Who is Alex Ferreria? Meet 31-year-old American skier who finally achieved halfpipe gold

Alex Ferreira has finally completed the set, soaring to his first Olympic gold medal in men’s freeski halfpipe under the lights in Livigno.

After taking silver in PyeongChang 2018 and bronze in Beijing 2022, the 31-year-old Aspen native delivered a masterpiece in Milan, fulfilling a years-long obsession and affirming his status as the most dominant halfpipe skier on the planet.

Ferreira, who famously dedicated his life to this specific moment following a sobriety journey and a perfect 2023-24 season, manifested the victory through sheer technical brilliance and a meticulous training regimen inspired by his idol, Lionel Messi. By standing atop the podium today, he joins an elite pantheon of American freeskiers and puts a golden exclamation point on a career defined by relentless consistency and a touch of comedic flair via his alter ego, Hotdog Hans.

Get to know the skier who finally got his gold medal.

MORE 2026 OLYMPICS: Live medal tracker | Viewer's guide | Day-by-day schedule

Who is Alex Ferreira?

Ferreira is an American freestyle skier and one of the most decorated halfpipe athletes in the sport's history.

His style combines high-flying athleticism with a charismatic personality, making him a fan favorite in both the Olympics and the X Games.

Ferreira cemented his legacy at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games by winning his first Olympic gold medal. This victory completed his "Olympic set," adding to the silver medal he won in PyeongChang 2018 and the bronze he secured in Beijing 2022. His gold-medal run was the culmination of a dominant multi-year stretch where he became nearly unbeatable on the world stage, often citing a disciplined approach to training and mental clarity as the keys to his late-career peak.

MORE: How many medals have USA won in 2026?

How many Olympic medals does Alex Ferreira have?

Ferreira now possesses a total of three Olympic medals.

By securing the win in Milan, he joined an exclusive club of athletes who have stood on every step of the Olympic podium over the course of their careers.

Where is Alex Ferreira from?

Ferreira is from Aspen, Colorado.

Growing up in the shadows of the world-famous Buttermilk Mountain, he began skiing at age three and eventually joined the Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club. He credits the tight-knit Aspen community for his career path, famously recalling how he and his friends would sneak out of school just to catch a glimpse of X Games legends training in their backyard.

His connection to his hometown goes beyond just training; Ferreira is a dedicated philanthropist within the valley. He has helped raise over $1.7 million for youth programs through events like the Audi Ajax Cup, ensuring that the next generation of Aspen skiers has the same opportunities he did. His father, Marcelo — a former professional soccer player from Argentina — and his mother, Colleen, are also well-known figures in the local sports and business scene.

MORE: Nick Goepper crashes during final run in halfpipe finals

How old is Alex Ferreira?

Ferreira is 31 years old.

He was born on August 14, 1994, and celebrated his 31st birthday just a few months before competing in the 2026 Milano Cortina Games. At 31, he is considered a veteran in the freeskiing world, a factor he often credits for the mental strength and consistency that led to his gold medal victory.

MORE: Youngest, oldest 2026 American Olympians

Alex Ferreira’s film career

Beyond his Olympic success, Alex Ferreira is a prolific creator in the ski film world, most famously known for his viral alter ego, Hotdog Hans. While he frequently appears in high-octane documentaries detailing his training and recovery, his film career is uniquely defined by a blend of elite cinematography and character-driven comedy.

In addition to his comedy projects, Ferreira has been the subject of more serious documentary filmmaking. The 2022 film "I AM" provides a raw look at his recovery from a significant injury sustained at Mammoth Mountain and his grueling psychological path toward the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. This project showcased a contrast to his public persona, focusing on the grit and discipline required to remain at the elite level for over a decade.

Ferreira’s filmography also includes expedition-style projects, such as a 2019 ski film focused on his travels through Japan, which debuted on ESPN’s The World of X Games. He frequently collaborates with major production houses like Matchstick Productions and Vital Films, often self-funding his independent projects to maintain creative control. This "media-first" approach has allowed him to transition from a traditional athlete into a producer who controls his own narrative off the mountain.

MORE: A look at American skier Lindsey Vonn's injury history

Who is Hotdog Hans?

The centerpiece of Ferreira's film career is undoubtedly the Hotdog Hans series. Created alongside filmmaker Matt Hobbs, this digital franchise has become a cult phenomenon within the skiing community and a viral sensation on social media.

Ferreira undergoes hours of professional makeup to transform into an abrasive, unkempt senior citizen from the 1970s "hotdogging" era. Armed with vintage gear and a prosthetic mask, he heckles unsuspecting pro skiers and park rats before dropping into the halfpipe to perform world-class, gold-medal-caliber tricks.

What started as a single skit in 2018 has grown into a series of six short films. These edits have amassed hundreds of millions of views, featuring cameos from skiing legends like Jonny Moseley and even spawning a dedicated line of merchandise and a retro-themed eatery in Aspen.

Ferreira has stated that the character is a tribute to his grandfather and the unfiltered, rebellious spirit of freestyle skiing’s roots. It allows him to maintain a sense of humor and creative freedom away from the high-pressure environment of the Olympic judging booths.