1689

In an early mention of Alpine skiing and the use of the “stick” therein, Richardson quotes German author Valvasor describing the use of the stick in controlling the skiing descent in 1689:

‘…peasants of Krain [Carniola, Slovenia]…take two wooden boards…about five feet long. In front these boards are bent and turned up, and in the middle there is fixed a leather strap into which the feet are placed… in sliding downhill the runner leant well back onto his stick…against which the runner supports himself with such power and strength…[as] if he had no limbs to his body or no joints whatsoever.’ 10