Skiing

Skiing is a high-adrenaline winter sport where athletes race, jump, and climb across snow-covered mountains. Popular skiing disciplines include:

• Alpine skiing (slalom, giant slalom, Super-G, downhill, combined)
• Ski mountaineering (also called skimo-climbing and skiing on high-altitude terrain)
• Ski flying (extreme long-distance ski jumping)
• Freestyle skiing, cross-country skiing, and ski jumping

From slalom to ski flying, every discipline tests speed, stamina, and precision - all free to watch on Eurovision Sport.

Ski Mountaineering

Also known as skimo, ski mountaineering is a physically demanding sport that mixes climbing and skiing in alpine environments.

• Athletes race across mountainous trails, ascending either on skis or by carrying them.
• Courses include checkpoints, timed climbs, steep descents, and technical sections.
• Popular in the Alps and other top ski mountains in Europe.
• Will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games

Alpine Skiing

One of the most iconic skiing disciplines, alpine skiing features high-speed races down steep slopes lined with gates.

• Athletes compete individually for the fastest time in five main events:
• Slalom - tight turns and fast reflexes
• Giant Slalom - wider turns at higher speeds
• Super-G - a mix of technical skill and downhill speed
• Downhill - pure speed on the longest, steepest courses
• Combined - a mix of two disciplines (usually downhill and slalom)

Slalom Skiing

Slalom ski is the most technical event in alpine skiing, requiring fast turns and sharp precision.

• Courses feature closely spaced gates, demanding tight turns and rapid adjustments.
• Slalom skis are short and lightweight, designed for agility and quick edge control.
• Athletes must pass through all gates correctly - missing one leads to disqualification

Downhill Skiing

Downhill skiing is the fastest alpine event, known for its speed and adrenaline.

• Courses are long with minimal gates
• Downhill skiing speeds can reach between 60 and 95 mph
• Requires downhill skis - long, stable, and built for maximum control at high speeds.
• Compared to giant slalom, downhill prioritises straight-line velocity over turning skill

Giant Slalom

Giant slalom (GS) strikes a balance between speed and technical difficulty.

• The key difference between slalom and giant slalom lies in turn radius and gate spacing
• Gates are set wider than in slalom but closer than in Super-G.
• Giant slalom skis are longer and more stable than slalom skis, built for smoother, faster arcs.
• Giant slalom skiing rules require racers to navigate each gate cleanly - missing one leads to disqualification.

Super Giant Slalom

Super-G is a hybrid event - faster than giant slalom but more technical than downhill.

• Courses have fewer gates than giant slalom and are spaced further apart.
• Super-G skis are longer and heavier for stability at high speeds.
• Super giant slalom skiing is a one-run event where skiers must balance precision and aggression

Combined Ski

Alpine combined skiing is designed to test all-around ability.

• Athletes compete in two runs across different disciplines - usually downhill + slalom or Super-G + slalom.
• Results are based on the combined times across both events

Ski Flying

Ski flying is the most extreme form of ski jumping, performed on enormous "ski flying" hills.

• Athletes soar over 240 metres, with some jumps exceeding 250 metres.
• Scoring includes distance and style, with judges rating take-off, flight posture, and landing.
• Requires strong aerodynamic control, fearlessness, and technical skill.
• Unlike regular ski jumping, ski flying events are rarer and held only at elite venues
• Ski flying is not part of the winter Olympics

Ski Flying vs Ski Jumping

Though both are part of Nordic skiing, ski flying and ski jumping differ in scale and intensity.

• Ski jumping occurs on normal and large hills, is more common, and prioritises technique.
• Ski flying uses massive hills for longer flights and higher speeds - jumps regularly exceed 250m.
• Both are included in the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, but ski flying is a speciality discipline held at limited venues
• Whilst ski flying isn't in the Winter Olympics, ski jumping has featured since 1924 for men and 2014 for women.

Skiing Terms

Terms	Definition
Gates	Pairs of poles that mark the course-racers must ski between them to stay on track.
Tuck	A low, aerodynamic position that helps skiers reduce wind resistance and go faster.
Mogul	A bump or mound of snow, often found in a series, creating a challenging, uneven course.
Carving	Making smooth, clean turns using the ski edges without sliding or skidding.
Edge Control	The ability to use the sides of the skis for stability, grip, and precise turns.
Line	The ideal path a skier takes through a course to be as fast and efficient as possible.
Fall Line	The most direct downhill path on a slope-where gravity naturally pulls the skier.
DNF (Did Not Finish)	A term used when a skier fails to complete a run due to a fall, mistake, or missed gate.
Run	A single timed attempt or descent down the course in a race.

Where To Watch Skiing

Watch the best of alpine skiing, ski mountaineering, and ski flying free and live on Eurovision Sport. Full event coverage, replays, and highlights are available on demand throughout the winter season.