As he shoots for the 2018 Winter Olympics, Aspen High School alumni, Alex Ferreira, has the confidence of a season-opening win in the superpipe in his back snow pant pocket. He took first in the FIS event in Cardrona, New Zealand on September 1.

Ferreira, 23, and a 2013 AHS graduate, is preparing for a run at the U.S. Olympic Team.

“The Olympics are on my mind a fair amount but not every single second of the day,’’ said Ferreira. “Representing America at the Olympics has been a lifelong dream.”

As Ferreira continues to pursue his passion, the disappointment of almost making the Olympic team four years ago is not far from his mind.

“For the Sochi Olympics they took four men and I was the fifth guy, unfortunately,” said Ferreira.

One of the people who made the Olympic team that year was his AVSC teammate, Torin Yater-Wallace, another AHS grad. Ferreira gives credit to Yater-Wallace for helping his competitive edge.

“If I didn’t have someone pushing me constantly as a young competitor I would have never made it to where I am today,” Ferreira said. “I am more self motivated now but every once in awhile I still need that little extra push from someone.”

Growing up in Aspen, his freeskiing mentors were Andrew Wickes, Sam Ferguson, Matt Walker and Charlie Lasser. Ferreira is also seen a mentor to younger skiers.

AHS Senior, Cassidy Jarrell, an accomplished freeskier, was able to benefit from Ferreira’s presence on the hill and advice.

“Alex is the nicest kid I have ever met. No matter what he will help if you ask him or if you’re just around him he will point something out to do better,” said Jarrell.

Jarrell said he really looked up to both to Yater-Wallace and Ferreira on and off the hill.

Curently, Jarrell is training in New Zealand. Ferreira plans to head down there next month for on-snow training. In the meantime, Ferreira said he is meeting regularly with his sports psychologist, training on the AVSC trampoline and then visualizing while watching ski videos.

If Ferreira qualifies for the Olympics, he hopes to execute a winning run.

“My best trick is an Unnatural Double Cork 1260 Mute grab, three and a half spins and two flips,” he said.