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The history of skiing in the Midwest closely parallels the history of the settling of the region. The Norwegians, Finns, and Swedes who emigrated to the Midwest brought with them this sport, one that began as necessary means of transportation in their native Scandinavian homelands. Whether it be the excitement of the cross country race, or the daring young men and women risking life and limb jumping the hills, skiing captured the imagination of the immigrants and locals alike. Together they formed local ski clubs and participated in competitions across the region throughout the long winter months, and many of these same daredevils showcased their talents to the world as members of US Olympic teams. Midwest Skiing: A Glance Back is a stunning visual history that allows us to look back not only on the early times and places, but the people who made this pastime into one of the most popular recreational and competitive sports.
About the author
John Pontti and Kenneth Luostari have gathered a wealth of photographs, many of them from the US National Ski Hall of Fame in Ishpeming, Michigan. These fascinating photographs attest to the popularity of this sport among the immigrants and their descendants, the young and the old, from Michigan to the Dakotas, from the late nineteenth century to the present.
