Get the Games: Alpine Skiing

How much do you really know about the disciplines our athletes compete in? To get you ready for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony, we’re launching a new series: Get The Games.

Across the next few weeks, we will be giving you an insider’s perspective on snowsport. The technical challenges, the speed, and what it’s really like in the start gate.

The Winter Olympics isn’t just skiing fast downhill—it’s a mix of speed, skill, style and more than a little bravery.

From blistering speed to gravity-defying tricks, these events are packed with skill, courage and the kind of wipeouts that make you watch through your fingers. 

Whether athletes are racing the clock, launching sky-high tricks or battling head-to-head on snow, each event brings its own unique thrill.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the must-know disciplines to help you watch like a pro.

Alpine Skiing

Think Formula 1 on snow. Skiers rocket downhill at serious speeds, threading gates on steep courses where one tiny mistake can end a medal run.

Alpine skiing is one of the marquee events of the Winter Olympics, delivering pure speed, nerve and precision on some of the steepest slopes in the world. Competitors race downhill on fixed courses, weaving through gates while battling gravity, icy conditions and razor-thin margins.

The sport features several disciplines — including Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom and Slalom, each testing a different mix of speed and technical skill. From blistering 130km/h runs to rapid-fire turns that demand lightning reflexes, alpine skiing is all about who can get down the mountain fastest without missing a gate. One small mistake can end a medal run, which is what makes every second so gripping to watch.