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There is a fair amount of physics involved, but the general picture is simple. The force of gravity is pulling the skier down the slope. It is the "prime mover" here. There will be air friction ("drag") on the individual, and a bit of friction (though not much) on the bottom surface of each ski where it is in contact with the snow. And the poles are used to "lift" the skier and allow him to "reposition" his skis. But the real "biggie" here other than gravity is the force created when the edges of the skis "cut into" the snow and allow the skier to redirect his path of travel. The skier shifts his weight to put more on the outer ski and use the edge to slice into the snow and allow him to move laterally (across) a slope. It is true that the skier will have considerable momentum after he gets going, but the edges of the skis will allow him to change course and control his rate of descent. The force on the edges as they "bite into" the snow are the other key factor that makes skiing what it is.

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16y ago

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