Slalom is a race or skiing discipline where skiers descend a course marked with poles and gates. The objective is to pass through the gates as quickly as possible while skiing in a zigzag or slalom pattern. Slalom courses are usually shorter and faster than other skiing disciplines such as giant slalom or downhill. Slalom can also refer to canoeing or kayaking where the boats navigate through a series of gates in a river. Additionally, slalom is a driving technique where a car moves through a series of cones or markers with quick changes in direction.