About IMD Freestyle
Intermountain Freestyle is a non-profit committee of volunteers who help organize US Ski & Snowboard-sanctioned moguls and dual moguls freestyle events for skiers and aerialists across our region, providing competitive pathways for athletes at all levels – from those just starting their journey to those pursuing elite-level goals.
FAQs
Freestyle mogul skiing is an exciting winter sport that combines technical skiing down a steep, bumpy terrain course with performative aerial jumps. Skiers are judged on three things: their turn technique through the moguls, their speed, and the difficulty and execution of two jumps.
Our events have dedicated choppers who chop the landing area so that it is softer. This
helps when landing cool jumps!
You will have a life jacket, and will only need to tread water to get to the side of the pool
after you jump. Lifeguards are present at the Utah Olympic Park where most mogul athletes in
our division learn to jump.
Yes, you are not alone! Most of our new mogul skiers come to learn and have fun.
Reach out to a mogul club near you! Clubs can teach you everything you need to know, from basic technique to advanced aerials. You can find a list of regional clubs here.
We currently have clubs in Park City, UT; Sun Valley, ID; and Bogus Basin, ID.
You’re in good company! Most of our new athletes join specifically to learn, build confidence, and have fun.
Not at all. We have teens and even adults sign up to learn how to ski moguls. It’s never too late to jump in.
Absolutely. You can learn and train with a club purely for the fun and skill of it. Whether or not you enter competitions is entirely up to you.
While injuries can happen in any winter sport, our clubs focus heavily on safety. Coaches teach proper technique step-by-step so you can build skills and control.
Knee injuries do happen in skiing, but modern mogul technique has evolved significantly to absorb impact efficiency and keep athletes as safe as possible.
Progression happens in stages:
- Trampoline: Athletes start on large, in-ground trampolines under direct coach spotting.
- Water Ramp: Next, athletes practice on ramps landing into a pool. Every jump is videoed and reviewed.
- Snow: Once a coach verifies an athlete is ready, they take the jump to the snow.
Yes. You can register for a U.S. Ski & Snowboard membership and enter regional events independently. However, we strongly encourage joining a club to get proper coaching and technique training.
No! Unlike team sports where you might sit on the bench, everyone who registers for a regional event gets to ski.
No. There are no cuts in mogul skiing—everyone gets the opportunity to participate and improve.
There is a structured pipeline based on age and skill level:
- Devo (Development): Local, entry-level events primarily for ages 6–10 (varies by club).
- Regional: Comp level open competitions where scores can qualify you for Junior Nationals or the U.S. Championships.
- NorAm Cup: Qualifying through U.S. Championships and U.S. Selections puts you on the North American circuit.
- World Cup: Top NorAm athletes advance to compete at the international elite level.
No matter where you fall in the pipeline, the focus is always on growth and having a rewarding experience.
Check our resources page for the latest criteria and documents.
While there are many physical and mental benefits, most athletes will tell you it’s the community and the lifelong friends you make along the way.
