Growth and motor characteristics of successful and less successful competitive male JI (n = 49; 16.0 -18.9 years) and JII (n = 55; 14.0-15.0 years) alpine skiers were compared. Measurements included age, weight, stature, four skeletal breadths, four limb circumferences, nine skinfolds, and five tests of motor performance: the vertical jump (VJ), high box (BOX), hexagonal obstacle (HEX), double leg lateral vault (TLEG), and Bass test of dynamic balance (BAL). Calculated variables included estimated limb muscle and fat circumferences and areas, and the sum of skinfolds. Competitive skiers were ranked according to the United States Skiing Association National Points(NP) competitor classification system. Successful (≈ top 15% of the point distribution) and less successful skiers for JI and JII racing categories were compared on all independent measures using ANCOVA with age as the covariate. Successful JI (n = 9; NP = 79.9 ± 12.3) and less successful JI (n = 40; NP = 202.7 ± 98.7) were similar in most independent measures, but the former had less total subcutaneous fat and a lower trunk to extremity skinfold ratio, and performed better in the balance test (p < 0.05). Successful JII skiers (n = 13; NP = 111.2 ± 12.0) were older, heavier, had larger arm, calf and thigh circumferences, and performed better on VJ, BOX, and TLEG (p< 0.05) than less successful JII skiers (n = 33; NP = 334.9 ± 185.6). Regression analysis was used in an effort to identify predictors of skiing performance (NP) in the total sample, the best predictors of NP were age, BOX and sum of skinfolds. The data thus suggest that success in Alpine skiing is a function of age and concomitant size advantages, performance on the BOX test, and body composition.