In 1946, three New York City friends — Frank Eisler, Robert Hoeffel, and George Weiss — decided to combine their experiences behind the wheel with their passion for skiing and created a new sport they called “snow driving.” Inspired by the likes of Charlie Snow and Lonnie Campbell, they constructed a rudimentary vehicle and went on a tour of the Eastern seaboard, challenging the best snow drivers in the country. They ended up launching a magazine, The Snow Report, which became a hub for the snowmobility community.
These days, in a post-pandemic world, you’d think snow driving would be a thing of the past. But it wasn’t. In fact, it’s never been more popular. Thanks to the recreational opportunities it provided and the innovations it brought to the sport, the number of organized snow driving tours around the world holds steady at around 10,000 km per year.
This year, ski-in/ski-out accommodations have returned, and with them an era of affordable adventure travel. Destinations like North America, Japan, and Europe saw a rise in demand, with bookings up 18% and 28% in America and the United Kingdom, respectively.
Meanwhile, backcountry skiers — who usually have to camp out — embraced the gear that made snow driving possible in the first place, and the overall outdoor industry experienced a 22% increase in overnight stays, according to the National Travel and Tourism Council.
It’s no wonder why people are flocking to experience the action-packed winter sports calendar that is FIS Ski. Whether you want to ski down the majestic four peaks of the Swiss Alps or carve your name in the snow at France’s magnificent Chèvre Noir — the options are endless. Plus, you can do it all with a group of people you’re bound to meet along the way.
Here, we answer some Frequently Asked Questions about FIS Ski.
Table of Contents
What Is Fis Ski?
FIS (Fédération Internationale de Sport Ski) is the world governing body for ski-in/ski-out, freeride, powder, and all-mountain skiing as well as snowboarding. Its mission is to promote and protect winter sport around the world.
The acronym FIS stands for “Federation Internationale des Sports,” which was Switzerland’s international sports federation. Today, it is commonly pronounced “feeski.”
FIS was established in 1927 and is headquartered in Verbier, Switzerland. It has 21 member countries: Austria, Belarus, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Switzerland.
What Is The Purpose Of The FIS Ski Uniform?
Back in the day, skiwear — or “sporting wear” — wasn’t much more than a way to keep your gloves waterproof while you were skiing. Backcountry skiers, in particular, were often limited by the type of skiing equipment available at the time. If you happened to ski in the winter, you wore ski goggles to protect your eyes from the whipping snow and the sun. Otherwise, you ran the risk of snow blindness.
That’s why the FIS Ski uniform was designed with functionality in mind. It was put together with Swiss Alpine guides who skied professionally in the early 1900s and were looking for a functional yet stylish way to keep warm in the winter.
The designers behind the Swiss Alpine guides — Hans Dölfinger and Rudi Volle — set out to create a ski outfit that was functional, warm, and stylish. The end result is a classic look that is still worn today by today’s top-ranked skiers and snowboarders. It is also favored by gearheads as it was built with practicality in mind.
How Do I Wear The FIS Ski Uniform?
The FIS Ski uniform goes over your head and down. Your torso stays bare to keep your core warm — in the wintertime, that is. In the summertime, it’s optional whether you wear a tank top or not.
Your arms and legs are covered, and it has two zipped pockets on the front. It also has a press-stud closure, which can be used as a tie-waist belt. When worn with a matching long-sleeved top, it provides an elegant and practical alternative to a bulky ski jacket.
Where Do I Buy The FIS Ski Uniform?
The FIS Ski uniform isn’t something you can readily buy off the rack. You’ll have to visit a specialty store that stocks gear to find what you’re looking for.
The best place to buy the uniform, in fact, is the official website of the FIS. From there, you can click on the link to the Swiss Alpine guides to find the latest information on the product, its history, and where to buy it.
Do I Need A Ski Equipment Jacket In The Summertime?
While the FIS Ski uniform is designed to be worn in the wintertime, it isn’t snow specific. You don’t need to have a separate jacket or sweater for skiing. It is, however, common for ski hikers to wear a lightweight shell jacket while in the summertime especially when venturing into the mountains for an afternoon or evening hike.
Wear whatever is most suitable for the season. You’ll only melt once.
Do I Need Boots, Ski Pants, Or Ski Gloves?
It’s warm for winter and cool for summer, so you’ll have to make a decision on whether or not to wear boots in the wintertime. Most skiers choose to do so. If you do as well, you’ll need additional gear such as snow pants or ski socks. Your choice depends on the type of skiing you’re doing. If you go for a stroll on the mountain, then light hiking boots may be suitable. On the other hand, if you’re planning on taking a few rails down, then you’ll need some ski boots.
Ski gloves are also a critical part of the gear set. Thin gloves aren’t suitable for skiing; you need ones with a good padding in the knuckle area. Some ski-in/ski-out resorts require you to provide your own ski gloves, as they don’t rent out gloves for guests.
Do I Need A Helmet?
You don’t need a helmet to ski. In fact, you should avoid having one, as it may hinder your balance on the slopes.
Helmets were originally designed for motorcycling and became commonplace on the mountain during the 1950s. Since then, they’ve been slowly phased out, with some resorts requiring you to wear one only on specially marked trails. In general, the use of a helmet is not compulsory but is rather a personal choice.
Is It OK To Drink Alcohol While Skiing?
In the wintertime, it’s not generally acceptable to drink alcohol while you’re skiing. This is especially true for organized tours, where security personnel may check for alcohol consumption.
You may drink alcohol at the resort, however, as long as you don’t do so while skiing. The best way to enjoy some post-skiing drinks is to head to one of the many bars that dot the resort. Some resorts even have pubs and bars specifically designed for that purpose.
Alcohol may be served in a variety of ways, including on tap, in a bottle, and in a can. You’ll find liquor stores and bottle shops at all the resorts. You can also bring your own bottle or can of alcohol to enjoy at the bar.
Do I Need Snow Chains?
Snow chains are a critical part of any skier’s gear. The best type of chains for skiing are those with serrated metal teeth that are wrapped in polyethylene for added grip. As long as you have the traction you need, then you don’t need to resort to using metal fences to hold your ski suit together.
Even if you don’t go for a stroll on the mountain, you may find it helpful to have these chains as it makes it easier for you to get up and moving again if you happen to fall. Plus, getting back on your feet is often more convenient when using them than trying to find your ski hat or goggles, which may still be covered in snow.