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Draper Journal

Ski & Snowboard News / Watch aerial and mogul World Cups in person

Jan 05, 2018 05:10PM ● By Harriet Wallis

That body flying upside down is an aerial skier practicing. It's fun to watch. / photo: Harriet Wallis

Let's start with a definition. World Cups are premier ski competitions with top competitors coming from many countries. When I first heard of World Cups, I thought there would be a big silver cup awarded to the winning skier. No so. They get points as they try to improve their ranking against other competitors.

It's well worth the short drive up to Deer Valley (in Park City) to see the world's best aerial and mogul skiers up close and watch the fast-paced action. Even if you're not a skier, it's an opportunity to see top athletes and appreciate their abilities.

Deer Valley hosts the world’s best aerial and mogul skiers during the 2018 Visa Freestyle International FIS World Cup Wednesday, January 10 through Friday, January 12. Now that's a mouthful.

Mogul skiers have knees that pump up and down like pistons as they bounce down through a steep, snowy fields full of bumps the size of Volkswagons.

The worlds' best freestyle skiers fly high into the air as they flip and twist off "kickers" which are mighty-sized ramps -- as seen in the photo above.

Deer Valley has hosted international and world competitions for 20 consecutive years, including the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, two World Championships and 16 World Cups. If you’re in the vicinity, these are exciting events to watch.

They use the same runs used during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. All events are free to the public.

The freestyle competition begins Wednesday evening, January 10, with men’s and women’s mogul competitions scheduled on Champion ski run at 7 p.m. and another men’s and women’s mogul competition on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Friday night brings the flight of the men’s and women’s aerial competition held on White Owl ski run at 8 p.m. Finals for all disciplines will take place each evening, with firework displays concluding each night. Each discipline will also be filmed and televised on NBC and NBC Sports Network.

But don't stay home. Dress warm and see the action live. it's a short, but slightly uphill walk from the parking area.

The qualifying events are also fun to watch and they occur during daylight hours.That's when I took the photo.

A complete schedule of the 2018 Visa Freestyle International World Cup events can be found at http://www.deervalley.com/whattodo/winter/fisworldcup