5. Technical Elements for Event Lighting Event lighting must balance athletic performance and broadcast quality , exceeding recreational standards. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) guideline of 80 lux is outdated and insufficiently detailed .
• FIS Guidelines: The 80 lux standard, based on old television vidicon tube technology, was developed more than half a century before 2025 and overlooks modern CCD camera capabilities. It lacks specifications for color temperature, color rendition index (CRI), glare, and spectral
balance which are critical for visibility and video or even film. It also does not consider snow’s unique reflectivity. To be sure, FIS attempts to set forth reasonable lighting expectations based upon the era when developed. As seen below, specifications contained in sections 655 FIS guidelines remain in effect as of 2025 as follows:
o 655 Competitions under Artificial Light o 655.1 Competitions under artificial lights are permitted . o 655.2 Lighting must meet the following specifications:
▪ 655.2.1 The light level anywhere on the course must not be less than 80 Lux, measured parallel to the surface. The lighting should be as uniform as possible. ( NOTE: there is no specification for height from the parallel snow surface or definition for uniformity; i.e., lux differentials over the course.) ▪ 655.2.2 Floodlights must be placed so that the light does not alter the topography of the course. The light must enable the competitor to discern the terrain and must not alter the depth perception or definition. ( NOTE: light does not alter topology, only its perception. Depth perception can be negatively impacted by the strobe effect of high-intensity LEDs.) ▪ 655.2.3 The lights should not cast the competitor's shadow into the racing line and should not blind the competitor by glare. ( NOTE: high-intensity lights cannot be oriented facing uphill because the glare will blind the athlete. When facing downhill, high-intensity lights will cast a shadow in front of the competitor.) ▪ 655.3 The TD (“Technical Delegates“) together with the Jury must check in advance that the lighting conforms to the rules. ▪ 655.4 The TD must submit a supplementary report on the quality of the lighting.
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