Alpine Snowboarding
What is snowboard alpine racing: A guide to the thrilling sport
Learn all about snowboard alpine racing, the different types of competition, techniques for getting started in the sport and the top events to know about.
"Any athlete who gets to the top of his or her sport is exceptional, but admiring them is the wrong word. I'd rather be able to emulate these athletes' motivation," says alpine snowboard racer and five-time world champion Benjamin Karl.
That's the sort of driven mindset one has to have to compete in snowboard alpine racing. It's a sport where athletes have to be fast, agile, strong and mentally tough to put in the thousands of practice reps it takes to compete at the the very top of the sport.
Benjamin Karl
© Arvid Auner/Red Bull Content Pool
Since its debut on the world stage in 1998, snowboard alpine racing has grown steadily. Today, the sport – sometimes called downhill snowboarding – has competitive scenes in America, Oceania, Asia and Europe. While it may not be as rugged or daring as backcountry snowboarding, it's one of the most popular and accessible types of competitive snowboarding.
Read on to find out more about snowboard alpine racing, the different types of competition, techniques for getting started in the sport and the top events.
01
Types of snowboard alpine racing
There are five main types of alpine snowboard racing. The main objective in all is to race downhill as fast as possible at speeds ranging from 80kph to 115kph, moving through gates as you descend. The gates are markers, poles with flags attached that identify the course like in alpine skiing disciplines. Each type of racing requires a different skill and strength.
Slalom
As the name suggests, in slalom athletes race down a course marked by gates placed very close together. Weaving in and out, the athlete must go around each of these gates as fast as possible. This type of alpine racing requires quick turns and agility.
Roland Fischnaller trains on the slalom course in Val Senales, Italy
© Damiano Levati/Red Bull Content Pool
Giant Slalom
In giant slalom (GS), athletes race down a course marked by gates spaced farther apart than in slalom. Maintaining control at high speeds is more important than agility since there are longer gaps between gates, but athletes must control their speed and come around the gates at an angle that allows them to maintain momentum, which requires lots of power, strength and technique.
Super-G
Super-G alpine racing is a faster version of GS., where the gates are set at greater distances and the turns require a higher speed and more power. Of all the events, Super-G is the one where outright speed trumps any other skill.
Parallel Slalom
Parallel slalom (PSL) involves two athletes racing side-by-side down a course marked by gates (set 10 to 15 meters apart) to see who crosses the finish line first. It looks the most similar to Slalom racing. Athletes cannot come in contact and must maneuver around one another. Along with speed and agility, strategy plays a big role, which is why athletes are given several test runs on the course before a competition. (This can be true in solo events, too.)
Parallel Giant Slalom
PGS is similar to PSL but with gates spaced farther apart, requiring more speed and less agility. With another racer riding alongside, it can make for thrilling entertainment, which is probably why PGS is one of the popular events televised on the world's big stage.
GS is a balance between speed and sharp turning
© Arvid Auner/Red Bull Content Pool
02
The racecourse and equipment
A snowboard alpine racecourse can be characterised by steep, narrow slopes on groomed snow. Depending on the type of alpine race it is, the setup will vary, but it's generally two to five km long with a vertical descent of up to 1,000m.
Alpine snowboarding gates
All of the gates in alpine snowboarding are set at specific intervals and angles that require quick and precise movements. Slalom racing gates are set closer together than giant slalom, for example. The minimum distance between gates in slalom is 13 feet and a course features between 55 and 75 gates. Standard course features also include, jumps moguls and banked turns.
Terrain and weather conditions can affect the course, especially in high-altitude areas with lots of snow.
Snowboard alpine racing gates and gear are unique
© Gabriele Seghizzi/Red Bull Content Pool
Alpine snowboarding equipment
The equipment used in snowboard alpine racing is also slightly different than what one might use to ride recreationally. Alpine snowboards are typically longer and stiffer than regular snowboards, which provides stability and control at high speeds. Racers also wear specialised ski-style boots and bindings that are designed to transfer power efficiently to the board. They also typically apply wax to their boards to help them run faster.
Other necessary equipment includes a helmet, goggles and protective padding, which is usually worn on the back and torso. Of course, racers prefer to wear the lightest padding possible, as it can provide an advantage for picking up speed downhill.
03
Rules and regulations of snowboard alpine racing
Even a fraction of a second could make the difference between first and second place, so there are strict rules and regulations in alpine snowboard racing at the highest levels. Common rules and regulations include:
- False start: when an athlete goes before the starting whistle or gun sounds. During the competition, the start referee calls if this is an infraction and can lead to a restart or disqualification.
- Missing gates: A missed gate results in a disqualification (elimination) of the athlete’s score.
- Straddling a gate: When the board passes on the wrong side of the gate. Straddling a gate is also a disqualification at national and international level.
- Obstruction: Opponents aren't allowed to intentionally block competitors and can be disqualified if they do so.
In regional competitions, these standards can vary slightly, but at the national, international and world stage levels, the criteria for penalties and violations are uniform.
04
Technique and strategies
The main technique alpine snowboarders use to maintain speed and control is carving. This involves using the edges of the snowboard to dig into the snow, creating a turn that generates speed and allows the athlete to maintain control. By shifting their weight and applying pressure to the edges, the snowboarder can create a smooth and controlled turn that helps them navigate the course with speed and precision.
This is how you carve!
© Red Bull Content Pool
Proper technique and timing are essential for effective carving and it requires a great deal of practice and experience to master. Experts in this sport must master the art of navigating turns quickly by carving half circles and tipping their boards aggressively to the side without falling or losing control. The goal is to come as close as possible to each gate without actually hitting it, which takes lots of practice to be consistently good at.
05
Top alpine snowboarding events
Since the debut of alpine racing on the world stage in 1998, the sport has expanded into several major competitive outlets globally. The main competitions for snowboard alpine racing are:
- Winter games on the world stage: Held every four years, this event features the world's top snowboarders competing in multiple events, like slalom and GS.
- X Games: The annual extreme sports competition where various snowboard alpine races, along with halfpipe and other snowboarding events, take place.
- FIS Snowboard World Cup: Held at various locations throughout the Alps, this annual series features races in various disciplines, including slalom, giant slalom and snowboard cross. It's considered the highest level of competition for international snowboard alpine racing.
Conclusion
Alpine snowboarding is a fast-paced, thrilling sport to watch when the winter months roll in. It requires speed, agility, intelligence, strength and power to perform well, and mental skills like grit also play a big factor. Alpine racing is a great sport to follow if you like to watch athletes pursue peak performance and achieve records many believed were impossible.