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Moguls

Mogul skiing is a type of freestyle skiing where skiers pass between different bumps or moguls.

Moguls are bumps on a ski slope formed when skiers push the snow into mounds or piles as they execute short-radius turns. They can also be constructed ("seeded") on a slope for freestyle skiing competitions or practice runs. Once formed, a naturally-occurring mogul tends to grow as skiers follow similar paths around it, further deepening the surrounding grooves known as troughs. Since skiing tends to be a series of linked turns, moguls form together to create a bump field. At most ski resorts certain pistes (AKA trails) are groomed infrequently or left completely ungroomed to allow moguls to develop. These mogul trails are generally relatively steep. Some trails cannot be groomed because they are too steep, too narrow or they have obstacles that cannot be overcome by a snowcat. Such trails often form moguls. Mogul trails that can be groomed are usually groomed when the moguls get so big and the troughs so deep that the moguls become difficult to ski on or around. Some mogul fields are also groomed when they become too icy or too hardened to ski safely and enjoyably.

The first freestyle competition involving mogul skiing occurred in 1971. The freestyle runs included mogul skiing, aerials, and acrobatic tricks. After a series of serious injuries related to inverted aerials, such tricks were banned from competition. This ban remained in place until recently. As mogul skiing gained popularity in its early days, the FIS created the Freestyle World Cup Circuit in 1980. Mogul events take place each year all over the world. Mogul skiing has been an official event in the winter Olympics since 1988.

During a competition moguls run, contestants must turn around large bumps (moguls) and execute two aerials. The slope is very steep, usually between 22 and 32 degrees (most commonly 28 degrees), and about 660-890 feet in length. The jumps in a moguls competition are smaller than those in aerial competitions, and are often referred to as "kickers" for their steep take off (that "kicks" the athlete up into the air).

• Dale Begg-Smith, Australia (Men's Gold 2006)
• Toby Dawson, USA (Men's Bronze 2006)
• Jennifer Heil, Canada (Women's Gold 2006)
• Janne Lahtela, Finland (Men's Gold 2002, Silver 1998)
• Travis Mayer, USA (Men's Silver 2002)
• Jonny Moseley, USA (Men's Gold 1998)
• Mikko Ronkainen, Finland (Men's Silver 2006)
• Kari Traa, Norway (Women's Gold 2002, Silver 2006, Bronze 1998)
• Sandra Laoura, France (Women's Bronze 2006)

• Alpine skiing
• Backcountry skiing
• Cross-country skiing
• Extreme skiing
• Freeskiing
• Freestyle skiing

• Moguls
• Mogul Skiing - Common mogul problems and basic drills
• Freestyle Explained

• forums.mogulskiing.net - Mogul skiing forums and discussion group on technique, photos, general discussion, etc.

• www.mogulskiing.net - Mogul skiing's online home. Technique guide, misconceptions debunked, tips from pros, photos, video, equipment reviews, mogul-specific ski area reviews, news, US Freestyle Team info, etc.

http://www.colorado.edu/studentgroups/freestyleski/