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Ski Slalom is a great game, if a little on the quick side for an inexperienced game player. Some sort of skill level selection would have been a good idea. My unique method of getting huge scores was to RUN the game on the Electron which slows it down just nicely. However, I don't recommend this course of action to any Electron owners since I'm sure RHS will come up with a dedicated version some time in the future.

The Jean Claude Killy/Franz Klammer figure is kitted out with all the standard skiing gear (actually more the bunny slopes than world championship) and the poles and skis move convincingly as he progresses. Negotiating the slalom course is not easy but whatever the outcome the actual skiing is realistic. The knees are bent, the skis parallel; the weight is transferred to the edges as the figure turns into gates.

Nasty spills are all too easy and occur mainly when he either hits a gate (even if it is only with the bobble of his wooly hat), or when he comes a cropper on the snow with a turn which was just that bit too tight. There are also particularly icy spots on the course which cause a degree of instability.

The astounded player also finds that some biased fanatical supporter throws the occasional snowball which usually results in the demise of his star skier. The said snowball comes hurtling out of the background and is extremely difficult to avoid. If you do manage it then you may well make the high score table which begins at 1,000.

The control keys are simply up/down and slow/fast. The sound closely mirrors the countdown and ski noises and the graphics are colourful and smooth. A super game for the winter. It's not easy but that reflects the reality of the sport.