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Alpine Skiing

The world’s 5 toughest downhill races

Which FIS downhill races scare the crap out of the pros and why?
Written by Riikka Rakic
2 min readUpdated on
The FIS World Cup downhill slopes in race condition are not doable for normal skiers – not even for advanced skiers. Typically, their surface shines in pure ice as opposed to snow, and losing your edge means you’re up for a long, terrifyingly swift slide into the safety nets.
Here's our insider guide to the five most challenging downhill race courses:
01

Wengen, Switzerland

Ski racer Erik Guay in Wengen

Erik Guay in Wengen, 2014

© Alexis BOICHARD/AGENCE ZOOM

At 4,415 metres, the Lauberhorn downhill is the longest on the FIS World Cup tour. Not only does it take over two-and-a-half minutes to ski, it is also the track with the fastest recorded speeds, including the unofficial record of 161.9 km/h, set by Frenchman Johan Clarey in January 2013. No wonder that the racers are gasping for air when they cross the finish line.
02

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Lindsey Vonn goes airborne during the Super G race, 2013

Lindsey Vonn goes airborne

© ASP Red Bull/Red Bull Content Pool

When it comes to amazing views, the ladies’ Wengen is Cortina d’Ampezzo. Located within the Dolomites Unesco cultural heritage site, Cortina’s downhill starts in front of the three-peaked Tofane and immediately falls off the insanely steep Tofanaschuss, next to sharp-edged cliffs. The Olimpia track is where legendary Toni Sailer won gold in the men’s downhill at the 1956 Games.
03

Kitzbühel, Austria

Aksel Lund Svindal performs at the Hahnenkamm downhill race in Kitzbuhel, Austria on January 26th, 2013

It’s all downhill from here

© samovidic.com/Red Bull Content Pool

No list of the most challenging downhills would be complete without the famous and feared Hahnenkamm Races on Kitzbühel’s Streif. The key facts are famed: 85 per cent gradient, 60-metre jumps, 860-metre altitude drop, twisting and turning; parts of the racecourse are not even groomed for normal skiing. For more details, make sure to watch the film 'Streif – One Hell of a Ride' in the player at the top of this page.
04

St Moritz, Switzerland

Dominique Gisin at the World Cup race in St Moritz

Dominique Gisin at the World Cup race in St Moritz

© Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom

The start of the men’s Corviglia downhill in St Moritz is even steeper than the infamous Streif. It has a gradient of 45 degrees or 100 per cent and has fittingly been dubbed “Free Fall”. The racers accelerate from 0 to 130 km/h in just seven seconds!
05

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Lindsey Vonn competes in Garmisch-Partenkirchen the 8 of February 2011

Lindsey Vonn in action

© Erich Spiess/Red Bull Content Pool

Today, there are two Kandahar courses in the twin town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, #1 for ladies and #2 for men. While the ladies’ course boasts a gradient of 85 per cent, the men’s course reaches a whopping 92 per cent. First raced in 2009 at full length, it entails the steepest stretch among all the annual World Cup slopes.