The 23rd World Cup season began in November 1988 in Austria and concluded in March 1989 in Japan.

Schneider established the record for victories in a World Cup season, winning a total of 14 races (6 (out of 7) giant slaloms, 7 (out of 7) slaloms, and 1 (of 2) combined), surpassing the record of 13 established in 1978-79 by the great Swedish skier and three-time overall World Cup champion Ingemar Stenmark.

Stenmark, who became the primary example of the transition of the World Cup circuit from fully amateur to fully professional during his 16-year career, retired at the end of the season, after notching his all-time record 86th race victory in February.

The break in the schedule in early February was for the 1989 World Championships, held in Vail, Colorado, USA.

see complete table In Men's Giant Slalom World Cup 1988/89 all results count.

Ole Kristian Furuseth won Giant Slalom World Cup (20 points two times).

see complete table In Women's Giant Slalom World Cup 1988/89 all results count.

Vreni Schneider won her third Giant Slalom World Cup by winning 6 races out of 7.