There’s no single way to ski, and that’s the best part. Once you’ve explored the classics, a whole new lineup of ski styles opens up, each one built around a different kind of thrill. From daring descents to playful stunts, here are five more ways to chase winter your own way. With the most preferred being last on the list. 

Image: Stock Cake

1. Freestyle Skiing
Freestyle Skiing is constantly evolving. Beyond the parks and pipes, freestyle skiing is now about style in motion, natural hits, cliff drops, and creative lines down mountain faces. It’s skiing’s version of street art: expressive, unpredictable, and full of character. Most of what's posted and viewed online is Freestyle skiing. The general appeal of crazy tricks and people putting their bodies on the line is something everyone wants to watch. 

Image: Red Bull

2. Freeride Skiing
The wild side of downhill. Freeride is for those who want the rush of big mountain skiing with a side of chaos. Think steep chutes, deep snow, and total freedom. No set course, no judges, just you and gravity having a conversation. It’s all about flow and confidence, riding the mountain the way it feels right in the moment. Freeride skiing provides a shot of adrenaline like no other to well seasoned skiers. 

Image: Lifted by Ikon Pass

3. Alpine Touring (Ski Mountaineering)
Adventure meets endurance. Alpine touring combines the uphill challenge of climbing with the downhill joy of skiing. Equipped with special bindings and climbing skins, skiers trek into remote alpine zones before earning their turns back down. It’s not just a workout—it’s an exploration, and every summit comes with a view that makes it all worth it. This style is not for your once a year vacationers, but for die hard skiers. 

Image: Switchback Travel

4. Adaptive Skiing
Proof that the mountain welcomes everyone. Adaptive skiing opens the slopes to individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities through specialized equipment like sit-skis and outriggers. It’s an inspiring reminder that skiing isn’t about limits—it’s about possibility. Adaptive athletes redefine what’s possible every day on the hill. 

Image: High Fives Foundation

5. Powder Skiing
The purest joy in winter. For many, this is the holy grail of skiing, floating through waist-deep snow where every turn feels weightless. Powder skiing demands balance, rhythm, and a good sense of humor (because you will faceplant). When it all comes together, though, it’s the closest thing to flying most of us will ever feel. Putting the shredding of fresh powder into words is almost impossible and something you simply have to try for yourself.

Image: Snow Guide

No matter which path you take, skiing has a way of shaping who you are. Each style, from freestyle to freeride, tells a story about how you approach challenge, creativity, and adventure. In the end, every skier shares the same secret: it’s not just about the snow, it’s about the freedom you find on it.