If you are just getting into skiing, you might think that the kind of skiing you do on a regular slope is the only type of skiing you can do – but you would be wrong. There are many different types of skiing that you could possibly get into, which is what makes skiing so exciting!

As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Dean Buescher enjoys all aspects of the nature-infused outdoor lifestyle, including skiing of all kinds. Today he shares the 3 main different types of skiing.

  1. Alpine or downhill skiing. This is the type that you are probably most familiar with. Skiing has been around for thousands of years, but the modern sport was invented in the late 1800s by the British who were skiing through the French Alps. This type of skiing involves being lifted up to the top of a hill at a resort and skiing down the mountain.
  2. Backcountry or off-piste skiing. This is very similar to alpine skiing, however backcountry skiing is done outside of the safety of a ski resort. The terrain is much more varied, and the snow has been untouched by other skiers, and should only be attempted if you are at least at an intermediate level.
  3. Cross-country skiing. Instead of skiing down a hill, cross-country skiing is done on a flat surface. The skis are much thinner and longer than normal skis you would use to go down a mountain, and the goal is to try and go long distances.