It's downhill, it's fast, it's furious, and you can do it in a field. Welcome to the adrenaline-fuelled sport of grass skiing.
Around since 1966, grass skiing is going from strength to strength on the Continent – there's even a world championship – yet it is still to gain popularity in the UK. Perhaps this year is the year...
We asked grass skiing world champion Martin Štěpánek what it's all about.
What is grass skiing?
Grass skiing is similar to alpine skiing, only on grass. Skiing on grass is a bit more difficult than alpine skiing because you can’t ski from side to side, meaning the only way to slow down or stop is by turning your skis into a contour line.
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What equipment do you need for grass skiing?
Grass skiing uses the same ski boots and ski poles as downhill skiing, but instead of long, flat-looking alpine skis, we use short skis that move with the help of moving belts – like military tanks.
A helmet, back protector and gloves are also a must and I recommend wearing trousers and a long-sleeved top.
What sort of slope do you need for grass skiing?
The best slopes for grass skiing are wide with a gentle gradient, and they must have a flat bottom with enough space for stopping. In the Alps, these slopes would be marked as blue or easy, which is the optimum inclination for grass skiing.
In order to maintain safety for all, it's important that slopes don't get crowded.
Please ensure that you have permission to use grass slopes before you ski. You should also check that it's not in a conservation area, and that it's safe. Don't ski alone and make sure you have a mobile phone with you.
Do you need lessons?
You do not need lessons, as long as you start with the basics and do not rush. I always say that even a good alpine skier needs half a day to acclimatise to grass skiing.
Check out this grasski technique sheet for all the basic.
Grass skiing is a risky sport so make sure you take appropriate safety precautions
Does grass skiing involve the same technique as downhill skiing?
Grass skiing is not that different to downhill skiing – it involves pure carving without any skidding or over-edging. Due to the short length of grass skis, there is much for focus on you front-to-back balance than with downhill skiing.
Are there competitions?
Yes, there are all sorts of competitions for grass skiing. There are national competitions in Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Italy and Slovakia. Then we have International FIS competitions for kids, juniors and adults. There are even World Cups and World Championships.
How much are grass skis?
A pair of grass skis start from around £260 (€300).
Who is Martin Štěpánek?
Martin Štěpánek started grass skiing in 1995 as a convenient alternative to alpine skiing and went on to compete in the World Championships. Today he is the Grasski World Champion in Super-G and 3rd in the 2023 overall Grasski World Cup standings. He also runs the Czech Republic-based grasski.net, a supplier of grass skis.
Find out more about Martin Štěpánek
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Main image: Martin Štěpánek taking part in the 2009 World Championships © Christian Jansky, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons