i was a champion downhill skier in college.
[{"role": "system", "content": "Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, is the sport or recreation of sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. It is characterized by the requirement for mechanical assistance getting to the top of the hill, since the equipment does not allow efficient walking or hiking, unlike cross-country skis which use free-heel bindings. It is typically practiced at ski resorts which provide services such as ski lifts, artificial snow making and grooming, first aid, and restaurants. Back-country skiers use alpine skiing equipment to ski off the marked pistes, in some cases with the assistance of snowmobiles, helicopters or snowcats. Alpine skiing has been an event at the Winter Olympic Games since 1936 (except for the 1940 games). As of 1994, there were estimated to be 55 million people worldwide, who engaged in Alpine skiing. Approximately 30 million of these were in Europe, 15 million in the US, and 14 million in Japan. As of 1996, there were reportedly 4,500 ski areas, operating 26,000 ski lifts and enjoying skier visits. The preponderant region for downhills skiing was Europe, followed by Japan and the US. A skier following the fall line will reach the maximum possible speed for that slope.\n"}, {"role": "user", "content": "Alpine Skiing seem so fun! I wonder if it is very difficult."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Well 55 million people worldwide have partaken in Alpine skiing at one point in time.  if 55 million people do I imagine it's not too difficult."}, {"role": "user", "content": "I guess that is true.  Any idea when Alpine skiing was invented or became a thing?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I wish I knew the answer to your question.  The best I can give you is that it's first Olympic appearance was in 1936.  So it's been around since then."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Ok, thanks.   I know snowboarding is more recent though, is snowboarding in the Olympics too?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Snowboarding is definitely more of a modern trend.  It started in the 1960s in the US and it first officially became an Olympic event in as recent as 1998!"}, {"role": "user", "content": "So just 20 years ago.   Do you know in what countries is Alpine skiing most popular?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Alpine skiing is a very western sport.  It's primarily most popular in Europe and secondly less but equally popular in US and Japan."}]