FIS 20.11.2025 – 27.03.2026

Source: https://www.instagram.com/fisfreestyle

The history of FIS Freestyle Skiing is marked by its evolution from a free-spirited display of acrobatics to a highly formalized and diverse competitive sport under the governance of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).¹

History of FIS Freestyle Skiing

Early Development (1960s):² Freestyle skiing, often called “hot-dogging,” gained popularity in the 1960s in the United States, blending techniques from alpine racing, acrobatics, and gymnastics.³ Early competitions began in the late 1960s.
FIS Acceptance (1979): The International Ski Federation (FIS) officially accepted freestyle skiing as a competitive sport in 1979.⁴ This was a crucial step that brought organization and safety regulations to the growing sport.
First World Cup and World Championships:
- The first FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup season was staged in 1980.⁵
- The first FIS Freestyle World Championships were held in 1986 in Tignes, France.⁶
Olympic Introduction:
- 1988 (Calgary):⁷ Freestyle skiing made its Olympic debut as a demonstration sport.⁸ Events included Moguls, Aerials, and Ski Ballet (Acroski).⁹
- 1992 (Albertville): Moguls became a full-medal Olympic sport.¹⁰ Aerials and Ski Ballet remained demonstration events.¹¹
- 1994 (Lillehammer): Aerials was added as a full-medal Olympic sport.¹² Ski Ballet was later discontinued internationally around 2000 and never achieved full medal status.¹³
Expansion of Disciplines: The 21st century has seen the integration of “new school” events, which were largely developed outside the FIS system.¹⁴
- 2010 (Vancouver): Ski Cross was added as an Olympic medal sport.¹⁵
- 2014 (Sochi): Halfpipe and Slopestyle skiing were added to the Olympic program.¹⁶
- 2018 (PyeongChang): Big Air skiing was added to the Olympic program.¹⁷
- 2022 (Beijing): Mixed Team Aerials made its Olympic debut.¹⁸
Joint Championships: Since 2015, the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships have often been organized together to form a large, combined winter sports championship event.¹⁹

FIS Freestyle Disciplines

FIS Freestyle Skiing encompasses seven competitive events, typically categorized by whether they are judged (acrobatic) or based on time/racing:

Discipline	Event Type	Description
Moguls (MO)	Judged/Time	Athletes ski down a steep, bumpy (mogul) course, performing two required aerial maneuvers. The score is based on turns technique (50%), air quality (20%), and speed (30%).
Dual Moguls (DM)	Race/Judged	Two athletes race side-by-side on identical mogul courses in a knockout format. Scoring is similar to Moguls, but the winner of the head-to-head race advances.
Aerials (AE)	Judged	Athletes launch off steep kickers (ramps) to perform multiple flips and twists. The score is based on take-off, form (execution), and landing.
Ski Cross (SX)	Race	Four athletes race simultaneously down a course featuring banked turns, jumps, rollers, and other terrain. The first two to cross the finish line advance.
Ski Halfpipe (HP)	Judged	Athletes perform tricks while riding from side to side inside a large, U-shaped trench (the halfpipe). Scoring is based on difficulty, amplitude (height), and execution/style.
Ski Slopestyle (SS)	Judged	Athletes navigate a course of varied terrain, including rails, boxes, and jumps, performing tricks on and off obstacles. Scoring is based on overall impression, difficulty, and execution.
Ski Big Air (BA)	Judged	Athletes hit a single, massive jump (kicker) to perform one spectacular trick in the air. Scoring is based on the trick’s difficulty, execution, and amplitude.