Mathias Zdarsky

Mathias Zdarsky
Zdarsky in 1908
Born(1856-02-25)25 February 1856
Died20 June 1940(1940-06-20) (aged 84)
St. Pölten, Austria
Occupation(s)Ski instructor, artist
Known for"Father of alpine skiing"
Inventor of steel ski binding
Zdarsky demonstrating his ski technique. This photo was the basis of a 1990 commemorative Austrian 5 schilling stamp.[1]

Mathias Zdarsky (Czech: Matyáš Žďárský; 25 February 1856 – 20 June 1940) was an early ski pioneer and founder of modern Alpine skiing technique: Arnold Lunn described him as the "father of alpine skiing".[2] He was the first ski instructor in the world.[3] He was also a teacher, painter and sculptor.

  1. ^ 50. Todestag von Mathias Zdarsky at aeiou.iicm.tugraz.at
  2. ^ Norden, Gilbert (Spring 2001). "Austrian Sport Museums" (PDF). Journal of Sport History. 28 (1): 87–107. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Britannica.com article on Matthias Zdarsky". Retrieved 2006-10-09.