#14: The Ancient Origins of Skiing Among Vikings
Skiing, now a favored sport, originally served as essential transportation. The earliest skis, dating back to 6300 BC, were pivotal for traversing the icy, snow-laden landscapes during the Viking era, highlighting skiing’s necessity rather than recreation.
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Contrary to its pragmatic origins, skiing also had recreational aspects for Vikings. They revered Ullr, the ski god, hinting at skiing’s dual use in leisure and wartime strategies, enabling navigation through otherwise impassable wilderness areas.