What is Freeski?

Freeskiing is a modern form of skiing that is often performed in snow parks with various obstacles and plays an important role in the best ski resorts worldwide. It differs significantly from traditional alpine skiing. It combines elements of freestyle, big air, and backcountry skiing, giving riders the freedom to perform creative tricks.

Freeskiing is often practiced in snow parks, on specially groomed slopes, or in open terrain. It is divided into two main categories: Freestyle, which focuses on tricks and jumps, and Freeride, which is about skiing in untouched terrain.

The most popular disciplines in freeskiing include:

• Slopestyle: A course featuring rails, boxes, and kickers for tricks

• Halfpipe: A massive, snow-covered U-shape for spectacular jumps and rotations

• Big Air: A single, massive jump for breathtaking aerial tricks

• Railjam: Focused on technical tricks on rails and boxes

  
  

A key aspect of freeskiing is grabs, where skiers grab their skis mid-air. The most well-known grabs include Mute Grab, Tail Grab, Japan Grab, Safety Grab, Indy Grab, and Stalefish Grab.

Freeskiing requires specialized skis called twintips, which are bent at both ends to allow skiing backwards (switch). The right ski binding and length are crucial for a safe ride. More about choosing the right skis, proper mounting, and the best ski resorts will be covered in future blog posts.