Back to Explainer Index

Pascal Rondeau/Allsport   Freestyle Skiing Click here to launch EVENTS Aerials In aerials, skiers launch 50 feet high or more to perform twists and somersaults. Judges look for good height, distance, execution and landing. The jumps are as high as 4 meters and have takeoff angles as steep as 70 degrees. The landing area, covered in soft snow to cushion landings, has a 37-degree slope and is 105-feet long. Athletes try to land in an upright position. Men and women have separate events. Moguls Skiers race down uniform snowy bumps called moguls. The competition consists of one run on a steep course with athletes demonstrating technical turns, aerial maneuvers and speed. The course slopes downward at 27 degrees, is between 230 meters and 270 meters long and has bumps up to 1.2 meters tall. Competitors must negotiate two large jumps, one-third and two-thirds of the way down the course. Judges score the jumps, which include the spread eagle, twister and iron cross. Skiers combine two or more tricks in the air, but inverted moves are prohibited Mogul athletes need to maintain speed throughout run, keep their shoulders square to the finish line, make high-quality turns down the bumps and show good technique while performing the jumps. Men and women have separate events.