Odidealizowane? Góry w rozwoju sportów zimowych w Sudetach przed 1945 rokiem

The development of tourism changed the way of seeing and developing the Sudetes, and the rapid growth in winter sports — which began at the turn of the twentieth century — should be regarded as one of the most important elements in this process. There emerged a new group of “mountain consumers” who did not focus on experiencing the mountains, but pay more attention to using them for tourism- and sports-related purposes. Profound reflection was replaced by activity, which became the main medium of new fascinations. Alongside snow the mountains were a prerequisite for the expansion of tobogganing or skiing, but did this determine their idealisation or loss of their charm? An answer to this question is quite complex, as it requires us to take into account broader cultural transformations, and the available sources do not provide unequivocal evidence. Nevertheless, it is possible to discern a shifting of accents, or perhaps just addition of new ones, including rise in the stature of sporting rivalry and discovery of the beauty of winter. Naturally, all these aspects concern not only the Sudetes.