Title: Skiing into modernity : a cultural and environmental history /
Authors: Denning, Andrew, 1983-
Year: 2015
Subjects: Skis and skiing Alps History.; Skis and skiing Social aspects Alps.; Tourism Alps History.
Abstract: "Examines the relationship between skiers and the Alpine environment since the late nineteenth century. It argues that skiing and winter tourism modernized the Alps in both material and perceptual terms while the Alpine landscape itself challenged skiers to alter their practices and philosophies of sport, leisure and nature, harmonizing Alpine skiing with modern cultural values and social practices in the twentieth century"--Provided by publisher.
Contents: Alpine vignettes -- Defining Alpine modernism -- The contexts of Alpine skiing -- Taking root -- An uphill climb -- The age of discovery -- The Alps before skiing -- Skiing before the Alps -- From Scandinavia to Central Europe -- A civilizing force -- Igniting ski fever -- Civilizing the Alps -- Skiing and the definition of the middle class -- Socializing the middle classes -- Establishing an institutional presence -- From unity to division -- A family feud -- Montagues and Capulets -- The "ski popes" -- A sport of the people -- Alpine skiing before World War I -- Revolutionizing perception -- Joy in movement -- Harmony and mastery -- The art of Alpine skiing -- The Alpine kinaesthetic -- Harmony through movement -- Ecstasy in speed -- Speed sells -- The cult of speed -- Mastering natural forces -- Skiing in interwar mass culture -- Synthetic landscapes and vernacular modernism -- Modernity in sport -- An archaic contest -- Gravity sport -- Speed and specialization -- From aesthetics to technics -- Seeing the Alps through sport -- Landscapes of leisure -- Consuming Alpine skiing -- Elite sport and mass culture -- From amateurism to professionalism -- Advertising skiing -- Planning a vacation -- Attracting tourists -- The pursuit of white gold -- Manufacturing miracles -- Lift infrastructure -- Landscape modification -- Snow management -- Retrofitting the Alps -- Epilogue -- Debating Alpine modernity -- Mountains and meaning.