.000-07:00

Skiing is a sport that has become so popular over the decades. Millions of people worldwide enjoy Skiing for the exhilaration, sense of freedom, physical challenges, and fitness benefits one can get.

There are many forms of Skiing. Each form is unique on its own and requires specific type of equipment suitable for its use. Nowadays, there are Skiing competitions for Telemark Skiing, Free Skiing, and Extreme skiing.

Extreme skiing or what is also called Speed Skiing is among the fastest non-motorized sports on earth. Extreme skiing, which is now classified under Big Mountain Skiing and/or Free Skiing, involves racing past fear and terminal velocity with the heightened excitement caused by the risks involved in it.

Tuckerman Ravine is the birthplace of what is now called Extreme skiing. Located at the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Tuckerman Ravine, is famous for its spectacular scenery, deep snow, and challenging Hiking and Skiing terrain.

Le Ski Extreme, as it was first called by the French in the 70’s, is where you ski down the side of a mountain. It is a kind of Skiing carried to its limits because it is done on extremely difficult slopes or under very dangerous conditions. Everything that you do is controlled and thought out. You don’t jump and even missing a turn can kill you. There are only few people out there who perform Extreme skiing.

Equipment and Gear

Extreme skiing requires use of protective gear. Back protection in the form of fire retardant high-density foam is essential for this sport. Boots with boot fairings and bindings are likewise necessary. Poles, gloves, wax, speed ski helmet and boot bags are the other pieces of gear needed in an extreme skiing expedition.

Dangers Involved in Extreme Skiing

In general, all outdoor sports are dangerous especially if they are not practiced under supervision of a professional or there is no proper instruction or knowledge regarding the sport. Extreme skiing is no exception.
Skiing between trees, jumping off cliffs, and even doing 360-degree flips all at the same time while balancing on blades no more than four inches wide are not simply taking a chance. These are some of the things that you can expect from an extreme skier.
Extreme skiing involves taking a lot of changes and likewise, trying dangerous maneuvers at the same speed of light or maybe even faster. But just like any sport, Extreme skiing requires skills that one must learn, practice and eventually, master.