From Skisport to Skiing: One Hundred Years of an American Sport, 1840-1940"The first full-length study of skiing in the United States, this book traces the history of the sport from its utilitarian origins to its advent as a purely recreational and competitive activity." "During the mid-1800s, inhabitants of frontier mining communities in the Sierra and Rocky mountains used skis for many practical reasons, including mail and supply delivery, hunting, and railroad repair. In some towns skis were so common that, according to one California newspaper, "the ladies do nearly all their shopping and visiting on them."" "But it was Norwegian immigrants in the Midwest, clinging to their homeland traditions, who first organized the skisport. Through the founding of local clubs and the National Ski Association, this ethnic group dominated American skiing until the 1930s." "At this time, a wave of German immigrants infused America with the ethos of what we today call Alpine skiing. This type of skiing became increasingly popular, especially in the East among wealthy collegians committed to the romantic pursuit of the "strenuous life." Ski clubs proliferated in towns and on college campuses and specialized resorts cropped up from New England to California. At the same time, skiing became mechanized with tows and lifts, and the blossoming equipment and fashion industries made a business of the sport." "On the eve of World War II, as the book concludes its story, all the elements were in place for the explosion in recreational and competitive skiing that erupted after 1945."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
Contents
5Controlling the Skisport | 63 |
6The New Enthusiasts | 75 |
THE MECHANIZATION OF SKIING 19201940 | 87 |
Copyright | |
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From Skisport to Skiing: One Hundred Years of an American Sport, 1840-1940 E. John B. Allen No preview available - 1996 |
Common terms and phrases
activity advertised Alpine American Ski Annual Appeal Arlberg Association attraction became began Book Boston California called carried cited College Colorado communities competition cross-country Daily Dartmouth December dollars downhill early Eastern effort England Ski Museum Europe experience February feet formed four Games going Hampshire Harris held hill History hundred Idraet immigrants important interest interviewed Ishpeming January John Journal jumping Lake Placid later Magazine Maine major March meeting Michigan mining minutes Mountain nature Norwegian Notes November Olympic organized popular Press promoted race record recreation reported season shoes Sierra Ski Bulletin Ski Club skiers Skisport slalom snow snowshoes social speed style thousand took trails train turn Union United University Valley Vermont West Winter Sports women York