Skiing encompasses various disciplines, one of which is freestyle or acrobatic skiing - guaranteed to deliver thrilling and exhilarating sensations with its rapid turns, acrobatics and spectacular aerial tricks. Without doubt, freestyle skiing won't leave you indifferent. Contrary to what many skiers believe, it's no more dangerous than other skiing disciplines. While it certainly allows you to perform daring moves and take risks, if you know your limits, you won't end up being scraped off the slopes in pieces.
Freestyle consists of three distinct disciplines with very different techniques, making it rare to find elite skiers who can compete in all three, though some have managed it.
Aerials or acrobatic jumps
Of the three disciplines, this is the most spectacular. It involves an extreme sport where skiers perform jumps and acrobatic figures from specially constructed snow ramps with vertical take-offs.
This discipline is nearly impossible for non-professional skiers to attempt without proper infrastructure and coaching: you'll need trampolines and water jumps for initial training. It's best not to imagine what would happen if you casually attempted a double backflip on some random bump at your local ski resort. At minimum, you'd likely end your ski season before it's even begun, so... be warned!
This is a rather peculiar and lesser-known discipline. Performed on a very flat, well-packed slope, the skier executes a series of manoeuvres accompanied by music, resembling floor exercises in artistic gymnastics - but with skis. It involves either sliding on snow or performing pole tricks. The skis used are very short, while the poles must be thick and long (approximately shoulder height) to support the skier's weight without breaking.
You can try acro on any beginner slope if you find someone to teach you the basic moves, which aren't overly complicated. However, finding specialised poles for this sport won't be easy as they're not sold in shops. You'll need to network within the freestyle community.
Moguls
Moguls are undoubtedly the flagship discipline of freestyle, both in terms of amateur participation and competitive numbers.
Picture a competition venue: a closed section of piste covered in bumps with two jump ramps positioned along the fall line at roughly equal distances. The competition involves descending the mogul field while adhering to strict criteria for speed, technique and jump execution as defined by regulations. Being a judged sport, the fastest runner doesn't always win.
This discipline is more accessible than the other two - all you need is a section of piste where snowcats have left bumps (though finding these at some resorts can be challenging). Here you can practise basic turns using proper mogul techniques and absorption methods.
Regarding jumps, don't overcomplicate things - starting with simple straight jumps is perfectly adequate. First master controlling your body in the air, then progress to acrobatic figures. Equipment-wise, there are no special requirements - your regular gear will suffice.
