Freestyle skiing and me...

My new job as a videographer is taking me into all types of activities that are the part and parcel of a mountain resort's life. These days, I'm covering the world cup freestyle events that involve aerials and mogul competitions. It is fun and informative to see these world class athlete compete in a sport that has been for years overshadowed by its alpine counterpart, at least in Europe, but as far as the fame, press coverage and money are concerned all over the world.

Yet, freestyle skiing is quite a spectator sport, can be seen by the public without relying on a large TV screen as is the case for downhill and giant slalom races and can be showcase on a relatively small venue. So why isn't it more successful? This is of course a key question that has to do with the plethora of events offered by the sports of skiing and snowboarding. Too atomized and having to fight on their own for recognition seem to be the answer.

Also, events, like “slopeside” keep on being added, further diluting the impact of the existing ones. The FIS, the international federation of skiing and snowboarding hasn't been as of yet able to wrap it all together and propose a formula that would be able to better promote these sports more in line with what the X-Games have been doing...