Alpine skier running a downhill course
Downhill skiing is also called Alpine skiing. Typically, downhill skiing takes place at a ski resort with specified ski pistes or ski runs. Ski resorts that offer downhill skiing exist all over the world in cold climate areas. Non-competitive alpine skiing is recreational skiing. Also in the category of Downhill skiing are the competitions known as Slalom, Giant Slalom (GS), Super-G (Super Giant Slalom).
Telemark skiing is a form of downhill skiing where the heel of the boot is not attached to the ski like an alpine ski binding. Telemark skiing is used quite often for backcountry ski touring as the free heel allows for easy movement while “skinning” (walking on flat ground
Telemarker
or uphill with a specialized fabric on the bottom of the ski). However, there are comparable disciplines of telemark skiing for almost ever discipline of alpine skiing; including racing, freeskiing, and freestyle/newschool. Turning telemark skis requires a specialized technique because of the heel of the boot can move up and down freely, because of this telemark skiing is usually only done by skiers with adequate alpine skiing experience (intermediate level or above). (Source: Wikipedia).