What do snowboard judges look for?
B · Beginner · Park and pipe · 2 of 6Judges score the run as a whole, an overall impression, using five criteria: execution, difficulty, amplitude, variety and progression. The first few scores become anchors, and later runs are placed above or below them to build a ranking. Scores cannot be protested, but a coach may ask for a video review of a rotation count.
How it works
- Execution: control, style and clean landings.
- Difficulty: how hard the tricks are.
- Amplitude: height and size of the tricks.
- Variety: a range of tricks, directions and grabs.
- Progression: new or rarely seen tricks.
- Anchor scores: early scores set the range for the day.
- Slopestyle section by section: trick judges about 60 per cent, composition judges 40 per cent.
- Video review: for a disputed number of rotations, before the next phase.
The glossary has the Overall Impression, the execution, the amplitude, the variety, the progression and the anchor scores.
Tricky cases
Can a rider protest a low score?
No. Total, section and individual scores cannot be protested.
A trick is scored as a 1080 but the rider did a 1260. What can be done?
The coach or rider may ask for a video review of the rotation count before the next phase starts.
Who sees the scores during the event?
At top events every judge sees their own scores and rankings after each run, and a tie needs the head judge's approval.
What is the head judge's role?
To run the panel; at top events they confirm any tied score and call stops.
Why the rule exists
An overall impression keeps freestyle creative while still ranking riders fairly. Anchors keep each judge's scale steady across a field.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Overall impression | All judges score the whole run | ICR 3403.2 |
| Slopestyle section by section | Trick and composition judges | ICR 3403.3 |
| FIS level and below | True overall ranking possible | ICR 3404.1 |
From the rule book
FIS, ICR Book VI: Snowboard / Freestyle / Freeski / Ski Cross (edition June 2026), rules 3402 to 3406 and 3611.1, with FIS, Snowboard & Freeski Park & Pipe Judges Handbook (September 2024), sections 8 and 9. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: the FIS ICR and the FIS judges' handbooks, updated each season.