{"id":1665,"date":"2023-12-12T12:40:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-12T12:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/assuretonsport.com\/blog\/?p=1665"},"modified":"2025-11-13T13:14:55","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T13:14:55","slug":"interview-hugo-laugier-six-years-on-the-french-freestyle-ski-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assuretonsport.com\/blog\/en\/interview-hugo-laugier-six-years-on-the-french-freestyle-ski-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Freestyle Skis: Tips, Types, and Advice from the Pros"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Discover the Spirit of Freestyle Skiing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Freestyle skiing is far more than a winter pastime \u2014 it\u2019s an art form that combines creativity, athleticism, and pure passion for the mountains. On snow-covered slopes, skiers use their freestyle skis as tools of expression<\/strong>, turning every jump, rail, and rotation into a personal signature. From sculpted halfpipes and terrain parks to backcountry kickers and urban grind spots, this discipline celebrates movement, imagination, and technical precision all at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike traditional alpine riding, creative riding invites you to break boundaries. You\u2019re not just descending a piste \u2014 you\u2019re interpreting the mountain in your own way, finding rhythm and flow between obstacles, wind lips, and transitions. The ideal pair of twin-tip skis, paired with the correct bindings, boots, and poles, allows for total freedom of movement, enabling skiers to ride forward or switch with equal control. The best equipment isn\u2019t just about comfort \u2014 it\u2019s about unlocking new levels of balance, power, and skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re learning your first spins in a snow park, practising grabs and slides on obstacles, or carving smooth lines through fresh powder, the skis you choose will completely transform your connection to the mountain. Your ski length, flex, and camber-rocker profile determine how your setup responds to landings, impacts, and tight turns \u2014 key factors in mastering both style and stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To better understand the mindset behind this acrobatic snow sport, we sat down with professional skier Hugo Laugier, who spent six years on the French National Freestyle Ski Team. He shared his insights into how athletes train, what gear makes a real difference on snow, and how beginners can safely progress from simple jumps to competition-level stunts \u2014 while still keeping the fun and freedom that define this incredible sport.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo credit : Philippe Rebreyand<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From Racing to Freestyle: The Journey of a Pro<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy adventure on skis began in the late 1990s,\u201d Hugo recalls. \u201cI started out exploring slopes, building my own jumps, and competing at local events. That passion led me to the ski club at Les Deux Alpes, where I learned everything from slalom to downhill. Eventually, I discovered freestyle \u2014 and that\u2019s when things really took off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2015, Hugo joined the French national team, just as this new-school sport was becoming a recognised Olympic discipline. Competing at the European Cup and World Championships, he refined his technical skills and learned how much precision and balance this acrobatic snow sport demands. \u201cEach trick,\u201d he says, \u201cis a mix of control, timing, and creativity \u2014 it\u2019s a sport where physics meets freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo
Photo credit : Louis Garnier<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the Ideal Skis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Selecting the perfect pair of acrobatic skis is one of the most important steps in improving your experience. The appropriate setup will enhance your balance, make stunts easier to land, and allow you to adapt to various terrains \u2014 whether you\u2019re spending the day in the snowpark or exploring backcountry jumps. Freestyle skis are designed with twin tips, meaning both ends of the ski curve upward, allowing you to land moves going forward or backward (\u201cswitch\u201d) without losing control. This design also improves balance on obstacles, boxes, and during switch take-offs and landings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good acrobatic ski also has a softer, more flexible core, which absorbs the impact from jumps, spins, and hard landings. This flexibility gives you more pop and playfulness \u2014 essential for progressing your style and control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what to look for before making a purchase:<\/p>\n\n\n\n