Skis and All Trivia Quiz

Answer: Alpine ski

I really hope that a water ski, designed for use when being towed across a body of water, will not be useful, or the snow skiing is going to be very disappointing. Jumping and Cross-country skis are designed for the activities in their names, which are often referred to as the Nordic disciplines. Downhill skiing is called Alpine skiing, because the sport developed in Switzerland and Austria near the end of the 19th century. Starting off as little more than a wooden plank strapped to the feet, Alpine skis have evolved to produce many variations for use in different applications, depending on such factors as the nature of the snow, the bumpiness of its surface, and the extent to which a skier, particularly a competitor, needs to turn sharply. I think an all-purpose ski will do me fine.

Answer: Its tip should reach somewhere between your chin and the top of your head

As skis have evolved, recommended lengths have changed. Fifty years ago the recommended ski length was described in terms of how close the tip came to the top of an outstretched arm, with the optimum range between wrist and fingertip. Today's skis are worn much shorter, which has been made possible by the use of new materials and shaping designs.

There is no one correct length, however. Beginners generally find skis that are on the short side of the recommended length to be easier to manipulate, but those who want to get more speed will find it useful to have a longer ski.

These are only some of the variables, so it pays to find a knowledgeable expert to assist you if you do not know what will be best for you.

Answer: Binding

The binding on the pictured skis is a type used for cross-country skiing, in which only the toe is firmly fixed, and the heel moved freely. Most downhill skis have both toe and heel firmly attached, so that the ski becomes an extension of the foot. For safety, bindings are designed to release the foot in case of a fall, and it is important to have the release setting adjusted so that it will release when the appropriate amount of torque is applied to it.

This depends on the skier's height and weight. If the release is too light, you will be constantly annoyed by having your ski come off as you turn; too heavy, and you may be injured because it fails to release your foot in an accident.

Answer: Safety strap

A safety strap is a strap (now, that will come as a surprise to the astute) which is attached to the ski at one end and to the skier at the other end, often, as in the picture, by looping around the leg. I have childhood memories of clipping them onto my boot laces.

There is actually some debate as to whether these safety straps (and other devices that serve the same function) may increase the risk of injury to the fallen skier, who may still get entangled with the ski. However, they definitely reduce the danger to other skiers from finding themselves in the path of a runaway ski.

Answer: Cross-country skiing

The picture shows a cross-country boot, which is much lower and more flexible than the Alpine ski boot which is more familiar to many casual skiers. Cross-country skis attach at the toe only, as can be seen from inspecting the binding shown attached to it on the picture.

When I first started skiing, ski boots were made from leather, and getting them dry overnight after a wet day of spring skiing was often quite a challenge. The introduction by the Lange company of the first synthetic boots in the 1960s created a revolution! With the use of plastic for the boots, it became possible to modify the design far away from the old lace-up boots that just covered the ankle, and led to the common boot-top fracture seen in emergency wards during the ski season.

Answer: Basket

Ski poles have been made from wood, bamboo, steel, aluminium and fiberglass in a progression of technology. They have a grip at the top where the skier holds them, and often a loop of leather or synthetic material to slip over the wrists so they aren't dropped if one loses hold.

The bottom end is usually pointed, and a short distance above it is the basket, which restricts the length of the pole which sinks into the snow. Many years ago they looked a bit like baskets, having a circular rim connected to the pole shaft by means of straps.

Modern baskets come in a variety of shapes and materials for different styles of skiing, although they are commonly plastic.

Answer: Duffel coat

A duffel coat is made of duffel, a heavy woolen material. The other three terms can all be used to describe a thin waterproof garment such as I described. They are also sometimes referred to as a parka or anorak, but those terms strictly apply to a heavier jacket, often lined with fur, developed by the Caribou Inuit of North America.

The use of a light jacket over a sweater for skiing has the advantage that one can add or remove layers of sweaters or shirts, as the temperature of the day changes. If the garment has a hood, it can be pulled up during long chair rides for extra warmth, and pushed down while skiing, to improve lateral vision.

Answer: Head

Studies have shown that people exposed to the cold will lose more heat through their uncovered heads than through any other exposed body part. This can be particularly dangerous because much of the skull is devoid of temperature receptors, so the heat loss occurs without the individual being aware of a cooling sensation. Earmuffs may keep your ears warm, but you also need to cover the top of your head. Hands and feet send early signals to get them moving when they start to chill. I have selected a tasteful knitted tuque designed to resemble candy corn, a childhood favorite at Halloween.

The matching scarf around my neck can be raised to help cover my ears if they get cold.

Answer: Yes

Mittens allow your fingers to share radiated heat with each other, while gloves keep them separate. Mittens will be significantly warmer than gloves of the same material and thickness. However, it is hard to do fiddly things such as adjusting the tension of the ski bindings with gloves on, so you may find yourself taking them off and getting very cold in the process.

Some skiers prefer insulated gloves for this reason. Others wear liner gloves under their mittens, and others just put up with it!

Answer: They look cool

Both to protect your eyes from long-term damage, and to maintain good visibility so that you can ski safely, it is important to wear goggles. They come in many styles, and can even be fitted over normal corrective glasses. They should be fitted while you are wearing your normal ski equipment on your head, whether that is a cap, earmuffs or a helmet.

There are also a number of different types of lens available, as well as different colors suitable for different light conditions. Some goggles have interchangeable lenses, so you can use light colored lenses at the start and end of the day when lighting is poor, and dark lenses in the middle of the day. Or you could carry a couple of pairs in your bag.