Men and women currently compete in singles events, doubles events and a team relay. Athletes race down an icy track lying feet first on their backs on a specialised sled, reaching top speeds of up to around 135km/h.

In both the men’s and women’s singles, the competition takes two days, with two runs staged on each day. Each run counts. The four times are added up, and the fastest total time determines the winner.

Doubles luge is a one-day competition in which pairs of athletes take two runs down a course. Like in the singles, each run counts, and the fastest total time determines the winner.

The team relay consists of runs from all the aforementioned events (one men's singles, one women's singles, one men’s doubles and one women’s doubles), with each athlete or athlete pair completing one run. Athletes tag the next team-mate by successfully hitting the touch pad at the finish line. The best total time wins.