Ski

ske, the wooden snowshoe of Scandinavian countries. The genuine ski is formed from a strip of straight-grained, tough wood, about five inches in width and from eight to ten feet in length. This strip is about one or one and one-half inches thick at the center, on which the foot is to rest. It is thinned to about a quarter of an inch at each end. The front end is rounded slightly and turned up like the runner of a sled. The ski is fastened to the foot by a strap which passes through the thick part of the wood and over the toe of the moccasin, thus enabling the wearer to carry the ski on his toe while the heel is free to rise. The wearer of the skis usually carries an alpenstock to steady himself and to assist in going up ascents. In traveling the skis are shuffled along side by side, or they are held side by side as the owner skates down slopes. With the trusty alpenstock in hand, the fearless expert glides forward, crossing crevasses filled with snow without the slightest hesitation, and sliding down the declivities of mountains with the speed of an avalanche. With the aid of skis the hunter and traveler are able to enter regions otherwise impassable. A pace of from four to ten miles an hour is expected. The governments of northern Europe have, it is said, added skis to the equipment of regiments stationed in snowy districts. The mountaineer postmen of Norway use skis. One carrier, in particular, makes his sixty miles a day, carrying a mailbag. Skis have been introduced into Switzerland by Alpine clubs.

Ski tournaments afford fine winter sport. Long distance runs are made over the same course from year to year. Attempts are made each winter to lower the record. These runs are made usually by ski clubs. Usually the day's run ends at some tavern noted for good cheer. The long distance record for Norway is 140 miles in twenty-two hours, rests included. A hilly canon of great difficulty, near Christiania, thirty-two miles in length, has been covered in five hours. The greatest ski tournament in the world is held yearly at Christiania, Norway. The long jump is the chief feature. The meet is held on a hill three miles from the city. About 100 expert ski jumpers take part. The runner comes swiftly down an incline of about 400 feet and makes a prodigious leap into midair from the raised platform or ledge. The jumper is required to land on his feet and proceed on his way without falling or else he cannot claim a record.

Of late the ski has gained favor in Switzerland. It has been introduced in the United States, particularly in the northern parts of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Red Wing, Duluth, Ishpeming, Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, and Coleraine are centers of the sport. There are a large number of local associations, and a general midwinter meet at which the local clubs compete for the championship. There are ski clubs also in the Rocky Mountains and in Canada. Among American records for a long jump are Carl Ek, 1902, 103 feet; Ole Mangseth, 1907, 114 feet; John Evenson, 1908, 131 feet. The world's record is held by Nels Gjestvang, who jumped 135 feet at Modum, Norway, February 9, 1902. There is newspaper authority for a jump of 138 feet by John Berg, in Switzerland, during the winter of 1906.

A pair of boy's skis should be made of strips about one inch in thickness at the middle, five inches in width, and from four to five feet in length. The front may be turned up by steaming the points over boiling water for an hour or two. The wood may then be curled into any desired shape and tied in position until it has dried.

See Snowshoe.