Pates is hoping to find "someone special" now that he's officially on Bumble
People
NEED TO KNOW
- Snowboarder Jake Pates is looking for love on Bumble after the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy
- Pates reveals to PEOPLE what he’s looking for a girlfriend
- Pates says his family is “super protective” of his dating life, but they want to see him “happy”
Snowboarder Jake Pates is looking for love after the Winter Olympics — and he's spilling the details on what he wants in a perfect match to PEOPLE.
Pates, 27, became a fan-favorite Team USA athlete during the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, racking up an impressive social media following as he took viewers along to Livigno, Italy, where he finished eighth in men's halfpipe.
Now that Pates, is looking ahead to the rest of his season and whatever comes next, the snowboarder tells PEOPLE, "It's been a little bit crazy these last months, and really, even years, just with training and getting back to snowboarding, so it's going to be nice to go home, decompress a little bit and maybe find somebody special."
Mike Marsland/Getty
Pates is partnering with the dating app Bumble as he looks for love, and says he's "not picky" about what potential matches are putting on their profiles. But the best way to catch his attention? "Be yourself," says Pates.
"Obviously, first, swipe right if you see me," the snowboarder adds. "Be a little spicy too. Say something funny."
@people #TeamUSA Snowboarder #JakePates reveals what makes him swipe left or right on dating apps. 💕 #Olympics #WinterOlympics #MilanCortina2026
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When he's not preparing for major competitions like the Olympics or the X Games, Pates says his perfect day off is as follows: "Wake up, dog walk or hike, a good breakfast, good workout, and ideally, some time in nature. It could be the beach, it could be the mountains, or maybe a nice little lounge place to hang out, have a drink, good conversation."
"Or maybe chill under the stars, just talk and get deep, have a nice connecting night."
Pates says it's not a dealbreaker if his future girlfriend doesn't snowboard, but it certainly helps.
"I do think that would be fun, to have somebody that I could go do that with because it's a massive part of my life and my family's life. It's something I really enjoy so yeah, I think it would be a plus for sure."
If she doesn't snowboard, he's prepared for that too. "That would be my escape time," he jokes.
Dustin Satloff/U.S. Ski and Snowboard/Getty
But anyone hoping to catch Pates' attention on Bumble should be warned: his family is "super protective" of him.
"My sister is super cute and always asking me those question, like, if I'm talking to anyone, and my brother's girlfriend, who is a part of the family, is super protective of me too. If I'm ever talking to my brother about a girl, his girlfriend will be like, 'Okay, hold on, let me see, I need to vet this girl to if she's compatible."
"But my family is really supportive," Pates adds of his hopes for dating on Bumble. "They just want to see me happy, and I think no matter who it is, they'll welcome her with open arms."
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.
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