What is a ski resort?

Answer 1

Popularly, a ski resort is a place of winter recreation for alpine snow skiers and snowboarders. Alpine snow skiers are skiers who specifically ski downward on a snowy slope. To go upward on the said slope, a ski resort usually furnishes a mechanical lift, usually chairs which travel along a suspended cable that is elevated above the slope on vertical pole towers. The lift transports an alpine skier from a lower point to a higher point on a hill/mountain to facilitate the alpine skier descending a snowy slope. Many ski resorts routinely use machinery to modify the snow surface of a slope. This modification, or grooming, is done to maintain a firm and planar snow surface under the demands of frequent skier traffic. Many alpine resorts will produce snow by spraying water into cold air to supplement natural snow depth and prolong the snow skiing season.
In contrast to alpine skiers, who travel down snowy slopes on skis, a ski resort can also facilitate Nordic or cross country skiing. Nordic skiers travel on snow across land. Nordic skate skiers maneuver their skis laterally, skating, to propel the skier forward. Skating skiers require a firm, planar snow surface, often maintained by grooming machines. Nordic Classic or cross country (XC) skiers shuffle their skis in a smooth fore and aft motion to propel themselves forward. Cross country/classic skiers move slower than skate skiers but can usually ski just about anywhere there is snow, and don't necessarily require the groomed paths of a ski resort. Each of the three types of skiing described (alpine, skate, cross country) is normally done using independent sets of respectively specialized ski equipment.