Italy 16 – 18 February 2026
Source: Olympic Winter Games™ · Feb 6-22, 2026 | Paralympic Winter Games™ · Mar 6-15, 2026
Source: https://www.fis-ski.com/ | https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/schedule
Alpine Skiing Olympic Winter Games
Alpine Skiing Men’s Slalom Bormio
Men’s Slalom on 16 Feb Run 1 starts at 10:00 (CET) / Run 2 starts at 13:30 (CET)
Alpine Skiing Women’s Slalom Cortina d’Ampezzo
Women’s Slalom on 18 Feb Run 1 starts at 10:00 (CET) / Run 2 starts at 13:30 (CET)
Slalom is the most technical and agile discipline in alpine skiing. Think of it as the “short-distance sprint” of the mountain, where success is measured in milliseconds and the ability to make rapid-fire turns.
The Core Mechanics
In Slalom, skiers must navigate between “gates” (pairs of poles) that are spaced very closely together. Unlike the high-speed, sweeping turns of Downhill or Super-G, Slalom is all about rhythm, precision, and quick feet.
Key Characteristics:
- The Gates: The poles are spaced roughly 9–13 meters apart. Because they are so close, skiers often “cross-block” the poles, hitting them out of the way with their shins and hands to keep their bodies on the tightest possible line.
- The Skis: Slalom skis are the shortest used in competition (usually around 155cm to 165cm). They have a narrow “waist” and a deep sidecut, allowing them to turn almost instantly.
- The Format: A standard race consists of two runs on two different courses on the same slope. The times are added together, and the fastest total time wins. If you miss a gate, you are disqualified.+2
Slalom vs. Giant Slalom (GS)
People often confuse the two “technical” events. Here is the quick breakdown:
| Feature | Slalom | Giant Slalom |
| Gate Spacing | Very tight (9–13m) | Wider (20m+) |
| Speed | Lower (~40 km/h) | Higher (~80 km/h) |
| Turn Style | Quick, rapid-fire pivots | Long, carving arcs |
| Poles | Single vertical poles | Double poles with “panels” (flags) |
Why it’s so Difficult
It is a high-stakes balancing act. Because the turns are so frequent (sometimes 60+ in a single minute), a single tiny mistake—a catch of an edge or a late turn—snowballs quickly. By the time you recover, you’ve likely missed the next three gates.
Fun Fact: Because skiers are constantly hitting the plastic poles at high speeds, they wear significant body armor, including chin guards on their helmets, hand guards on their poles, and padded shin guards.
