From a purely mechanical standpoint, ski ballet—or "Acroski" as it was formally known during its brief stint as an Olympic demonstration sport—is a fascinating study in edge control and rotational physics. For the last few decades, however, it has been relegated to the archives of VHS history, remembered mostly for the neon onesies and aggressive synth-pop soundtracks.
But the data suggests a shift. On April 5, 2025, Monarch Mountain hosted the "Ski Ballet on Freeway" competition, marking the first organized event of its kind on U.S. soil in nearly 30 years.
Here is my analysis of the event, the resurgence, and the specific gear limitations facing modern skiers trying to replicate these moves.
The Event Specs
The competition coincided with Monarch's 85th anniversary, leveraging the nostalgic value of the sport to raise funds for Monarch Mountain Community Outreach and KHEN Community Radio.
What gives this event technical validity wasn't just the retro outfits; it was the judging panel. Lara Rosenbaum, a former U.S. National Champion and U.S. Freestyle Ski Team member, served as the lead judge. Having an expert who understands the difference between a sloppy spin and a precise Axel is crucial for legitimacy.
The Mechanics of the Revival
Why is this happening now? We are seeing a measurable uptick in interest driven by social media algorithms favoring short-form video content. The visual absurdity of ski ballet, combined with the high skill ceiling, makes it perfect for Instagram and TikTok.
- The Jonny Moseley Effect: Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley has been posting tutorials, breaking down the mechanics for a new generation.
- Viral Loops: Lara Rosenbaum’s own clips have generated significant engagement, proving that good technique is timeless.
The Gear Problem: Why You Can't Do This on Powder Skis
As a gear tester, I have to point out the biggest hurdle for aspiring ski ballerinas: modern equipment design.
Ski ballet flourished when skis were long, straight, and had significant camber. To perform a "Royal Christy" (lifting one ski high while carving on the other) or a pole pivot, you need specific equipment attributes that are rare in 2025:
- Swing Weight: You need a light tail to spin the ski around your body. Heavy, metal-laminate charging skis are a liability here.
- Waist Width: Modern all-mountain skis (95mm+) are too wide. The leverage required to roll them edge-to-edge for rapid choreography is inefficient. You want something under 85mm.
- Pole Durability: Ballet relies heavily on poles for pivots and flips. Standard carbon collapsible poles will snap under the lateral load of a pole flip.
If you are actually crazy enough to try this at your local hill, you need a narrow twin tip and bombproof aluminum poles.
My Gear Picks for the Modern Ballet Skier:
- The Ski: You want a narrow park ski with swing weight reduction. The Volkl Revolt 81 Skis are narrow enough (81mm) to offer quick edge-to-edge transfer while remaining durable.
- The Pole: Do not use carbon. You need high-grade aluminum that can take a beating. The Scott Team Issue SRS Pole is a solid choice with a robust shaft.
Conclusion
The event at Monarch Mountain proves that ski culture is cyclical. While I don't expect Acroski to return to the Olympics alongside Slopestyle, the technical proficiency required to master these tricks is undeniable. It forces skiers to master their edges at slow speeds—a skill that translates to every other part of the mountain.
Source: Original reporting by POWDER Magazine.
