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Every winter Olympic sport ranked by how frequently your uncle thinks ‘I could do that’

By Gabe Henderson

Mirela Rahneva of Canada competes in the first run of the women's skeleton event during the fifth of eight races within the 2017-2018 IBSF World Cup Bobsled and Skeleton series on December 15, 2017 at the Olympic ice track in Innsbruck/Igls ahead of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, which be held in February in South Korea. / AFP PHOTO / APA AND EXPA / Johann GRODER / Austria OUT (Photo credit should read JOHANN GRODER/AFP/Getty Images)
Mirela Rahneva of Canada competes in the first run of the women's skeleton event during the fifth of eight races within the 2017-2018 IBSF World Cup Bobsled and Skeleton series on December 15, 2017 at the Olympic ice track in Innsbruck/Igls ahead of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, which be held in February in South Korea. / AFP PHOTO / APA AND EXPA / Johann GRODER / Austria OUT (Photo credit should read JOHANN GRODER/AFP/Getty Images) /
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COURCHEVEL, FRANCE – DECEMBER 20: Mikaela Shiffrin of USA in action during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women’s Parallel Slalom on December 20, 2017 in Courchevel, France. (Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)
COURCHEVEL, FRANCE – DECEMBER 20: Mikaela Shiffrin of USA in action during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women’s Parallel Slalom on December 20, 2017 in Courchevel, France. (Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images) /

5. Alpine skiing

Much like snowboarding, alpine skiing claims a high-ranking spot on this list due to its recreational popularity. As of 1994, there were an estimated 55 million people skiing across the globe. It’s safe to assume that number has skyrocketed since as alpine skiing (or just skiing for those who ski for fun) has grown in popularity.

Alpine skiing is one of the most popular sports at the Olympics, no doubt. Eleven events play out over the span of 13 days with both men’s and women’s combined, downhill, giant slalom, slalom and super-G events. The 2018 Winter Olympics will also be the inaugural Olympic games for the new alpine skiing team event. The team event takes place on the last day of skiing competition, Feb. 24.

Watching the alpine skiing downhill events may make every black diamond skier believe they can compete in the event. After all, for those who can ski very, very fast (I cannot), maybe you could participate in the Olympics … years ago when they were strictly for amateurs. There’s no doubt in my mind some uncles could do that, but it’s the speed in which the Olympic athletes complete the course that makes alpine skiing so impressive.

Although you may know your uncle cannot compete in alpine skiing, nod your head and just agree with him. If you disagree, he may accompany your family on your next ski trip and waste countless hours gathering everybody up to watch him ski down a hill in a skin-tight bodysuit. The thought of that is horrifying, so let’s just agree to disagree on this one.

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