Team USA Freestyle Skiing

Freestyle skiing is a dynamic winter sport that dates back to the 1960s. Skiers paired the traditional winter sport with acrobatic moves and high-speed maneuvers. Freestyle skiing officially became a recognized sport in 1980-81.

Athletes perform jumps, tricks and technical runs on challenging terrain, combining speed, precision and creativity. The sport is known for its high-flying acrobatics and demanding courses that test skill and control.

Freestyle skiing made its Olympic debut as a demonstration sport at the Olympic Winter Games Calgary 1988 before being officially added to the program four years later at the Olympic Winter Games Albertville 1992 with the moguls event. Aerials were introduced as a medal event at the Olympic Winter Games Lillehammer 1994s, and additional disciplines have been added over time, reflecting the sport’s growth and popularity. The inclusion of ski cross at the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010, along with halfpipe and slopestyle at the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014, has further expanded freestyle skiing disciplines.

Team USA has a strong history in freestyle skiing, earning numerous Olympic medals since the sport’s official inclusion. Notable achievements include gold medals in moguls, aerials and slopestyle, with athletes such as Jonny Moseley, Hannah Kearney and David Wise contributing to the program’s success. The Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998 was a strong year for Team USA with gold-medal wins from Jonny Moseley in men’s moguls, Eric Bergoust in men’s aerials and Nikki Stone in women’s aerials.

Freestyle skiing disciplines at the Winter Olympics currently include moguls, aerials, ski cross, halfpipe and slopestyle, each requiring distinct technical skills. In moguls, athletes navigate a bumpy course while executing aerial maneuvers and precise turns. Aerials feature skiers performing complex flips and twists off a jump. Ski cross is a race format where multiple skiers compete head-to-head on a course with jumps and banked turns. In halfpipe, athletes perform tricks while going back and forth in a U-shaped pipe. Slopestyle involves competitors executing tricks on rails, jumps and other terrain park features.

Follow along the freestyle skiiers' road to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

Freestyle ski equipment varies by discipline, with specialized skis designed for maneuverability, stability and performance. Aerial and mogul skis are typically shorter for better control, while ski cross and slopestyle skis are built for speed and landing stability. Protective gear, including helmets and padded suits, is required for safety.

Freestyle skiing disciplines take place on specially designed courses with features such as jumps, rails, moguls and halfpipes. Each course is constructed to challenge athletes while maintaining safety standards.