The winter Olympics are in sight and this summer is critical training time for American Olympic skiers.

Some of the USA Nordic Ski Team bundled up and headed to Eagle Glacier in Alaska. The team is training with the Alaska Pacific University Ski Program.

The glacier is 5,000 feet above sea level. This altitude is about what the skiers will experience during the 2013 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Another perk to skiing on Eagle Glacier is the weather. The weather isn’t always ideal, which better prepares the skiers for what they will encounter during a race.

They skiers say they believe their work ethic is what gets them so far.

“I don’t think there is any coincidence we are so successful because of the positive dynamic we have,” U.S. Nordic Skier Holly Brooks said. “What I’m most excited about heading into this next winter is that while I have some really big goals and expectations personally – I think we have equally good chances in some of the team events.”

These women hope their hard work leads them to the first US women’s podium finish at the Winter Olympics.

As for Colorado’s Lindsey Vonn, she’s still recovering from her knee injury in February. According to the U.S. Ski Team’s website, Vonn plans to hit the snow in September.

View the coverage here: http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=2571211298001

Video courtesy KUSA-TV