RAF Winter Sports Alpine covers a range of snow sports including Alpine Ski, Snowboarding and Telemark.
Alpine skiing focuses on descending slopes with various levels of difficulty on fixed-heel bindings. Those who are used to recreational skiing find ski racing an exciting and competitive evolution. The sport is competed across 4 disciplines:
- Slalom is at the more technical end with short skis and rapid turns relying purely on technical skill and stamina.
- Giant slalom features a more open, faster course but still classed as a technical discipline.
- Super-G and Downhill are both exhilarating and challenging, with longer, straighter skis used to travel as fast as possible down very open (albeit often technically challenging) courses with speeds of up to 70mph.
Snowboarding is a popular winter sport where participants ride down snow-covered slopes on a flat board with bindings for each foot. The sport combines elements of surfing, skateboarding, and skiing and can be enjoyed on a variety of terrains, including groomed slopes and specially designed courses with jumps and obstacles.
Telemark is a unique and versatile form of skiing that combines elements of Alpine and Nordic skiing. It is characterised by the distinctive “telemark turn,” where the skier bends one knee and drops the heel of the trailing ski while the lead ski remains in front. This technique allows for greater flexibility and adaptability on varied terrain.
