Recapping the 2026 FIS Technical Committee Spring Meetings for Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski

After catching a collective breath following a huge 2025/26 season highlighted by the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, members of the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle, and Freeski community from around the globe reconvened from 4-7 May in Portoroz (SLO) for the annual FIS Technical Committee Spring Meetings.

In Portoroz there was much to discuss after a season as pivotal as the 2025/26 campaign, and with a new four-year Olympic cycle set to begin in 2026/27, the technical committees, subcommittees, and advisory groups on hand spent four packed days analyzing the season that was as well as plotting the way forward through the next critical phase of International Ski & Snowboard Federation’s stewardship of snow sports competition. 

PARK & PIPE

It was a huge and hugely successful winter overall for Park & Pipe in 2025/26, with minimal cancellations, full Crystal Globe seasons in Slopestyle, Big Air, and Halfpipe, some show-stopping competitions at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Livigno, global expansion of FIS Rail Events, and impressive performances across the end-of-season social media and TV broadcast metrics.

FIS Park & Pipe saw huge growth on the digital side this past season, including a 260% increase in social media reach on the Park & Pipe channels, as well as 178% increase in engagements and a 75% increase in followers. While TV numbers were down slightly from the 2024/25 season, the media impact from FIS Park & Pipe broadcasts was nonetheless up year-over-year, and continually impressive numbers from China show the broad appeal of Slopestyle, Big Air, and Halfpipe in the world’s most populous nation.   

Aside from the various positive media reports, one of the main points of conversation through the week for the Park & Pipe subcommittee, as well as the Park & Pipe Project & Strategy group, was the critical importance of holding test events ahead of major events like the Olympic Winter Games and the FIS World Championships - a known need which was emphasized by some of the issues faced at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games this past February. 

While course builders, course crews, and organisers on the ground during Park & Pipe events in Livingo performed their duties to the utmost of their abilities in the lead-up to and throughout the Games, the challenges presented by the previously untested venues there pushed those crews to their limits throughout. 

Unfortunately, as seen most clearly in the Freeski and Snowboard Slopestyle competitions in Livigno, the challenges presented by that venue translated to challenges for the Olympians on hand, affecting performance on the world’s biggest sporting stage. FIS officials, NSA representatives, and athlete representatives on hand in Portoroz were in full agreement that such a situation can not and will not occur again at such critical junctures. 

Another important issue discussed last week in Portoroz was remote judging technology-assisted judging. The potential that Park & Pipe judges could perform part or all of their duties from home or some other location, other than on-site, is a possibility that needs further exploration, as is the potential for incorporating Artificial Intelligence tools into the judging package. The members of the Park & Pipe community engaged in several discussions to evaluate the pros and cons of remote judging and of adopting A.I. judging tools, with more exchanges planned for the coming weeks.

The third point on the big-three list of topics that dominated Park & Pipe conversation in Portoroz was the continued successful development of Rail Events after a 2025/26 season that saw FIS Park & Pipe expand the competition format in a major way.

This past season saw the first North American Cup and Asian Cup Rail Events taking place, along with an expanded European Cup circuit, and Rail Event’s first global championship-level competitions at the Calgary 2026 Junior World Championships. 

While development of Rail Event as a FIS Park & Pipe competition format is on a clear upward trajectory, refinements and careful strategising are still required for Rails to take the next steps. FIS Park & Pipe continues to work closely with FIS Management to chart those next steps, and there is optimism within the community that World Cup and World Championship competitions for the format are growing closer on the horizon. 

With a strong calendar in place for the 2026/27 season and the Montafon 2027 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle, and Freeski World Championships coming up in March, FIS Park & Pipe looks forward to building on the momentum of this past winter to continue delivering the highest level Slopestyle, Big Air, and Halfpipe action on the world’s longest-running, most consistent, and most international competition circuit.

SNOWBOARD ALPINE

The Snowboard Alpine subcommittee highlighted the continued growth and strong international position of the discipline during the FIS Meetings, following a successful 2025/26 VISA FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup season, headlined by the Parallel Giant Slalom event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

The World Cup calendar featured races across Europe, North America, and Asia, further underlining the global reach of the circuit. Established stars and a new generation of riders combined to deliver a highly competitive season, supported by strong international participation and balanced men’s and women’s fields.

The season also demonstrated the worldwide appeal and growing depth of Snowboard Alpine, with podium results shared among a broad range of nations. Traditional leading countries continued to perform at a high level while facing increasing pressure from emerging Snowboard Alpine nations.

At the Olympic Winter Games, the Parallel Giant Slalom competition represented the clear highlight of the season, delivering a spectacular showcase for Snowboard Alpine on the sport’s biggest stage. Athletes from five different nations claimed medals, reflecting both the global depth of the discipline and the strong balance between experienced champions and the next generation of riders. Technically demanding courses, tight margins, and intense head-to-head duels underlined the high sporting level of the competition, while excellent conditions and strong spectator interest further confirmed the event as a major boost for Snowboard Alpine’s international visibility.

Reports from the FIS Snowboard Alpine European Cup, the Junior World Championships, the Junior Regional Cup Alps Tour, and the FIS Development Camp were also presented during the meetings. A highly competitive European Cup season further confirmed the series’ importance as a key pathway toward World Cup level, while the Junior World Championships in Folgaria (ITA) highlighted the promising future of the discipline through strong international participation and a high sporting standard. Successfully organized for a second consecutive season, the Junior Regional Cup Alps Tour continued to provide an important bridge between national junior racing and European Cup competition across multiple Alpine venues. Organized for the second time in Bansko (BUL), the FIS Snowboard Alpine Development Camp focused on technical training, race preparation, and international knowledge exchange under the supervision of World Cup coaches, offering valuable development opportunities for young athletes from seven nations.

A draft of the 2026/27 FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup calendar was also presented during the meetings. While several established organizers remain part of the proposed schedule, discussions with additional venues are still ongoing and several events are still subject to confirmation, alongside growing interest from potential new organizers.

FREESTYLE SKIING 

The 2025/26 season will be remembered as another important chapter for Freestyle Skiing, highlighted by the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina. Livigno provided a spectacular global stage for Moguls and Aerials, showcasing the disciplines at the highest level. Athlete performances were outstanding, and the Olympic debut of Dual Moguls proved to be an immediate success. The format resonated strongly with fans and broadcasters, confirming its value within the Freestyle program. Overall, the Games delivered compelling competition, strong storytelling, and excellent global exposure for the sport.

At the same time, the World Cup season presented a number of operational challenges. Several events were impacted by cancellations, driven in part by difficult and unpredictable snow conditions. In addition, the integration of a new title sponsor introduced complexities in calendar planning and event delivery. While this remains an important step forward, further work will be needed to ensure greater stability and consistency of the calendar in the future.

Encouragingly, the strength of the development pathway continues to stand out. Both the Nor-Am and Europa Cup circuits delivered successful seasons, providing valuable competition opportunities for emerging athletes and supporting the transition to World Cup level.

The Vision 2035 initiative also progressed during the season, with initial feedback collected from across the freestyle community. While still at an early stage, the process is helping to identify key priorities for the future development of the sport.

From a communication perspective, the Olympic season provided a unique opportunity to maximise global exposure. The heightened interest around the Games translated into strong media performance, particularly across digital and social media platforms, where engagement peaked during the Olympic period.

In parallel, further progress has been made in the development of AI-supported judging tools. This project aims to assist judges while also offering strong potential as an educational tool for coaches and athletes, as well as providing additional value for broadcast and fan engagement.

On the sport side, several rule and format developments were discussed with the objective of improving competition flow and enhancing the overall television product. A revised competition structure is being considered, with qualifications split across two phases and finals delivered in a more dynamic, phased format. This approach aims to create a clearer narrative and more engaging viewing experience.

Additional proposals include encouraging greater trick variety by limiting repetition, strengthening rules around disqualification following a DNF to avoid delays, and further refining how technical elements such as grabs are evaluated.

In Moguls, concepts such as the introduction of a “chop zone” are also being explored, aiming to better balance speed and technical execution and avoid situations where athletes overshoot the final jump.

Looking ahead, long-term calendar planning shows positive signs, with a stable outlook and the potential return of key venues to the World Cup circuit. The Continental Cup calendars also remain strong, continuing to support the overall competition structure.

Finally, updates were provided regarding upcoming major events. Åre (SWE) has been confirmed as the host of the 2027 FIS Junior World Championships in Moguls and Ski Cross, marking an important step for the continued development of junior-level competition.

In addition, the Chinese Ski Association has submitted a bid to host the 2027 FIS Junior World Championships in Aerials in Arxan, Inner Mongolia, scheduled for March 19–26, pending Council approval.

Overall, the season reflects both the continued growth of Moguls and Aerials and the challenges of operating at a global level. With strong performances, ongoing innovation, and a clear strategic direction, the discipline is well-positioned for the next phase of development.

SNOWBOARD CROSS

The 2025/26 FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup season delivered another winter of high-intensity racing and strong international interest, as the discipline continued to showcase its speed, unpredictability, and spectator appeal on the global stage.

Originally planned with seven tour stops, the calendar was reduced to five venues following the withdrawal of two organizers ahead of the season. Nevertheless, the winter still featured seven individual World Cup races and one Mixed Team event, with a consistently high level of competition throughout the season.

The Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026 represented the clear high point of the season, with Snowboard Cross delivering three days of spectacular TV action in front of large crowds and a global television audience. Physical racing, tactical battles, and dramatic finishes once again highlighted the discipline’s unique appeal, while the diversity of nations competing for podium positions reflected the continued growth and competitiveness of Snowboard Cross worldwide.

Committee members also received reports from the European Cup circuit and the Junior World Championships. The FIS Snowboard Cross European Cup continued to play an important role in athlete development, attracting more than 200 competitors from 25 nations throughout the season. The 2026 FIS Snowboard Cross Junior World Championships in St. Moritz (SUI) were considered a major success, bringing together young riders from across the world for high-level competition in both individual and Mixed Team events despite challenging weather conditions.

The subcommittee also discussed several rule change proposals, with extensive discussions taking place across different areas of the discipline. Further details and final decisions are expected to be presented during the Autumn Meetings.

A preliminary version of the 2026/27 FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup calendar was introduced during the meetings. Several long-standing organizers are expected to remain on the schedule, while talks with additional venues are still ongoing and a number of events are pending confirmation.

SKI CROSS

The annual FIS Spring Meetings in Portorož delivered a number of important updates for the Ski Cross World Cup circuit as preparations begin for the 2026/27 season. With a strong focus on performance, safety, and continued innovation, the outcomes reflect a clear intention to further professionalize and modernize the discipline.

One of the most significant changes concerns the overhaul of the World Cup points system. Starting from July 1st, the ranking model will be aligned with the Park & Pipe system, introducing a more dynamic approach to points allocation. Rather than relying solely on finishing position, the number of points available at each event will also depend on the size of the start field. Events with fewer athletes will therefore offer fewer points, ensuring that the standings more accurately reflect the level of competition across the season. This adjustment is expected to create a fairer and more representative ranking structure.

Athlete safety remains a top priority, with two new measures becoming mandatory at World Cup level. From next season, all athletes will be required to wear cut-resistant underwear, including both tops and pants, alongside the introduction of redesigned gate panels. These changes aim to reduce the risk of injury and improve overall protection on course. Notably, the use of cut-resistant garments is planned to extend to lower competition levels from the 2027/28 season, reinforcing a long-term commitment to safety across the sport.

The calendar for the upcoming season will also see some notable developments. Sarajevo joins the Ski Cross World Cup as a new host venue, further expanding the geographical reach of the tour. Meanwhile, the World Cup Finals will return to Craigleith, Canada, marking a move away from Sweden and bringing the season finale back to North America. In addition, preparations for the 2027 World Championships in Montafon are progressing well, with the Austrian venue firmly on track to host one of the major highlights of the upcoming Olympic cycle.

Innovation continues to play an important role in enhancing the fan experience. The on-board goggle camera project, which has already been successfully tested in Val Thorens, Kopaonik, and during the Olympic Winter Games, will be further expanded next season. Plans are in place to implement the system at three to five World Cup events, offering unique athlete perspectives and bringing audiences closer to the action.

Looking back at the 2025/26 Olympic season, the circuit delivered a mix of challenges and strong performances. Despite early cancellations in Alleghe, Georgia, and Idre Fjäll, the season opened with high-quality events in Val Thorens, Arosa, and Innichen. Val di Fassa stood out as one of the most dynamic stops, producing the highest number of ranking changes throughout the season and confirming its place as a key venue on the calendar, with further course development planned for next year.

The Olympic competition in Livigno highlighted both the strengths and challenges of hosting at the highest level. While the event showcased Ski Cross on the global stage, persistent snowfall impacted race conditions, particularly during the men’s final. This underlined the importance of securing test events well in advance to ensure optimal course preparation and competition delivery.

At the same time, the season welcomed three new venues — Kopaonik, Montafon, and Gällivare — all of which delivered successful debuts and demonstrated the continued growth and adaptability of the Ski Cross circuit.

Looking ahead, preparations for the new season are already underway, with on-site inspections set to begin next week, starting in Sarajevo. With a revised points system, enhanced safety measures, new venues, and continued innovation, the Ski Cross World Cup is well-positioned to build on the momentum of the Olympic season and enter the next phase of development.