"Skiing is fast becoming the most popular of all winter sports." "And small wonder, for there is no finer conquest than that of a mountain  clad in its glorious winter mantle of glittering white." "Skiing, pronounced "sheeing", is a sport that appeals especially to the rugged, wide awake, out-of-doors individual  who leaps from his bed at sunup in joyous anticipation to the thrills that lie in store for him." "The first essential is the correct equipment." "Of primary importance is the... undergarments." "All wool, either one or two piece, ribbed, pre-shrunk, and form fitting." "The skis... shees, should be made of seasoned hickory, and free from knotholes and termites." "The shoes should be box-toed, large enough for at least two pairs of socks yet comfortable enough to wiggle your toes... slightly." "And now  now..." "Now!" "The choice of a sweater should reflect the taste of the true sportsman." "In other words, studied carelessness." "For after all, clothes do make the man." "Now we are completely dressed." "With the exception of the trousers." "The trousers should be light, snow repellent, with a hard, smooth finish." "They should fit snugly, yet allow plenty of room at the hips, shoulders and the knees." "Now we are all set and ready to conquer the heights." "Ode to a Mountain." "Quote:" ""Oh, kingly mountain draped in royal raiment white, with countless jewels bedecked in dazzling splendour, yet silent as the night. "" "Unquote." "Oh, yes." "And if you should smell something out of the ordinary, don't be alarmed." "It is only fresh air." "Upon reaching the summit, our first step is the turn into position." "This is accomplished by the kick turn." "One:" "Knees and skis close together." "Two:" "Firm support on both poles." "Now, a decided kick of left leg and ski forward and high." "Three:" "Bring ski down parallel." "But with the point facing in the opposite direction." "Four:" "Swing the other ski around and drop it parallel to the first ski." "This is really quite simple and can be easily mastered by the greenest amateur." "This is indeed fortunate." "How, technically, to get up:" "First get the shees together." "Place them parallel and across the downslope to prevent slipping." "Then place both poles across your body." "Now, pull your skis under your body and gently push up." "You are now in an upright position." "For the first attempt, choose a gentle slope." "We start with a joyous slope, or hop." "And we are off!" "Always keep the eyes to the front because objects sometimes appear with amazing suddenness." "Skiing is really quite simple, once you get the hang of it." "The most popular method of ascent is the herringbone, used on short climbs, but not on too steep a slope." ""Herringbone" is derived from the neat, symmetrical pattern left in the snow." "Now, to change direction at high speed." "First, the jump turn." "This looks difficult." "Once learned, however, it becomes extremely simple." "The shush, or downhill run." "It is the quickest way to get to the bottom." "It is so named because of its peculiar sound." "The slalom, or downhill racing through flags, should only be attempted by an expert skier." "And now, that thrill of thrills, the ultimate goal of every ambitious skier, the ski jump." "Ever faster and faster, a vertical human bullet." "The exhilaration of it." "The flight through the air with a grace and beauty of a bird in the wind." "Perfectly balanced." "Complete master of his own destiny." "After a vigorous day in the open, the skier never has any trouble falling to sleep." "Subtitles by DSE"