[Hutton Deutsch Collection] With one long 'glider' and one short 'pusher', this seventeenth-century skier used a skating technique and only one pole to go hunting.

During the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the use of skis spread rapidly as they proved their military usefulness.

1520
First ski marathon. The Swedes refused to follow Gustav Vasa and rebel against the ruling Danes. When he abandoned them in disgust, they sent their best skiers after him to beg him to return. Their effort is commemorated each year in the 85km (53mile) Vasaloppet race.

1549
The existence of skiing outside Scandinavia acknowledged by Sigmund Freiherr von Herberstein in Rerum Moscoviticarum commentarii.

1602
Norwegian ski troops used in fighting against the Russians.

1713
First recorded use of baskets on ski poles.

1774
Competition with prize money held for Norwegian military skiers.