The term Alpine skiing refers to downhill skiing. The term Nordic skiing refers to what?

While "Alpine" skiing is aptly named for the towering mountain ranges of the Alps, "Nordic" skiing traces its roots to the flatter, rolling terrain of Northern Europe. The fundamental difference lies in the equipment. Alpine skiing uses boots that are rigidly fixed to the ski at both the toe and heel, providing stability for high-speed descents. Nordic skiing, however, is defined by a "free-heel" binding, where only the toe of the boot is attached to the ski. This design allows for a much wider range of motion, essential for its original purpose as a form of transportation across snow-covered landscapes.

This free-heel system is the common thread linking the major Nordic disciplines. The most prominent is cross-country skiing, which is the modern evolution of that ancient method of travel. It involves propelling oneself across varied terrain using skis and poles. The other major discipline is ski jumping, an exhilarating sport that also utilizes a free-heel setup to allow the athlete to lean far forward during flight and maintain balance.

The Nordic family of sports also includes the biathlon, which combines the endurance of cross-country skiing with the precision of rifle shooting, and Nordic combined, an event that tests athletes in both ski jumping and cross-country. All of these sports share a common heritage, originating as practical skills in the snowy climates of Scandinavia before evolving into the competitive events we see today.