THE LURE OF THE SKI*
FORTY-ONE years ago skis were firSt introduced into Switzerland from Norway by the Monks of the St.
Bernard Monastery. Little did the good Brethren think, -as they scoured the snow for travellers on these unwieldy instru- ments, that they were laying the foundations of a national pastime !
In 1887, Colonel Napier, an Englishman, arrived at Davos with a pair of skis and a Norwegian man-servant, and aston- ished the country-people by his feats on the mountains. Gradually the sport spread. Already there were many expert Swiss runners, and more and more English flocked out to Switzerland every year. Societies were started, clubs formed, until to-day ski-ing can hold its own with any sport.
When it is remembered that the greater number of British who come out to Switzerland every winter have a bare fort- night or three weeks in which to practise ski-ing, andy that most of these people are out of condition when they arrive, the average of British running is very creditable.
So high, indeed, is the standard of British ski-ing to-day that during the present year the English were actually able to put up a team against the Swiss Universities, winning second and third places out of a total of five events.
In this connexion, it would be impossible to overrate the splendid work done by Mr. Arnold Lunn. More than anybody else he has been responsible for raising the standard of .British ski-ing, and by his system of helping everyone he has made Marren the home of up-to-date ski-running.
In spite of the sparkling air and sunshine, a holiday in Switzerland is anything but a rest-cure. Life is strenuous among the high Alps, and the enthusiastic ski-er is hard at it all day. Hardly has the sun tipped the topmost peaks when he is out -on his skis in a glittering world of snow and sky. Then there is the short run in the mountain funicular, followed by two and a half to three hours' climbing. By 12.30 the summit, probably some sunlit Joch dividing two great valleys, is reached. This is the place for lunch. Ruck- sacks are thrown down, skis undone and skins, &c., unstrapped, and everyone falls-to ravenously on ham and tongue sand- wiches and cheese and beer. Up here, 9,000 feet above sea level, it seems almost inconceivable that one can be happily sitting on about twelve feet of snow, clad only in breeches and a sweater ! Yet such is the case. For owing to the brilliant sunshine and lack of wind, Switzerland in winter is far warmer than England.
But to return to our Joch. The scene is superb. On either side a dazzling range of snow peaks glitter in the sun. High above, sublimely sleeping in celestial snow, towers the Jung- frau. To the left, is the glittering mass of Aldrich, and farther east the sharp horn of the Eiger cuts the sky. Like scattered diamonds sparkle the snow crystals and diamond-pure is the air. Up on these glittering heights a god-like serenity descends on the soul. The petty worries and trials of everyday existence sink into oblivion, swallowed by this immensity and purity. London, with its fogs and 'buses and clamour, is dim as a dream. All that matters, all that is real, is the sun and the snow and the mountains.
Then comes the best part of the day, the long run home over sunlit slopes with the snow swirling in powder under fast-moving skis. Dipping, rising, sailing, now slipping through silent woods, where the shadows lie blue on the snow and the trees stand like powdered ladies, drooping and still ; out again on the blazing, bare breast of the mountain, down- down—down—until only the high peaks still flame in the afterglow and the twinkle of hotel lights below promise tea and baths. . . .
But this is not all. A strenuous evening of dancing still lies ahead. .Fancy Dress Balls, without which no holiday in Switzerland is complete, recur as regularly as Ice Gym- khanas, about twice a week. To quote -from Mr. -d'Egville's light-hearted S'no Fun. "Our old friend the Pierrot will be there, the lady with the spindle legs will without -doubt wear an abbreviated ballot skirt. The silly gentleman with horn-rimmed spectacles will undoubtedly appear as Julius Caesar, while there will surely be someone foolish enough to • Ski-running. By Katherine Purse. (Longmansi. 4s.)—The Ski-rusuvr. By 0.1lichardsen. (Palmer. Pas. fld.)---S'no hon. By A. L d'Egville. (Jarrell:13.1)
imagine that he looks rather well jazzing about as Charles II. ! " Cinemas and conjurors vie with Fancy Dress Balls in killing dull care, not to mention that last resource of the Amusement Committee—the Amateur Concert !
Ski-ing all day, dancing all night, leaves little time for rest and repose. Both and" bobbing " entail a tremendous strain on the nerves, and it is not at all uncommon for people more or less to " collapse " after three weeks' winter sports and retire to recuperate in Riviera -sunshine What is this strange lure in winter sports which draws ever increasing numbers of people out to Switzerland every year ? The attraction of ski-ing, for 75 per cent, go in for this sport, is easily explained. Cross-country running on ski holds much the same thrill and excitement as cross-country riding. A good eye for country, self-reliance, ability to make sudden decisions and nerve and daring to carry them through— these are the qualifications of a good ski-runner. Never mind falls. The man who cannot fall will never be a good runner, and the path of progress on skis is paved with crashes.
Surely it is not -surprising that a sport which calls forth such pluck and endurance is yearly claiming an increasing number of recruits ? For ski-ing, like every true and great sport, by reason of those very qualities upon which it insists, must ever appeal to gallant men all over the world.
Those who would like to learn more of this fascinating ' sport cannot do better than read Dame Katherine Furse's Ski-running. This little book is full of practical information for the beginner, where to go, what to wear and how to ski.
For the fairly proficient, The Ski-runner, by E. C. Richard- son, which deals with the technicalities of the sport, will be full of interest. In this book, the author, who is too well- known in the Alpine world for further comment to be necessary, traces the history of ski-ing from earliest records down to present times.
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