Alpine skiing—also known as “downhill skiing”—is the sport of using skis with fixed-heel bindings to slide down snow-covered hills. This aspect of skiing is contrasted with Nordic skiing, where skiers use free-heel  bindings for cross-country, Telemark, and ski jumping. Alpine skiing make take place at ski resorts with mechanical lifts to transport skiers up the mountains, or it may be in more wilderness areas. The sport takes its name from the Alps Mountains, where the sport started in the late 19th century.