Understanding Olympic Aerial Freestyle Skiing: Rules and Scoring Explained

As the countdown to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics begins, the discipline of aerial freestyle skiing, officially included in the Winter Games since 1994, is set to showcase its thrilling blend of acrobatics and athleticism. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the rules, scoring systems, and competition formats for this high-flying event, which will feature three distinct competitions: individual men's and women's aerials, and a mixed team event.

The aerial freestyle skiing event consists of athletes launching themselves from a steep vertical kicker, executing intricate flips and twists while airborne. According to the International Ski Federation (FIS), each maneuver is assigned a degree of difficulty, and the skiers are judged based on three critical components: air, form, and landing. The overall score is calculated using the formula: Component Scores x Degree of Difficulty = Total Score (FIS, 2023).

At the Milan Cortina Games, scheduled from February 17 to February 21, 2026, competitors will engage in a rigorous competition format. The individual events will commence with a qualifying round, wherein each skier performs two jumps. The top six from the first jump automatically progress to the finals, while others have a chance to advance based on their second jump, provided they perform a different maneuver (NBC Olympics, 2023). In the finals, all 12 competitors will take two jumps in the first round, with the highest score determining advancement to a final jump.

The mixed team event, introduced at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, allows teams of three athletes from the same nation, including at least one male and one female, to compete without a qualifying round. Each team’s score is determined by the cumulative scores from two rounds of jumps (NBC Olympics, 2023).

The scoring for aerials is multifaceted. The air component, accounting for 20% of the total score, evaluates the execution of the skier's takeoff, height, and distance. The form component, which constitutes 50%, assesses the skier's body positioning during the jump, while the landing component, 30% of the score, focuses on the stability and balance upon landing. Judges analyze these components using a panel of five judges, with the highest and lowest scores discarded for each component (FIS, 2023).

Notably, deductions can occur for a variety of reasons, including improper takeoff timing, form breaks, and errors in landing. A skier may receive a 'Did Not Finish' (DNF) if they fail to execute the planned number of flips or twists (NBC Olympics, 2023).

The difficulty of aerial moves is significant, with maneuvers like quintuple-twisting triple flips representing the pinnacle of aerial skill. Ashley Caldwell's achievement of landing the quadruple-twisting triple flip, dubbed 'The Daddy,' marks a historic moment in women's aerial skiing. These challenging maneuvers are typically pre-declared, ensuring a structured competition environment (FIS, 2023).

In contrast to big air skiing, aerials demands a regimented approach where skiers must adhere to a prescribed list of allowed moves, each with an established degree of difficulty. Big air, by contrast, encourages creativity and innovation, allowing for a broader interpretation of tricks. This fundamental difference highlights the unique nature of aerials within the freestyle skiing spectrum (NBC Olympics, 2023).

In preparation for the upcoming Olympics, athletes and teams are expected to refine their skills and strategies to excel in this exhilarating yet challenging discipline. With a mix of established traditions and new formats, aerial freestyle skiing promises to be a captivating highlight of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.