Freestyle Leader Andy Wise Sr Passes Away

Andy Wise Sr, an esteemed leader and advocate for the freestyle community, passed away on March 30, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. 

For over 35 years, Wise has been involved in freestyle skiing across all levels, from championing the next generation to working alongside the top athletes in the world, all while serving on countless boards and committees to advance the sport of freestyle skiing. 

In his career, Andy served as the Chairman of the Rocky Mountain Freestyle Division from 1990-1996. Then, in 1999, he became a Sports Committee Chairman and an esteemed member of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors, which he held until 2010. He continued his committee work with U.S. Ski & Snowboard on the Freestyle Sports Executive Committee until 2020. Throughout his career, Andy was dedicated to advancing athlete safety, and event logistics. He always strived to create an environment where athletes had the necessary tools to reach their full potential, on and off the snow. 

It is clear that Andy assumed any role and took on any responsibilities that were asked of him to move the sport of freestyle skiing forward. Over the years, he has received his technical delegate, chief of competition, and chief of start FIS licenses. He served as an FIS Technical Delegate at 21 World Cups, 34 FIS events, and two Junior World Championships across moguls, aerials, halfpipe, and ski cross. A person widely recognized for his accomplishments and service to freestyle skiing, taking on FIS assignments in the U.S. and worldwide, serving on the Freestyle Chairman’s Advisory Group and more, no job was too big or small. Through it all, it was clear that with Andy on the team, the job would get done. 

During his tenure, Andy received many awards for his dedicated work. In 2005, he received the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Westhaven Award, given annually to celebrate outstanding work as a technical delegate. Then, last year, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freestyle Sports Committee nominated Andy for the Julius Blegan Award, the highest-level award at U.S. Ski & Snowboard, honoring a member who has contributed service to our sports over a sustained amount of time. 

Andy’s efforts and leadership will be felt for generations to come, and the impact he made and will continue to have across all snow sports will last forever. U.S. Ski & Snowboard extends its sincere condolences to his friends, family, and loved ones.