A Proving Ground

Less than a week after touching down in Quebec, Ashton Salwan was already back in motion — boarding a flight that would take him halfway around the world to Almaty, Kazakhstan. There, at the fifth stop of the FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup tour, he wasn’t just showing up — he was stepping into a crucible. With snow swirling beneath the towering Tien Shan mountains and pressure mounting from every angle, Ashton arrived not just to compete, but to carve his name deeper into the sport’s elite tier. This wasn’t just another competition. This was a proving ground — and Ashton came armed with purpose.

Leveling Up in Almaty

Almaty would become a turning point in Ashton’s journey. It was here that he had the rare privilege of working under U.S. Ski Team head coach Vlad Lebedev — an opportunity that brought with it a new level of refinement, strategy, and belief. With Vlad’s world-class advice, Ashton unlocked a fresh gear in his performance. With crisp air, roaring crowds, and cameras locked in, he soared — stomping a career-best triple jump and clinching a spot in the World Cup finals.

In a pressure-packed field loaded with Olympic veterans and global titans, Ashton stood tall — earning an 11th place finish and his highest World Cup result to date. It wasn’t just a personal best. It was a declaration: Ashton isn’t just chasing the field anymore. He’s charging forward — stride for stride.

Just Shy of Livigno

But the thrill of Almaty came with a sobering reality. Despite the electric performance and personal milestones, Ashton narrowly missed qualifying for the concluding World Cup of the 2024-25 season in Livigno, Italy — home of the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympic Games freestyle events. Entry was strictly reserved for the top 20 athletes on the globe, and Ashton’s surge, while mighty, left him in 27th place and just outside the cutoff. The dream of finishing the season on freestyle skiing’s most prestigious stage would have to wait.

The gates to Livigno may have closed this year — but not without a fight.

The Story Is Far From Over

One final chapter remains: a EuropaCup showdown in Airolo, Switzerland. For Ashton, it’s more than a season finale — it’s a chance to seal his rise with grit, focus, and fire. From long-haul flights to late-night training sessions, Ashton’s breakout year has been anything but ordinary. And as the curtain begins to fall on this chapter, he’s writing an ending defined not by rankings, but by resilience.

The World Cup season may be over. But Ashton’s climb? That’s only just begun.

Final stop for Ashton: Airolo, Switzerland. Then it’s straight back to the grind. Because while others rest, he is still earning it.