Olympic Alpine skiing is basically split into two worlds: speed and technical.
The Speed Events
These are the adrenaline-pumping races like the downhill and super giant slalom, known as super-G. In these events, skiers get just one high-stakes run to clock the fastest time. They often hit speeds over eighty miles per hour—which is actually faster than most cars are allowed to go on the highway!
The Technical Events
These consist of the slalom and giant slalom. Instead of pure velocity, these races are all about precision. Skiers have to zigzag through tight gates as fast as possible without missing a beat. Unlike the speed events, technical skiers get two runs, and their times are added together. This means one tiny mistake in either half of the competition can ruin their entire day.
Big Stories for Milan-Cortina 2026
This year in Italy, keep an eye out for a brand-new event called “Team Combined.” In this format, instead of one person doing everything, a speed specialist and a technical specialist team up to win a single medal.
It was also a massive year for the legends of the sport. Mikaela Shiffrin is looking to dominate the technical races, while the world watches Lindsey Vonn. At forty-one years old, Vonn attempted an incredible Olympic comeback, even after a recent knee surgery.
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