Winter Sports

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Date:

Instructions: How well do you know skiing, skating, hockey, and other winter sports?

1.
What is the difference between alpine skiing and cross-country skiing?
A
Alpine is faster, cross-country is longer
B
Alpine uses one pole, cross-country uses two
C
Alpine is downhill, cross-country covers flat and varied terrain
D
There is no difference
2.
In figure skating, what is a 'triple axel'?
A
Three consecutive jumps
B
Three rotations on the ice
C
A jump with 3.5 rotations in the air
D
A three-person skating formation
3.
What is the Iditarod?
A
An ice fishing competition in Canada
B
A cross-country ski race in Norway
C
A snowmobile race in Siberia
D
A long-distance sled dog race in Alaska
4.
How many players from each team are on the ice during a standard ice hockey game?
A
7
B
5
C
6
D
8
5.
What is a 'slalom' in skiing?
A
Skiing on a half-pipe
B
A race weaving between poles or gates
C
A ski jumping event
D
A straight downhill race
6.
Which country invented the sport of ice hockey?
A
Canada
B
Russia
C
United States
D
Sweden
7.
What is the Vasaloppet?
A
A Finnish ice swimming competition
B
A Norwegian biathlon event
C
A German toboggan race
D
A Swedish cross-country ski race
8.
In speed skating, what is the typical length of a 'short track' oval?
A
100 meters
B
200 meters
C
400 meters
D
111.12 meters
9.
What is the 'halfpipe' in snowboarding?
A
A U-shaped channel in the snow for performing aerial tricks
B
A type of snowboard
C
A plumbing technique for making snow
D
A narrow trail through trees
10.
Which ice hockey trophy is awarded to the NHL champion?
A
The Calder Cup
B
The Stanley Cup
C
The Hart Trophy
D
The Conn Smythe Trophy
11.
What type of skiing involves jumping off a steep ramp and flying through the air?
A
Cross-country skiing
B
Mogul skiing
C
Alpine skiing
D
Ski jumping
12.
In which winter sport do competitors slide headfirst on a small sled?
A
Luge
B
Skeleton
C
Bobsled
D
Toboggan
13.
What are moguls in freestyle skiing?
A
Large snow ramps
B
Bumps on a steep slope
C
Flags marking the course
D
Types of ski boots
14.
Which legendary figure skater from Norway won three consecutive Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932, 1936)?
A
Peggy Fleming
B
Katarina Witt
C
Janet Lynn
D
Sonja Henie
15.
What is 'snowkiting'?
A
Building snow sculptures shaped like kites
B
Flying a kite in the snow
C
Using a kite to pull yourself across snow on skis or a snowboard
D
A children's snow game

Answer Key

Question 1

C. Alpine is downhill, cross-country covers flat and varied terrain

Alpine skiing involves racing down a steep slope, while cross-country skiing involves traveling across flat or varied terrain using your own power for propulsion.

Question 2

C. A jump with 3.5 rotations in the air

A triple axel is a figure skating jump with 3.5 rotations in the air. It is one of the most difficult jumps because it requires an extra half rotation compared to other triple jumps.

Question 3

D. A long-distance sled dog race in Alaska

The Iditarod is a long-distance sled dog race held annually in Alaska, covering approximately 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome. It commemorates the 1925 serum run to Nome.

Question 4

C. 6

Six players from each team are on the ice during play: one goaltender, two defensemen, and three forwards (center, left wing, right wing).

Question 5

B. A race weaving between poles or gates

Slalom is an alpine skiing discipline where skiers navigate a course by weaving between closely spaced poles or gates. It requires quick turns and precise technique.

Question 6

A. Canada

Ice hockey originated in Canada in the 19th century. The first organized indoor game was played in Montreal in 1875, and the NHL was founded in 1917.

Question 7

D. A Swedish cross-country ski race

The Vasaloppet is the world's oldest and longest cross-country ski race, held annually in Sweden since 1922. The 90 km race goes from Salen to Mora, commemorating a journey by King Gustav Vasa in 1521.

Question 8

D. 111.12 meters

Short track speed skating takes place on an oval track that is 111.12 meters in circumference, set up on an ice hockey-sized rink. Long track uses a 400-meter oval.

Question 9

A. A U-shaped channel in the snow for performing aerial tricks

A halfpipe is a U-shaped channel built in the snow where snowboarders ride back and forth performing aerial tricks on each wall. Olympic halfpipes are typically 22 feet (6.7 meters) high.

Question 10

B. The Stanley Cup

The Stanley Cup is awarded annually to the NHL playoff champion. Donated by Lord Stanley of Preston in 1893, it is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America.

Question 11

D. Ski jumping

Ski jumping involves skiing down a steep ramp (in-run) and launching off the end to fly as far as possible. The current world record is over 250 meters (820 feet).

Question 12

B. Skeleton

Skeleton is a sliding sport where competitors ride a small sled headfirst and face-down. It differs from luge, where riders go feet-first and face-up.

Question 13

B. Bumps on a steep slope

Moguls are bumps formed on a steep ski slope. In mogul skiing, athletes navigate a course of moguls while performing aerial tricks, judged on technique, speed, and jump quality.

Question 14

D. Sonja Henie

Norwegian figure skater Sonja Henie won three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. She later became a Hollywood movie star and ice show performer.

Question 15

C. Using a kite to pull yourself across snow on skis or a snowboard

Snowkiting involves using a large kite to pull a person across snow while they are on skis or a snowboard. It allows riders to travel uphill and across flat terrain.

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