Skiing Protective Gear

History of Ski Racing

Alpine skiing first became popular in the latter years of the 19th century. Modern competitive skiing is split between speed and technical events. Speed events include downhill skiing and the supergiant slalom, or super-G. Technical events include slalom and giant slalom. The speed events are usually run on longer courses that only feature a few turns and a minimal number of gates; technical events, on the other hand, require skiers to make tighter turns and navigate through strategically placed gates. Olympic skiing made its debut at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany in 1936, with giant slalom first being introduced in Oslo in 1952. Super-G was added to the schedule in 1988. Speed and technical events can also be combined into an event called alpine combined (an obvious name, we know).

Ski Racing Safety

Downhill skiers reach speeds between 80 and 95 mph. Due to these high speeds, and the hazards that unpredictable weather can present, it’s crucial that ski racers wear proper protection. It’s a given that every ski racer’s setup includes a quality helmet. To compete in slalom, extra protective gear is required. This includes handguards, arm guards, chin guards, a back protector, and ski racing shin guards. All of these safety components are necessary -- especially for beginners -- to protect against the potentially painful effects of a nasty fall.

Popular Protective Gear Brands

There are a number of brands that specialize in manufacturing protective ski equipment. Among the best is Leki. Leki shin guards are a great one-size-fits-all option for slalom skiers, both beginner and experienced. Other top brands include Bern, Slytech and POC.