ALPINE SKIING

Alpine skiing is an exciting winter sport that challenges the athlete's downhill racing ability and coordination. Some Special Olympics Alpine skiing athletes may reach speeds of up to 64 kilometers per hour as they ski down a mountain. Alpine skiing was first introduced as an Official Special Olympics Winter Sport at the First International Special Olympics Winter Games in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA. Since those Games, the number of athletes competing in Special Olympics Alpine skiing has grown by 300 percent. Today, it is estimated that there are 9,785 athletes competing in Alpines skiing throughout 50 countries.