Ski resorts have been around for centuries, but the first ski resort ever opened is a matter of debate. One of the earliest documented ski resorts was located in Norway, near a small town called Morgedal.
It is believed that Morgedal was the birthplace of modern skiing, and it was here that the first skis were used for recreation and transport.
The area around Morgedal provided perfect conditions for skiing since it had plenty of snow and very steep slopes. It is believed that the area was first settled by mountain farmers in the 16th century and they began to use skis to travel between their farms during wintertime. Later on, as skiing became more popular, people began to visit Morgedal specifically to ski, making it one of the earliest ski resorts in the world.
In addition to Morgedal, there are several other contenders for being home to the world’s first ski resort. For example, in Switzerland there is a village called Mürren which lays claim to having housed Europe’s oldest operating ski resort since 1912. Meanwhile in Japan there is a ski resort called Shiga Kogen which dates back to 1924, making it one of Japan’s oldest surviving winter sports resorts.
Regardless of which area holds claim to being home to the world’s first ever ski resort however, it is clear that skiing has been around for many centuries and has evolved into one of the most popular winter sports activities around the world.
Conclusion:
Where was the first ever ski resort? The answer depends on who you ask but many believe that Morgedal in Norway holds claim as Europe’s oldest operating ski resort since 1912.
Other contenders include Mürren in Switzerland and Shiga Kogen in Japan which have both been operating since 1924. Regardless of where it began however, skiing has become an incredibly popular activity over centuries with people all over the world enjoying its thrills and spills on a regular basis.
