Born in the West, Raised in the South
Ben was born in California and started skiing at the age of two, but he didn’t grow a passion for the sport until his family moved to Wānaka later in his childhood. There, he spent years racing before making the switch to freeride and later moved to Canada to hunt deep powder and big lines. In 2019, he started his journey as a competitive freeride skier.
The 2024 season, he made his debut at the Freeride World Tour and finished with an impressive 3rd place overall, earning his title as the best-performing rookie of the season. We couldn’t be more stoked to support Ben at the tour and in all his future skiing adventures!
Q&A with Ben
Why freeride?
I love freeride as there is so much freedom in what you can do. There’s no right or wrong, meaning there is endless room for creativity.
What’s your motivation?
Skiing has brought so much to my life so I guess what motivates me is to inspire others to ski and experience that joy.
Why do you work with Sweet?
I believe we share similar values, keeping the dome protected in a stylish way. Head injuries are no joke so influencing others to wear a lid is important to me.
Your most loved products? Why?
Trooper 2Vi Helmet with Durden RIG Reflect Googles, fit is so nice. Plus the RIG lenses are so damn good.
Freeride Skiing
Stronger. Lighter. Better.
24.10.15
Athletes
On our "Meet Our Athletes" page, you can explore the incredible stories and achievements of the athletes who trust and rely on Sweet Protection gear. From daring mountain bikers conquering rugged trails to fearless skiers and snowboarders carving through powdery slopes, our athletes embody the spirit of adventure and resilience.
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24.09.20
Jake Hopfinger
Jake grew up on the East Coast, where he began his skiing journey in racing. Later, he moved to Bozeman, Montana for college and switched out his racing gear with wider planks. Since then, Jake has become a well-known freerider with a strong presence in the film industry, appearing in major projects by companies like Teton Gravity Research, Outside TV, and Sweetgrass Productions.
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24.09.25
Simon Hillis
Born in Bali, Indonesia, Simon Hillis is an accomplished skier who began his journey on the slopes at just three years old. After moving to Rossland, British Columbia, he grew up skiing at RED Mountain, quickly demonstrating his exceptional talent and passion for the sport by excelling in several junior competitions in Northern America.
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24.09.17
Alexander Steen Olsen
Alexander "Sander" Steen Olsen, is a young Norwegian ski sensation and a rising star in slalom and giant slalom. He captured his first World Cup victory in February 2023 and was voted "best rookie" of the 2024 season. We are excited to have Alexander on the team and to support him as he continues to excel on the world stage.
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