SkiFree Courses Explained: Slalom, Tree Slalom, Freestyle and the Open Slope

Most people only remember one part of SkiFree: straight down the middle, towards the monster. But at the top of the slope there were signs pointing to three different courses. And past them, the open slope.

Slalom

Ski down through a set of flags as fast as you can. Miss a gate and you get a time penalty. This was the "proper" racing mode, and it rewarded smooth, clean turning.

Tree slalom

The same idea, but the course is packed with trees. It's slalom with fear. Every gate is a tight squeeze, and one bad turn sends you face-first into a pine.

Freestyle

A slope full of jumps and moguls. Here, speed isn't the point. You fly off ramps and pull off moves in the air for style points. The more daring the jump, the better the score.

The open slope

The open slope down the middle. No gates, no timer to beat, just you and the mountain. Your distance ticks up as you go. This is where the Yeti lives, waiting at around 2,000 metres. If that's the bit you remember, read how to escape the Yeti.

Which mode was best?

Honestly? The open slope. Not because it was the hardest, but because of the dread. Every metre took you closer to something you knew was coming.

Try it

Our SkiFree focuses on the open slope with trees, rocks, jumps, slalom flags and the Yeti.

Learn the keys in SkiFree controls and tricks, or go back to the complete SkiFree guide.