how fast do super g skiers go
Super-G skiers typically reach around 50–60 mph (80–100 km/h), and on the fastest sections they can exceed 60 mph, sometimes going over 100 km/h (about 62 mph).
Quick Scoop
- In many Super-G races, athletes are commonly clocked at about 50 mph or 80 km/h.
- Modern World Cup–level Super-G courses often see top speeds pushing past 100 km/h (62 mph).
- Compared with other alpine events, Super-G is usually described as averaging around 60 mph, sitting between giant slalom and full downhill in raw speed.
- Fans and commentators on recent World Cup Super-Gs often estimate racers in the 60–70 mph range on the fastest sections.
How That Feels On The Hill
Imagine dropping into a wide, icy highway down a mountain, with big sweeping
turns instead of tight zigzags.
You’re going fast enough that small mistakes at 60 mph can mean missing a gate
or crashing in fractions of a second.
From a spectator’s view, Super-G is often compared to motorsport: one run, huge speed, and tiny time gaps deciding the podium.
Why They Can Go So Fast
- Course design: Fewer, wider-spaced gates than slalom or giant slalom, so racers prioritize speed over frequent turning.
- Vertical drop: Typical Super-G courses drop roughly several hundred meters top to bottom, giving skiers a long, sustained acceleration lane.
- Equipment: Long, stiff skis and aggressive waxing let them glide efficiently and hold an edge at very high speeds.
Super-G Speed vs Other Events (overview)
| Alpine event | Typical speed | Key trait |
|---|---|---|
| Slalom | ~20 mph (very turny) | [3]Tight, constant turning. |
| Giant slalom | ~40 mph | [3]Wider, smoother turns. |
| Super-G | ~50–60 mph, often 80–100 km/h | [9][2][5][1][3]High speed plus some technical turns. |
| Downhill | Often 80+ mph on the fastest tracks | [5]Fastest event, fewest turns. |
Quick TL;DR
- Expect Super-G skiers to go around 50–60 mph (80–100 km/h) most of the time.
- On the fastest World Cup–style hills, top racers can break 100 km/h (about 62 mph).
- It’s the second-fastest alpine discipline after full downhill, balancing high speed with technical turning.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.