Recap of Snowboard, Freestyle, and Freeski Committee Meetings: Advancements and Insights from Zurich

The annual autumn session of the FIS Technical and Committee meetings took place at the Hilton Zurich Airport hotel this past week, gathering key stakeholders from all corners of the snow sports world for four intensive days of meetings and strategic sessions. These discussions aimed to chart a clear path forward through the 2024/25 winter season and beyond. 

For the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle, and Freeski community, the session culminated in the ‘Supercommittee’ meeting on Friday, where summaries of previous days' subcommittee and working group discussions were presented. Decisions were either ratified or deferred until the upcoming spring session in Vilamoura, Portugal, scheduled for next May.

Freestyle Skiing

The Freestyle Sub-Committee held productive meetings in Zurich, engaging in strategy sessions and working group discussions focused on aerials and moguls. A key topic was an update on the 10-Year strategic roadmap, led by Vice Chair Anders Olofsson, which centers on collecting data from active National Ski Associations (NSAs) to evaluate participation levels and infrastructure needs. 

Cornelia Blank presented updates on the FIS Education strategy for Technical Officials, aiming to modernize and streamline educational processes for judges, technical delegates, NSAs, and event organizers.

The FIS communications team reported significant improvements in social media strategy and content sharing, benefiting athletes and NSAs alike. A solid calendar for the World Cup and Continental Cup has been established, with test events for moguls and aerials scheduled in Livigno early next year as part of preparations for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games. The Olympic venue, which will debut Dual Moguls, received high praise from attendees. 

The freestyle community was encouraged to participate in various advisory groups, with new chairs appointed for the 2024/25 season to ensure effective leadership and engagement.

Despite the postponement of the FIS Summer Grand Prix series for Aerials until 2025, several waterjump competitions were successfully held globally. Updated Summer Grand Prix rules are under consideration to enhance participation and hosting opportunities. 

Stephen Fearing was appointed as the new Asian Cup coordinator, tasked with elevating competition levels to match those of the North American and European Cups while developing sustainable venues and training facilities in the Asian region. 

Congratulations were also extended to Iain Mackay from Great Britain, recently confirmed as an Honorary Member of the FIS Freestyle Sub-Committee.

Park & Pipe

Continuing the standards set during the spring meetings in Portoroz, Slovenia, the Park & Pipe meetings in Zurich featured a Project & Strategy session alongside the usual subcommittee meeting. With numerous developments anticipated in slopestyle, halfpipe, big air, and rails, it is increasingly important for the FIS Park & Pipe community to align and strategize for the future. Discussions highlighted the new Snow League and X Games tour competition series, focusing on their potential impact on the Park & Pipe World Cup. Close discussions between Sandy Macdonald, Head of Competition for the Snow League, and FIS Competition Director Roberto Moresi ensured that the competition calendars for both tours would not conflict for at least the next two seasons.

The continued development of FIS Rails was another major topic, confirming that the new format will contribute to athlete rankings under the World Snowboard Points List. This season will see FIS Rails competitions at various levels, marking a significant step toward exploring rails as a potential World Cup-level competition. Support for women's athletes in Park & Pipe remains a priority, led by Ashley Diebold, who is focusing on reducing barriers to entry and optimizing course-building techniques at grassroots levels.

The optimization of judging across all FIS levels is an ongoing discussion, particularly regarding section-by-section judging, which has been established for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Looking ahead, the subcommittee is already considering strategies for the 2030 Games in France to ensure a clear pathway for athletes to achieve their Olympic goals.

Snowboard Cross

Uwe Beier, FIS Chief Race Director for Cross, provided updates on the Snowboard Cross World Cup calendar, which is undergoing modifications from the spring meetings. There is optimism for additional events, although confirmations are still pending. An exciting development was presented by Matthias Ortner regarding a goggle-integrated camera system that could enhance live broadcasts for both Snowboard Cross and Ski Cross competitions, while prioritizing athlete safety.

The SBX Europa Cup Coordinator, Riccardo Chiminazzo, shared plans for a season including 16 races, with the Para discipline rejoining at two stops. Significant advancements in social media strategies were also showcased, positively impacting athletes and NSAs. A report on Cross Rules indicated that one venue has already applied to host the Junior World Championships for SBX and Ski Cross in the upcoming season.

Snowboard Alpine

The FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup season is gearing up for an exciting journey, culminating in the World Championships in March at Engadin/St. Moritz, Switzerland. Uwe Beier confirmed all stops on this season's World Cup calendar, which includes 12 Parallel Giant Slalom (PGS) races, 5 Parallel Slalom (PSL) races, and two Parallel Team events. Three new venues are set to join the alpine snowboard World Cup this season, including Val St. Come (Canada) and two events in China.

To enhance race analysis, additional photo finish cameras will be implemented at World Cup races. The European Cup (EC) coordinator announced a nearly finalized calendar featuring a higher number of PGS events compared to PSL events this year. 

On the marketing front, the Media & Marketing department reported significant interest from potential new title sponsors for the FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup, raising optimistic expectations for the season ahead. The FIS communications team also highlighted advancements in social media strategies aimed at positively impacting both athletes and national sports associations.

Ski Cross

The Ski Cross Subcommittee meetings in Zurich focused on various topics relevant to the upcoming season. Final preparations for the St. Moritz/Engadin 2025 World Championships began immediately after the 2023/24 World Cup season finale, including a coordination meeting that reviewed course layouts and volunteer participation.

The track will undergo adaptations due to the construction of a snowmaking pond, ensuring readiness for the World Championships. FIS has already conducted in-person meetings with broadcasters to secure optimal Ski Cross broadcast slots, boosting visibility for the sport. Summer inspections at major venues have resulted in new course adjustments, with the first Ski Cross World Cup event in Val di Fassa anticipated as a highlight of the season.

For the 2024/25 World Cup finals in Idre Fjall, there will be restricted field sizes to create a more exclusive final event, rewarding the top athletes of the season. The 2025 FIS Ski Cross Junior World Championships will be held in Isola 2000, France, in April.

One of the most exciting developments is the potential integration of live-streaming goggles into World Cup broadcasts. This ultra-light, goggle-mounted camera system aims to transmit a live feed directly to the TV truck, with successful initial crash tests paving the way for further development. Live tests are planned for the pre-season, aiming for implementation during the World Championships in St. Moritz in 2025.

The Athlete Health Unit continues to make significant strides, collecting data to enhance both safety and attractiveness at events. Following a successful first edition, the Women's Development Camp will continue in December 2024, coordinated by John Lindh of the Swedish Ski Federation, inviting three athletes and coaches from each nation.