Competition Format

Luge can take place on two kinds of tracks: artificial tracks and natural tracks. Artificial tracks contains curves specially prepared for the sport, and even the ice on the track may be refrigerated. Natural tracks have no such adaptations. Most luge tracks, including almost all natural tracks, are located in Alpine countries:

• Germany
• Altenberg (Saxony)
• Königssee (Bavaria)
• Oberhof (Thuringia)
• Winterberg (Niedersachsen)
• Austria
• Innsbruck
• Italy
• Torino, built for the 2006 Olympics
• Switzerland
• St. Moritz - the world's longest and fastest natural track

Some artificial tracks exist in:

• Japan
• Nagano
• Canada
• Calgary (Alberta)
• USA
• Lake Placid (New York)
• Salt Lake City (Utah)
• Negaunee (Michigan)
• Norway
• Lillehammer
• Latvia
• Sigulda
• France
• La Plagne

Two different events are held in luge: events for single-seaters and events for double-seaters. Technically, women are allowed to compete in the doubles, but their strength is usually insufficient to compete at international level.

Additionally, a team competition is held at major championships, where one man, one woman and a double form a team. Such teams may consists of lugers of two different nations.