Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 Halfpipe
Qualification: best of 2 runs determines the top 12 finalists. Final: best of 3 runs counts as the athlete's score. A typical run lasts 25–45 seconds and includes 5–7 "hits" (tricks performed on the pipe walls). Athletes drop into the pipe from the deck and alternate between the frontside and backside walls. Judges reward amplitude (height above the lip, measured in meters), difficulty of rotation and inversions, variety of tricks across the run, execution quality (grab style, body control, landing stability), and progression (innovation or tricks not previously landed in competition).
5.2 Slopestyle
Qualification: best of 2 runs. Final: best of 3 runs. Athletes choose their own line through the course, selecting which features to hit and in what order. A balanced run demonstrates mastery on both jib features and jumps. Judges score on overall impression (0–100), evaluating difficulty, execution, amplitude, variety, style, and creative use of the course.
5.3 Big Air
Three runs in the final. The best 2 of 3 runs count toward the total score, but the two scoring runs must include tricks with different rotational directions (e.g., one spinning left, one spinning right) or different axis types (e.g., one corked spin, one off-axis inversion). This rule prevents athletes from simply repeating their best trick and rewards versatility.
5.4 Snowboard Cross (SBX)
A timed solo qualification run determines seedings. Athletes are placed in an elimination bracket of 4-rider heats (sometimes 6 at lower-tier events). In each heat, the top 2 finishers (or top 3 from heats of 6) advance to the next round. This progression continues through quarterfinals, semifinals, small final (for places 5–8), and big final (for the podium). Physical contact is an inherent part of racing, but intentional pushing, pulling, grabbing, or blocking results in disqualification. Athletes who crash may still advance if they cross the finish line in an advancing position.
5.5 Parallel Giant Slalom (PGS)
A single timed qualification run determines seedings for a head-to-head elimination bracket. In each round, two athletes race simultaneously on parallel red and blue courses. After the first run, they switch courses for a second run. The athlete with the lower combined time advances. If an athlete misses a gate, they are disqualified for that round. The bracket continues through quarterfinals, semifinals, small final, and big final.