Pre-historic Nordic people and the indigenous people of Nothern Europe (Samis) invented skiing to assist in hunting, military manoeuvres and as a practical method of transportation. The oldest and most accurately documented evidence about the origins of skiing is found in modern Norway and Sweden. The first primitive ski was found in a peat bog in Hoting, Sweden and dates back to 2500 or 4500 B.C.
Skiing has been an Olympic sport since 1924.
The Olympic Winter Games encompasses six skiing disciplines:
Skiing in Russia
In the late 19th century, skiing was more of a leisure pursuit. Ski lovers were few and far between. The first skiing competition was held in Russia by the Petersburg Association of Sports Lovers on February 13, 1894.
At the same time, skiing started to develop in Moscow. In 1894, seven lovers of ski outings and 13 athletes who were members of the Moscow Cycling Club set up a skiing association. Within six months, leaders of the association developed a charter for the future Moscow Skiing Club and held the first competition to determine the best skier in the association.
On February 7, 1910, Russia's first 30-km skiing championship was held in Moscow.