The Freestyle Skiing World Champion and X Games Legend

Alex Hall, the 26-year-old American freestyle skier, has established himself as one of the most dominant and innovative athletes in slopestyle and big air over the past decade. Born in Whistler, British Columbia, and now representing the United States, Hall has collected multiple X Games gold medals, FIS World Championship titles and an Olympic bronze, blending technical mastery, creativity and consistency that have redefined what is possible on snow.

In early 2026, Hall remains the reigning FIS World Champion in slopestyle (title won in Bakuriani, Georgia, February 2025) and enters the Milano Cortina Olympic cycle as one of the clear favorites for gold in both slopestyle and big air. Here are 10 essential facts about the skier who has helped elevate freestyle skiing’s global profile.

1. Canadian Roots, American Competition Path Born Alexander Hall on Sept. 18, 1999, in Whistler, British Columbia, Hall grew up immersed in one of North America’s premier ski towns. He holds dual Canadian-American citizenship through his American mother and competed for Canada early in his career before switching allegiance to the United States in 2017 at age 18. The move allowed him to join the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team’s elite pipeline and access better funding and coaching resources.
2. Early Breakthrough at X Games Hall announced himself on the world stage at X Games Aspen in January 2018, winning bronze in big air at age 18 with a double cork 1620 Japan grab—a trick few competitors were attempting at the time. He followed with silver in slopestyle the next year and has since collected five X Games gold medals (three in slopestyle, two in big air) as of 2026, tying him with the most decorated American male freestylers in X Games history.
3. Olympic Bronze in Beijing 2022 At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Hall captured bronze in men’s slopestyle behind Norway’s Birk Ruud and Switzerland’s Fabian Bösch. His final run score of 90.25 featured a massive double cork 1620 mute grab on the first jump and a clean switch left double 1260 on the second, showcasing his signature amplitude and style. The medal marked the first Olympic podium for a U.S. male slopestyle skier since Joss Christensen’s gold in 2014.
4. FIS World Championship Dominance Hall has excelled at FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships. He won gold in big air at Deer Valley 2019, silver in slopestyle at Aspen 2021, and then captured the elusive slopestyle world title in Bakuriani in February 2025 with a near-perfect final run that included a left double 1620 tail grab and a right side double cork 1440 mute. He is considered a favorite to defend that title in 2027.
5. Signature Tricks and Style Hall is widely recognized for pushing the technical ceiling in slopestyle and big air. He was among the first to land a double cork 1980 in competition and regularly performs variations of 1620s, 1440s and 1260s with unique grabs (Japan, mute, tail) and switch entries. Judges consistently reward his amplitude, spin speed, smoothness and creativity, often separating him from the field in finals.
6. Injury Challenges and Resilience Hall has faced significant setbacks. A torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee during training in October 2022 sidelined him for most of the 2022-23 season. He returned in late 2023 and won X Games gold in big air just 14 months after surgery, demonstrating remarkable rehabilitation discipline. He has spoken openly about mental-health struggles during recovery, advocating for therapy and mindfulness among young athletes.
7. Training Base and Coaching Influence Hall trains primarily in Park City, Utah, and at Woodward Copper in Colorado, working closely with U.S. Ski & Snowboard freestyle coaches Mike Riddle and Toby Dawson. He also spends significant time in his hometown of Whistler, British Columbia, utilizing the resort’s terrain parks and backcountry features. His approach combines structured progression with creative experimentation, often filming sessions to analyze form and landing mechanics.
8. Off-Snow Ventures and Media Presence Beyond competition, Hall has built a strong personal brand. He launched the apparel and lifestyle brand “Hall Pass” in 2023, offering streetwear-inspired ski clothing and accessories. He maintains an active presence on Instagram and TikTok (combined following exceeding 1.2 million), sharing training clips, trick breakdowns and behind-the-scenes looks at life on the World Cup circuit. Sponsors include Red Bull, Oakley, Monster Energy, Armada Skis and Helly Hansen.
9. Rivalry with Norway’s Top Stars Hall competes in one of freestyle skiing’s most competitive eras, frequently battling Norway’s Birk Ruud, Christian Nummedal and Ferdinand Dahl, as well as Switzerland’s Andri Ragettli and Switzerland’s Colin Wili. His rivalries are marked by mutual respect and technical one-upmanship, with each major contest often decided by fractions of a point or a single cleaner landing.
10. Milano Cortina 2026 Outlook Entering the 2026 Olympic cycle, Hall is widely regarded as the top American medal contender in both slopestyle and big air. He enters the season as the reigning FIS slopestyle world champion and holds the No. 2 ranking in big air. With the Olympic slopestyle and big air events scheduled at venues in Cortina d’Ampezzo and Milan, Hall has emphasized consistency, mental preparation and injury prevention as keys to finally claiming the gold that eluded him in Beijing.

Alex Hall’s blend of technical innovation, competitive fire and approachable personality has made him one of freestyle skiing’s most recognizable figures. As the sport continues to grow in popularity ahead of the Milano Cortina Games, Hall remains a central character in its narrative—pushing the limits of what is possible on snow while inspiring the next generation of riders.