How are halfpipe, slopestyle and big air judged?
B · Beginner · Park and pipe · 1 of 6Halfpipe, slopestyle and big air are judged events for snowboarders and freeskiers. Three to seven judges score each run from 0 to 100, without decimals. In halfpipe and slopestyle the best of two or more runs usually counts; in big air the two best different tricks may be added. The highest score in the final wins.
How it works
- Halfpipe: a snow channel; the top level is a 22 ft (6.7 m) pipe.
- Slopestyle: a course of jumps, rails and other features, with lines to choose.
- Big air: one large jump per run.
- Judges: three to seven, each scoring 0 to 100.
- Six or more judges: the highest and lowest dropped.
- Counting runs: best of two or more, set before the event.
- Phases: qualification, sometimes a semifinal, then a final.
- Start area: only the competitor, one coach and the start official.
The glossary has the halfpipe, the slopestyle, the big air, the run, the judges and the halfpipe specifications.
Tricky cases
Do judges use decimals?
No. Each judge scores a whole number; averaged scores are cut to two decimals.
Can a run count if only one run is held?
No. A phase needs at least two runs completed to count as a result.
Is the halfpipe the same size everywhere?
No. Top events use a 22 ft pipe; lower levels may use 18 ft or 15 ft.
Are snowboarders and freeskiers judged together?
No. If both run on the same course at once, each has a separate judging panel.
Why the rule exists
Freestyle tricks are too varied to score by a points table, so judges compare whole runs. Counting the best run lets riders push hard without one fall ending their day.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics, World Cup | 22 ft halfpipe; video judging | ICR 3102.2.1, 3406 |
| Continental Cup | 18 ft halfpipe | ICR 3102.2.1 |
| Big air best 2 of 3 | Two different tricks added | ICR 3502.3.1 |
From the rule book
FIS, ICR Book VI: Snowboard / Freestyle / Freeski / Ski Cross (edition June 2026), rules 3101, 3102, 3403, 3502 and 3504. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: the FIS ICR and the FIS judges' handbooks, updated each season.