Skiing

Skiing began in Japan in 1911 when Major Theodor Edler von Lerch, a soldier from Austria, gave the first ski lesson to Japanese infantrymen. It was very popular, and a ski association was formed not long after the instructions began. The sport then gradually spread among the civilian population. Today, skiing and snowboarding are very popular winter sports in Japan. Japanese athletes are also active in the Olympics, especially in the ski jump and mogul events.