Jen Hudak

• Nickname:
• Hudak, Whodat?
• Discipline:
• Ski halfpipe, slopestyle, big mountain
• Date of Birth:
• September 7, 1986
• Nationality:
• USA
• Home town:
• Hamden, CT; now in Salt Lake City, UT
• Hobbies:
• Mountain biking, reading, hiking, decorating
• Life motto:
• "Only those who risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go."
• Twitter:
• @jenhudak
• Facebook:
• Jen Hudak Fan Page
• Website:
• www.jenhudak.com
• Home mountain:
• Vail, CO and Park City, UT
• Height:
• 5'9"

Jen Hudak was born and raised in Hamden, Connecticut. Always one for adventure, Jen learned to ski at age 3 in her backyard in Vermont- pulled uphill with a homemade rope tow that her dad proudly constructed. When the backyard mastery was achieved, Jen began spending more and more time at her home mountain, Okemo in Ludlow, Vermont.

By the age of 11 Jen joined the freestyle team at Okemo, where her pastime quickly grew into her passion. This passion originated in moguls, but blossomed when she found herself skiing halfpipe at age 15. It was a new skill to learn and perfect. Jen isn't one to take the easy road- she thrives on challenges, and halfpipe skiing provided just that.

In 2004 Jen found herself on the podium at her first major competition: The US Freeskiing Open. Her pro skiing career quickly took off. Through numerous injuries and industry challenges Jen always prevails. Hardwork and a fierce passion for what she does allow her to find a way to the top.

Jen is now a 5 time X-Game medalist, winning 2 golds in X-Games in 2010. She has won nearly every competition there is: X-Games, US Open, World Ski Invitational, Dew Tour, and US Nationals, to name a few. But one contest still eludes her: The Olympics. With ski halfpipe being such a young sport, it has yet to have its debut in the big show. With the recent inclusion of ski halfpipe in the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia, she holds out hope that she will one day be able to say that she is an Olympic athlete- an Olympic Gold Medalist.

In the off-season, Jen loves to spend time on her bikes (road and mountain), hiking with her dog Milo, wake-surfing, climbing, camping, and exploring new territories. She also attends the University of Utah and is studying psychology and business.

• Sponsors:
• Volkl/Marker, Under Armour, Rockstar, Giro, Skullcandy, Paul Mitchell, Nordica Boots, Discrete Headwear
• Video
• "Moving Mountains" Series Trailer
  Dry Land Training with Jen Hudak
  SuperPipe Gold
• Most important contest results or achievements in your ski career:
• 2010 X-Games Gold Medalist, 2010 Euro X Gold Medalist; 2 Time AFP World Tour Champion (2009, 2010)
• What is your favorite ski in 2011/2012 Collection?
• The Volkl Prl
• Short statement about why you like this ski:
• It has minimal sidecut and is fairly stiff, which allows the ski to hold up well against the transition in a halfpipe. It is also really quick edge to edge and super fun to ski!
• What conditions do you use this ski for?
• I use this ski for pipe and park
• What other skis in the 2011/2012 collection do you ride?
• I also ride the Shiro, which is the best powder ski on the market. Occasionally I'll ride the Bridge as well.
• Can you tell us a little about each pair of skis, and about what sort of conditions you use them for?
• The Shiro is great for big mountain skiing. It skis amazingly well in powder but also holds its own against crud on less than ideal days. It was my go to ski in Japan last winter! The Bridge is a great all-mountain ski. It is a twin tip, but it's fatter than most park skis. It allows you to hit backcountry booters and land in soft snow forwards or backwards.
• What about bindings? What bindings do you use? And where do you mount them?
• I use the Maker Jester pro. Each ski I ride is mounted differently. My pipe skis are 2 cm back from true center and my pow skis are mounted 5 cm forward of traditional.
• What DIN do you have your bindings on?
• My dins are usually on 10 or 11, but for contest days I'll turn them up to 13.
• Favorite skier:
• Too many to name just one!!
• Ski hero growing up:
• Evan Dybvig in the mogul scene, and Sarah Burke and Marie Martinod on the freeski side. Marie was the first girl that I ever saw do a 540 in the halfpipe and I thought it was the most amazing thing ever!!
• Ideal day in the mountains:
• A few laps in a perfectly cut halfpipe- just trying to go really big, doing some 5s but keeping it mellow. Then head out into the sidecountry, find some fresh snow, and let ‘er rip! Finish the day off with a bowl of veggie chili and a tall glass of ice water!
• How would you describe your style:
• Aggressive, committed and smooth… most of the time ;-)
• Your biggest breakthrough in your skiing career.
• Winning the Winter X-Games in halfpipe in 2010
• Favorite place to ride:
• Aspen, CO during X-Games!
• Best snow trip:
• Asahidake, Japan this past winter!
• What age did you start to ski:
• Age 3
• What cant you live without:
• Water, my iPhone, and twitter
• Favorite phone App.
• Words With Friends
• Goals and plans:
• Go to the Olympics in 2014- win a medal. Encourage others to find their own path in life and realize all of their dreams.