Ski-ing across country is centuries old, but the idea of ski-ing downhill is very much a British invention. Michael Smee traces the uphill struggles faced by the early downhill skiers and chronicles the evolution of a prosaic and strenuous means of crossing snow-covered mountains into a worldwide leisure pursuit and an Olympic sport. Producer FRANK WARWICK
(Going Ski-ing!, a newcomer's guide to ski-ing at home and abroad: next Sunday 4.30 pm VHF)
0 HELPLINES: page 93