Hunter Hess Bio, Age, Height, Family, Career, Salary, Net Worth & More

Hunter Hess is an American freestyle skier and Olympic athlete who has rapidly ascended to the pinnacle of halfpipe skiing, representing the United States at the highest levels of international competition. Born and raised in Bend, Oregon, this 27-year-old SuperPipe specialist has captured back-to-back X Games bronze medals (2024-2025), earned multiple FIS World Cup podiums, and made his Olympic debut at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games. Beyond his competitive achievements, Hess has established himself as an influential figure in ski filmmaking through the acclaimed MAGMA film series, blending athletic excellence with creative storytelling in the world of freeskiing.

Quick bio

Early Life & Education

Hunter Hess was born on October 1, 1998, in Bend, Oregon, a mountain town renowned for its outdoor recreation culture and proximity to the Mt. Bachelor ski resort. His introduction to skiing came at the remarkably young age of 3 years old, when his mother, Anno Hess, first took him to the slopes of Mt. Bachelor.

Initially, Hess was placed in ski racing programs, but the structured competitive format failed to capture his imagination. Ironically, his true passion during childhood was soccer, which he played competitively while attending Summit High School in Bend. Young Hunter found more joy skiing to his races than actually competing in them—an early indication that his heart belonged to the mountain rather than the podium.

The pivotal moment in Hess’s athletic journey occurred at age 9 when a friend introduced him to the USASA Enter the Dragon competition at Mt. Bachelor. Hess entered the freestyle skiing contest on a whim and discovered an instant, overwhelming passion for aerial maneuvers. After landing a front flip in his first competition and placing third, he made a life-changing decision: he quit soccer immediately and joined the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (MBSEF) freeride program.

Hess officially joined MBSEF at age 10, beginning a structured pathway that would eventually lead him to the U.S. Olympic Team. He graduated from Summit High School in 2017 (actually completing his studies a semester early to focus on skiing) and has since dedicated himself entirely to professional freeskiing.

Career Journey

Early Professional Career (2017–2022)

Hess’s ascent into elite competition began when he joined the U.S. Freeski Halfpipe team in 2017. His breakthrough on the international stage came during the 2018–19 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup season, when he earned his first World Cup podium on December 22, 2018, finishing in third place.

The road to the 2022 Beijing Olympics appeared promising until disaster struck: just months before Olympic qualifiers, Hess suffered a devastating training crash that resulted in a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL). The injury, compounded by a subsequent bout of appendicitis, prevented him from qualifying for the 2022 Winter Games—a heartbreaking setback that tested his resilience.

Breakthrough and X Games Success (2023–2025)

Rather than allowing injury to define his career, Hess returned stronger. The 2023–24 season marked his emergence as a true contender:

• January 2024: Won bronze medal at Winter X Games Aspen in SuperPipe with a score of 92 on his final run, edging three-time Olympic medalist Nick Goepper
• 2023–24 FIS World Cup: Finished second in overall halfpipe standings with 265 points, behind teammate Alex Ferreira
• Three World Cup podium finishes during the season

Hess defended his X Games status in January 2025, capturing another bronze medal in SuperPipe with a score of 85.66, cementing his reputation as one of the world’s most consistent halfpipe competitors.

World Championships and Olympic Qualification (2025–2026)

• March 2025: Represented the United States at the FIS Freestyle Ski World Championships, finishing 5th place in halfpipe with a score of 89.75
• December 2025: Opened the 2025–26 World Cup season with a 3rd place finish at Secret Garden, China (86.25)
• December 2025: Secured 2nd place at the U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain (89.00)
• January 2026: Added another 2nd place finish at Aspen

These results qualified Hess for his first Olympic appearance at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games, where he competed in the men’s freeski halfpipe event in February 2026.

MAGMA Film Series and Creative Ventures

Beyond competition, Hess has revolutionized ski filmmaking as co-founder of MAGMA, a celebrated independent film series created with Olympic slopestyle champion Alex Hall and filmmaker Owen Dahlberg. The MAGMA projects are unique in that they are produced without sponsor funding, purely for the love of skiing.

The films showcase Hess and Hall’s creativity on backcountry jumps and urban features, earning accolades including Best Urban Segment at the iF3 Film Festival. The series has expanded to include episodic content and attracted international athletes, with the 2025 MAGMA Movie Tour bringing their films to audiences worldwide—from New Zealand to Boston, Seattle to Innsbruck.

Hess has also won Newschoolers “Trick of the Year” twice and completed a 6-week internship with Stifel (Park City wealth management firm) in 2024, demonstrating his interests beyond athletics.

Personal Life

Hunter Hess currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, having moved there full-time four years ago (approximately 2022) to be closer to elite training facilities for prospective Olympic athletes. While he maintains strong ties to his hometown of Bend, Oregon, the relocation proved essential for accessing the halfpipe infrastructure needed for Olympic-level preparation.

Hess is known for his close friendship with teammate Alex Hall, with whom he creates the MAGMA film series. Their creative partnership extends beyond competition, representing a new generation of athletes who blend competitive excellence with content creation.

When not training or filming, Hess enjoys running, surfing, and spending time outdoors. He is an avid dog lover and dedicates time daily to improving both his skiing and overall wellbeing. His approach to life reflects the balanced, outdoor-centric culture of his Oregon upbringing.

Awards & Achievements

Competition Medals & Honors

• Winter X Games Aspen 2024: Bronze Medal – Men’s Ski SuperPipe
• Winter X Games Aspen 2025: Bronze Medal – Men’s Ski SuperPipe
• Winter X Games Aspen 2026: 10th Place – Men’s Ski SuperPipe
• FIS Freestyle Ski World Championships 2025: 5th Place – Halfpipe
• FIS World Cup 2023–24: 2nd Place Overall – Halfpipe standings (265 points)
• Multiple FIS World Cup Podiums: 4+ career podium finishes including victories at Mammoth Mountain, Copper Mountain, and Secret Garden, China

Film & Creative Awards

• iF3 Film Festival: Best Urban Segment (MAGMA series)
• Newschoolers “Trick of the Year”: 2-time winner
• MAGMA Film Series: Critical acclaim for independent ski filmmaking; 2025 International Movie Tour

Career Statistics

• Six X Games appearances (2020, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026)
• Seven career podiums as of January 2026
• 13+ top-10 World Cup placings
• 10 years on the U.S. Freeski Team (since 2017)

Physical Statistics

Hess maintains a rigorous training regimen that includes skiing, running, and surfing to maintain the explosive power and balance required for halfpipe competition.

Quotes

“Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it.”

— Hunter Hess, responding to questions about representing the U.S. at the 2026 Olympics, February 2025

“There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better. One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out.”

— Hunter Hess, responding to criticism, February 2026

“I ended up doing a front flip or something and I had never flipped on my skis. I skipped the rest of the park I was so excited about it. I stopped playing soccer and joined the freeride program.”

— Hunter Hess, recalling his introduction to freestyle skiing at age 9

Controversies

2026 Winter Olympics Political Comments

In February 2026, Hunter Hess became the center of international attention when comments he made during a press conference at the Milan-Cortina Olympics sparked controversy. When asked about representing the United States during the current political climate, Hess expressed “mixed emotions”:

“There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t… Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

President donald trump responded on Truth Social, calling Hess “a real Loser” and stating, “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this.”

The controversy generated significant media coverage, with fellow athletes coming to Hess’s defense:

• eileen gu (competing for China): “I’m sorry that the headline that is eclipsing the Olympics has to be something so unrelated to the spirit of the Games”
• Chloe Kim (U.S. snowboarder): “I’m really proud to represent the United States… but I also think we are allowed to voice our opinions on what’s going on”
• Sen. Bernie Sanders: “Mr. President, this is not a monarchy. This is the United States and no one is required to bow down to you”

Hess responded gracefully with an Instagram post emphasizing his love for country while defending the right to free expression, ultimately competing at the Olympics as planned.

Salary & Net Worth

As of 2026, Hunter Hess’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed in verified financial records. However, industry estimates place his net worth between $500,000 and $1.5 million, derived from multiple income streams:

Income Sources

Notable Financial Facts

• Snow League Earnings: $5,000 (documented)
• X Games Medal Bonuses: Bronze medal payouts typically range $5,000–$15,000
• World Cup Podiums: Prize money varies by event ($3,000–$20,000 per podium)
• Wealth Management Internship: Completed 6-week internship with Stifel in 2024, indicating financial literacy and career planning beyond skiing

While Hess is not among the highest-earning action sports athletes (compared to skiers like Eileen Gu or Shaun White at their peaks), his diversified approach—combining competition, filmmaking, and business internships—suggests a sustainable long-term career strategy.

Interesting Facts

1. Soccer Star Turned Skier: Before committing to skiing, Hess was a dedicated soccer player and only discovered his passion for freestyle skiing at age 9 after entering a competition on a whim.
2. Early Graduate: Hess graduated from Summit High School a semester early to pursue his skiing career, demonstrating his commitment to the sport from a young age.
3. Double Medical Setback: Missed the 2022 Olympics due to both a torn MCL and appendicitis occurring in close succession—a remarkable double setback that would have ended many careers.
4. No-Budget Filmmaker: The MAGMA film series operates without sponsor funding, making it a pure passion project that has nonetheless achieved critical acclaim and international distribution.
5. Trick of the Year: Hess has won the prestigious Newschoolers “Trick of the Year” award twice, recognizing his innovation in freestyle skiing.
6. Financial Whiz: Completed an internship at a Park City wealth management firm in 2024, showing business acumen rare among professional athletes.
7. Mt. Bachelor Legacy: Grew up skiing at Mt. Bachelor, one of the most iconic ski resorts in the Pacific Northwest, and developed his skills through the resort’s education foundation.
8. Sixth X Games Appearance: By 2026, Hess had competed at six X Games, showing remarkable longevity and consistency at the highest level of action sports.
9. Regular Stance: Hess skis with a regular stance (left foot forward), which influences his trick selection and pipe approach.
10. Dog Lover: According to his U.S. Ski & Snowboard bio, Hess “loves dogs”—a personal detail that endears him to fans.

Social Media Links

Note: Social media handles are subject to change. Verify through official U.S. Ski & Snowboard or Team USA channels for the most current information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How old is Hunter Hess? A: Hunter Hess is 27 years old, born on October 1, 1998.

Q: Where is Hunter Hess from? A: He was born and raised in Bend, Oregon, but currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah for training purposes.

Q: What is Hunter Hess famous for? A: He is famous for being a professional freestyle skier specializing in halfpipe/SuperPipe, winning back-to-back X Games bronze medals in 2024 and 2025, and representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Q: What happened between Hunter Hess and Donald Trump? A: In February 2026, President Trump called Hess “a real loser” after Hess expressed “mixed emotions” about representing the U.S. during a press conference at the Olympics. The comment sparked controversy and support for Hess from fellow athletes.

Q: What is MAGMA in relation to Hunter Hess? A: MAGMA is an independent ski film series co-founded by Hess, Alex Hall, and Owen Dahlberg. It showcases creative skiing without sponsor funding and has won awards at film festivals.

Q: Did Hunter Hess compete in the 2022 Olympics? A: No, Hess missed qualifying for the 2022 Beijing Olympics due to a torn MCL and appendicitis. The 2026 Milan-Cortina Games mark his Olympic debut.

Q: What is Hunter Hess’s net worth? A: While not publicly disclosed, estimates place his net worth between $500,000 and $1.5 million based on competition earnings, sponsorships, and film projects.

Q: Is Hunter Hess married? A: No, Hunter Hess is not married and keeps his personal relationships private.

Q: What sports did Hunter Hess play growing up? A: Before focusing on skiing, Hess was an avid soccer player and also participated in ski racing briefly.

Q: How tall is Hunter Hess? A: Hunter Hess is approximately 5’9″ to 5’11” (175-180 cm) tall.

Conclusion

Hunter Hess represents the modern evolution of action sports athletes—competitors who blend elite athletic performance with creative entrepreneurship and authentic self-expression. From his early days as a soccer-playing kid in Bend, Oregon, to standing on X Games podiums and competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Hess’s journey is defined by resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to his craft.

His ability to overcome career-threatening injuries, speak authentically about his values even in the face of presidential criticism, and build a sustainable career through the MAGMA film series demonstrates a maturity and vision that extends far beyond his 27 years. As he continues to compete at the highest levels while shaping the culture of freeskiing through film, Hunter Hess stands as a compelling figure in both sports and creative media.

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