Slalom course: short turns through closely-spaced gates; vertical drop typically 140-220 m for women / 180-220 m for men; gate count high (55-75 gates); Giant slalom course: longer turns through wider-spaced gates; vertical drop 250-450 m; gate count lower (35-55 gates); FIS-approved homologated ...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the exact number of gates required (55-75) is a maximum limit, thinking it's an absolute cap on course design, when in fact, it's more like a minimum threshold to ensure enough turns and drop for competitive racing conditions. They overlook the flexibility FIS allows within these parameters, leading to misunderstandings about what constitutes a valid race course.
