Sønnenfjellske ski battalion used skies of the "Østerdal" type, i.e. skies of uneven length. This type had long traditions in the companies recruiting district, and it would have been difficult for the men to use other kinds of skies. In the Nordenfjellske battalion they used skies of equal length.
The Østerdal type differs from other skies in several ways. The most important difference is the uneven length of the skies, and their different characteristics. The long ski was made for sliding, and had a length of nearly 3 yards. The short ski was called andor, was a little more than 2 yards long, and with fur on the underside, it was used for the kick-off, and for scaling hills. This ski was especially practical when pulling the ski sledge. The andor at least had military markings, usually the soldier’s number. Normally one ski stick was used, and it had an iron spike.
In 1766, the ski companies arranged their first
ski competitions. They were forerunners of todays competitions. There were
four different disciplines, and any citizen could enter the competition.
The rules were:
1st Class: 2 prizes of 20 Rigsdaler for those
who in a mediocre downhill and full run can fire their gun and best hit a target
at 40 to 50 pace distance.
2nd Class: 4 prizes of 10 Rigsdaler for those
who in a hill grown with threes best can throw themselves between the trees
without being hindered by the fall or breaking the skies.
3rd Class: 6 prizes of 4 Rigsdaler for those
who, without falling or riding on the ski stick, best can run down the largest
hill without falling.
4th Class: 8 prizes of 2 Rigsdaler for those
who on flat ground fastest can run 1/4 mile (at that time 2750 m) with full
uniform and the gun over the shoulder, that under good conditions should be
done in less than 15 minutes.
