Alpine skiing is one of the most exciting winter sports, featuring athletes racing down snow-covered mountains at incredible speeds. But did you know there are five different disciplines, each with its own challenges?
Slalom: The Technical Test
Slalom is all about quick turns. Skiers navigate between closely spaced gates, making sharp turns every few meters. The gates are only 4-6 meters apart, requiring incredible agility.
Two runs on different courses are combined for the final time. The fastest combined time wins.
Key facts:
- 55-75 gates per run
- Top speeds: 35-45 km/h
- Course length: 450-550 meters
- Stars: Mikaela Shiffrin, Manuel Feller, Henrik Kristoffersen
Giant Slalom: Speed Meets Technique
Giant Slalom (GS) is the perfect balance between speed and technical skill. The gates are farther apart than slalom, allowing higher speeds while still demanding precise turns.
Key facts:
- 35-50 gates per run
- Top speeds: 50-80 km/h
- Course length: 1,000-1,500 meters
- Stars: Marco Odermatt, Federica Brignone, Lucas Braathen
Super-G: The Speed Technical
Super-G (Super Giant Slalom) bridges the gap between giant slalom and downhill. Skiers have never seen the course before race day and must read the terrain while racing at high speeds.
Key facts:
- 35+ gates
- Top speeds: 90-110 km/h
- Single run determines winner
- Stars: Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, Lara Gut-Behrami, Vincent Kriechmayr
Downhill: Pure Speed
Downhill is the fastest and most dangerous alpine discipline. Athletes reach speeds over 140 km/h while racing down courses that can be 3+ kilometers long with dramatic jumps and turns.
Key facts:
- Longest courses in alpine skiing
- Top speeds: 130-160 km/h
- Athletes get training runs to learn the course
- Stars: Sofia Goggia, Cornelia Hütter, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde
Combined: The All-Rounder
The Combined event tests versatility. Athletes complete one downhill or Super-G run and one slalom run. The combined time determines the winner.
This discipline rewards athletes who excel in both speed and technical events.
Key facts:
- Two different disciplines in one day
- Tests complete skiing ability
- Stars: Marco Schwarz, Federica Brignone, Wendy Holdener
How the World Cup Works
The FIS World Cup runs from October to March. Athletes earn points based on their finish position in each race. The skier with the most points at the end of the season wins the crystal globe trophy.
There are separate globes for each discipline plus an overall title for the best all-around skier.
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