What really makes elite skiers elite?

January 6, 2026

When you watch an aerial skier blast off a jump, twist through the air, and somehow land like nothing happened, it’s easy to assume they’re just naturally gifted or fearless. And sure, that plays a role. But there’s also something else happening that often gets overlooked—something deeply physiological.

In 2020, researchers set out to understand exactly what separates elite aerial skiers from their already highly skilled peers. Athletes were categorized as “elite” based on international competition results, while the “general” athlete group was determined based on national competition placement.

Who did they study?

Researchers evaluated 29 athletes from the Chinese National Freestyle Skiing Aerials Teams and split them into Elite and General groups. From there, they tested a wide range of physical characteristics, including:

Anthropometrics and body composition
Maximum and relative anaerobic capacity
Maximum and relative aerobic capacity
Strength and balance performance

What the study found

Once testing wrapped up, the results were clear.

Elite athletes showed significantly higher strength and power output, especially when it came to explosive force. On average, they demonstrated higher max and relative anaerobic capacity, meaning they could produce more power in short bursts than the general group.

They also had lower body fat percentage and more lean mass relative to bodyweight. Notably, elite athletes showed larger thigh circumference and greater core musculature—key indicators of strength and stability.

Which makes complete sense. Freestyle aerials is an extremely explosive, short-duration event that demands incredible body control. High balance paired with high strength allows athletes to maintain rigid, controlled positions in the air while resisting body “deformation” that would occur with weaker core strength. On top of that, strong stabilization and muscular endurance are crucial for safe landings in constantly changing snow and course conditions.

Here’s what surprised many people: elite athletes also showed higher aerobic capacity. Even though aerial competition itself isn’t aerobically demanding, their cardiovascular fitness was still superior. When you consider the volume of training and the fact that much of it occurs at altitude, the finding starts to make sense.

How does this compare to other snow sports?

When you really look at it, the data tracks across the snow sports world.

Freestyle athletes—like aerial skiers, slopestyle riders, and halfpipe competitors—need repeated bursts of power while staying sharp and controlled through an entire run. They benefit from huge strength and power output, but they also need a strong aerobic base to recover between efforts and maintain precision.

We’d expect similar traits in other high-performance winter athletes like slalom racers or boardercross riders. They also rely heavily on strength, power, and rigidity to maintain control, while the duration of their events demands even more aerobic capacity.

So What Does This Mean for Training?

It means training can’t be one-size-fits-all—but some combination of strength and endurance training is essential for everyone.

This study shows correlation rather than causation, but the takeaway is still valuable: performance can likely be enhanced (and injury risk reduced) through smart strength development, aerobic conditioning, and proper nutrition to support both.

If you’re looking for better performance, focus on training that reflects your sport demands—strength, balance, and conditioning—and fuel your body to support that work. Protein for muscle repair, carbohydrates for energy, and healthy fats for hormone and immune function all matter.

The Real Takeaway

Here’s the big message from this research:

There’s no substitute for technique, hard work, and repetition—but you also can’t ignore how much strength, power, and endurance contribute to performance. The highest level of athletic potential happens when you control every variable you can: training, nutrition, and recovery.

Dial those in—and you give yourself the best shot at performing like an elite.

Sources:

McPhail, J., Cross, M. R., Spörri, J., & Linnamo, V. (2025). Physiological characteristics of freestyle skiers: A comparison of aerial, mogul, and all-round athletes. PLOS ONE, 20(3), e0304912. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304912

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