Skicross (also known as skiercross or skier-X) is a relatively new type of skiing competition. Despite it being a timed racing event, it is often considered part of freestyle skiing because it incorporates terrain features traditionally found in freestyle.
In a time trial or qualification round, every competitor skis down the course, which is built to encompass both naturally occurring terrain and artifical features like jumps, rollers, banks — whatever the course builder can imagine. After the time trial, the fastest 16 (in women's events) or 32 skiers (in men's events) compete in a knockout (KO)-style series in rounds of four. A group of four skiers start simultaneously and attempt to reach the end of the course. The first two to cross the finish line will advance to the next round. At the end, the final and small final rounds determine 1st to 4th and 5th to 8th places, respectively.
There is a worldwide skicross series called the SAAB Salomon Crossmax Series.
The British equivalent to this is the Hype Events British Ski Cross Series which is held over a 5 part series across the UK.
The International Ski Federation (FIS)'s Freestyle Skiing World Cup has recently added skicross competitions to its calendar in addition to moguls and aerials.
The International Olympic Committee decided on November 28, 2006 to include Skicross in the programme of the 2010 Winter Olympics at Vancouver.
