What Is Dual Moguls? Learn All About The Olympics' New Freestyle Skiing Competition

How Is Dual Moguls Judged?

For those who can outgun opponents and survive a series of exhilarating and exhausting head-to-head rounds, two final pressure-packed ‘duals’ will determine the Olympic medals. Dual moguls skiers are judged on turns (50%), speed (25%), and air (25%).

When Was Dual Moguls Created?

A mainstay on the FIS World Cup tour, “Duals” was first contested in Tignes, France, in December 1995. The world’s best bump skiers battled one another down the Albertville 1992 Olympic slope. France’s Fabien Bertrand and Russia’s Ljudmila Dymchenko skied to victories at the inaugural event.

Watch: Laffont vs. Kauf, Dual Moguls Final, Bakuriani 2023

Why Dual Moguls Is Exciting for Skiers and Fans

Sean Smith, a 1994 Olympian, who competed on the U.S. Ski Team’s World Cup mogul squad from 1992-1997, including at the Tignes event, says it’s about time that his preferred discipline has been elevated to Olympic status.

“It’s well past time that duals is now included in the Olympics – I know there are stipulations about adding new events, but this always seemed like a no brainer,” Smith tells POWDER. “As a side note, back in the day, some athletes let the IOC know that they didn’t want dual moguls, unless (freestyle) ballet was also added, and that slowed things down dramatically.”

Ballet never quite made the cut, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially added men’s and women’s dual moguls to the Milan Cortina Olympic program in June 2022. It increased the number of Olympic freestyle skiing events to an unprecedented 15.

Smith, who is now in his mid-fifties, is still confident, bold and brash, as you might expect from any hardcore and devoted freestyle skier, no matter the era. 

“Dual moguls will be the most exciting event in the Olympics this upcoming year,” proclaims Smith, who competed in more than 50 World Cup mogul events, both singles and duals. “It’s cool because it now gives mogul athletes two chances for glory."

“I preferred skiing duals because it let me cut loose and use my speed and big air to intimidate and kick ass, lol. It’s a pretty cool feeling to look across at your competitor in the starting gate, talk some smack, and then let it rip.”

The inclusion of the rad discipline might even rekindle some of the moguls magic from years past, as newer freestyle skiing events ski halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air have grabbed a younger generation’s short attention span.

Where and When Will Dual Moguls Take Place at Milan Cortina 2026?

Dual Moguls will be held at the Livigno Aerials and Moguls Park, making Olympic history. The competition will occur from February 14-15, 2026, two days after the singles mogul competitions conclude.

The Best Dual Moguls Skiers/Favorites to Win Medals

Canadian legend Mikaël Kingsbury 33, will deservedly command the most attention. The undisputed “King of Moguls” has racked up four dual moguls World Championships and four consecutive dual moguls World Cup titles over his illustrious career.

On Italian snow, Kingsbury will seek his second and possibly third Olympic gold medals, in what will most likely be his farewell Games.

Japanese sensation Ikuma Horishima, 27, has the talent, tricks and tenacity to give the veteran Canadian a run for his money. Park City’s Nick Page should also contend.

On the women’s side, Team USA’s Jaelin Kauf bravely leads the U.S. charge for hardware. The 29-year-old has attained four World Championship dual moguls medals, including gold in Switzerland, last season. The five-foot, four-inch high-flyer also owns an Olympic moguls silver medal from Beijing 2022. 

Kauf’s toughest competition is expected to come from France’s Perrine Laffont and U.S. teammate Tess Johnson, who finished runner-up to her at worlds in what was an American ‘Wild West’ shootout.