Having evolved from cross-country skiing, downhill skiing is now a major sporting event and a popular recreational activity in locations with good combinations of snow, steep long mountain slopes and adequate tourist infrastructure.
Popular ski destinations include North America, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Europe, the South American Andes, South Korea, Japan and China.
Technically, the main challenge in sliding down snowy hills using long, thin skis attached to each foot is controlling the direction and speed of descent. The novice snowplows, pointing one or both skis inward; the advanced skier carves, rolling the knees from side to side while keeping the upper body and hips in a constant direction, usually facing down the hill.