It is a pity that this winter is so short ...
In the beginning, all skis were custom-made. Skis used for winter transportation, for cross-country racing and jumping, were carved by hand, from a single plank of wood, by the skier or a family member — perhaps by a neighboring expert carpenter. An experienced ski-maker knew how to tailor the ski’s camber and flex to the weight and strength of the skier who would use it. Skis, the ski maker and their use all had a purpose.In 1882 the first mass-production ski factory opened in Norway, and skiers began to buy standard-design products. That design would change little for nearly fifty years.