Jamie Anderson started down her Olympic path well before it ever existed.

The timing was perfect. While Anderson was emerging as one of the top riders on the pro scene, snowboard slopestyle was building a case for itself as an Olympic sport.

The South Lake Tahoe rider climbed rapidly. She started at 13 with her first trip to the X Games, and soon became the youngest Winter X-Games athlete to have won a medal — bronze at age 15. It’s an honor that Anderson still owns, and now she has added eight X Games medals, including four golds, along with a slew of competition slopestyle hardware.

---

---

Safe to say, Anderson is at the top of the pack just as her event is finally kicking through the Olympic barrier.

The Tahoe Daily Tribune caught up with Anderson recently for a Q-and-A. Check out what she had to say entering this weekend’s inaugural Olympic slopestyle finals.

---

---

Q: Aside from winning a medal, what do you want to take away from an Olympic experience?

A: “Gratitude of being a part of such a prestigious event. I can imagine how humbling it is to just walk through the opening ceremonies.”

Q: This will be the first year that slopestyle snowboarding will hit the Olympic scene. What were your thoughts when you first found out that your event was being added to Olympic competition?

A: “I think it’s amazing. I feel slopestyle is going to bring a new fun energy to the Games.”

Q: Who do you believe are the top contenders you’ll have to get through to win gold?

A: “There’s a lot of amazing athletes, it’s hard to say.”

Q: Are you planning any new tricks that we can look forward to seeing?

A: “Working on it for sure, but nothing is guaranteed.”

Q: Any Olympic heroes or favorite memories that you have from watching past Winter Olympics?

A: “Torah Bright winning in Vancouver was absolutely amazing. I really look up to her, and was so happy to see her do well.”

Q: What are some of your hopes or goals for this season? What would make this a successful year in your book?

A: “Stay healthy, happy and strong, and enjoy every moment.”

Q: Anything else you want to see or do in Russia off the snow?

A: “I want to see the Black Sea and explore the city of Sochi and the culture.”

Q: I know you’re passionate about the environment. What actions should fellow snowboarders or skiers take to help preserve the environment?

A: “To each their own. I just focus on my own impact and what I can do to make a positive impact. Anything from recycling to doing the little things, like walking or riding a bike, buying sustainable organic local food, picking up trash when I see it, and respecting our earth in any way I can.”