(CNN) -- We love the glamor of alpine skiing, the glow of tradition, the glitz of stars like Lindsey Vonn, and the gumption of her quest to race the men. 

But do we love it enough to keep watching when skiing's "dark side" is so much more exciting and dangerous? 

Freestyle skiing is taking over the Olympics. A global passion for taking two skis to new extremes is reaching its zenith, and the Olympic movement has responded by adding a succession of new events to its program. 

When slopestyle and ski halfpipe make their debut at the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, freestyle skiers will for the first time have as many medals to aim at as their alpine counterparts. 

And as fans are increasingly drawn to new, high-octane breeds of winter sport, so top athletes are making the switch too. 

In 2009, Kelsey Serwa left behind alpine racing for ski cross. Within two years she had become an X Games gold medalist and world champion. 

"Ski cross is full of outcasts from alpine," the Canadian 23-year-old tells CNN. "Alpine is so strict on rules. Ski cross is more relaxed, for free spirits or people looking for something more exciting than racing the clock." 

Ski cross, a thrilling four-way straight fight to the finish line, blew the socks off TV audiences on its debut at Vancouver 2010, where Serwa finished fifth overall. 

For some, it made the blue riband downhill races look almost pedestrian. Serwa calls it the "dark side" of ski racing. 
Where did it debut?
on its debut at Vancouver 