Can ski racers practise on the course?
A · Advanced · The race · 1 of 3Before a race, racers inspect the set course by side-slipping or skiing slowly beside the gates, wearing their bibs. They may not ski through the gates or practise the turns. The course is closed once setting starts, and racers may not train on it. Downhill is the only event with official training runs.
How it works
- Jury first: the jury inspects the course and confirms the day's programme.
- Racer inspection: after the jury opens the course, from top to bottom.
- How: side-slipping or skiing slowly at the side; no turns through gates.
- Bibs: racers must carry their start numbers.
- Closed course: from when setting begins; only the jury may change it.
- Training on a closed course: the racer is not permitted to start.
- Downhill training: part of the competition; at least one timed run required.
- Forerunners: at least three ski the course before the race and report on conditions.
The glossary has the inspection, the official training, the forerunner, the course setter, the not permitted to start and the penalties (alpine).
Tricky cases
A racer makes a few turns through the gates during inspection. Penalty?
Yes. Skiing through set gates or practising parallel turns breaks the inspection rules.
Can a racer walk the course on foot?
No. Racers must not enter the course on foot without skis.
Can a racer train on the race slope the morning of the race?
Not once the course is closed, except on warm-up slopes outside it.
What do forerunners do?
They ski the course before the race, untimed, and report on snow and visibility.
Why the rule exists
Inspection lets every racer study the same line, and the bar on practice turns stops anyone from rehearsing the course. Closing the course keeps the snow the same for all.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All events | Inspection before each run | FIS 614.3 |
| Downhill | Official training runs | FIS 704 |
| Super-G | Free skiing before setting if possible | FIS 1002.2 |
From the rule book
FIS, ICR Book IV: Joint Regulations for Alpine Skiing (edition July 2026), articles 605, 614.1, 614.3, 627.4, 628.4 and 704. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the FIS ICR, revised by the FIS Council each season.