Why are park skis softer than other ski types?

Soft flex serves multiple purposes in park skiing: it allows you to press and butter (flexing the ski to lift the opposite end), it provides forgiveness on imperfect landings by absorbing rather than fighting errors, it makes ollies and nollies easier by allowing the ski to load and release energy, and it reduces the physical strength required to manipulate the ski for tricks. A stiff ski resists these movements and punishes mistakes, making freestyle progression much harder.