Booker C. Bense
I also find it interesting that the definition makes little sense
to Europeans where even the lift served skiing is generally more
"backcountry" than in the USA.

Hah!

If there's a lift, it ain't backcountry. And coasting
(lift-served "skiing") isn't skiing. Besides, there's much
more to Europe than a few crowded Central European countries,
and especially so backcountrywise.

As discussed before, I think on r.s.nordic rather recently,
in the Nordic countries downhill or alpine "skiing" isn't called
- nor considered - skiing. (Admittably, and unfortunately, this
might be changing though.)