Under those helmets is a head that long ago wrapped itself around the idea that, despite his considerable talent, ski racing would not carry Kung to the Olympics or the World Cup -- and a brain that's bright enough to get him into medical school.
Kung wrapped up a successful college ski career last winter at the University of Utah and graduated in the spring. His senior year marked his final season of serious ski racing, and even when he won an FIS race in Park City last season, demonstrating that he can succeed at high levels, Kung didn't waiver from his decision to pursue something besides ski racing after college.
He made that decision years ago, when he injured his shoulder during the same season he was named to the U.S. team for the 2005 World Junior Championships. It was a season in which Kung emerged as one of the nation's best young skiers, but by the time it ended, with his shoulder still not healed, Kung figured he needed to consider a future outside of ski racing.
"If I wouldn't have gotten hurt, maybe things would have been a little bit different, but I got hurt so I decided to make my way to college," Kung said. "I figured the (U.S. Ski Team) path was kinda over, so going into the real world after college was going to be my goal."
Kung's real world will be one defined by medicine, not mountains -- although Kung said all nine of the medical schools he has applied to is within driving distance of a ski resort.
Perhaps not surprisingly, orthopedics is near the top of the list of specialties he's interested in. He suffered a ligament tear and a dislocated shoulder in a bad crash in 2005 and the shoulder still gives him problems.
Because of the injury and the subsequent decision to make college the last stop of his ski racing career, Kung doesn't seem haunted by the end of something that's been such an integral part of his life.
He grew up in Girdwood and was almost destined to be a ski racer. His mom, Carole, was the director of Alyeska's ski school and his dad, Peter, was an instructor. Kung excelled for the Alyeska Ski Club and left home at 17 to attend a winter sports school in Park City, Utah.
Although he's still heavily involved in skiing -- he coaches the 11-12 age group on weekends and FIS-level high school athletes on weekdays for the Alyeska Ski Club -- it's not the same as being a racer.
"It's a big transition from being an athlete," Kung said. "I kind of miss racing competitively this year. I like the competition aspect and I miss the training too. I liked everything about it."
Kung will get a taste of what he's giving up this week at the Alaska Best Water FIS Technical Series. A strong field of skiers, headed by the UAA ski team, will compete and Kung is expected to challenge the Seawolves, especially in the giant slalom races.
When the week is over, Kung will go back to coaching and waiting to see which medical school he'll attend next fall. For a guy who not long ago was knocking on the U.S. Ski Team's door, he seems content that life presented him with a different door to open.
"I'm glad that I actually got to go to college, be a competitive racer, get a great education and kind of lay out my plan for the future," he said.
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