The most memorable image of the Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck was local hero Franz Klammer flying wildly down the Downhill course, barely in control, on his way to a gold medal.

The biggest surprise of the Olympic Winter Games held in Sapporo was the victory of 21-year-old Francisco Fernandez Ochoa, who won the Slalom by a full second.

In the first Winter Olympic Games to be broadcast in color, French hero Jean-Claude Killy swept the Men’s Alpine events, but only after great controversy.

The IX Olympic Winter Games were held in Innsbruck, Austria, from January 29 to February 9, 1964. The Alpine Skiing events at the 1964 Winter Games in Innsbruck took place in Axamer Lizum, except for the Men's Downhill race, which was held in Patscherkofel.

The Squaw Valley Olympic Winter Games were held from 18 to 28 February 1960. The Alpine Skiing events took place on Squaw Peak (Men’s Downhill), KT-22 (Men's Giant Slalom and Slalom), and Little Papoose Peak (Women’s events).

The Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympic Winter Games, were held from 26 January to 5 February 1956. Led by Toni Sailer, the Austrians dominated the Men's and Women's Alpine Skiing events, winning nine of the eighteen medals available

The Oslo Olympic Winter Games were held from 14 to 25 February 1952. In Alpine skiing, the combined event was replaced by the Giant Slalom. The top three in each Alpine Skiing event received World Championship medals in addition to the Olympic medals. Alpine skiing is the oldest Olympic sport for which the Men’s and Women’s programs have always been precisely the same.

The St. Moritz Olympic Winter Games were held from 30 January to 8 February 1948. The expansion to six Olympic alpine competitions put Alpine Skiing in the spotlight (the program was expanded to include Downhill and Slalom for Men and Women).

The Garmisch-Partenkirchen Winter Games were held from February 6 to 16, 1936. Alpine skiing made its Olympic debut at the IV Olympic Winter Games, featuring a combined format that included Downhill and Slalom events for both Men and Women.

Downhill is considered the premier discipline and is the longest and, after the slalom, second-oldest alpine skiing competition. Since its inception in 1967, Downhill has been an integral part of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.

Explore the 2025-2026 Alpine Ski World Cup Calendar, featuring 74 thrilling races across iconic ski resorts. Discover key highlights of the Alpine Ski World Cup season.