Giant slalom races consist of two runs.
In this alpine skiing event, competitors complete two timed runs down the same course, with the combined times determining the final rankings.

Event Basics

Giant slalom, often called GS, features wider turns and higher speeds than slalom. Courses drop 250-450 meters for men (250-400m for women), with 56-70 gates for men and 46-58 for women.

Each skier navigates colored gates (typically blue/red pairs) without practice runs—first descent is the real deal.

Scoring is simple: fastest total time across both runs wins, as no points system applies.

Why Two Runs?

Originally one run, GS added a second for men in 1966 World Championships (Olympics 1968) to reward consistency.

Women followed in 1978 Worlds (Olympics 1980). Since 1988 Olympics, it's a one-day event.

Two runs balance variables like changing snow, weather, or start order—top 30 from Run 1 reverse for Run 2.

Discipline| Number of Runs| Key Notes 3
---|---|---
Downhill| 1| Speed focus
Super G| 1| Fixed course
Giant Slalom| 2| Combined time
Slalom| 2| Tightest gates

Recent Context (2026 Season)

As of February 2026, World Cup GS races stick to this format—no rule changes noted. Imagine Marco Odermatt charging down Courchevel's steep pitch in Run 1, then holding steady in Run 2 amid soft snow.

Forums buzz about how two runs expose tactical edges, like energy management.

TL;DR: Always 2 runs in giant slalom.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.