The spelling of "Skie" may seem unusual, but it is actually a variant of the more common spelling "Sky". The reason for this alternative spelling lies in the pronunciation of the word. In IPA phonetic transcription, "Skie" would be transcribed as /skaɪ/, with the long "i" sound at the end represented by the letter "y" instead of the more typical "ie". This spelling choice emphasizes the "i" sound, which is important in conveying the word's meaning of the atmosphere above us.