Freestyle Skiing at Milano Cortina 2026

From Outlaw Beginnings to Olympic Main Event

Freestyle skiing was banned from FIS-sanctioned competitions until 1979 because the ski establishment considered it too reckless. Now it accounts for more Olympic medals than almost any other snow discipline. That arc — from rebellious outsiders to gold medalists — defines the ethos of freestyle skiing, which values creativity and audacity alongside technical execution.

Milano Cortina 2026 features 13 freestyle skiing medal events, making it one of the largest programs at the Games. Events are spread across two venue clusters: moguls and aerials take place in Livigno, while halfpipe, slopestyle, ski cross, and the acrobatic events use courses in the Valtellina area. The variety is staggering — the gap between moguls and slopestyle is roughly equivalent to the gap between gymnastics and parkour.

Breaking Down the Disciplines

Moguls is the original freestyle event. Athletes ski down a steep course covered in uniform bumps (moguls), performing two aerial jumps while being judged on turn quality, air tricks, and speed. The turns score accounts for 60% of the total — so despite the flashy jumps, it’s fundamentally about how well you ski the bumps.

Aerials is the gymnastics of skiing. Athletes launch off kickers and perform twisting, flipping maneuvers 50+ feet in the air, landing on a steep incline. A quad-twisting triple backflip is now within the realm of top competitors. Scoring is based on degree of difficulty, form, and landing.

Halfpipe sends skiers through a U-shaped channel where they perform tricks on each wall. Amplitude (height above the lip), variety of tricks, and execution determine scores. Think of it as skateboarding’s halfpipe translated to snow.

Slopestyle is a full-course run featuring rails, jumps, and creative features. Athletes choose their own lines and trick selection, and judges reward difficulty, execution, and overall impression. It’s arguably the most creative event in the Winter Olympics.

Ski Cross is head-to-head racing through a course with jumps, berms, and rollers. Four athletes race simultaneously in bracket-style heats. First across the line advances. It’s chaotic, contact-heavy, and wildly unpredictable — think NASCAR on snow.

U.S. Freestyle Power

The United States is traditionally a freestyle skiing powerhouse, and the 2026 team should be no exception. Alex Hall won slopestyle gold in Beijing and continues to push the creative boundaries of the sport. David Wise, two-time halfpipe champion, retired after Beijing, but the American pipeline in halfpipe remains deep.

In moguls, Jaelin Kauf won silver in Beijing and has been a consistent World Cup podium finisher since. The women’s moguls field is wide open for 2026, and Kauf’s blend of aggressive skiing and clean aerials makes her a genuine gold medal contender.

Ski cross is the wild card. Crashes and contact create chaos, and any athlete who survives to the final has a shot. The Americans have depth here but face stiff competition from the Swiss and Canadian programs.

What’s New

The judging criteria for slopestyle and halfpipe have been refined for this quad, with greater weight given to variety and progression (new tricks) over repeated difficulty. This should reward athletes who push the sport forward rather than those who play it safe with well-practiced routines.

Athletes to Watch

Alex Hall (USA, Slopestyle) — The reigning Olympic slopestyle champion is known for his innovative trick selection and effortless style, making him the most creatively influential skier in the discipline.

Jaelin Kauf (USA, Moguls) — The Beijing silver medalist has posted consistent World Cup podiums and enters Milano Cortina as one of the favorites in a wide-open women’s moguls field.

Mikael Kingsbury (CAN, Moguls) — The greatest mogul skier in history, with an Olympic gold and silver to his name, is now 33 and pursuing one final Games — his technical precision remains the benchmark for the sport.

Gu Ailing (Eileen Gu) (CHN, Halfpipe / Slopestyle / Big Air) — The Beijing triple medalist (two golds, one silver) returns as the biggest star in women’s freestyle skiing, with a global profile that transcends the sport.

Sandra Naeslund (SWE, Ski Cross) — The Beijing gold medalist and dominant World Cup ski cross racer is the clear frontrunner in the women’s event and one of the most exciting racers to watch in any discipline.

Venue Spotlight

Freestyle skiing events at Milano Cortina 2026 are primarily staged in the Livigno and Valtellina area, a high-altitude resort valley near the Swiss border known for reliable snow conditions and long winters. The purpose-built moguls and aerials courses in Livigno sit at approximately 1,800 meters, while the slopestyle, halfpipe, and ski cross venues feature modern course designs that meet updated FIS specifications for competition flow and athlete safety.