Freestyle
“People weren’t made to fly, that’s why we make kickers.” Warren Millar.
CLUBS
TEACH
PERFORMANCE
RESULTS
What is freestyle?
Freestyle encompasses a number of different disciplines including: park + pipe, moguls, aerials and ski/snowboard cross. If you love doing jumps and tricks then maybe freestyle is for you!
At Snowsport Scotland we have regular training and events in park + pipe, cross events and also banked slalom. If you would like to find out more about moguls or aerials, visit GBSnowsports page.
Park + Pipe
Slopestyle
Slopestyle is where riders compete and ride down a purpose built course that will include a variety of features including jumps, rails, transitions and gaps. Increasingly these courses are becoming unique to different events, and challenge the rider’s ability to adapt to lots of different features and put down a run that is innovative, technical and well executed.
Big air
Big Air is where riders compete and ride on a single large jump and perform a single trick in an effort to score as high a mark as possible. Normally riders will perform a jump with a blend of rotation (spin) and somersault (flip) action, with a grab (holding onto the snowboard/skis) to show control and individual flair. It is judged by a panel who will look out for qualities such as: amplitude, technical difficulty, style, execution and more.
Halfpipe
Halfpipe is the original Park & Pipe discipline, stemming from the skate/surf culture in 60’s USA. Originally a hand-shaped course, halfpipes are now cut to very specific sizes using a variety of machinery. The Olympic standard pipe is now 22ft on both transitions, with a flat bottom that slopes up to a vertical ‘lip’ where riders takeoff. Riders will perform a variety of airs including spins/flips on both sides.
Cross Disciplines
Ski Cross
Ski cross is a type of skiing competition where skiers race head to head down a course of gates with jumps, banked corners and three dimensional features. What sets ski cross apart from other alpine skiing disciplines is that there’s more than one skier racing down the course. Any intentional contact with other competitors leads to disqualification.
Snowboard Cross
Snowboard cross, also known as boardercross, is a snowboard competition in which four to six competitors race down a course. Snowboard cross courses are typically quite narrow and include cambered turns, various types of jumps, berms, rollers, drops, steep and flat sections designed to challenge the riders' ability to stay in control while maintaining maximum speed.
Banked Slalom
Banked Slalom
Banked slalom is a discipline of snowboarding and para-snowboarding , competing on a twisty curvy course with banked turns. The course is similar to that found in snowboard cross , except smoothed out and without the notch jumps or stepwise rhythm sections. Also unlike snowboard cross, competitors run separately instead of jointly in a heat. Although originally a snowboard discipline, ski banked slalom does happen in some low-level competitions.
Once you have the fundamentals of skiing and/or snowboarding, you’re ready to try freestyle!
Getting into freestyle/park + pipe starts off with joining a training club, where you will find camps and training sessions where you can be coached and supported to develop your skills and knowledge to be able to compete (or just recreationally enjoy) successfully.
Clubs offering training in Scotland can be found on our map below, or on our Clubs Page.
Where to start?
Park + Pipe Future Sessions
The perfect touch point for Freestyle disciplines. Each session will take attendees through the Futures Awards syllabus, starting with off-snow movement prep and preparing to learn on-snow tricks. It will then offer those with some experience a chance to up their skill set and learn new tricks with coaches or just the chance to rip some rails and jumps. Want to get shredding on the snow this season? Pop along and give these sessions a try! Click here to find out more.
Equipment
Anyone can try out freestyle disciplines using the equipment they already have, there is no need to buy new equipment at the beginning.
As you progress in the sport, you’ll probably be advised by a coach on what equipment will be best for the discipline you are looking to improve your skills in. And if you’re looking at getting into competition, then it would be worth checking out the FIS competition equipment list so you comply with regulations.
There are regular second hand sales at clubs and during the summer months at stores. It’s worth looking into these options if you are buying for children and know they will grow out of their equipment fairly quickly.
Freestyle skiing and snowboarding doesn't require any special equipment, but a few things can improve the experience:
Park/freestyle skis are short, have a narrower waist width, a symmetrical shape (twin tips - to allow you to ride switch/backwards), and have centre-mounted bindings.
Park/freestyle snowboards are also shorter (for manoeuvrability), have a symmetrical or twin shape (to allow you to ride switch/on the other foot), and are more flexible than an all-mountain board.
Snowboard cross boards are usually stiffer and longer, and stiffer bindings and boots are recommended. This allows for better carving and responsiveness on hard-packed snow.
You should also invest in a helmet because there is always a risk of head injury when doing freestyle, and you will be required to wear one when taking part in competitions.
It's also a good idea to wear knee and elbow pads because they can help protect you if you fall.
Finally, make sure you have suitable clothing for the conditions. You'll need warm clothes that allow you to move freely, and waterproof clothing is always a good idea as you may fall a lot to start!
Scottish Ski & Snowboard Cross
Ski & Snowboard cross is a fun head to head race down a course of banked turns, bumps, and jumps with the goal of being the first to cross the finish line. The rules of ski/snowboard cross are simple. Four to six riders start from a gate simultaneously and go down the course as fast as possible, through each course gate, with the only goal to be the first across the finish line, racing for glory against your pals!
Nevis X Weekend
It's a full weekend of racing at Nevis Range in March, with Snowboard Banked Slalom on Saturday the 11th, and Ski & Snowboard Cross on Sunday the 12th. This weekend is a new event to the Snowsport Scotland competition calendar and we want to make it as good as possible. Open to those with disabilities and we actively encourage those from unrepresented groups.
Park + Pipe Future Sessions
Each session will take attendees through the Futures Awards syllabus, starting with off-snow movement prep and preparing to learn on-snow tricks. It will then offer those with some experience a chance to up their skill set and learn new tricks with coaches or just the chance to rip some rails and jumps. Want to get shredding on the snow this season? Pop along and give these sessions a try!
Triplecrown Slopestyle Championships
The Triple Crown is Snowsport Scotland's annual slopestyle tour. The tour is usually a three stop dryslope tour in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Within each event there is three separate competitions: Crown Jam, Junior Champs and The Championship - each allowing the competitors to practice and then compete on kickers, boxes and rails.
Want to get competitive?
There is a vibrant slopestyle competition scene throughout Scotland! The competitions range from fun low-level jams for local freestylers through to the National Championships - the national level competition appealing to performance-orientated athletes.
GB Snowsports select, manage and lead British teams to international events and provide opportunities for our athletes to achieve their full potential as individuals and as a team.
Snowsport Scotland employs two freestyle coaches to support the progression of athletes through the pathway and into the GB Snowsports teams. This is done in partnership with Clubs and GB Snowsports.
Please check our Clubs page to get in touch with your local freestyle club or contact one of our coaches to find out about our national programmes.
Freeski National Performance Coach – Murray Buchan
murray@snowsportscotland.org
Park + Pipe Pathway Coach – Euan Baxter
euan@snowsportscotland.org
We also have our dedicated Para-Snowboard Pathway Coach. You can find more information on our Adaptive Snowsports page, or by contacting Alastair:
Para-Snowboard Pathway Coach - Alastair Nasmyth
alastair@snowsportscotland.org