![Switzerland – a nation of skiers: How much is reality? How much is myth?](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/ski-titel-neu-300x225.jpg)
The whole country is skiing! The whole country…?
Switzerland sees itself as a great skiing nation. Where does that self-image come from? Is it more of a myth, or more of a reality?
Vico Torriani’s song made Switzerland see itself as a nation of skiers. YouTube
![At the end of the 19th century skiing was something for wealthy tourists, like these jolly types in Graubünden in 1890.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/skifahrer-1890-300x155.jpg)
Alpine skiing is a British invention
Wars make skiing more of a domestic affair
![Skiing was promoted with discounts at ski schools.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/werbung-rabatt-197x300.jpg)
![Armed border guard on a ski patrol, 1945.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/ski-soldat-201x300.jpg)
![Medals such as those won by Primin Zurbriggen and Maria Walliser in Crans-Montana in 1987 reinforced the feeling of being a nation of skiers.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/ski-titel-300x225.jpg)
![Snowboard LOOK from Germany, made around 1980.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/snowboard-300x230.jpg)
Pirmin Zurbriggen wins Super-G in Schladming, 1988. YouTube
Swiss Sports History
![Swiss Sports History](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/swisssportshistory-300x225.jpg)
This text was produced in collaboration with Swiss Sports History, the portal for the history of sports in Switzerland. The portal focuses on education in schools and information for the media, researchers and the general public. Find out more at sportshistory.ch