Freestyle Skiing
is one of the six Olympic disciplines administered by FIS - The International Ski Federation.
It consists of the following events: Moguls, Aerials, Ski Cross and Half-Pipe.
The Background on Freestyle Skiing
* There has always been a 'free' element in any aspect of skiing; so first the was free skiing and then came along ski competitions. In skiing, there is always a freedom of choice to decide what line to take down the slope or whether to go off a jump or not.
* Freestyle Skiing is an expression of this aspect of freedom in skiing. The 1960's were a time of evolution, as young people looked for different forms of expression in winter sports. Freestyle skiing began to be organized in that decade when the advancements in modern ski equipment and freedom of expression led to new and exciting skiing techniques. Originally, a mix of alpine skiing and acrobatics, the first freestyle skiing competition was held in Attitash, New Hampshire in 1966.
* A Freestyle FIS World Cup was started in 1978 and the 1st FIS Freestyle World Championships were held in 1986 in Tignes, France.
* A relative newcomer to the Olympic Winter Games, Freestyle Moguls became an Olympic event in 1992 in Albertville. Freestyle Aerials were added for the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer. The newest Olympic Winter Games event, Freestyle Ski Cross, will make its debut in Vancouver in 2010.
