Ski Challenge (also known as SC:12, Ski Challenge 2012 and formerly known as Orf-Ski Challenge) is a free skiing simulator with excellent graphics.

Ski Challenge is always popular as the winter sports season gets underway. However, don't be in a hurry to play this game as there's quite a lot of configuration and updating to do before you start. After the installer has run, there's a series of automatic updates that take place before you can actually access the game itself.

Ski Challenge automatically opens in full screen mode although you can switch it to windowed mode by clicking Manual in the main menu and turning-off full-screen mode.From the start, it's plain to see that Ski Challenge is a high quality skiing simulation with excellent graphics. To begin with you are offered the chance to practice or choose from pistes from around the world. However, you're only allowed to choose Val d'Isere to start with as the others are shaded out for some reason. You can also choose the weather conditions and various other configurations which make it a little tedious and frustrating before you actually get to do any skiing.

The controls in Ski Challenge are very simple - use the arrow keys to direct your skier and the up arrow key to make him go faster. A ghost shadow figure shows you where you should be on the track and you should try and stick as closely to him as possible. The entire training is conducted in offline mode so you don't need an internet connection to do so but competitions are online as scores are uploaded to a central database. This means that in race mode, you can't just race when you want because Ski Challenge follows a schedule of online races so you have to wait until a qualifying slot opens up for you.

This ability to race against other competitors and win real prizes is probably one of the most attractive elements for devotees. It adds and added level of realism to the already excellent graphics and game play. Note that you have to sign-up for a Ski Challenge account to enjoy online challenges. Unfortunately, much of the information on the Ski Challenge developer website regarding the game is in German although in-game, English is used throughout.

The controls are tricky to master at first and as in real life, you'll spend more time flying down the hill on your back than on your skis but if you persevere, Ski Challenge is an absorbing and addictive simulator, especially if you compete online.