Skiing from the past

The Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics saw many excellent athletes compete on the ice and snow, prompting an enthusiasm for winter sports in China. In fact, the country has had a deep relationship with winter sports since ancient times, with skiing originating in the Altay prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
北京冬奥会和冬残奥会上，许多优秀运动员参与了冰雪运动比赛，激发了中国人民对冬季运动的热情。实际上，中国自古以来就与冬季运动有着深厚的渊源，滑雪就起源于新疆维吾尔自治区的阿勒泰地区。

In 2005, cave paintings of Altay people hunting on skis with poles were discovered, which archaeologists estimated could be more than 10,000 years old. Since then, Altay has been recognized by many as one of the birthplaces of skiing, according to Xinhua.
2005年，人们发现了阿勒泰先民滑雪狩猎的岩画，考古学家估算这些壁画可能有1万多年的历史。据新华社报道，从那时起，阿勒泰就被许多人视为滑雪的起源地之一。

As one of the richest collections of ancient rock art in China, there are herds of camels, sheep, wolves and human figures. The painting on the roof of a cave in Dundebulake village of Altay prefecture depicts humans on skis, bending their knees as they travel alongside animals, including deer and moose.
阿勒泰是中国古代岩画分布最丰富的地区之一，岩画包含骆驼群、羊群、狼群和人物等内容。阿勒泰敦德布拉克洞穴顶部画有彩绘岩画，画中人脚踏滑雪板，弯腰屈膝，与鹿和驼鹿等动物一同驰骋。

The rock art in Dundebulake is well preserved because the pictographs are well hidden in the cave.
敦德布拉克的古代岩画很好地掩藏在洞穴中，因而保存完好。

Additionally, Altay’s dry climate has been a useful preserving agent, according to a 2016 research paper published by the Hebei Normal University.
此外，根据河北师范大学2016年发表的一篇研究论文，阿勒泰气候干燥，这也成为了一种有用的保藏剂。

Unique geographical and climatic conditions make skiing an indispensable part of local people’s lives. The climate in Altay is mild and not too windy, so skiers are less affected by weather conditions, allowing them to safely move faster.
独特的地理和气候条件让滑雪成为当地人生活中不可或缺的一部分。阿勒泰气候温和，少风，因此滑雪者受天气条件的影响较小，能够更快滑行，同时保证安全。

Unlike the modern skis we use nowadays, fur skis have been used as a means of transportation for the snowfield inhabitants of Altay for more than 100 centuries, according to rock carvings uncovered in the area.
与我们现在使用现代滑雪板不同，根据阿勒泰地区出土的岩画显示，阿勒泰先民使用毛皮滑雪板作为交通工具已经100多年了。

Making skis has been a traditional skill. The handmade skis have a layer of horse skin. The fur on the horse skin can help decrease friction when they slide down the hill, while the skis also prevent skiers from falling when they walk up. At the same time, they have a wooden stick in hand to keep balance, according to China Daily.
制作滑雪板一直是阿勒泰的一项传统手艺。手工制作的滑雪板附有一层马皮。马皮上的皮毛可以帮助滑雪者在滑下山坡时减少摩擦，也可以防止滑雪者在上山时摔倒。据《中国日报》报道，滑雪者会同时手拿一根木棍，来保持平衡。

Fur ski competitions have been held annually by the local government. Many locals would display their maneuvers at the competitions.
阿勒泰地方政府每年都会举办毛皮滑雪比赛。许多当地人会在比赛中一展身手。

以上文章内容选自《21世纪学生英文报高中版》，详情请见《21世纪学生英文报高中版》高三773期