Elan Skis hosted a week of skiing for their ambassadors at France’s Avoriaz 1800 last season and legendary American freestyler Glen Plake took it upon himself to put on an impromptu clinic and teach the crew a skill that was mandatory back in ski instructors days, ski ballet. Amazing to see one of skiing’s legendary rippers switch over to teacher mode and shepherd the next generation in the finer points of ski ballet.
Ski Ballet’s Peak & Influence
Ski ballet popularity peaked in the 1970s and 1980s and was a demonstration sport in the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics however it never became an official Olympic sport and was removed from the schedule entirely by 1994. Some of the principles of ballet can be seen by modern day big air, knuckle huck and slopestyle competitors who tip roll and butter in and out of tricks. While ski ballet won’t be featured at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, we would love to see competitions come back in some form or fashion. Check out this incredible ski ballet video from the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville:
