Ski Ballet: Dancing on the Edge with MGG
Photo credit: Charlie Cazalet. Left image: Annika Johansson. Right image: Bob Howard & Philip Richard
Welcome to the wonderful world of Ski Ballet! A once-popular discipline that merged acrobatic tricks with gymnastic flicks, and dance-like elegance, creating an Olympic spectacle that captivated audiences across the world. We are glad to say that the legacy of Ski Ballet is still alive today, and was celebrated this season at MGG’s Winter Waltz event in Verbier, Switzerland.
But, MGG had been keeping another secret up their sleeve.. A new film celebrating the heroes and heroines of Ski Ballet past: Dancing on the Edge: A Ski Ballet Story was released this week, offering a glimpse into the sport’s rise, fall, and lasting impact. Through interviews with Olympic legends, and combining archival footage, and modern highlights from this year’s event, the film celebrates the artistry and athleticism of Ski Ballet. For anyone who’s ever been enchanted by the graceful moves on snow, it’s a must-watch!
Ski Legends Reunite in Verbier
Photo credit: Charlie Cazalet. MGG Winter Waltz 2025
At MGG’s Winter Waltz, 30 former ski ballet champions, including athletes with over 180 World Cup gold medals came together to show off their classic manoeuvres. Among the icons in attendance were Bob Howard, the “godfather” of ski ballet, and Philip Richard, a Swiss Winter Olympic legend. The evening culminated in a "jam session" where athletes came together on a floodlit ski slope, showcasing tricks not seen for decades (with just as much poise as back in the heyday!), accompanied by a DJ set from Noah Carmichael, son of legendary skier, Jan Carmichael.
Wayne Wong: Ski Ballet’s Prodigy and Freestyle Pioneer
Image credit: POWDER Magazine
No discussion of Ski Ballet and Freestyle Skiing is complete without mentioning Wayne Wong - one of the scene’s most legendary figures. Wayne played a pivotal role in transitioning Ski Ballet into Freestyle Skiing. His combination of ballet’s elegance and freestyle’s daring tricks helped bring the discipline to global attention - along with his iconic look and white Ski Aviators. Wong’s performances in the '70s and '80s were groundbreaking, and his influence on freestyle skiing helped shape the sport’s modern form.
Ski Ballet’s Lasting Impact
Photo credit: Charlie Cazalet. Fabrice Becker, Simon Andresen and Antti Inberg.
Though official competitions ended in 2000, the legacy of Ski Ballet continues to inspire fans, skiers and athletes alike. Events like this show that the sport’s artistic spirit has never truly left us. For fans of oldschool skiing style, there’s something timeless about the way Ski Ballet combined grace with athleticism - and thanks to events like the MGG Winter Waltz, the wonder of Ski Ballet will continue to inspire generations of skiers for years to come.