When U.S. free skier Alex Ferreira was questioned last August about his intense desire for an Olympic gold medal to complete his career achievements—having already secured a silver and a bronze from the previous two Games—he offered a remarkably candid response. Ferreira, 31, bypassed the typical platitudes about process over results, telling TIME, “It’s time to complete the set.” He elaborated, “I’ve dedicated my entire life to the sport and to being the best of the best. That is the one achievement that eludes me at the moment. It’s the first thing I think about when I wake up, and the last thing I think about when I go to sleep at night. It completely consumes my mind, probably in an unhealthy way.”
In 2025, Ferreira claimed his third Crystal Globe, recognizing him as the world’s premier halfpipe skier, marking his second consecutive title. He is now poised to contend for his elusive Olympic prize; the halfpipe freeski final is scheduled for February 20 in Livigno, Italy.
Ferreira asserts that he has mentally prepared to alleviate the pressure. He states, “I’ve seen it a million times in my head,” adding, “I’ve spoken it into reality a million times through affirmation. I, Alex Ferreira, will be the 2026 gold medalist.”
Born and raised in Aspen, Colorado, Ferreira vividly recalls the first time he executed a 360 off snow at age 10. He describes it as “the most euphoric feeling in my entire life.” At that moment, Ferreira realized his life’s calling. He explained, “I loved it because there was so much freedom. You could go as fast as you wanted, you could catch as much air as you wanted. And then once I started figuring out the tricks in the air, I figured, ‘Oh my gosh, this is a feeling you can’t buy.’ And I still feel that way to this day. It’s like floating through air, and you’re creating art with your body.”
Ferreira made his Olympic debut at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, where he secured a silver medal, finishing second to a teammate. However, he may also be recognized outside of competitive skiing: around the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ferreira developed an alter ego, Hotdog Hans, a cantankerous old skier who appeared at various resorts. (Hotdog Hans drew inspiration from Kyrie Irving’s character.) Ferreira explained his motivation: “People are dying, people are sick, people are upset. We needed to bring some comedy and some humor into everyone’s lives.” Some of these videos have amassed over 12 million views. A short film, released on YouTube in January, features Ferreira, in character, heckling the 1998 Olympic gold medalist in moguls.
As he approaches his third Olympics, Ferreira is acutely aware of how close he came to losing this opportunity. More than a year after winning bronze in Beijing, he crashed his bike while intoxicated after attending his 10-year high school reunion. He sought emergency medical attention due to an inability to lift his arm. While awaiting MRI results, he feared severe damage. Ferreira recounted, “I’m sitting there thinking, ‘Wow, what a foolish way to end my season prematurely and potentially my career.’” This incident prompted a profound change: “I quit drinking. I quit going out partying. Quit chasing girls. Quit everything. I just dedicated everything that I possibly had to my sport and to my craft and to being a true champion. So I had to learn the hard way. And honestly, it was a blessing in disguise.” Following this, he went on to win the next two halfpipe Crystal Globes.
Ferreira has not consumed alcohol since that night in August 2023. He anticipates a significant celebration should he win a gold medal, before returning to his disciplined routine. “It’s going to be a glorious, glorious day and party,” Ferreira affirmed. “People can expect to see greatness. That’s what I see in myself.”