Skiing is the sport of gliding down snowy slopes on long, narrow runners called skis that attach to special boots. Picture standing on two slender boards, each about as long as you are tall, then sliding down a snow-covered mountain with the cold wind rushing past your face.

Skiing began thousands of years ago in Scandinavia as a practical way to travel across deep snow. Ancient people strapped wooden planks to their feet to hunt, trade, and visit neighboring villages during long winters. Today, skiing is both a thrilling winter sport and a competitive event in the Winter Olympics.

Modern skiers use ski poles for balance and momentum, and they control their speed by angling their skis and shifting their weight. Beginners learn on gentle slopes called bunny hills, while expert skiers tackle steep, challenging runs. Different types of skiing include downhill skiing (racing down mountains), cross-country skiing (traveling across flat or gently rolling terrain), and freestyle skiing (performing jumps and tricks).

When you go skiing at a ski resort, you typically ride a ski lift up the mountain, then ski down. The sport requires balance, courage, and practice, but once you get the hang of it, skiing gives you an exhilarating sense of speed and freedom.