1. He Introduced Brits To Sherlocks Holmes... And Skiing
As has already been determined, Conan Doyle was a keen sportsman - and he even helped to introduce skiing to the British populous. Having moved to Davros in Switzerland in 1893, Conan Doyle learned how to ski in the Alps - and was among the first group to make it through the 8,000-foot pass at the Maienfelder Furgga. In a feature about skiing, published in Strand Magazine in 1894, Conan Doyle introduced the British public to the then-obscure sport, writing:
"You have to shuffle along the level, to zig-zag, or move crab fashion, up the hills, to slide down without losing your balance, and above all to turn with facility. "You let yourself go - getting as near as flying as any earthbound man can. In that glorious air it is a delightful experience."
In his wisdom, Conan Doyle also forecast that Britons would head in their droves for skiing holidays in Switzerland in the future.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
