The technique of making ancient Altai skis
URUMQI, China, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- A kind of handmade ski in Altai area, located in the northwestern China, was verified to be the oldest ski in human history.
Such skis were still under production and the technique of making them are fascinating.
The ancient skis didn't only play an important part in local people's hunting, but also helped them a lot when snow was too thick for human or horse to step on. When the residents were blocked in the valley by heavy snow this winter, people outside used these skis to send them food and water.
The skis were generally 200-250cm rolex replica in length, and 12-15cm in width. The preferred wood was Siberian Spruce, which had a good weight to strength ratio. The bindings were made from the rawhide of a cow, with the most common design forming an X that the shoe fitted in. The final parts of the skis were the skins on the bottom, with hair pointing back, allowing the skis to climb as well as slide. The skin was generally from legs of a horse and was always from the winter replica balenciaga handbags coat.
The procedure of making the skis were recorded in detail in a book named The Original Place for Human Skiing-Altay of Xinjiang, China.
The tree is then split with wedges and an axe, and then, using the same axe, shaped into two planks. The bindings are attached through four vertical holes in the foot platform, the binding material being rawhide.
brochure printingA piece of rawhide is threaded through the holes and forms an X that the toe of the shoe fits in.
The sole of the ski is then cover with animal hide, the fur pointing back, allowing the ski to climb steeply up hills and glide smoothly down. After the skin is soaked in hot water it's stretched over the ski and tacked into place. When dried, the skin shrinks and fits tight on the ski."
Although the ancient skis moved much slower than modern skis, their practical utility excelled the modern ones. There was still an annual ancient skiing competition in this area, which played an important role in their daily entertainment, making a crucial part of the local ethnical sports.
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