Ski & Snowboard Club Vail’s freeskiing program has started 2019 by mining gold from every corner of the competition circuit.

While many witnessed Alex Ferreira’s gold medal performance at the X Games on Thursday, few know his connection to Vail. The Aspen native works with the Vail Ski & Snowboard Freeski Director Elana Chase, and credits her with much of his development.

Look deeper into Chase’s programs ranks and results in January and you begin to see what Ferreira noticed years ago, an uncanny ability to develop young athletes.

While Ferreira was winning the top event in the sport at X Games on Jan. 24, Connie Brogden — who also sought out Ski & Snowboard Club Vail to work with Chase — won gold at the Junior World Championships in Switzerland on Jan. 26. …