Toyota U.S. Aerial Freestyle Championships

Staged in the Wasatch Range of Park City, Utah—home to Olympic-caliber facilities like the Utah Olympic Park—the aerial freestyle hill demands absolute technical precision. Unlike standard alpine or cross-country runs, an aerials course consists of a steep, firm in-run, an engineered transition table featuring snow kickers of varying heights and angles, a steeply sloped landing hill pitched between 37 and 39 degrees, and an expansive deceleration out-run. The jump ramps launch you up to 50 feet into the air, requiring exact speed management during the approach to hit the kicker transition cleanly.

The altitude plays a fundamental role here, with base elevations in the valley exceeding 6,500 to 7,000 feet. The thinner air slightly alters aerodynamic resistance during acrobatic twists and flips, while cold early-January air hardens the snowpack into firm, fast surfaces. Variable wind gusts drafting across the ridges and rapid shifts in light can drastically alter speed through the in-run. Precision and timing on each jump leave zero margin for error, making consistency through the speed traps crucial for sticking cleanly scored landings.

Traveling to Park City is direct and well-connected. You will want to fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), situated roughly 35 miles to the northwest. From the airport, follow Interstate 80 East up through Parleys Canyon straight into the Snyderville Basin and Park City via Utah State Route 224. Winter conditions on I-80 frequently require traction laws, so renting a four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly advised if winter storms roll through the canyon.

Lodging options are plentiful throughout the area. Look for accommodations around Kimball Junction for quick, seamless access to the Utah Olympic Park and highway corridor, or stay near Old Town or Park City Mountain's base for local dining and walkable amenities. Early January brings peak winter temperatures, with daytime highs averaging around the low 30s Fahrenheit and morning lows often dropping well down into the teens. Bring heavy insulated layers and windproof outerwear. Because base elevations sit around 7,000 feet, plan to arrive a day or two before your competitive schedule begins to stay well hydrated and allow your body to adjust to the high alpine elevation.