- Ski Alpha fastest time: Simon Billy holds the men's speed skiing record at 158.8 mph (255.5 km/h), set in 2023.
- Women's record: Valentina Greggio reached 153.5 mph (247.1 km/h) at Vars, France, in 2016.
- Record venue: Nearly all speed records are set on the Chabrieres track in Vars, France — the fastest active course in the world.
- Endurance benchmark: The fastest Vasaloppet time is 3:28:18, set by Tord Asle Gjerdalen in 2021.
- Key insight: Records depend heavily on conditions — elite racers estimate results are 90% conditions, 10% effort.
Ski Alpha Fastest Time: The Speed Skiing Records
When skiers talk about the fastest time on skis, they are referring to speed skiing — a discipline where athletes point their skis straight down a specially prepared track and chase raw velocity. The current benchmark is staggering: Frenchman Simon Billy peaked at 158.8 mph (255.5 km/h) in March 2023, the fastest speed ever recorded on skis.
Speed skiing records fall into two official classes, and understanding the distinction matters when comparing times:
| Class | Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| S1 | Dedicated speed-skiing equipment (aero helmets, padded suits, long skis) | Top-tier record attempts |
| S2 | Standard alpine skiing gear | Records set on everyday equipment |
The fastest times in each category are:
| Category | Record Holder | Speed | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men S1 | Simon Billy (France) | 158.8 mph / 255.5 km/h | 2023 | Vars, France |
| Women S1 | Valentina Greggio (Italy) | 153.5 mph / 247.1 km/h | 2016 | Vars, France |
| Men S2 | Gregory Meichtry (Switzerland) | 131.1 mph / 211.0 km/h | 2014 | Vars, France |
| Women S2 | Valentina Greggio (Italy) | 125.9 mph / 202.6 km/h | 2013 | Vars, France |
The Chabrieres course in Vars features a 98% slope grade — nearly a free-fall angle — making it the fastest active track in the world. Every speed record listed above was measured there.
For a broader look at skiing's most impressive achievements, Red Bull's skiing world records roundup provides additional context on trick and endurance records.
Fastest Endurance Times: Vasaloppet
Speed skiing is not the only discipline where "fastest time" matters. The Vasaloppet — the longest and oldest ski race in the world — measures speed over 56 miles (90.1 km) of grueling cross-country terrain in Sweden, a tradition dating back to 1922.
| Category | Record Holder | Time | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | Tord Asle Gjerdalen (Norway) | 3:28:18 | 2021 |
| Women | Astrid Oyre Slind (Norway) | 3:50:06 | 2022 |
Racers have just 12 hours and 15 minutes from the starting gun to cross the finish line, though record-setters complete the course in under four hours.
Gjerdalen's advice after his 2021 win: ski and train as much as possible, and never skip nutrition — he recommends 50-100 grams of sugar per hour during long races.
Speed Skiing
- Short burst, ~30 seconds of effort
- Specialized aero equipment
- Pure velocity records
Vasaloppet
- 90 km endurance race
- Standard cross-country gear
- Hours-long sustained output
Vertical Records
- All-day skiing volume
- Millions of vertical feet per year
- Consistency over intensity
How Skiers Chase a Record Time
Setting a record time — whether in speed skiing or endurance racing — follows a methodical preparation process. Here is how the world's fastest skiers approach a record attempt:
Study the Course
Inspect the track on practice runs. Walk or ski the route to identify terrain features, snow conditions, and hazards before any timed attempt.
Optimize the Line
Find a route that maximizes speed while minimizing air time. Every moment a speed skier spends airborne is momentum lost.
Tune the Equipment
Match skis to conditions — for example, tightening the flex for hard-packed snow. In endurance events, dial in wax and nutrition strategy instead.
Execute in the Right Conditions
Wait for ideal snow, temperature, and wind. Elite racers know that conditions, not effort alone, decide whether a record falls.
Gjerdalen puts it bluntly: "Skiers never talk about records, because it is 90% depending on the conditions and 10% on the skier's effort." A perfect run on a bad day will not set a record.
Other Fastest-Time Milestones in Skiing
Beyond pure speed, skiing records come in other forms of "fastest" and "most":
| Record | Holder | Mark | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most vertical feet in one year | Pierre Marc Jette (Canada, age 55) | 6,025,751 feet | 2015 |
| Longest rail slide | Jesper Tjader (Sweden) | 154.49 m (after 120+ attempts over 6 years) | 2022 |
| First quad cork 1800 | Andri Ragettli (Switzerland) | 4 off-axis flips + 5 rotations | 2017 |
| First double cork 2160 | Alex Hall (USA) | 2 off-axis flips + 6 rotations | 2022 |
| First triple cork 2160 | Troy Podmilsak (USA) | 3 off-axis flips + 6 rotations | 2023 |
Jette's vertical record is a different kind of "fastest time" — he skied six days a week, up to 15 hours a day, at Whistler Mountain, often eating lunch on the chairlift to avoid losing runs.
Whether the goal is 255 km/h or six million vertical feet, every record follows the same formula: obsessive preparation, equipment tuned to the conditions, and relentless repetition.
Your Record-Chasing Preparation Checklist
If you want to train toward your own personal fastest time — on any course — use this checklist to build the habits elite record-setters share:
Fastest-Time Training Goals:
- Study your course on multiple practice runs
- Identify the fastest line with minimal air time
- Tune ski flex and wax to match snow conditions
- Build endurance with consistent weekly volume
- Plan nutrition for efforts longer than 90 minutes
FAQ
Q: What is the fastest time ever recorded on skis?
The fastest speed on skis is 158.8 mph (255.5 km/h), set by Simon Billy in March 2023 on the Chabrieres track in Vars, France — the steepest and fastest active speed-skiing course in the world at a 98% slope grade.
Q: Where are ski speed records set?
Virtually all modern speed-skiing records are measured at Chabrieres in Vars, France. Its exceptionally steep pitch allows skiers to reach terminal velocities impossible on standard slopes.
Q: What is the difference between S1 and S2 speed records?
S1 is the top class using specialized speed-skiing equipment, while S2 records are set on standard alpine skiing gear. The S1 men's record (255.5 km/h) is significantly faster than the S2 mark (211.0 km/h).
Q: What is the fastest time in the Vasaloppet race?
The men's record is 3:28:18, set by Tord Asle Gjerdalen in 2021, and the women's record is 3:50:06, set by Astrid Oyre Slind in 2022. The 90.1 km race is the oldest and longest cross-country ski event in the world.