Freestyle skiing is often a crowd favourite when it comes to winter sports as it perfectly mixes creativity, acrobatics, technical precision and jeopardy.
The sport consists of disciplines such as aerials, moguls, ski cross, half pipe, slopestyle and big air and has evolved from a fringe activity into one of the most popular events in international competition, including the Winter Olympics.
When was Freestyle skiing invented?
Freestyle skiing can trace its origins back to the early 20th century, but it began to take shape in America during the 1960s and '70s. During that time adventurous skiers started to incorporate acrobatic moves into their runs.
As the sport gathered momentum, organised competitions began to take place and by 1979 the International Ski Federation (FIS) officially recognized freestyle skiing, setting safety and judging standards to regulate the sport.
Freestyle skiing made its Olympic debut in Calgary in 1988 as a demonstration sport before the mogul discipline was added to the medal programme at Albertville in 1992.
Aerials had to wait until Lillehammer 1994 for that status. Ski cross was added to the programme following Turin 2006, and halfpipe and slopestyle made their debuts at Sochi 2014.
What are the main disciplines of Freestyle skiing?
1.Moguls
Mogul skiing involves skiing down a steep, bumpy course made of mounds (called moguls) while performing aerial tricks from two jumps on the way down.
Athletes are judged on three main criteria. The first is turns – which forms 60% of the score – and focuses on technique and precision when navigating the moguls.
The next criterion is air – 20% of the score – and that hones in on the quality and difficulty of the two aerial tricks performed. Finally, speed is also judged – this also accounts for 20% of an athlete’s score.
2. Dual Moguls
For the first time in Winter Olympic history, athletes will compete in dual moguls which sees skiers compete against each other on adjacent courses in a knock-out competition.
It is not a race to the finish line, but speed is one of the three judged criterias alongside air and turns. The judges each have five votes which they can split between the skiers and the athlete with the most votes advances.
3. Aerials
Aerial skiing involves launching off a steep ramp and performing high-flying flips and twists before landing on a steep, inclined slope.
Skiers are judged on air, including take-off, height and distance of their jump, their form and their landing.
Athletes in this discipline often train on trampolines and water ramps to perfect their routines before attempting them on snow.
4. Slopestyle
Slopestyle combines elements of freestyle skiing and skateboarding. Athletes navigate a course filled with rails, boxes, and jumps, performing tricks at each feature.
Judges focus on how creative tricks are, their difficulty, how well they are executed and the amplitude that is gained whilst they are being performed. Progression is also judged, by which skiers are rewarded for producing tricks and combined moves that have been done before.
5. Halfpipe
Like its snowboarding counterpart, the halfpipe event takes place in a large, U-shaped snow structure.
Skiers go from side to side, launching into the air and performing flips, grabs, and spins.
Similarly to slopestyle, amplitude, execution, and difficulty are all judged as well as the variety of the tricks undertaken too.
6. Ski cross
Ski cross is like BMX racing on skis, as athletes race against each other down a slope with artificial elements like jumps, bumps, and parabolic curves as quickly as possible.
There is an individual run to determine seeding before an elimination phase where four athletes compete at the same time.
7. Big Air
Big Air sees skiers launch off one massive jump and perform a single, spectacular trick.
Introduced to the Olympics in 2022, it is judged similarly to aerials and slopestyle, but the big difference is that nothing about the Big Air runs are pre-determined and creativity is rewarded.
What equipment is used and what safety measures are in place?
Freestyle skiing requires a variety of specialised equipment. Athletes use twin-tip skis which curve up at both ends so backwards, as well as forward landings, can be achieved.
Alongside that, ski boots, bindings, helmets, padding, goggles and outerwear are all worn.
Where will Freestyle skiing be held at Milan Cortina 2026?
It will be held in Livigno at both the Livigno Aerials and Moguls Park and the Livigno Snow Park.
Known as ‘Italy’s Little Tibet’, Livigno boasts more than 100km of ski slopes and welcomes thousands of visitors every year.
What is Team GB’s history with Freestyle skiing?
At PyeongChang 2018, Izzy Atkin became the first Team GB athlete to win a medal on skis when she claimed bronze in the women's slopestyle event.
The medal was the start of the country's most successful ever winter Olympic day, with skeleton gold and bronze for Lizzy Yarnold and Laura Deas respectively coming in the evening.
Which freestyle skiers should you look out for from Team GB?
Kirsty Muir is a rising star from Aberdeen. Born in 2004, Muir made headlines as a teenager by finishing fifth in the Big Air discipline at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, one of the best Olympic freestyle skiing results for Britain.
Known for her technical tricks and fearless approach, she is widely regarded as one of the sport’s brightest young talents having made her way back from a serious injury.
Izzy Atkin's sister Zoe is making a name for herself, having represented Team GB at the Beijing. The halfpipe star was crowned world champion in 2025 to complete the world medal set.
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