I take it means downhill. Not cross country which to me seems safe, apart from causing asthma in Norwegians for some reason... But downhill version involves going relatively fast or really fast with some small change for sudden stop, which in very few cases is safe.

The downhill version may involve going very fast, for the people who choose this (and who are thus likely to be involved in accidents).

People who do not like unnecessary risks can go downhill as slow as they choose. Skiing speed is controllable, unless you are an inexperienced beginner, in which case you should not attempt to go downhill where that is too steep.