Skiing is widely belived to have been invented by aincent norsemen

to cross snow covered mountains with heavy loads. they called it shee.

when they were going downhill they used a stick which they dragged between their legs as a brake.

Lift downhill skiing started in Europe before World War I, and became popular in the USA in the 30s. Cross country and downhill skiing did not become thought of as separate sports until these lifts were invented meaning they did not have to climb up the mountains.