Introduction of brakaway gates in the early 1980s had big impact on racing techniques but this time around changes in equipment and technology have revolutionized not only racing but skiing, in general.

Elite skiers can be differentiated from non-elite skiers on the basis of power, strength and motor characteristics. However, skiing is a typical technique dependent sport and no special physiological variable is dominant to definitely predict the rank within high level performance group.

Reference:
This article reveals the most important physiological characteristics for a performance-oriented alpine skier and is fragment of a larger article originally published at http://physiotherapy.curtin.edu.au/resources/educational-resources/exphys/98/alpineskiing.cfm by Ulli Julich.

Skiing has been invented to assist hunting, and as practical transportation, also used for military maneuvers.  First documented evidence comes from modern day Norway and Sweden and dates 5000 B.C.  Modern day skiing is also a competitive sport...

Reference:
Fragment of a larger article originally published at http://physiotherapy.curtin.edu.au/resources/educational-resources/exphys/98/alpineskiing.cfm by Ulli Julich.