See It in Action — Video Feature Below
A Kid from Cleveland
Ashton Salwan’s path to becoming a U.S. freestyle aerials athlete started in one of the unlikeliest places — a small front-yard pond in Chesterland, Ohio. In 2014, at just ten years old, he began building air awareness at the Mont Chalet Freestyle Training Center — the place where upright landings were the first real victories and his first flips took shape. Under the patient coaching of Bill Harris, Ashton spent summer Sundays learning timing and control, one splash at a time — planting the spark that would grow into a world-class career.
“First day I ever tried aerials. Flipping off Coach Bill's homemade wooden water ramp. Wearing someone else’s helmet and boots. Hoping I’d land in the water instead of on my face. I didn’t know it then — this was the beginning of everything.” ~Ashton Salwan
By age 12, after two summers of water-ramp training, Ashton knew he was ready to take his skills to snow. He became a weekend warrior at Buffalo Ski Center in Colden, New York under coach Mark DePeters, navigating the tough transition from water to winter. Freestyle aerial skiing demanded a new level of precision, body control, and discipline — lessons he absorbed jump by jump.
Building the Foundation
Determined to keep progressing, Ashton added more structure, discipline, and year-round focus to the training regimen that was steadily shaping his early development.
As competition opportunities expanded, Ashton began traveling to events across the East — from Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, to Sunday River, Maine — testing his skills in new conditions and steadily growing his confidence. His love for the sport deepened, and so did his commitment.
A week after his 15th birthday, Ashton and his mother made a life-changing decision: they packed up and moved to Park City, Utah, so he could train year-round. He left behind his closest friends, a traditional high school experience, and the comfort of home in pursuit of something greater.
The Choice That Paid Off
Since making that leap, Ashton has earned standout results at FIS Junior World Championships, NorAm Cups, Europa Cups, and World Cups. Each season brings new personal bests, deeper experience, and growing contributions to Team USA.
What remains unchanged is the work ethic that carried him from Coach Bill’s front-yard pond to the world stage. Every jump reflects years of quiet discipline, sacrifice, and belief — the true ingredients behind every aerial takeoff.
In a sport built on courage, precision, and resilience, Ashton stays committed to steady progress and to leaving the sport better than he found it.
"Every leap begins with belief. Trust the process, embrace the challenge, and let your passion take flight." ~Ashton Salwan