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Freestyle Skiing Takes Center Stage at 2026 Olympics

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, January 29th 2026 at 9:31 GMT by NBC Los Angeles
      Locales: Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Valle d'Aosta, ITALY

Freestyle Skiing Takes Center Stage at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics, hosted in the stunning Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, promise a spectacular showcase of winter sports. Among the most anticipated events is freestyle skiing, a discipline that has rapidly evolved to become a captivating blend of athleticism, artistry, and daring aerial maneuvers. From the traditional moguls course to the innovative Big Air jumps, and a brand new team event, the freestyle skiing competition is poised to deliver thrilling moments and unforgettable performances.

A Multi-Venue Spectacle

The 2026 Olympic freestyle skiing events won't be confined to a single location. The competition will be spread across three distinct venues, each offering a unique atmosphere and challenging terrain.

• Livigno (Mottolino Fun Mountain): This renowned freestyle park will host the Slopestyle and Big Air events. Livigno's expertly crafted features and consistently excellent snow conditions make it a favorite among freestyle skiers.
• Cortina d'Ampezzo (Christiano): Steeped in Olympic history, Cortina will be the home of Moguls and Aerials, including the exciting new Mixed Team Aerials competition. The challenging slopes and picturesque backdrop will provide a dramatic setting for these technical disciplines.
• Bormio: Known for its challenging courses, Bormio will host the high-octane Ski Cross events, pushing athletes to their limits as they navigate a thrilling racecourse.

Event Breakdown: What to Watch

The freestyle skiing program encompasses six distinct disciplines, each with its own unique demands and scoring criteria. Here's a closer look:

1. Moguls: A test of both technical skill and athletic endurance, moguls requires skiers to navigate a course covered in a series of bumps, or 'moguls.' Athletes are judged on their speed, turns, air maneuvers (aerials), and the overall fluidity of their run. Precision and control are key to success.

2. Aerials: Considered one of the most visually spectacular freestyle disciplines, Aerials involves skiers launching off a ramp and performing acrobatic flips and twists before landing on a steep slope. Difficulty, execution, and landing are the three core components of the scoring system.

3. Slopestyle: A celebration of creativity and technical prowess, Slopestyle sees competitors tackle a course featuring rails, jumps, and other obstacles. Judges evaluate the difficulty and originality of the tricks, as well as the smoothness and style of the run.

4. Big Air: Focused purely on a single, spectacular jump, Big Air rewards athletes for achieving maximum height, difficulty, and clean execution. This discipline is all about pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the air.

5. Ski Cross: A thrilling, head-to-head race, Ski Cross pits four skiers against each other on a course filled with jumps, bumps, and banked turns. The first skier to cross the finish line wins, making it a true test of speed, agility, and tactical racing.

The Innovation: Parallel Mixed Team Aerials

The 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics will see the debut of a groundbreaking event: Parallel Mixed Team Aerials. This innovative competition will pit mixed teams of male and female aerialists against each other in a head-to-head, parallel format. One skier from each team will compete at a time, racing down the course, with the first team to finish claiming victory. This event is expected to attract a wide audience, highlighting the versatility and teamwork within freestyle skiing. It represents a conscious effort by the IOC to promote gender equality and introduce dynamic new formats to the Olympic program.

Medal Opportunities

Freestyle skiers will compete for 12 coveted Olympic medals across the six disciplines, with separate events for men and women in each category. The competition is expected to be fiercely contested, with athletes from around the globe vying for a place on the podium. With a mix of established veterans and rising stars, the 2026 Olympic freestyle skiing events promise a thrilling spectacle for fans worldwide.