The Origins of Ski

& Norse Mythology

The word «ski» comes from the Old Norse «skid», and really means a board or a piece of split wood.
Archeological finds show that skis have been used in large parts of Siberia and Europe for 4-5000 years.

Cave paintings of the Rødøy man in Nordland - Norway -were discovered around 1930, and were the model for the well-known pictograms used at the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer in 1994.

The belief in and worship of a number of gods characterized our forefathers before the arrival of Christianity. In the stone and bronze ages the sun, various fertility deities and the spirits of the dead were worshipped. This gradually developed into a colorful mythology - with special gods and goddesses of skiing. Ull, one of the ancient gods, was according to Snorre the best skier and archer. In the 6th century AD Greek writers refer to «skridfinner» - Sami on skis. Probably skis were essential for hunting wild reindeer.

In «Ragnardråpa», from the 9th century, the bard Brage Bodason tells about the goddess Skade who could ski and use a bow and arrow. In 1247 Magnus Lagbøte’s land laws forbade skiers to hunt elk.

In 1206 the two-year-old heir to the throne Håkon Håkonssøn was brought to safety by skiers from Lillehammer to Rena. Two men, Torstein Skjelva and Skjevald Skrukka, skied the long journey carrying the little boy with them. They saved the boy who later would become king during Norway’s golden age.

Today, skiers follow in the footsteps, or rather ski tracks, of Håkon Håkonssøn and the two men, in the annual 58 km ski race held from Rena in Österdalen to Lillehammer. Some competing fiercely against others for victory. But many people complete this trial of strength year after year to test their own limits.

The pioneer of skiing as a sport is nevertheless reckoned to be Sondre Norheim (1825-1897). He developed curved Telemark skis with bindings, which gave competitive skiing its impetus. He also pioneered skiing in the United States, where he lived in his old age.