The 20th World Cup season began in August 1985 in Argentina (for men only), resumed in December 1985 in Italy, and concluded in March 1986 in Canada.

Because of the South America events (held during winter in the Southern Hemisphere), this was the first time that the World Cup season had started prior to December 1.

The overall champions were Marc Girardelli of Luxembourg, his second consecutive overall win, and Maria Walliser of Switzerland, her first.

In addition, the number of men's races that counted for World Cup championship points reached 45, which remains the all-time high.

There were also two individual parallel slaloms held for men (one in Vienna in January and one as the final event in Bromont) that only counted toward the Nations Cup team championship.

see complete table In Men's Giant Slalom World Cup 1985/86 the best 5 results count.

see complete table In Men's Slalom World Cup 1985/86 the best 5 results count.

see complete table In Women's Giant Slalom World Cup 1985/86 the best five results count.

Roswitha Steiner won the Slalom World Cup discipline because she had more wins (4) than Erika Hess (2).