Extreme Skiing: Pushing Yourself To The Limit
Strictly speaking, traditional extreme skiing is accomplished on long, steep slopes. The elevation is usually 45 to 60 degrees vertical, or even more. And this is performed in dangerous terrain -- far from marked tracks. Since the game is done off marked spots, this also called off-piste skiing. Other sports authorities also refer to this type of skiing as backcountry skiing or off-piste skiing. This type is a potentially high risk sport, since avalance risk is almost always part of the game itself. Extreme exhaustion on the part of the skiers multiplies the risk factor of extreme skiing. According to several sources, it was the French who coined the term "Le Ski Extreme" in the middle of 1970's, to refer to this type of high energy skiing. Extreme skiing, however, was being practiced a decade earlier than the birth of its name. Swiss skier Sylvain Saudan, with his "windshield wiper" turn in the early 1960's was the acknowledged pioneer with this extreme sports. Other French followed in the footsteps of Saudan and further developed the method in the 1980's, until it caught on in other parts of Europe, particularly in Great Britain, and ultimately, reaching the American shores. This type of skiing, particularly the "French" model, had produced a considerable number of deaths among the practitioners. In the US today, extreme skiing has evolved into several forms. Thanks to its loyal followers, the game is continuously transforming. Though several of these forms are not really as dangerous as the concept, they are nevertheless dangerous and, at times, potentially deadly since the risk factor is always high. Some of these modern forms are: 1. Helicopter skiing This type of skiing, as the name suggests, involves a helicopter. The aircraft is used to elevate the skiers in to a place of his liking. Diver-like, the practitioner rushes downward from the helicopter, careening down a slope track like a vehicle negotiating a highway. If you're the type of who favors extreme games executed with style, then this type of extreme skiing is just for you. 2. Snow cat skiing This is done by being aboard a heated snow cat (sled) then traversing the highly elevated slopes at great speeds. This type of extreme skiing is not particularly dangerous compared with other types. But it is still potentially dangerous because the skier can lose control of the sled while it rushes through the unforgiving snow slopes. 3. Snowkiting This type of extreme of skiing is performed with a snowkite, or a snowboard. Wind is one prerequisite of this game, however, since it is the snowkite that will lift you into the spots that you choose. Some enthusiasts refer to snowkiting as ultimate game in all of the backcountry skiing events. Snowkites, with the help of the wind, can allows players to jump carry a player up to 100 feet, making it potentially dangerous, and comparable with other extreme sports. 4. Snowmobiling Snowmobiling is more like jet skiing, only in snow. Of all the skiing types and forms, this one gives to the player the feeling of safety or "control" since the skiers have a comparative advantage of controlling the snowmobile, being the driver. This is advisable for those skiers who are good drivers since this type of extreme skiing is more like car racing.
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