In this part of our web guide, we will discuss winter sports, which are competitive or non-competitive recreational activities played on snow or ice.
Traditionally, such games were only played in cold areas during the winter, but artificial snow and artificial ice allow more flexibility today.
The origins of winter sports can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where people living in cold climates adapted their activities to the winter season. Skis were used as early as 6000 BC in Scandinavia and Russia, and ice skating was practiced by the Dutch in the 13th century.
The development of formal winter sports began in the 19th century, however. The first organized ice skating club was founded in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1742. The Edinburgh Skating Club, which practiced a form of figure skating rather than speed skating, was active until 1966. Sondre Norheim, a Norwegian who created more effective ski bindings and shorter skis in the mid-19th century, is credited with developing modern skiing. In 1884, he emigrated to the United States, eventually settling in North Dakota. Although he continued to ski when he could, the flat topography of North Dakota didn't allow for many opportunities.
There are several winter sports, which can be sorted into ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and team sports. Within each of these categories, they can be further divided.
Ice skating sports include barrel jumping, figure skating, short-track speed skating, and speed skating. Ice hockey is also an ice skating sport, but it's more closely associated with team sports.
There are several skiing sports, including Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, freestyle skiing, jack jumping, mogul skiing, monoskiing, ski archery, skiboarding, skibob, ski jumping, ski mountaineering, ski orienteering, snowkiting, speed skiing, and Telemark skiing.
The sledding sports include bobsled, dogsled racing, ice blocking, luge, skeleton, and wok racing.
Snowboarding includes Alpine snowboarding, boardercross, slalom, snowskating, and slopestyle.
Among the snowmobiling sports are freestyle snowmobiling, snocross, cross-country snowmobiling, hill climbing, and recreational snowmobiling.
Winter team sports include bandy, broomball, curling, ice hockey, ringette, rink bandy, snow baseball, snow rugby, snow snake, snow volleyball, sponge hockey, synchronized skating, and competitive snowball fighting.
Other winter sports include but are not limited to, cold-weather biking, ice canoeing, ice climbing, ice cricket, ice racing, ice speedway, snow biking, snowshoeing, tour skating, snow drifting, and snow golf.
Notable winter sporting events include the Winter Olympics. This premier global winter sporting event is held every four years and features disciplines such as skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, and figure skating. The FIS Alpine World Ski Championships are an international competition organized by the International Ski Federation (FIS) and showcases the best Alpine skiers. The IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is an annual tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). The event features top national teams from around the world. Several others include World Cup competitions and World Championships in most competitive winter sports.
Most, if not all, of the above winter sports can be played recreationally and non-competitively. Ice boating, ice sailing, and tobogganing are generally recreational activities. Other winter activities often practiced recreationally include snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating, winter hiking, and building snow sculptures.
Winter sports activities are appropriate for this category, although some of them could also fit into other categories, such as Outdoors or Extreme Sports. Retail sales sites should be submitted to the corresponding Shopping & eCommerce categories.
Categories
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Recommended Resources
Founded as the Canadian Curling Association in 1990, Curling Canada. is a sanctioning body for the sport of curling in Canada. The organization is associated with more than a dozen provincial and territorial curling associations nationwide. An introduction to the sport, the organization, and Team Canada is presented on the website, along with contacts, event schedules, ticket sales, championships, scores, videos, and an online shopping page with branded apparel.
https://www.curling.ca/
International Ski and Snowboard Federation
Previously known as the International Ski Federation (Fédération Internationale de Ski), the organization is generally known by its original acronym - FIS. Founded in 1924, FIS is the highest international governing body for skiing and snowboarding, responsible for the Olympic skiing disciplines (Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined, freestyle skiing, and snowboarding). Its calendar, results, athletes, and contacts are featured.
https://www.fis-ski.com/
The national governing body for the sport of ringette in Canada was established in 1974 and is responsible for the organization and promotion of ringette on a nationwide basis and for organizing Canada's semi-professional ringette league, the National Ringette League. Ringette is a non-contact winter team sport played on an ice rink using ice hockey skates, straight sticks with drag-tips, and a blue, rubber pneumatic ring designed for use on ice surfaces. Event schedules and contacts are posted.
https://www.ringette.ca/
Ski biking combines elements of skiing and biking, allowing participants to ride down snowy slopes on a bike-like device equipped with skis. The website provided information on the winter sport, describing ski biking techniques, the equipment used, and locations where someone can try this sport out. Other resources include personal stories from snowbikers, profiles of prominent individuals involved in the sport, a calendar of events, and links to other online resources.
http://www.ski-bike.org/
Published by Harris Publishing Company, the magazine is available in print and digital versions. A one-year subscription includes six issues with information on Western Snowmobiling, including news of the sport's latest trends, new products and technologies, tech tips, product reviews, manufacturer news, and upcoming events. The magazine has been in print since 1974 and is published in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Other resources include podcasts and discussion forums.
https://www.snowest.com/
Owned by VerticalScope, Snowmobile World is an online discussion board for snowmobilers and others interested in snowmobiling. Forms are established for general snowmobile discussions, for specific snowmobile manufacturers, vintage sleds, regional discussions, recalls and service bulletins, off-road snowmobiling, buying and selling of snowmobiles, trailers, and accessories, and a vendor member section. Registration is required for participation in discussions.
https://www.snowmobileworld.com/
Situated in Park City, Utah, the Winter Sports School is a public charter school established in 1994. The school focuses on the academic, physical, and personal development of student-athletes dedicated to winter sports. The school offers a schedule that allows students to focus on their academics during the school months and their sports during the winter season. Its admissions policies, academic programs, counseling services, annual funding, and contacts are posted on the site.
https://www.wintersportsschool.org/
