A clock. A slope. A load of skiers. That's the traditional image of alpine competitions – and although it's still popular, these days there are lots of variations. Freestyle, freeride, extreme or carving – they're all here for you to discover.
Start young – that's the secret to working through the levels right up to the British Alpine Team and the Winter Olympics.
These days there are competitions for kids aged eight and above – and the 11–15 age range is the crucial time for developing the skills and fitness demanded by competitive skiing. Our advice? Join a club with a healthy competition section, or go to an artificial slope with racing sessions.
Every year there are 2,000 international level competitions, with an incredible 10,000 registered competitors. The biggest–of–the–big is the annual World Cup circuit of some 50 events. In the UK there are national and regional level competitions, on snow (in Scotland and abroad) and on artificial slopes.
Ski Sunday? That'll be downhill competition – which mixes lighting fast technical turns, long straights and wild jumps. Courses are generally between one and a half and two and a half minutes long, with speeds of around 60 mph for men's events. (It's even been known for speeds to break through 80mph)
The World Cup circuit features long-established classics as the Hahnenkamm in Kitzbuhel and the Lauberhorn in Wengen.
Slow downhill? Fast giant slalom? Don't believe what you hear, because despite the wider turns, Super G is a great event in its own right – combining the high speeds of downhill with very precise technical skiing.
Giant Slalom is at the heart of all competitive skiing skills. It's about keeping a very precise line through a fast, rhythmical course – which often includes lots of different terrains.
Watch out – this can be the most dynamic and explosive of the Alpine disciplines. The skill is to make rapid edge changes as you turn your skis very quickly between closely set, flexible rapid gates. Because competitors lean right into the gates, they're likely to crack their shins, hands or arms – which explains the body armour.
This is the only alpine event that isn't against the clock.
Two identical courses are set side-by-side – and two racers start at exactly the same time. First across the line is the winner, and progresses to the next round. Team relay events are great to watch, and there's a move to introduce such competitions at an international level.
