Ski
Arthur Conan Doyle discovered ski for the first time on summer 1892 in Norway where he spent holidays with his sister and Jerome K. Jerome. Two years later, in Davos, he did some excursions with skis demonstrating their possibilities to the people of the country. He claimed to have been the first to introduce skis into the Grisons division of Switzerland.
Jerome K. Jerome wrote « Doyle was great on winter sports; and was one of the first to introduce ski-ing into Switzerland. Before that, it had been confined to Norway. All Davos used to turn out to watch Doyle and a few others practising. The beginner on skis is always popular. » (My Life and Times, 1925).
In The Old Horse drawing, Arthur Conan Doyle placed Ski on top of his souvenirs.
Photos
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Arthur Conan Doyle on skis (1894).
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Arthur Conan Doyle with skiers (1894).
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Arthur Conan Doyle with skiers (1894).
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Arthur Conan Doyle skiing at Davos, with Archibald Langman to his right (early 1894).
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Dr. Conan Doyle on "Ski" (1894).
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A wayside rest (1894).
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A novice turning (1894).
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An adept turning (1894).
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Ascending in zig-zags (1894).
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Ascending foot after foot (1894).
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Glissading - Steep stope (1894).
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Glissading - Moderate slope (1894).
Conan Doyle about Ski-ing
- « There is one form of sport in which I have, I think, been able to do some practical good, for I can claim to have been the first to introduce skis into the Grisons division of Switzerland, or at least to demonstrate their practical utility as a means of getting across in winter from one valley to another. It was in 1894 that I read Nansen's account of his crossing of Greenland, and thus became interested in the subject of ski-ing. It chanced that I was compelled to spend that winter in the Davos valley, and I spoke about the matter to Tobias Branger, a sporting tradesman in the village, who in turn interested his brother. We sent for skis from Norway, and for some weeks afforded innocent amusement to a large number of people who watched our awkward movements and complex tumbles. The Brangers made much better progress than I. At the end of a month or so we felt that we were getting more expert, and determined to climb the Jacobshorn, a considerable hill just opposite the Davos Hotel. We had to carry our unwieldy skis upon our backs until we had passed the fir trees which line its slopes, but once in the open we made splendid progress, and had the satisfaction of seeing the flags in the village dipped in our honour when we reached the summit. But it was only in returning that we got the full flavour of ski-ing. In ascending you shuffle up by long zigzags, the only advantage of your footgear being that it is carrying you over snow which would engulf you without it. But coming back you simply tum your long toes and let yourself go, gliding delightfully over the gentle slopes, flying down the steeper ones, taking an occasional cropper, but getting as near to flying as any earthbound man can. In that glorious air it is a delightful experience. » (Some Recollections of Sport, 1909)
Letters
Articles
- An Alpine Pass on "Ski" (1894)
- Ski-Running (1898)
- Some Recollections of Sport (1909)
- The Origin of Ski-ing (1922)
- The Old Horse (1930)
Fictions with Ski-ing
- An Alpine Walk (1893)
