They train in the summer with a 7 story tall plastic ski jump ramp into a pool that's bubbled to soften the impact of landing. The highest ramp at the Utah Olympic Park training pool can launch skiers up to 70 feet in the air! Can you imagine how frightening and exhillerating is? I only wish I could try it. Would you take the plunge? Guess what? WE TOTALLY CAN.
Straight from Utah Olympic Park's website:
Freestyle aerials is a year-round sport at the Park. The Utah Olympic Park offers a variety of one-day, three-day, six-day and seasonal public freestyle camps. The Park staff offers coaching and programming for all levels of athlete development. (source)
Look how fun it looks. Oh boy...I think I have a challenge on my hands!
The video below shows how the pool bubbles right before impact.
Photo credits: Paul Schneider (photographer), Jerry Grossi (aerialist); Video source: Youtube