Freestyle aerials originated from freestyle skiing. When Norwegian skiers started performing acrobatics during alpine and cross-country training in the 1930s, freestyle skiing began. After that, non-competitive professional skiing exhibitions in the United States featured performances of what would later be called freestyle. In about 1950, Stein Eriksen, a Winter Olympic gold medalist, developed aerial skiing.

Often known as "hot-dogging”, freestyle skiing developed further throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s. Some people did not want it to be a Winter Olympic sport because they felt that this style of skiing was too dangerous and did not have enough rules.

In 1979, the International Ski Federation finally recognized freestyle as a sport. The governing body created new regulations in regards to the certification of athletes and jump techniques in an effort to constrain the dangerous elements of the competitions. However, it wasn’t until the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer that freestyle aerials were added as an official Olympic event.

Aerialists ski off jumps that propel them up to 40-50 feet in the air. The jumps are usually made out of wood, but sometimes are made out of metal. They are then covered with snow. After launching into the air, professional aerialists do multiple flips and twists before landing on a 34 to 39 degree inclined landing hill about 100 feet in length.

During the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver there will be three freestyle skiing events for both the men and women. Some of the tricks included in these competitions will see the athletes attempting the twister, spread-eagle, iron cross and the helicopter in which the competitor completes an upright 360 degree spin. In the freestyle aerials event the athletes will determine their in-run location by what type of trick they will be performing on the jump. The correct speed when approaching the jump is very crucial in this particular event, and will with out a doubt play a factor in how well the jump is scored. The competitors will be scored on a number of different aspects; quality of takeoff, height in the air, body position and form and how balanced they are upon landing and completing the jump.

The freestyle aerials event will see the jumpers compete in a two jump qualification round with the 16 jumpers with highest scores advancing on to the finals. The aerialist with the highest score combined through the two final jumps will take home the gold medal.

During the Vancouver Olympics the freestyle aerials competition will be taking place on top of Vancouver at Cypress Mountain, located in West Vancouver, BC, Canada. This venue will hold 8,000 spectators for this particular event.

Here is an in-depth look at the Vancouver Olympic Committees (VANOC) sustainable attributes report for this venue;

This event will prove to be action packed entertainment for all, be sure you don’t miss it! Enjoy the Vancouver Winter Olympics.