Spectator Guide: U.S. Mogul Freestyle Championships at Palisades Tahoe

Freestyle mogul skiing is an exhilarating winter sport that combines speed, technique, and aerial maneuvers as athletes navigate a steep, mogul-covered slope. The sport is divided into two main event formats: Single Moguls and Dual Moguls. Both require competitors to showcase their agility and skill while performing jumps and absorbing the impact of rapid mogul turns.

What to Expect

Course Layout

The course is a steep, bumpy run filled with evenly spaced moguls (small, rounded snow mounds).

Two designated jump zones are positioned along the course where athletes perform aerial tricks.

The finish line marks the end of the timed run.

Event Formats

Freestyle Moguls (Single Moguls): Skiers compete one at a time, judged on speed, turns, and aerial tricks.

Dual Moguls: Two skiers race side by side on parallel courses, adding an exciting head-to-head element. The winner advances in a bracket-style competition.

Scoring System

Turns (60%) – Judges evaluate control, technique, and the skier’s ability to absorb moguls smoothly.

Aerials (20%) – Scores are based on trick difficulty, execution, and landing quality.

Speed (20%) – Faster times earn more points, with deductions for excessive hesitation or errors.

Deductions

Poor turn technique – Loss of control or excessive skidding can result in point deductions.

Unstable aerial landings – Athletes must land cleanly and in control; instability or falls reduce scores.

Missed jumps – If a skier fails to complete an aerial maneuver properly, they will receive deductions.

Excessive breaks in rhythm – Hesitation or slowing down too much can negatively impact scores.

Not staying in line with the course – Deviating from the intended path leads to deductions.

Key Athlete Skills

Knee absorption – Athletes flex and extend their knees rapidly to maintain control over moguls.

Upper body stability – A quiet, stable upper body contrasts with the dynamic leg movements.

Explosive jumps – Skiers launch off jumps to perform flips, spins, and grabs, aiming for clean landings.

Best Viewing Spots

Mid-course – Best for watching technical mogul skiing and turns.

Jump zones – Great for witnessing high-flying aerial maneuvers.

Finish area – Ideal for seeing final speeds and athlete reactions.

Getting to the Venue & Spectator Tickets

With the venue on Siberia Bowl this year, you can catch the action from various places on the upper mountain at Palisades. To get close to the action, skiers and riders are welcome to ride Siberia Express and find a spot along the course or near the finish.

If you are not planning on skiing and riding, you can catch the action with a view from Gold Coast Lodge. Please note that you cannot walk to the course. Special $20 spectator tickets are available to ride the Funitel to Gold Coast Lodge and watch from there.

Parking Reservations No Longer Required

Good news for the final stretch—parking reservations are no longer required. All parking returns to first-come, first-served, 7 days a week. Any existing reservations will be automatically refunded/cancelled.

Fan Tips

Dress for the weather! Spring weather and California sunshine rule here, but wind or weather can roll in at any moment. Remember your sunscreen!

Bring binoculars. They help catch details of the jumps and mogul techniques.

Cheer loudly! Support athletes as they push their limits in this high-adrenaline sport.

Enjoy the action-packed spectacle of freestyle moguls and dual moguls!