Every summer, the Utah Olympic Park in Park City transforms into a high-flying spectacle as the Flying Ace All-Stars — a team of elite freestyle skiers and snowboarders, including Olympic athletes — take to the skies in a dazzling display of aerial acrobatics. These athletes race down steep, mountain-like ramps at speeds up to 40 miles per hour, launching themselves 50 feet into the air before executing breathtaking flips and twists. At the height of each performance, it’s not uncommon to see a dozen athletes in the air at once, twisting, flipping, and soaring with Olympic-level precision — all before splashing down in a state-of-the-art training pool.
Among the standout performers is Ashton Salwan, whose powerful style and explosive jumps have earned him a place alongside some of the sport’s best. Ashton joins the All-Stars every summer, using these shows not only to entertain but to sharpen the very skills he’ll rely on during the high-stakes winter competition season.
During the snow off-season, elite aerial skiers like Ashton rely on water ramps — specially designed plastic-covered ramps wetted to mimic snow — to perfect new tricks and refine existing techniques in a safer, more controlled environment. Landing in water minimizes impact on joints, reduces the risk of injury, and allows athletes to push the boundaries of what’s possible without waiting for winter conditions. This kind of repetition is essential: mastering a new aerial maneuver often takes hundreds of attempts. Water ramps offer the ideal setting for this grind, helping athletes like Ashton build confidence and technical precision long before snow hits the ground.
Originally constructed for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Utah Olympic Park, aka the UOP, remains a global hub for winter sports excellence. It’s home to one of the few water ramp complexes in North America, making it a magnet for Olympic hopefuls, world champions, and crowd-favorite performers like Ashton.
When Ashton isn’t training, he’s flying through the air in front of hundreds of spectators — showcasing the same elite skills that earned him the nickname "The Send-sei". For Ashton, the Flying Ace shows are more than entertainment; they’re a crucial part of his preparation, pushing him to execute with precision under pressure, just like in competition.
Get your tickets HERE and catch Ashton Salwan in mid-air — twisting, flipping, and making the impossible look effortless.
