A young female ski racer racing down a dry slope slalom course

Photo: Stuart Brown Photography

Alpine ski racing is one of the most exciting and dynamic disciplines in snowsports.

From grassroots club races to national championships, England offers pathways for children and adults alike - whether you’re just curious or aiming to compete on snow internationally. 

alpine ski racing

Photo: Stuart Brown Photography

WHAT IS alpine SKI racing?

In formal competition, alpine racing includes several distinct events, such as: 

  • Slalom: Quick, tight turns around closely spaced gates 

  • Giant Slalom (GS): Wider turns and higher speeds 

  • Super-G: Greater speed with fewer, more spaced gates 

  • Downhill: The fastest event with long, sweeping turns and high velocity  

These events are recognised internationally and feature in the Winter Olympics as signature competitions.  

Alpine racing is technical, thrilling, hugely rewarding and you don’t need to start on snow to get involved.

how can i get involved with racing?

Alpine ski racing is suitable for both children and adults.

There are pathways for participation at many levels, from friendly club races to national championships. Clubs in England provide coaching, training and regular practice opportunities on artificial and indoor slopes. They often support racers of all ages, with structured programmes for kids and adults alike. 

clubs and regional races

Once you’ve built some confidence and skills, you can enter local club races and regional series throughout the year, these are excellent for experience and community engagement.

Snowsport England runs a full race calendar with events suited to all levels — from grassroots to competitive – held across the year. Check out our Summer Events guide for details on the best competitions to enter for your ability level, as well as important information around clothing, equipment and more. 

WHERE CAN I FIND THE RULES, regulations and race calendar?

GBSKI.com is a long-standing, independent website, used for British alpine racing administration and competition information. It provides:

  • Race calendars and event listings

  • Race entries and results

  • Seed points and rankings

  • Competition rules and regulations

  • Technical information for alpine ski racing

  • Schools, club and national race information

It is a great resource for reading up on the rules, regulations and technical information about British ski racing.

Photo: India Knowlson

english alpine championships

The English Alpine Championships are a highlight of the winter for many racers.

Once you’ve gained experience at a national level, you may want to compete abroad. Our flagship event features both FIS and Children’s Races for experienced ski racers aged eight upwards – it is held in Bormio, Italy during February/March each year. 

FOLLOW US

For the latest alpine news, race announcements and more, follow  @snowsportengland_alpine on Instagram.