Over the past few seasons, few freeskiers have matched the impact Alex Ferreira has made on the sport. The two-time Olympic medalist, who made his Winter Games debut in 2018, broke into unprecedented territory after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, bringing dominance on the halfpipe circuit to a brand-new level.

With two Olympic medals and a slew of other halfpipe titles, there is little Ferreira has yet to accomplish in the sport. However, there is one achievement that he still desperately wishes to add to his résumé: Olympic champion. With a silver and bronze medal already under his belt, gold is the final frontier for the only halfpipe skier ever to complete a perfect season.

Get to know more about Ferreira below with some quick hits about his life and career so far.

Where is Alex Ferreira from?

Alex Ferreira was born and raised in Aspen, Colorado, exposing him to competitive skiing from an early age. As a middle schooler, he would sneak out of class to go watch X Games when the competition was in town.

How old is Alex Ferreira?

Ferreira will be 31 years old during the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

When did Alex Ferreira start skiing?

Ferreira started skiing at just 3 years old, inspired by his parents’ athletic backgrounds and the mountains in his hometown. By age 8, he had joined the Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club as a mogul skier, and at 10 years old began skiing competitively, eventually transitioning to halfpipe.

How has Alex Ferreira performed at past Olympics?

Ferreira has earned medals in men’s freeski halfpipe at each of his two Winter Olympic appearances thus far. He scored a silver medal in his Olympic debut at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and followed up with a bronze-medal finish at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

How did Alex Ferreira rise to fame in freeskiing?

During the 2014 Aspen X Games, Ferreira made his first impact on the international stage, claiming the bronze medal in front of his hometown crowd. A repeat bronze in 2015 followed by a silver medal in 2016 set the stage for Ferreira to make his Olympic debut at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games, where he earned silver in men’s halfpipe. Since 2018, Ferreira has remained at the top of the sport and hopes to secure his first Olympic title at the Milan Cortina Games.

What are Alex Ferreira’s biggest career highlights in halfpipe skiing?

Topping the list of Ferreira’s career accomplishments are his two Olympic medals, along with his eight career X Games medals and three X Games titles. He also has two world championship medals, three World Cup halfpipe season titles, and 20 World Cup podiums to his name. However, Ferreira’s crowning achievement may be his perfect 2023-24 season, during which he won all seven events he entered. He is the only halfpipe skier ever to complete that feat.

What has Alex Ferreira won outside the Olympics?

Outside the Olympics, Ferreira has won three X Games titles, taking superpipe gold in 2019, 2020 and 2024. He also has won 11 World Cup contests and is a four-time Crystal Globe winner on the FIS circuit, with three halfpipe titles in addition to the 2024 park and pipe overall title.

What tricks is Alex Ferreira known for?

Over the course of his career, Ferreira has developed a unique style on the slopes, combining a mix of athleticism and technique to nail high-scoring runs. Perhaps most notably, Ferreira is known for achieving massive amplitude on his runs, an exciting component that helps him earn those high scores. He often includes double cork 1620s in both directions during his runs, and does an opposite tail grab on his right double cork 1620. When Ferreira is pleased with a run, he often spins his poles at the bottom of the halfpipe in celebration.

How has Alex Ferreira performed in recent seasons?

Ferreira has been dominant in recent seasons, reaching top form in the time since the 2022 Beijing Olympics. His 2023-24 campaign was legendary, as he became the only halfpipe skier to secure a perfect season. He won the 2024 halfpipe and all-around Crystal Globes before defending his halfpipe title in 2025. He also captured gold (2024) and silver (2025) medals at X Games, along with bronze medals at the 2023 and 2025 World Championships.

What is Alex Ferreira’s medal outlook for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics?

Ferreira will enter the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics with incredible momentum, coming off an impressive few seasons and skiing at the top of his game. He will look to secure his first Olympic title in February and add to his already impressive Olympic medal tally, but will face stiff competition from the likes of U.S. teammate Nick Goepper.

What are some fun facts about Alex Ferreira’s personality and career journey?

• When he’s not skiing in competition, Ferreira will hit the slope under the alter ego "Hotdog Hans," an eccentric, foul-mouthed old man and former skiing champion. With a prosthetic face mask and beat-up jeans, "Hotdog Hans" hits the mountain and shocks other skiers with his skills and his attitude. Ferreira has released five "Hotdog Hans" videos so far, with a sixth installment coming soon.
• To turn Ferreira into the character of "Hotdog Hans," it initially took about three hours of makeup when he first was making videos. However, this process now has been cut down to about an hour.
• When getting prepared for a competition, Ferreira always will put on his left-side gear first
• Ferreira’s father, Marcelo, is from Argentina and played soccer professionally there
• Ferreira cites another Argentinian soccer player, Leo Messi, as an inspiration of his. “I see my story very similar to his,” Ferreira says. “I'm coming into my last Olympics. He won the World Cup for his last World Cup, and I'm going to win my last Olympics.”

What ski brand and gear does Alex Ferreira use?

Ferreira boasts a wide array of sponsors for his ski gear and equipment. He rides Völkl skis and uses Marker bindings and Dalbello boots. For his outerwear, he is part of the Columbia ski team and has been sponsored by the brand since 2018. His other key sponsors include Stifel, Topstep, Usana, Celsius and Toyota among others.

How many followers does Alex Ferreira have on Instagram?

Currently with over 74,000 Instagram followers, Ferreira has built a large following on social media. He mainly posts skiing content, including his own runs and content with his teammates, as well as content featuring his eccentric alter ego, "Hotdog Hans."

What are Alex Ferreira’s hobbies outside skiing?

Outside skiing, Ferreira enjoys keeping active, whether playing pickleball or any other sport. He also enjoys being outdoors hiking, biking or running, loves to travel and jump on the trampoline, and enjoys woodworking.

Has Alex Ferreira been featured in popular media?

Through his alter ego, "Hotdog Hans," Ferreira has created a viral comedy series featuring the character. He was also the subject of the 2022 documentary “I Am,” which followed his return from injury as he prepared for the Beijing Olympic Games. He also has appeared in various podcasts and magazines.