Slopestyle, halfpipe and big air – what’s the difference?
Some winter sport disciplines may seem similar but a closer look shows the differences between them are extensive. Read on to discover the differences between the slopestyle, halfpipe and big air events that will take place at Milano Cortina 2026.
Snowboard and freestyle skiing competitions have a reputation for being innovative, dynamic and exciting. And that's exactly what you can expect to see at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
From the exhilarating rush of ski cross and snowboard cross, to the complexity of moguls and dual moguls, the events programme of freestyle skiing and snowboarding is nothing short of breathtaking.
In this article, we’ll focus on three events held in both disciplines - halfpipe, slopestyle and big air - exploring their basic features and format, while explaining the differences between each event.
First, some ground rules.
Freestyling
The main connotation of the word ‘freestyle’ is around the ‘judging’ of the competitions.
Tricks in slopestyle, halfpipe and big air aren’t scored individually, such as seen in artistic gymnastics or figure skating, but judged on the overall impression of the run. Scores range from 1-100, with an average taken from the judges determining the final score of the run.
However, it’s not a free-for-all for the panel of judges, composed of members from different nations. There's an effort to leave room for creativity and chutzpah from the athletes.
The judges look for form in a variety of ways throughout the run including amplitude – clean take-off, controlled flight path, landing on a sweet spot; progression – such as a new trick or taking a different route through the course if slopestyle; and execution – has the athlete grabbed the board properly, have they landed steadily, did they remain in full control throughout the run.
Competition format
Athletes have two runs in qualification rounds for big air, halfpipe and slopestyle in which their highest score counts. The 12 finalists then compete in a best-of-three runs competition, which means the drama continues right to the end as someone can snatch gold in the final run.
Slopestyle
Slopestyle riders perform tricks and jumps on a sloping course over multiple ramps, rails and other obstacles.
The top of the course features rails – like a metal handrail you hold on to when going down some stairs – and other unique "jib" features, while the bottom section of the course contains three huge jumps, which the athletes jettison off the top to complete a number of twists, flips and grabs.
The final jump is generally the most explosive, meaning it must be landed well to create a real showstopper that – hopefully – leaves the judges with a good last impression of the run.
Event debut: Sochi 2014
Current Olympic champions: freestyle skiing women - Mathilde Gremaud (SUI), freestyle skiing men - Alexander Hall (USA), snowboarding women - Zoi Sadowski Synnott (NZL), snowboarding men - Max Parrot (CAN)
Halfpipe
Skiers and snowboarders execute multiple tricks one after the other down a 22 foot-high (6.7m) halfpipe.
The key here is not only performing super high, difficult twisting flips and rotations, but landing them perfectly to maintain flow and momentum. Each landing leads directly into the next flip, leaving little room for error. Oh, and the walls are super steep too at between 16-18 degrees.
Riding down the halfpipe certainly isn't for the faint of heart, but it provides a unique canvas for the artistry of freestyle skiing and snowboarding.
Event debut: snowboarding: Nagano 1998, freestyle Skiing: Sochi 2014
Current Olympic champions: Women snowboarding - Chloe Kim (USA), Men snowboarding - Hirano Ayumu (JPN), Women freestyle skiing - Ailing Eileen Gu (CHN), Men freestyle skiing - Nico Porteous (NZL)
Big air
Big air does what it says. Skiers and snowboarders launch themselves skyward from a steeply banked jump and complete as many twists, flips and grabs as they can in a breath-holding dynamic whirl of skis/boards, snow, limbs and usually baggy clothes.
Imagine an athlete coming down a ramp like a ski jumper, but instead of taking off at the end of the ramp, staying in a fixed-flying position and focusing on distance and form, the big air athletes pile in as many flips and twists as their time in the air allows. One jump, one complicated somersault and you're done.
Grabbing board or skis mid-flip adds difficulty and the landing is super important in order to leave a good impression on the judges. Make it look easy and they can’t help but be impressed.
Event debut: snowboarding: PyeongChang 2018, freestyle skiing: Beijing 2022
Current Olympic champions: snowboarding women - Anna Gasser (AUT), snowboarding men - Su Yiming (CHN), freestyle skiing women - Ailing Eileen Gu (CHN), freestyle skiing men - Birk Ruud (NOR)
