There’s not a flake of snow in Park City, but that’s not stopping the FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation) from bringing the best skiers in the world back to town.
From noon to 5 p.m. this Saturday, the world’s top aerialists will compete at a FIS Grand Prix event, held at the Olympic Park. The majority of the U.S. team is in the field, in addition to skiers from Argentina, Australia, Switzerland and Canada.
Team USA includes 2022 Beijing mixed teams aerials gold medalists Chris Lillis, Ashley Caldwell and Justin Schoenefeld. Lillis, the third-ranked aerialist in 2023-24, topped the 28-man field in 2023, the event’s inaugural competition.
Schoenefeld finished in 10th last year at the competition. Caldwell did not compete, yet many of her teammates packed the women’s leaderboard.
The finals qualification rounds will start going off right at noon Saturday, with skiers flying off the park’s ramps into their aerials pool. 12 men and women will advance from the qualification rounds to the finals, which will run from 4:05 to 5 p.m.
The entire afternoon’s action is free to attend. The Flying Ace’s Freestyle Show will go off as usual at 6:30 at the park and cost $20 a person.
The event should be a good tuneup event for the skiers, who will have to wait until January for the start of their on-snow, World Cup season. The 2025 Cup season has six events this winter from January to March, including the Feb. 6-8 Deer Valley Cup.
Lillis finished one spot off the 2024 podium at Deer Valley, with Schoenefeld and Caldwell not participating.
Lillis, Schoenefeld and Caldwell are all Park City residents. Fellow Parkite aerialist Winter Vinecki finished the 2024-25 season second in the world.
For this weekend’s up-to-date results, see the FIS’ website.