Downhill skiing

Downhill skiing is considered an alpine skiing discipline. This means that it is a recreational activity that involves sliding down snow-covered hills on long, thin skis. The term Alpine skiing is generally used in reference to the recreational sport of skiing while the term downhill skiing often refers to the sport of downhill skiing at high speeds.

When used in reference to sport, downhill skiing typically involves the greatest risk in all of the winter alpine events. These are typically races that involve the highest speeds, often faster than 80 miles per hour, and even faster on other courses. These events require that the competitor have a good understanding of the course as well as great strength and expertise.

A typical downhill skiing course begins at the top of a mountain piste that is closed to the public. Water or salt may be spread on the course to ensure that it develops to keep the course from becoming engrained with ruts, which may be dangerous to skiers. It also ensures that the skier is able to reach high speeds. Gates are spaced throughout the course so that they can be seen easily as the skier goes past each one the next one is in view.

These downhill skiing courses are designed to challenge the skiers at skiing over ice at high speeds, making challenging turns at these speeds as well as being able to negotiate extreme steeps and flats in addition to jumps. A good course will have a combination of all of these elements.

The downhill skiing equipment is somewhat different than other low-speed alpine events. The downhill skis are about 30% longer than slalom skis. The ski poles are also bent to curve around the body so that the skier can gain the "tuck position" as they maneuver through the course.