The oldest pair of skis in history has just been discovered

The oldest pair of skis in history has just been discovered in Norway. The story begins in 2014, when archaeologists discovered a wooden ski trapped in the ice... It had been there for 1,300 years. The ski is in perfect condition. Since skis come in pairs, the archaeologists waited for the ice to melt in the hope of finding the second one. In late 2021, their patience paid off: the second ski, pictured above, was revealed just 5 meters from where the first one was found. It is 187 cm long and 17 cm wide.

Scientists recently announced that this discovery makes this pair of prehistoric skis the best-preserved pair ever recorded in history. Fragments of skis have been found dating back as far as 6,000 years before our era. But never with intact bindings, which show how the skis were used, as is the case here.

The skis, which are believed to have served as a means of winter transportation, were repaired several times. They were too valuable to be replaced. They are not identical, suggesting that they were assembled from other pairs. This echoes SKIRECO, SKILEAD’s new concept: its new rental shop for reconditioned ski equipment.