A glimpse into the world of moguls

By Krysia Collyer

Moguls skiing is an exciting spectator sport. There are many different elements to the competition, and having the fastest time does not ensure that an athlete will win. The competition consists of skiers racing down a 29-degree incline and launching themselves off two jumps on the way down the hill.

FIS World Championship Freestyle Moguls Skiing Apex BC

During the run, seven judges award marks for the technical quality of their turns (50%), two aerial maneuvers/jumps (25%) and for speed (25%). In order to ensure that every aspect of the skier’s run is assessed, five of the seven judges are assigned to evaluate the technical skills and two are assigned to jumps.

Key elements in moguls skiing

7: 720-degree spin off-axis, around a vertical axis.

30: 360-degree spin off-axis, around the vertical axis.

Back double full: The skier is upside down but the body is straight with two spins. The two spins are done upside down.

Corked spin: An off-axis spin; where the body is virtually horizontal, but the skier’s feet do not go above their head.

Corked 1080: The head and feet are totally sideways (horizontal); 1080 refers to three body twists.

Degree of Difficulty (DD): DD is based on someone launching oneself off a jump.

Double full: Single flip with two twists.

Double full, full, full: Three flips with four twists. Two twists on the first flip off the jump.

D-spins: A sideways 360-degree back flip.

Flat spins: The body is completely horizontal, but the axis of rotation is vertical.

Grabs: During the trick, the athlete reaches and grabs one part of their ski.

Rodeo: Backward flips on an off-axis spin.

Turns: The technical criteria evaluated in judging; refers to the completion of turning in the mogul.

– with files from the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association