Hey Winter Olympics: Skier Cross Now, Sammy Carlson & Slopestyle Next!

In its first appearance at the Winter Olympics, ski cross is certainly doing its job in providing storylines. A possible fifth Olympics for Casey Puckett, Jamaican skier Errol Kerr, a mom out to kick booty, skier cross is building serious pre-Olympic interest.

Think about how incredible it will be to see slopestyle on the Olympic level. There's zenith-level creativity going on in terrain park comps right now. And the excitment raised by skier cross, dubbed "roller derby on skis", will hopefully help the slopestyle cause. Ski halfpipe will make its Olympic appearance in 2014. It's an egregious error of ridiculous proportions that skiers have yet the opportunity to show their halpipe skills. But, let me stay on point here.

Imagine Sammy Carlson's smile and good vibes at the Winter Olympics right now. Imagine Bobby Brown stepping into his destiny as Rolling Stone cover boy. Now if that doesn't bring a smile to your face?! Check Sammy's silver medal X Games run in the clip above. His run at 3:00 minutes into the clip is special. Technical. Super stylish. Incredibly brave. The run ends with a switch 900 (backwards 2 1/2 spins) over "Crossover Canyon", a 20-foot gap between the jump and landing, into a massively styled 1080 ("with the poke!" as called by The Godfather of Freestyle, Mike Douglas).

I love all skiing, but slopestyle has it goin' on right now! The big boys of slopestyle are past-due-ready for the big Olympic stage.

cover photo by gretchen robinette