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downhill skiing
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On the slopes Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games Olympic champion Illustration comparing downhill and cross-country ski equipment, showing a downhill ski boot and binding, a cross-country boot and binding, and a skier in full gear holding skis and a pole. Innsbruck 1964 Winter Olympic Games Downhill skiing, Colorado
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Alpine skiing
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On the slopes
On the slopes Olympian Picabo Street training for the women's downhill at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games in Snowbasin Resort, Utah.

downhill skiing

winter sport
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downhill skiing, ski race for speed on an adjusted downhill course that is marked by gates formed by paired poles, set at least 8 meters (26 feet) apart, through which the racer must pass. Contestants make at least one timed practice run, then compete singly in an order set by previous performance and starting at one-minute intervals. The one who completes the course in the shortest time, without missing any gates, is the winner.

Olympic champion
Olympic championHermann Maier, 2008.

Downhill was, with the slalom, one of the original Alpine skiing disciplines. In 1930 it was recognized by what is now the Fédération Internationale de Ski et de Snowboard (FIS; International Ski and Snowboard Federation), the world governing body of skiing, as an official sport; the first downhill world championships were held the following year. Downhill debuted at the Olympics in a combined event (featuring both a downhill and a slalom race) in 1936 at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. It was first held as an Olympic medal event in 1948 at St. Moritz, Switzerland.

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For men’s international championship events, the downhill course is typically 2.4 to 5 km (1.5 to 3 miles) long, with a vertical descent of up to 1,100 meters (3,609 feet) and terrain of a steepness and difficulty appropriate to the skill and endurance of the competitors. For women the course is 1.6 to 2.5 km (1 to 1.5 miles) long, with a maximum vertical drop of 800 meters (2,625 feet). Courses are characterized in terms not of length but of time—e.g., a two-minute downhill. The average winning speed of downhill events is 64 to 80 km (40 to 50 miles) per hour. Speeds in excess of 250 km (150 miles) per hour are achieved on special short courses, but these events are not rated as official downhill races. (See speed skiing.) During straighter portions of a course, skiers go into a tuck position in order to be more aerodynamic and thus increase their speed. A unique curved ski pole, which allows for a tighter tuck, is used in the downhill event.

Downhill and cross-country skiing equipment
Downhill and cross-country skiing equipmentAlthough ski equipment varies considerably in length, width, and flexibility, the basic equipment for an average downhill skier and cross-country skier is shown here. Downhill skis are generally shorter and wider than cross-country skis and should be about the height of the skier. Cross-country skis should meet the wrist when the arm is held above the head. In either case, a slightly heavier or more experienced skier might want a longer ski, and a lighter or beginning skier might prefer a shorter ski. The cross-country pole is slightly longer than the one for downhill skiing. A good length would just reach the armpit. The downhill pole should fit comfortably in the hand about two inches below the armpit. Downhill boots are stiff and clamp entirely to the ski, whereas cross-country boots are more flexible and allow the skier to walk more naturally.

The FIS recognizes the dangers of traveling at such high speeds and takes great efforts to ensure the safety of its skiers. Competitors are required to wear crash helmets. Each competition is moderated by a race jury who has the right to remove skiers it deems weak or unprepared for a particular course. In addition, race organizers can add more gates to slow the descent of the hill as they see fit. The downhill probably demands the most courage of all Alpine events.

Notable downhill skiers

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Will Gosner.