The 2024/25 FIS Freestyle Moguls World Cup season preview

After months of meticulous preparations, rigorous on- and off-snow training, and countless camps across the globe, the final countdown has begun. The 2024/25 FIS Freestyle Moguls World Cup season is set to kick off this week, promising an action-packed calendar that will captivate fans worldwide. With 10 moguls and nine dual moguls competitions spread across 10 iconic venues in Europe, Asia, and North America, this season is shaping up to be nothing short of spectacular.

Adding to the excitement is the season’s pinnacle event: the 2025 Engadin World Championships, which will provide a grand finale to an already thrilling season. Taking place on the breathtaking moguls course at the picturesque Corviglia resort in St. Moritz, this showcase promises to deliver a perfect and memorable conclusion to the season.

Let’s take a look at the 2024/25 FIS Freestyle Moguls World Cup calendar, featuring a great lineup of events at some of the sport’s most iconic venues across three continents. We’ll also check out the roster of talented athletes gearing up to compete for Crystal Globes and World Championship medals in what should be an exciting season.

The Calendar

The season kicks off at the stunning Ruka resort in Finland, which will host the opening moguls event for the 15th consecutive year on November 30. December brings classic stops on the calendar, starting with a doubleheader in Idre Fjäll, Sweden, on December 6-7, followed by competitions in Alpe d’Huez, France, on December 13-14. The first leg of the season concludes in Bakuriani, Georgia, with moguls and dual moguls events on December 20-21, continuing the momentum of the successful 2023 World Championships.

As 2025 begins, the action shifts to North America. The moguls tour picks up in Waterville Valley (USA) on January 24-25, following its strong debut last season. From there, the athletes move to Val St. Come (CAN) for moguls and dual moguls on January 31-February 1, before heading to Deer Valley (USA) from February 6-8. Renowned for its vibrant atmosphere under the floodlights, Deer Valley is a cornerstone of the moguls circuit and is set to host the freestyle events at the 2034 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

As winter progresses, the excitement intensifies with a major week of action in Beidahu, China, from February 21-24. This marks the moguls tour’s much-anticipated return to China and its first competition there since the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The tour then travels to Shymbulak, Kazakhstan, for moguls and dual moguls from February 28 to March 2. The World Cup season wraps up in Livigno, Italy, from March 15-16. Serving as an official Olympic test event, Livigno will offer a glimpse of what’s to come at the 2026 Milano Cortina OWG.

The season will culminate at the 2025 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle, and Freeski World Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Against the stunning backdrop of the Engadin region, the moguls and dual moguls events are scheduled for March 18 and 21, providing an unforgettable finale to an extraordinary season.

Top Contenders – Women

The 2024/25 FIS Freestyle Moguls World Cup season promises a thrilling shift in dynamics on the women’s side, starting with the highly anticipated return of Perrine Laffont (FRA). The double World Cup overall champion and two-time World Champion from the 2022/23 season took a well-deserved hiatus to recharge and refocus on her long-term goals, including the 2025 World Championships and the 2026 Winter Olympics. Now back on tour, Laffont is set to debut in Ruka, bringing with her the consistency and brilliance that have defined her career. With an astounding 30 World Cup wins, nine Crystal Globes, and four World Championship medals, Laffont remains a dominant force and a key contender for the top of the podium this season.

However, her comeback won’t be without challenges, as she faces fierce competition, particularly from New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Scholarship athlete Jakara Anthony (pictured). Anthony redefined dominance last season, winning 14 of her 22 career World Cup victories in 2023/24 alone. Her achievements included breaking Hannah Kearney’s record for the most wins in a single season and becoming the first woman to claim the moguls “hat trick,” securing all three Crystal Globes. The rivalry between Laffont and Anthony is poised to be one of the season’s biggest storylines, and fans can expect a battle of epic proportions as these two powerhouses clash for supremacy.

The spotlight also shines brightly on the US team, which delivered an incredible performance last year, placing six athletes in the top 10 of the Overall Moguls standings and racking up 27 podiums from five different skiers. They achieved at least one top-three finish at every competition, showcasing their unparalleled depth and consistency. Leading the charge are Jaelin Kauf and Olivia Giaccio, ranked second and third overall last season, alongside Tess Johnson, who also enjoyed a strong campaign.

Adding to the US squad’s depth are rising stars like Alli Macuga, who claimed her first podiums last year, and Kasey Hogg, who has impressed with her ability to land an extraordinary 1080. Hogg is one of only two athletes, alongside teammate Olivia Giaccio, performing this challenging trick in competition. The team also features Elizabeth Lemley, a double gold medalist from the 2024 Youth Olympic Games, further cementing the USA as a force to be reckoned with.

Beyond the brilliance of Laffont and Anthony, and the powerhouse presence of the USA, there’s a wealth of talent to watch this season. Maia Schwinghammer (CAN) continues to rise in the ranks, while Avital Carroll (AUT) is eager to make her mark after an injury at last year’s Ruka opener sidelined her for much of the season. From Kazakhstan, Anastassiya Gorodko, a double medalist from the 2024 Junior World Championships, is an emerging talent backed by her experienced teammate Yuliya Galysheva, a veteran competitor with a long list of achievements.

Japan also fields a strong team this season, led by Hinako Tomitaka, who finished sixth overall last season, and Rino Yanagimoto, returning after a Deer Valley injury. Both are supported by a wave of young talent eager to break into the sport’s upper echelon.

As the 2024/25 season gets underway, the women’s field is deeper and more competitive than ever, setting the stage for an unforgettable battle for the Crystal Globes and World Championships glory.

Top Contenders – Men

The men’s competition for the 2024/25 FIS Freestyle Moguls World Cup is shaping up to be as thrilling as ever, with legendary “King of Moguls” Mikael Kingsbury (CAN) leading the pack. Entering his 16th World Cup season at the age of 32, Kingsbury remains at the peak of his powers, defying the passage of time with his remarkable consistency and dominance. Last season, he added to his legacy by securing both the Dual Moguls and Overall Moguls Crystal Globes, while cementing his place in history with his 87th World Cup win—surpassing Ingemar Stenmark for the most World Cup victories by a male athlete in any FIS Olympic discipline. Now with 90 World Cup wins, 129 podiums, and an astonishing 26 Globes, Kingsbury is the benchmark against whom all competitors measure themselves.

Challenging Kingsbury at the top is Ikuma Horishima (JPN), who broke Kingsbury’s reign over the Moguls standings last season by clinching his first career World Cup title. After finishing runner-up to Kingsbury in the standings eight times, Horishima’s achievement marked a significant turning point in their rivalry and sets the stage for an even more intense battle this season.

The Swedish team also brings formidable talent to the table. Olympic champion Walter Wallberg leads a squad of young and hungry skiers, including last season’s Overall Moguls number three Filip Gravenfors, Dual Moguls number three Rasmus Stegfeldt, and Albin Holmgren. Each of these athletes has the skill and determination to challenge the likes of Kingsbury and Horishima, making Sweden a serious threat on the tour.

Adding depth and experience to the field are veterans like Benjamin Cavet (FRA), NSWIS’s Matt Graham (photographed), Dylan Walczyk (USA), and Pavel Kolmakov (KAZ). These seasoned competitors continue to push the sport forward with their consistency and technical mastery.

Meanwhile, the younger generation is making waves, with rising stars like Nick Page (USA), Cole McDonald (USA), Elliot Vaillancourt (CAN), and Julien Viel (CAN) proving they’re ready to challenge the established stars. Their performances in recent seasons signal a bright future for moguls skiing and promise an infusion of fresh energy into the competition.

The depth of the men’s field is further enhanced by athletes like Landon Wendler (USA), Dylan Marcellini (USA), Daeyoon Jung (KOR), Matteo Jeannesson (GBR), Cooper Woods (AUS), Takuya Shimakawa (JPN), and Dual Moguls Junior World Champion Ikkei Fujimura (JPN), who began the season in style with two victories at the FIS Open in Idre Fjäll. With such a diverse and talented roster, this season promises intense battles at every stop on the tour.

As the countdown to the first event begins, anticipation is building for what lies ahead. With a mix of legendary veterans, rising stars, and new faces ready to make their mark, the 2024/25 season is set to deliver unforgettable moments and captivating storylines. Let the action begin!

• As always, we’re eager to welcome fans to our events, offering an unparalleled experience for those attending onsite. For our global audience, we’ve made sure you won’t miss a second of the action, with extensive TV broadcasts, live streams on FIS TV, and engaging social media coverage that’s better than ever. Everything is in place for an electrifying season of FIS Freestyle action, and we’re thrilled to share this journey with fans around the world.

Story courtesy of FIS