This Sparkly Snowman is about 5 inches tall and about 6 inches long. This wintry snowman seems to be having fun and has found a new way to ski. Equipped with wooden skis and ski poles he has fallen and is now skiing on his tummy. Being made of snow himself this is probably the best way for him to safely make it down the hill. The Sparkly Snowman is made of sparkling white cloth material with the traditional carrot nose and big smile and his standard black boots. He is also wearing a red and green plaid scarf around his neck and a red and white stocking cap with a white pom-pom on the end of it. The Sparkly Snowman is perfect to hang anywhere. Select this link to view our Christmas Ornaments.
What is Skiing?
Skiing is the act of gliding over snow on long, narrow runners called skis. Many skiers enjoy the thrill of speeding down mountain slopes. Others like the challenge of traveling long distances across flat or slightly hilly terrain. Skiing is an extremely popular form of entertainment. It is also a major competitive sport. There are different types of skiing, two of which are Alpine and Nordic skiing. Closely related to skiing is a relatively new activity called snowboarding. The two most popular and basic forms of skiing are Alpine skiing and cross country skiing which is a form of Nordic skiing. Select this link to view our Christmas Gifts.
Alpine skiing.
This refers to skiing downhill. It is popular as a form of recreation and as a competitive sport. The term Alpine comes from Alps, the name of the mountain system in Europe where downhill skiing originated. Alpine skiing has three basic maneuvers, schussing, traversing and turning. Skiers use ski poles to help them keep their balance while making these maneuvers. The poles also aid skiers in walking and climbing. Select this link to view our Christmas Figurines.
Schussing is skiing straight down a slope without turning or stopping. It is the fastest form of skiing because skiers follow the fall line or the most direct route to the bottom of the slope.
Traversing is skiing at an angle to the fall line. Skiers use this maneuver to control their speed. They edge their skis while traversing to avoid slipping downhill sideways. Edging is done by tilting the skis at an angle to the slope so their metal edges bite into the snow.
Turning is the most difficult part of downhill skiing. Turning enables skiers to change directions, control their speed and avoid obstacles. The most elementary turn is the wedge or snowplow, in which the skis are placed in a V position with tips nearly touching and edged slightly inward. The wedge turn is also used to stop. A more complex turn is the stem. In this turn the skis are first placed in a modified V position and are brought to a parallel position later in the turn. The carved parallel is the most advanced and difficult turn. In the carved parallel turn the skier quickly and smoothly turns both skis in the same direction at virtually the same moment. To halt their downhill progress, skiers make a sharp turn perpendicular to the hill and let the edges of the skis chatter across the snow. This maneuver is called a hockey stop or skate stop because it is similar to the way ice skaters stop. Select this link to view our Snowman Christmas Ornaments.
Nordic Skiing consists of cross country skiing and ski jumping. The term Nordic refers to northern Europe, especially Norway Sweden And Finland, where cross country skiing developed as a practical means of travel. Select this link to view our Snowman Gifts.
Twinkling of Stars.
This is caused by movements in Earth’s atmosphere. Starlight enters the atmosphere as straight rays. Twinkling occurs because air movements constantly change the path of the light as it comes through the air. You can see a similar effect when you stand in a swimming pool and look down. Unless the water is almost perfectly still, your feet will appear to move and change their shape. This twinkling occurs because the moving water constantly changes the path of the light rays that travel from your feet to your eyes. Select this link to view our Snowman Christmas Figurines.