This February, viewers around the world will see freestyle skiing some for the first time.
They may never even see the people behind the goggles.
Meet some of the U.S.
Ski Teams brightest hopes at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Like many East Coast skiers, she absolutely loved it.
Schild made the U.S.
Ski Team for the first time at 16 and won her first World Cup at 17.
Tell me what it feels like to top the podium?
MS: Taking the top spot on the podium is a very satisfying feeling.
Its the moment when you realize all of your efforts leading up to the competition paid off.
At a World Cup in Japan I got to dual the Olympic Gold medalist Justine Dufour Lapointe.
I actually won that duel and went on to win the entire dual event.
I shared the podium with teammate and legend Hannah Kearney, which was just icing on the cake.
NS: You came back from a torn ACL stronger than ever, based on your results.
Tell me about that process.
MS: The sport of mogul skiing in particular is very demanding on your knees.
I blew my knee in 2015, a couple weeks after my first World Cup win.
That was a hard pill to swallow.
NS: What has the leadup to the Olympics been like?
Do you feel any pressure to perform?
Is it hard being put in the spotlight?
MS: I have never experienced an Olympic year where I have a shot at making it.
This has definitely put some pressure on myself and a target on my back.
I feel like not many people even know mogul skiing is still a sport.
Until the Olympic Games, theres not much attention paid to mogul skiing.
NS: You are one of few women skiers throwing off-axis tricks in mogul competitions.
Talk about your bag of tricks.
I started throwing a cork 7 when I was 15 and have competed that trick ever since.
NS: What does skiing mean to you outside of competition?
MS: To me, skiing isnt just a competition.
Skiing is a lifestyle that allows you to feel free, travel to beautiful places and meet amazing people.
My friends mainly come from the skiing community, so its a pretty social scene as well.
I will ski for as long as my body can keep up.
Ever thought of dropping the bumps and joining them?
They had either the same or similar injuries and we found common ground and started great friendships.
Those friends are Julia Krass, Darian Stevens, Maggie Voisin, Maddie Bowman, and Zoe Kalapos.
It has crossed my mind to give [park skiing] a try.
I guess my favorite aspect of moguls is how challenging it is.
At some point in my career I really want to throw a cork or two off a booter.
Ski Teams most promising young aerialists.
Bohonnon made the 2014 Sochi Olympics as a last-minute addition, ultimately placing an unexpected fifth.
NS: Can you break down some of your tricks for us?
Any way that you’re free to describe them in a way a more park-focused skier could understand?
Both are quad twisting triple backflips.
Ive also been training a quint twisting triple backflip, which is called the Hurricane.
The hurricane breaks down to a triple cork 2880.
NS: If you werent competing in aerials, would you still be skiing?
There is a pretty common misconception about aerials, which is no one knows how to ski.
Most of my teammates and I grew up as park rats at different mountains scattered across New England.
As an aerialist, what do you think of that?
The Olympics are the pinnacle of aerials we dream of winning an Olympic gold medal.
NS: Youve found a lot of success since your last Olympics.
What are your goals this year?
It has been my dream to win an Olympic medal for a long time.
After falling in love with the feeling of flying, Vinecki pursued aerials full time.
She seeks to channel his memory by always striving for the best, and helping others along the way.
NS: Youre on the hunt for your first Olympics.
Tell me how that feels.
WV: It is both incredibly exciting and nerve-racking.
To have that time almost here is thrilling because the wait is finally over.
NS: What are your goals for the winter and the Olympics?
From there, it is up to the judges
WV: Skiing reminds of family and fun.
It brings me back to being a kid and skiing around purely for the joy of it.
NS: Tell me about how your fathers passing has turned into a source of motivation and inspiration?
First, it was completing an Olympic-distance triathlon when I was 9.
Then it was setting the world record for the youngest person to run a marathon on all 7 continents.
Now, it is making it to the Olympics.
I use his passing as fuel to keep pushing forward.
I live each day knowing I am here, healthy and able to do the things I love.
NS: Why aerials?
It combines two things I love: skiing and flying.
I had always said growing up that if I had one superpower, it would be to fly.
Those skiers turned out to be the local freestyle team.
The brothers gave freestyle a shot and were hooked for life.
At 29, Wilson is one of the most experience mogul skiers on the U.S.
Ski Team, looking to make his second Olympic team.
He earned a bronze medal in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
NS: Youre trying to make it to your second Olympics.
Tell me how that feels.
BW: I have definitely grown up since my last Olympic start.
I have great perspective going into these games and know why I am doing this.
I love this sport and it brings me great joy.
NS: You came home last time with a bronze medal.
What are your goals this time around?
BW: I would love to medal again!
It was an amazing experience.
This time around, though, I would use it to help others more.
My perspective is different this time around and it is good.
BW: This is awesome!
All the years it takes to prepare for that moment gave you that opportunity.
This is the time to let er rip!
BW: Skiing in and of itself is an amazing experience.
Being able to escape the worries and stresses of life and just be is amazing.
The competitive aspect of it has given me tools I will have for the rest of my life.
Ive learned to be grateful and that success like mine takes a group effort.
