I’ve skied for 28 years. Some might think I’m a well-rounded skier, but one thing I always make sure of is keeping two skis on the snow. For me, skiing has always been about staying grounded (pun intended). On the rare occasion that I do leave the ground, my arms flap like bird wings until I’m safely back down. I love skiing and I’m good at it, but getting airborne has never been my thing.
When I learned that the Utah Olympic Park (UOP) offered ramp jumping lessons into the pool for regular people, I knew I had to try it. With fall in the air and my excitement for the upcoming season building, I thought this would be an amazing way to get stoked for winter and turn my ski legs back on. Something about knowing the landing was water, not ice or packed snow, made me think I might finally be able to let go of fear of being airborne. And to do it at the facility where Olympians train? I had to try it.
I love the UOP. One of my favorite events in Park City is their annual “Anti-Gala.” You sit at the foot of the big jumps with food truck cuisine in hand, listening to Olympians talk about how the park shaped their careers. There’s nowhere else in the world where you can party at an Olympic facility and then sit around a firepit with world class athletes from around the world. Whenever friends or family visit, the UOP is the first place I take them. In the summer, especially, watching the Flying Aces is a must. They launch themselves off the ramps, twist and flip in the air, and land in the pool like it’s nothing. Now, I was going to get the opportunity to land in the very same pool.
The Lesson
I signed up for a three-hour semi-private lesson “with world-class freestyle, freeride, and freeski coaches... Athletes will try the trampolines, the mini ramp, and possibly work up to our single ramp (with coach’s approval).” I brought along my friend Chris “Waffles,” notorious in our friend group for skiing off 50-foot cliffs, skiing switch faster than most people ski facing forwards, and doing all sorts of spins. I figured, if my goal was to just get into the pool, maybe we could get some cool photos of him actually doing tricks.
The night before, I barely slept. My brain filled with dreams of torn ACLs and ski seasons ruined because I broke my leg on a trampoline. The morning of the lesson was 46 degrees and stormy—perfect swimming weather! I packed every layer I owned and headed to the UOP. When I got there, we were immediately on a lightning hold. Honestly, I was thrilled. The moment had come, and suddenly, I couldn’t imagine ever wanting to launch myself off a ramp. Maybe this was my way out?
“What tricks do you want to learn today?” our coach asked. “My goal is to get in the water.”
To Chris’s delight, we rescheduled it for three days later. High of 76, sunny skies. Typical of fall in Park City, one day is cool, and the next is a perfect summer day! When I got back up to the UOP, the pool looked like an oasis. Our coach greeted us and walked us through offices piled with skis, helmets, protein snacks, and the occasional desktop computer. People do this for a living, I thought, my nerves still humming. After an orientation video, we warmed up on the trampolines.
I love skiing, but going in the air is not my favorite place to be. While I knew this would be a safe space to feel more comfortable being off the ground, I didn’t have any expectations of doing any tricks while I was up there. I practiced some 360s on the trampoline and the beginnings of a front flip, knowing full well I wasn’t planning to use them on the ramp. My strategy for the pool was simple: point and shoot. My goal for the day is to get more comfortable off the ground.
After trampolines, I changed into the wetsuit they provided. In the locker room, I passed rows of personal flotation devices (PFDs) and helmets belonging to young athletes who might one day stand on an Olympic podium. Sharing their space felt surreal. What was I doing here? I’d survived the trampoline without breaking a leg, the blue water looked incredible, and all I had to do was ski straight into it. That was the only trick I cared about: getting wet.
The UOP has all the gear for water ramp lessons!
Hands on hips for the warmups and technique lessons on the trampolines!
The Jump
They suited me up with a helmet, boots, skis, and a PFD, then I climbed the short set of stairs to the mini ramp. From the top, it felt strangely familiar. I’ve been skiing for nearly three decades—my legs knew what to do. I pointed my tips down the ramp, took a deep breath, and went for it. *SPLASH*
I’ve never wanted to do something again so badly in my life. Going down the ramp felt exactly like skiing on snow, but the moment in the air was even better. Landing in the pool made it pure fun: skiing and summer swimming combined.
After a few tries, and to my surprise, the coach quickly graduated me to the single ramp. This was the real thing. The mini was only about 10 steps to the top. The single was about 60. I was out of breath by the time I got to the top and strapped into my skis. Chris was having a blast, he said “It's always nice to get back in the air, and landing in the pool was the perfect way to cool off after hiking up the stairs to your drop in.”
Our coach showed me how to irrigate the surface for speed and wait for the green light that signaled it was safe. And again, the nerves I’d expected just vanished. As soon as my skis pointed downhill, it was skiing, not fear. I flew into the air, hovered over the pool, and felt a rush of joy I didn’t think was possible for someone who hates leaving the ground. My friends cheered from the bleachers, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
Now Bring on Winter
Ramp jumping at the UOP was one of the most special experiences I’ve ever had. To share facilities with athletes, to ski in a way that used every muscle I’ve trained to ski for (but in a completely new way) was exhilarating. I felt strong, capable, and comfortable in a space I once thought was terrifying and impossible. This activity got me so excited for the upcoming ski season. Even though the landing on snow is completely different from the pool, the sensation of being in the air is one I’ll take with me this winter.
Chris agrees, “After living here for so long it was fun to finally get into the pools at the UOP; it is the perfect place to dial in new tricks and get some airtime in the off-season. The Utah Olympic Park is a fantastic facility, and the water ramps are a must-do for any skiers or snowboarders that want to get more comfortable in the air. Whether you're looking to practice new flips and spins or just dial in your air awareness, the coaches are great at providing feedback to help you progress.”
*The UOP is undergoing renovations in summer 2026 and the pool will not be open. But, we're excited for 2027 and the chance to get to jump again!
