A means of travel
How do you get around when everything is covered in snow and ice? This is the question that gave rise to the first skis, those wooden planks that served man well. It seems that the first skis were made in the Baltic region, near present-day Estonia. Archaeologists have found fragments there that have been carbon-14 dated between 6000 and 7000 BC! These skis were carved directly from the trunk, rather than from planks. Some rock engravings found in Scandinavia and Siberia, dating from around 5000 BC, also attest to the presence of skis, as they depict anthropomorphic figures standing with two lines at their feet. The differential preservation of materials has left few traces of plant-based tools, but the engravings at the Alta prehistoric rock art site (listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1985) in Norway, for example, attest to their reality: bows and arrows, hunting nets, enclosures and... skis!
Evolution of skiing
Over the years, skis have gradually evolved towards greater finesse and lightness. Cross-country and telemark skiing remained a means of transport for a long time, before finally becoming a sporting activity. The technique of downhill skiing was developed during the two world wars as a means of moving fast in the mountains. To give you an idea, the first ski lifts only date back to the early 20th century. Today, skis have obviously changed a great deal: alpine skis in composite materials, a revival of wooden skis by young designers, telemark skis, touring skis, Nordic touring skis, skating and alternative cross-country skis, powder skis... Innovation in ski construction is globally constant, with new models introduced every year. If you're looking to buy skis, and ecology is one of your main concerns, choose French manufacturers who offer skis made in France: Rossignol and Dynastar, whose production is still partly made in France. The revival of craftsmanship in this field also offers great diversity.
A region of gliding
With its many valleys, all close together, all different, Tyrol's geography makes it possible to enjoy a wide variety of winter sports. Some 80 ski areas, each one more beautiful than the last, more than 8,000 km of slopes, with a wide range of gradients up to 80% for adrenaline junkies. Naturally, the first thing that springs to mind when one thinks of Tyrol is downhill skiing, with its wonderful resorts, top-flight competitions and the host of champions that the region has produced, such as Toni Sailer, Gregor Schlierenzauer, Werner Grissmann and the Hinterseer fathers and sons. Tyroleans have also distinguished themselves in a wide variety of winter sports disciplines, from telemark and ski jumping to snowboarding and Nordic combined. And with good reason: Tyrol's population must be one of the highest in the world to regularly practice a winter sport. If you're a fan of powder and freeride, Tyrol is the place for you! But there's more to winter sports in the Tyrol than downhill skiing: when it comes to cross-country skiing, the Tyrol has nothing to envy anyone, as there are many magnificent areas for skating, with superb views and varied, well-groomed trails.
Toni Sailer, Tyrolean hero
Anton Engelbert Toni Sailer is one of the world's great alpine skiing figures, and he's from Tyrol! Born in 1935 in Kitzbühel and died in 2009 in Innsbruck, he was the first person in the history of Alpine skiing to win three Olympic titles (downhill, slalom and giant) in a single event, at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo. His 7 gold medals (won in just two editions!) make him the most successful skier in a world championship, a record that remains unbroken to this day. Sporting careers are notoriously short, and this was particularly true for him: at the age of 23, he gave up skiing for the cinema (some twenty films to his credit) and music, then returned to skiing as technical director of the Austrian team, then in the world of organizations, but also as a businessman with his own ski brand and the opening of a hotel in Kitzbühel.
Ski touring
Also known as ski-mountaineering, ski-touring (or ski-touring) is one of the hottest new disciplines. This practice involves climbing slopes on alpine-type skis fitted with sealskins, so as to be able to ascend without sliding backwards. Once at the top, the skins are removed and the boots and skis are fixed in "downhill" mode. The sealskin system was originally developed by the military to get around the mountains quickly and easily in winter. For a long time, ski touring was known as spring skiing, as it was practiced from March onwards, when avalanche conditions were more favorable. It's a dangerous sport, however, because you're out in the wilderness, on slopes that can be very steep, and therefore never really safe from an avalanche. If you're just starting out, it's imperative that you set off with a guide and the appropriate equipment that can save you in the event of an avalanche: avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, airbag. Don't set off alone on an adventure without first telling us where you're going, and asking about the weather conditions and avalanche risk. Ski mountaineering will make its debut at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. This discipline will feature five events: men's and women's sprints, men's and women's individual races, and mixed relays. France's Axelle Gachet-Mollaret, winner of the Grand Globe 2021, and Bonneval-sur-Arc native Thibault Anselmet,2nd overall in the men's World Cup, are among the medal contenders. Today, ski touring has been democratized and is increasingly practiced on alpine ski slopes. The Covid-19 period played a major role in boosting the number of ski touring enthusiasts, as the ski lifts were closed. As for the animals, they're a little less of a fan, because ski touring means disturbing wild animals in their natural habitat, which can even lead to them fleeing or interrupting a brood, for example, so a minimum of vigilance is required. Fortunately, as far as the Olympics are concerned, this discipline will not require any new infrastructure!
Did you say après-ski?
While it's important to have a good pair of après-skis for walking in the snow, Tyrolean après-ski has nothing to do with a pair of shoes! It's about the festive moments organized at the end of the afternoon in almost every bar to celebrate after a day on the slopes. This tradition takes place mainly in the Austrian Tyrol, less so in the South Tyrol. In the Austrian Tyrol, there's a real "after-ski" culture, which has become one of the emblems associated with winter sports activities. The must: a bunch of friends sitting side by side drinking shots of the local brandy, which are fixed to the same wooden plank, so that everyone has to drink their fill at the same time!
The Streif, a mythical track of world renown
This incomparable downhill ski run in Kitzbühel has all the elements of a classic downhill race track: steep slopes that translate into high-speed jumps, curves, sliding sections and spectacular moguls. Every year, thousands of spectators are captivated by the race on the Streif and the unique atmosphere it creates. Key sections are always closed from around January 6 to allow for the race preparation work: snowmaking and protection. The entire track is prepared, solidified and frozen, while safety fencing, safety infrastructure, spectator stands and TV equipment are also put in place. The Streif takes its name from Streifalm, the name of the meadow at the top of the course. The meadow was probably named after a Brixen farmer called "Straiff". Legend has it that the Mausefalle (mousetrap) jump was invented by Toni Sailer senior, father of ski superstar Toni Sailer, because the section reminded him of an old wire mousetrap. Generally speaking, anyone can ski on the Streif in winter. The Familienstreif is a section from which the most difficult sections are excluded, transforming the Streif into a pleasant red run. Flagship sections such as the Mausefalle, Steilhang and Hausbergkante are classified as "extremely difficult" ski runs, as they are often very icy. For experienced skiers only!
