Like snowboarding and skateboarding, freestyle skiing is the creation of artistic spins, jumps and moves in mid-air by skiers.
There are two types of freestyle skiing: the mogul and the half-pipe. In the mogul, the freestyle skier travels a bumpy downhill course, and skis over a ramp where he/she will do an aerial trick that is awarded points.
In the half-pipe, the U-shape of the half-pipe course allows the skier to go up and down the two sides to complete a series of tricks. The skier gathers speed down the hill, then skis up the sides of the half pipe, performing tricks, jumps and spins in the air. The competition is judged, with points awarded for completing the most difficult tricks, for achieving the longest hang time of the moves and for artistic style.
The mogul skier who earns the most points wins and finishes in the fastest time wins, while the half-pipe winner is determined by the points for their jumps.
Downhill snow skis
Ski poles – helps the skier move down the course faster
Helmet – protects the head in case of a fall
720 – a half-pipe move in which the skier goes up one side and jumps into the air, spinning his/her body around twice
McTwist – a midair somersault