Alpine skiing questions

Telemark is a form of downhill skiing using bindings where the boot is attached only at the toe (similar to those of Cross-country skiing). It came to the attention of the Norwegian public in 1868, when Sondre Norheim took part in a ski jumping competition. Norheim's technique of fluid turns soon dominated skiing. Starting in the 1910s, newer techniques based on the stem gradually replaced Telemark in the Alpine countries, as easier to master and more suitable for steep slopes.

Australia has several well developed downhill ski resorts in the high country of the states of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Canberra is situated around two hours from the New South Wales ski-fields, while Melbourne is just 120 km from Mount Baw Baw.

There are no places to practice alpine skiing in Finland, as the country is flat. In the whole history of the Olympic Games, Finland won only one medal (Tanja Poutiainen, silver in giant slalom in 2006).