Alpine skiing was first included in the Olympics in 1936. It was taken out of the program in 1940 but was revived as an Olympic sport in 1948. Alpine skiing currently has 10 events: men and women's Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, and combined events. Alpine skiing involves sliding down snow-covered hills on skis. The sport is popular in North America, Europe, and Japan.

Giant slalom is an alpine skiing discipline. In this event, skiers ski between poles spaced at a greater distance from each other than in slalom but not as great a distance as in the Super-G or Downhill. Giant slalom racers ski faster than Slalom racers due to the fewer number of gates separated by greater distances, requiring fewer turns. Giant Slalom gates are also placed in pairs whereas the Slalom gates are single poles.

Slalom turns are much quicker and tighter. Skiers end up skiing a more direct and narrower fall line.

The Super Giant Slalom, known as Super-G, is considered more of a speed discipline than a technical discipline. Widely spaced gates are placed over a much longer course, with fewer turns and longer times between gates. In this event, skiers assume more of a tuck position. Minimum ski lengths and turning radii for the Super-G were imposed in 2003 to increase safety.