Indiana’s Nick Goepper grew up riding mountains that offered minimal vertical drop and a backyard setup that was constructed with AstroTurf and PVC pipes. When it came time to get serious about training, Goepper performed odd jobs in an attempt to raise funds before eventually training at Windell’s Academy and Mount Snow.

Goepper had a breakout season back in 2011, which included a podium finish at the Killington Dew Tour stop. That was the first of several podium results for Gopper, who was the Dew Cup champion in 2013.

The two-time AFP slopestyle champion was a member of the U.S. Olympic slopestyle team in 2014. He placed third in Sochi, joining teammates Joss Christensen and Gus Kenworthy on the podium for a historic U.S. sweep.