Olympian Jake Pates on growing up at Snowmass, finding his way back to competition, and why home still hits differently.
Long before the Olympics, X Games and The Snow League, Jake Pates was simply a Colorado kid who loved to snowboard.
Growing up in Eagle, Pates spent formative years riding with Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club, chasing friends around Snowmass, breaking for pizza at Goodfellows and squeezing every possible lap out of a day on the mountain. Those early years eventually carried him far beyond Colorado—to the Youth Olympic Games, the X Games and two Olympic appearances.
His path, however, has been anything but linear. After finishing eighth at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Pates stepped away from competitive snowboarding. Years later, he mounted an extraordinary comeback, returning to the Olympic halfpipe in 2026 and once again finishing eighth.
Through it all, Snowmass has remained part of the story.
Jacqueline Ford with Snowmass Living sat down with Pates to talk about growing up on these mountains, the lessons he learned away from competition, his return to the world stage and why, after traveling the globe, coming home to Colorado still feels different.
For readers meeting you for the first time, who is Jake Pates when you're not standing at the top of a halfpipe?
JAKE PATES: I would say I'm just a kid who likes having fun and being around people who light me up—doing things that light me up. Someone who lives for the moment, lives for good experiences and tries to make the most of every day.
You grew up just down the road in Eagle and spent some of your formative years riding and training at Snowmass. What do you remember most about those early days?
Oh, man. Going out on the mountain with a big crew—a bunch of us kiddos at the time—just riding our little legs off.
One of the most memorable things was breaking for lunch and having pizza at Goodfellows, when it was right there in the Village, and then getting right back after it.
We'd ride all day. When you're little and you're just starting to fall in love with it, you don't want to do anything else. We'd ride our hearts out, be completely exhausted and then do the same thing the next day.
Are there coaches, teammates or moments from AVSC that still stand out?
Romie, for sure. Tim Ward, Hayden Bell, Maya Wheeler, Tyler Lindsey, Ryan Jarvis—the whole squad. It was like one big family.
Everybody was super close. Some days all the crews would get together and we'd have something like 50 people shredding together. It was really quite a privilege to start there with AVSC. They're an amazing organization.
Back then, did the Olympics feel like a realistic goal?
I don't even think I was thinking about it. I was just having fun.
The first time I signed an actual contract and started making money was when I realized, Oh, maybe this could actually be a career.
Until then, I just wanted to snowboard. It was riding, having fun, learning new things and not thinking about much else. Snowboarding has a way of turning off every other noise in the world when you're doing it.
“Snowboarding has a way of turning off every other noise in the world when you're doing it.”
You've competed on some of snowboarding's biggest stages. What is different about competing here at home?
There's so much history in Aspen Snowmass, especially for snowboarding, but also for me personally. That's where I really got my start. I have so many memories here. I've learned so many tricks and spent so much time on these mountains.
It holds a different energy. I feel like I'm at home—like I'm where I'm supposed to be. It takes a little weight off my shoulders, and I feel like I compete a little lighter on my feet when we have events in the Valley.
The crowd is different, too. It's filled with people who share that love of snowboarding and ski culture, and there are so many old faces, friends and people I've spent time with over the years. It just holds a different vibe when it's in town.
THE COMEBACK
Your career hasn't followed a straight line. You stepped away from competitive snowboarding and then fought your way back to another Olympic Games. What did that time away teach you?
It taught me so much. It was really hard, but I'm incredibly grateful for that time. It was an important part of becoming who I am and growing as a person.
The saying, “You don't know what you've got until it's gone,” is very true. When I stepped away, doing this again seemed so far-fetched that it really ate me up inside. But it also ignited a different kind of flame, passion and motivation.
I came back wanting to find enjoyment in everything I was doing, to not take it for granted and to be present—especially when I'm competing and training.
I didn't know if coming back was going to work. It was a shot in the dark. But I gave it my all, and we made it happen.
I think there's a lesson in that: follow your dreams and your passion with relentless drive. Don't settle.
Did stepping away change your relationship with snowboarding?
Definitely. It gave me a new perspective on what snowboarding actually is and how lucky I am to be doing it.
I have so much more gratitude now. There was a time when I didn't think I would ever be in this position again. Being back taught me to appreciate it more.
What did it feel like standing at the top of an Olympic halfpipe again in 2026, eight years after your first Games?
It was absolutely insane. It had been so long that it felt like a dream.
I was overwhelmed with gratitude and relief and felt incredibly blessed. Being at the top in 2026 was almost a spiritual experience. It felt like this full-circle journey coming together.
There had been so much riding on whether that moment would even be possible. To make the finals and be standing there again was incredibly special.
It showed me the power of putting your mind to something, committing to it and making it happen.
“I didn't know if coming back was going to work. It was a shot in the dark. But I gave it my all, and we made it happen.”
KEEPING THE FUN IN IT
Snowboarding has changed tremendously since you were that kid riding around Colorado. What do you hope never changes?
The energy around it—especially when events come to a place like Aspen Snowmass.
There's so much excitement and support from the community. The crowds show up. People share in our love for the sport.
As an athlete, seeing that energy and seeing people who care about what we're doing is incredibly inspiring. I hope that never changes.
What would you tell the kid riding Snowmass today who dreams of making it to the Olympics or X Games?
Always focus on the enjoyment of it. Have fun and follow your passion.
Never forget why you started. Never forget why it makes you happy, and keep that feeling alive as long as you can.
Once snowboarding becomes a career, there are sponsors, endorsements and all these other things that can cloud your vision. To keep a career going—and to make it something that lasts—you have to go back to the basics.
You have to remember why you started in the first place.
THERE'S STILL NO PLACE LIKE HOME
You've snowboarded all over the world. What makes coming home to Colorado—and Snowmass—different?
It's such a special place to grow up.
I've been incredibly fortunate to experience mountains all over the world, but honestly, nothing compares. There's a reason so many people journey to the Aspen Valley for vacation. Some people come and don't even ski—they just enjoy the beauty of it.
It holds such a good energy. And then, on top of that, the skiing and snowboarding are unreal.
It's one of a kind. I've been everywhere and seen everything, and it's still my favorite place in the world to be.
What does your perfect day on the mountain look like when you're riding purely for fun?
Pretty simple. Going out with the family, ripping some laps, lunch with a view on the mountain, maybe a coffee and joking around on the chairlift between runs.
That's a pretty perfect day at home.
And where are you stopping for lunch?
Literally any restaurant in Snowmass Village—but the burger at The Flower Shop is kind of unreal. I had one last season. Shout-out to The Flower Shop!
You've already lived several chapters most athletes would consider an entire career. What are you chasing now?
There is still so much I want to accomplish.
Of course, everybody wants an X Games medal. Everybody wants an Olympic medal. Everybody wants to win The Snow League. Those are at the top of my list within the sport.
But most importantly, I want to inspire people—and they don't necessarily have to be snowboarders.
I've been blessed with the reach I've had, especially recently, and I'd love to use that to inspire people on and off the mountain.
Underneath those selfish goals of podiums and medals, it's about inspiring people.
🔥 HOT SEAT WITH JAKE PATES
Powder day at Snowmass or perfect halfpipe?
Powder day at Snowmass. I don't get too many of those these days, so I'll take it when I can get it.
Ski-in/ski-out home in Snowmass or condo in Aspen?
Ski-in/ski-out every time. There's nothing like riding into your mudroom, taking your gear off, grabbing a coffee and sitting by the fire after riding all day.
First chair or last run?
First chair. We never say “last run.” That's a superstition.
Favorite Snowmass run?
Highline. We used to ride that all day.
Olympics, X Games or Snow League—which gives you the biggest butterflies?
The Olympics. It only happens every four years, it's incredibly prestigious and the whole world is watching. Every event gives you butterflies, but the Olympics hold a different kind of weight.
Finish this sentence: “The best part about growing up a Snowmass snowboarder is…”
Being able to spend so much time in these mountains. I have endless memories in Snowmass with my buddies, surrounded by the beauty and nature up there.
And, most importantly, who are you calling for sales and rentals in Aspen Snowmass?
Matthew Tate and Jacqueline Ford, baby. Let's go. Every day. Ten times out of ten.
Connect