Park City native Alex Schlopy admits to being a loud-mouthed troublemaker growing up, but when his gymnastics coach showed him that he could do flips and tricks on his skis, Schlopy was instantly hooked on freeskiing. Competing is in his blood, since his mom, Holly Flanders, was a two-time Olympian downhill racer, his dad was an NFL kicker, and his cousin Erik was also an Olympian. With an X Games gold medal in big air, a FIS World Championship gold, and a Grand Prix win under his belt, Schlopy is a master of style and amplitude.

Schlopy came into the 2013-2014 season as an Olympic hopeful in slopestyle. With a grueling five-event Olympic qualification series, Schlopy placed well among his American counterparts, and he took the win in slopestyle at the first Park City Grand Prix. But after missing the team nomination, Schlopy went on to compete at X Games Aspen in both big air and slopestyle and focus the remainder of his season on filming and enjoying skiing.

As a rookie in 2011 he grabbed gold in big air in his Winter X debut, claimed the first slopestyle skiing gold ever awarded at the FIS World Championships at his home resort and capped it off with a win on the last stop of the Dew Tour. After suffering a knee injury at X Games in 2012, Schlopy moved into intense off-season training both on and off snow. He then came into 2013 strong and built his way back up into the top of a tough field of competition.

ALEX SAYS
This season was definitely the craziest season to date. The intensity amongst the Americans especially was insane, with all of us fighting for one of the four Olympic spots. Through all the madness I had two goals: get back on the podium and have fun! Both of which I achieved, so I'm so stoked!

Some of the contests didn't go as I had hoped, whether it was weather or speed or some sort of issue, but I finally was able to get a run I was stoked on and win the first Grand Prix in Park City. After that it was a close call between Joss, Tom and I for the last spot on the Olympic team. Based off points and coaches discretion, Joss made the team and emerged the Olympic Gold medalist after coming in as the underdog, which is what made me the most stoked of anything this season!!

Now I'm trying to get as healthy as possible and work hard to keep achieving bigger goals, with a bit of fun in between, of course!

FIRST TRACKS
Schlopy’s mom (Olympian Holly Flanders) and uncle (U.S. Ski Team alpine alum Erik Schlopy) got him on skis when he was two years old, but he never really liked the sport until he found freestyle when he was 11. That was after his gymnastics coach showed him how to do flips and spins on skis. The Park City native started competing at 12, and from then on he’s loved the sport and how it's progressed.

OFF THE SNOW
Schlopy loves to be outside, and in the summer you can find him dirt biking, skateboarding, mountain biking, at the beach–basically doing anything to keep him active and having fun. He says, ”I think a break from skiing is a good thing, and keeps it fun!”