Ski Ballet Reborn
The briefly popular activity of ski ballet was revived at an indoor snow centre recently.
The weird and wonderful art of Ski Ballet will be unknown to many, but it did appear on various TV shows in February during the South Korean Olympics as a novelty feature as TV stations featured unusual snowsports from Olympics past.
Consisting of a choreographed routine of jumps, spins and tricks – all performed on skis – the impressive sport of ski ballet, occasionally referred to as ‘acroski’, was alleged to have inspired the freestyle skiing we know today.
Ski ballet was never officially an Olympic sport but it was a demonstration sport was competed on a World stage at the 1988 Games in Calgary and at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics in France before fading into history after it’s discontinuation in 2000.
The Chill Factore indoor snow centre near Manchester decided to revive ski ballet for one day only to highlight a ‘Give it a Go’ programme it has launched and which is running to May 31st, to try to get people to try something new.
They invited some former Team GB Ski Ballet stars to give instruction to a star of the first Olympics at which ski ballet was featured, Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards. They included Mark Hussey, who won the British Championships and was a member of the Ski Ballet England squad.
“Where did Ski Ballet go? It was such a graceful dance which showcased some incredible spins, twist, turns and flips, said Eddie, “After giving it a go, I think I’ve been quite successful! Also to have been able to learn the technique from a professional like Mark has been brilliant and something I’ll definitely try again!”
“Although Ski Ballet isn’t around like we used to know it, you can see the many similarities in the freestyle sports we see today,” said Mark, adding, “I’ve spent a brilliant morning with Eddie the Eagle and really seen his skill shine through. In about an hour, he’s learnt what it would take an average skier to learn in a very long time – he’s a natural! It’s been many years since I put on my old ballet skis and made me hungry to do more! With access to places like Chill Factore, which has the perfect conditions for the sport, it’s been amazing to revive it for the day.”
