Skiing can be a means of transportation, entertainment or a competitive winter sport, and participants can use skis to slide on the snow. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the international skiing Federation (FIS) recognize many types of competitive skiing competitions.

Skiing has a history of nearly five thousand years. Although modern skiing began in Scandinavia, it may have been practiced in China more than 100 centuries ago, according to the interpretation of ancient painting.

The word "skiing" is one of the few words that Norway exports to the international community. It comes from the old Norwegian word "SK???" which means "chop firewood or firewood".

Until the late 19th century, asymmetrical skis were used, at least in northern Finland and Sweden. Skiers wear long, straight, non bow skis for sliding on one leg and shorter skis for kicking on the other. The bottom of the short skis can be flat or covered with animal skin for auxiliary use. At the same time, the long skis that support the weight of the skis adopt the animal fat treatment method similar to the waxing of modern ski wax.

Early skiers used a long pole or spear. The first description of a skier with two poles dates back to 1741.

It wasn't until the middle of the 19th century that skiing was mainly used for transportation. Since then, skiing has become an entertainment and sport. In the 18th century, the military skiing competition was held in Norway, and the skiing war was studied in the late 18th century. With the development of equipment and ski cable car, from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, skiing has developed into two main types: alpine sports and Nordic sports.