A new investment at Big White Ski Resort will make it a lot easier, and safer, to work on your freestyle skills this winter.

The resort announced today that Big White Freestyle has made a “major investment” in athlete development and safety in the form of a $65,000 landing airbag.

It’s a cutting-edge training tool, widely used by national teams and elite programs around the globe, to allow athletes of all ages to develop their freestyle trick skills.

It means skiers and snowboarders can practice jumps, spins and inverted aerial maneuvers with the knowledge that a soft, forgiving landing pad awaits them.

Photo Credit: Benjamin Walker PhotographyA skier performing an inverted maneuver with a landing airbag below.

A release from Big White Freestyle says it will reduce the risk of injury and accelerate technical development for local skiers and boarders.

“This airbag represents a huge step forward for our athletes – a safe environment to learn inverted tricks with a soft landing and faster transition to snow,” explained Steve Lewandowski, Big White Freestyle’s program director.

“Our goal is to provide athletes with the best coaching and facilities to take their skills to the next level, while also making freestyle sports more accessible, safe and inspiring for the next generation.”

The landing airbag will be featured in the Big White Freestyle’s programs throughout the season, with sessions for various ages, skills and disciplines available during the winter.

More information on the Big White Freestyle club and its programs, as well as how to register, are available online.

Registration remains open until early November, but prices increase on Oct. 17.