A Brief History
The development of modern freeskiing started in the 1980s, particularly in North America, where former alpine racers and freestylers transferred their dynamic skiing style into the off-piste and became renowned for their appearances in seminal ski-movies such as Blizzard of Aahs. Attracted by the growing media interest, many young and talented skiers got into freeskiing, while some veterans finally decided to step out into the public.

Early freeskiing contests began to evolve and the first significant competition took place in Valdez, Alaska in 1991. Paradoxically this contest was labeled the ‘World Extreme Skiing Championships’, though freeskiing is very different from extreme skiing and all skiers agree that even the contest in Alaska is pure freeskiing.

The International Freeskiers Association was incorporated in 1996 in an effort to allow the sport of competitive freeskiing to grow with the insight and oversight of the athletes that participate in the sport. In 1996, the world was still using the buzzword "extreme" skiers to identify the athletes who make up the organization. Today the skiing industry and a growing majority of the public are making the transition to using the word freeskier.

There are many forms of freeskiing; big mountain free riding, slopestyle, and big air events are all aspects of the sport. Founder, athlete and president Shane McConkey: "The beauty of freeskiing competitions is that it brings together mogul skiers, racers, aerialists, and other specialized skiing disciplines and allows them to compete, without specific training, but rather on their whole skiing ability. The skiing camaraderie and culture in general experienced at these events is positive and is an inspiration to go out and make this thing work." It is beginning to... Since 1996, the organization has grown to over 1000 athletes worldwide.

The organization sanctions competitions of all levels, produces membership information, newsletters, point results and additional contest prize money. Athletes have come to depend on the organization to voice their needs to competition organizers and for information about the sport, sponsorship opportunities and registration.

Out of the hundreds of snow sport events that take place worldwide each year, only around twenty-five benefit from the sanction of the IFSA.

Official IFSA sanctioning provides:

• Qualified IFSA judging, consistent course setting and scoring
• Insurance cover and safety measures
• Marketing and organisational support

Would you like to join the freeskiing movement? The IFSA needs your support to revitalize the sport of skiing. The IFSA is a non-profit organization that strives to give more to athletes and skiing consumers. Help the IFSA increase prize money, produce newsletters and promote the sport.

IFSA MEMBERSHIP FEE US$40

Annual Membership includes 1 membership card and a newsletter subscription. All IFSA members are eligible to compete in IFSA sanctioned events

www.freeskiers.org