Grace Henderson: Biography, Career, Age and Olympic Journey

Grace Henderson is an American freestyle skier who has made her mark in both slopestyle and big air. Born on April 28, 2001, she grew up in New Hampshire and began skiing when she was only two years old. Her early years on the slopes eventually developed into a professional career with the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team.

Her career has included World Cup success, an X Games silver medal, major injuries, and a comeback that led to her first Olympic appearance. In 2026, she represented Team USA at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, competing in both women’s big air and slopestyle.

Beyond competition, her story is closely connected to her family, particularly her younger brother Hunter Henderson, who is also a professional freestyle skier. From her New Hampshire roots to the Olympic stage, her journey reflects years of training, persistence, and a deep love for skiing.

Quick Facts About Grace Henderson

Early Life and Background

Grace Henderson grew up in New Hampshire, where skiing became part of her life at a very young age. According to U.S. Ski & Snowboard, her parents taught her to ski at small mountains around the state when she was only two.

She initially competed in alpine racing and spent several seasons developing traditional skiing skills. Her path changed when her parents began entering her in freestyle competitions alongside her younger brother, Hunter.

That experience introduced Henderson to park skiing and eventually convinced her to make the switch to freestyle full time. She later attended Waterville Valley Academy, where she continued developing her abilities as a competitive freeski athlete.

Her connection to Hunter has remained an important part of her skiing story. Hunter also became a professional skier and joined the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team, making skiing a shared family pursuit.

Her Age and Physical Features

Born on April 28, 2001, Grace Henderson is 25 years old in 2026. Her hometown is listed as Durham, New Hampshire, although competition records from U.S. Ski & Snowboard commonly list Madbury, New Hampshire.

Team USA lists Henderson at 5 feet 6 inches tall. As a freestyle skier, her athletic profile is built around balance, coordination, flexibility, aerial awareness, and the ability to control demanding rotations in the air.

Freestyle skiing requires more than speed. Athletes must combine technical ability with body control and consistency while performing difficult tricks over large jumps and complex courses.

Career and Major Achievements

Henderson’s professional career has produced several notable milestones. She earned her first World Cup podium with a third-place slopestyle finish at Stubai in November 2022, and she later won her first X Games medal with silver in Big Air at X Games Aspen 2025.

Her 2025 X Games performance was particularly significant because she had missed the 2024 event because of injury. She landed a double cork 1080 tail grab to secure the Big Air silver medal, marking an important comeback moment.

Road to the 2026 Winter Olympics

Qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics represented a major milestone in Henderson’s career. U.S. Ski & Snowboard officially named her to the women’s slopestyle and big air group for the Milano Cortina Games.

Her Olympic selection came after years of competing at the international level. She had already established herself as a World Cup competitor and X Games medalist, giving her valuable experience before arriving at her first Olympic Games.

Team USA listed her as a 2026 Olympian and recorded Milano Cortina as her first Olympic appearance.

Her Olympic Performance

At Milano Cortina 2026, Henderson competed in both women’s big air and slopestyle.

According to Team USA’s official athlete profile, she finished 14th in women’s big air and 15th in women’s slopestyle.

The Olympic results added another major chapter to a career that had already included World Cup and X Games achievements. For Henderson, competing at the Games also represented the realization of a goal developed through years of skiing and competition.

Injury and Comeback

Injury has been an important part of Henderson’s competitive journey. She missed the 2024 X Games because of injury before returning to the event in 2025 and winning her first X Games medal.

Her injury history also includes a serious accident at a Big Air event in Beijing in December 2023. X Games reported that she broke both heels after landing on the knuckle of the Big Air jump and spent six weeks in a wheelchair.

She also dealt with a broken collarbone that kept her out of the 2023 FIS Freestyle Ski World Championships. Despite those setbacks, Henderson continued working toward a return to top-level competition.

Her 2025 X Games result showed the progress of that comeback. The double cork 1080 she landed in Big Air was especially meaningful because it was her first double in years after dealing with injuries.

Relationship With Her Brother Hunter Henderson

Family is an important part of Henderson’s skiing story. Her younger brother, Hunter Henderson, is also a professional freestyle skier and competes in slopestyle and big air for the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team.

The siblings grew up skiing together and eventually became members of the same U.S. freeski program. Hunter’s own U.S. Ski & Snowboard biography notes that he began skiing at two while following his older sister Grace during family trips to Sunday River.

Their shared experience has continued into adulthood. The two have also been involved with the Henderson Invitational at their home mountain, Waterville Valley, an event that celebrates the East Coast freeski community.

Marriage and Family Life

Henderson generally keeps her private life away from the center of public attention. Available athlete profiles focus primarily on her skiing career, family connection to the sport, education, outdoor interests, and competition results.

There is no reliable public information establishing that she is married. Her most documented family connection is her relationship with her younger brother Hunter, with whom she shares a professional connection to freestyle skiing.

X Games reports that Henderson lives in Park City with Hunter.

Social Media Presence

Social media provides another way for fans to follow Henderson’s career outside formal competitions. Her online presence has been associated with skiing, outdoor activities, travel, training, and life surrounding professional competition.

For an athlete whose career involves frequent travel and international events, social media can offer followers a more personal look at the lifestyle behind competition.

Her interests also extend beyond skiing. U.S. Ski & Snowboard lists surfing, golfing, backpacking, and other outdoor activities among the things she enjoys when she is not competing.

Who Is Grace Henderson?

Grace Henderson is an American professional freestyle skier from New Hampshire who specializes in slopestyle and big air.

She started skiing at age two, initially competed in alpine racing, and later moved into freestyle after being introduced to park skiing through competitions involving her brother. She went on to attend Waterville Valley Academy and eventually became part of the U.S. Freeski Team.

Her career highlights include a World Cup podium, a 2025 X Games silver medal, and participation in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Her story is particularly notable because it combines elite competition with a lengthy comeback from injuries that interrupted important stages of her career.

Personality and Interests

Henderson’s public profile suggests that her interests extend well beyond competition. She enjoys several outdoor activities, including surfing, golfing, and backpacking.

She has also spoken positively about the community surrounding the U.S. freeski team. According to her U.S. Ski & Snowboard profile, one of her favorite aspects of being part of the team is traveling around the world with friends who feel like family.

Her involvement in the Henderson Invitational also reflects her connection to her New Hampshire roots and the wider East Coast skiing community.

Net Worth and Income

There is no reliable public figure for Henderson’s current net worth, so an exact estimate would be speculative.

As a professional skier, potential sources of income can include competition prize money, sponsorships, endorsements, appearance opportunities, and team-related support. However, the publicly available athlete profiles do not provide a verified breakdown of her annual earnings or personal wealth.

Her X Games medal, Olympic selection, and membership in the U.S. Freeski Team have increased her visibility within the sport, but visibility should not be treated as evidence of a specific income level.

For that reason, claims about an exact Grace Henderson net worth should be treated cautiously unless supported by a direct financial disclosure or a reputable source.

Public Image and Legacy

Henderson’s public image is strongly associated with freestyle skiing, resilience, and her New Hampshire roots. Her career has included significant achievements as well as setbacks, giving her story a broader dimension than competition results alone.

Her 2025 X Games silver medal was a major career moment, particularly because it came after injury-related challenges.

Her Olympic debut in 2026 further established her place on the international stage. She now has experience across World Cup competition, World Championships, X Games, and the Olympic Games.

Her connection with Hunter and their involvement in the Henderson Invitational also give her career a community-focused element. Rather than being defined only by individual results, her skiing journey remains connected to the people and places that helped her develop.

Conclusion

Grace Henderson’s journey from a young skier in New Hampshire to a Team USA Olympian is a story of dedication, progression, and perseverance.

She began skiing at just two years old, moved from alpine racing into freestyle, and developed into a specialist in slopestyle and big air. Her career includes a World Cup podium, a silver medal at X Games Aspen 2025, and her Olympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026.

Injuries created difficult moments along the way, but Henderson continued working toward elite competition. Her return to the X Games podium and subsequent Olympic appearance show how her career developed through both achievements and setbacks.

With her strong family connection to skiing, love of outdoor activities, and experience on the world’s biggest freeski stages, Henderson has built a distinctive story within American freestyle skiing.

8 FAQs About Grace Henderson

1. Who is Grace Henderson?

Grace Henderson is an American freestyle skier who competes in women’s slopestyle and big air. She represents the United States in international competition and made her Olympic debut at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.

2. How old is Grace Henderson?

Grace Henderson was born on April 28, 2001, making her 25 years old in 2026.

3. Where is Grace Henderson from?

She is from New Hampshire. Her official athlete information lists Durham as her hometown, while U.S. Ski & Snowboard competition records list Madbury.

4. What sport does Grace Henderson compete in?

She competes in freestyle skiing, with women’s slopestyle and big air as her main disciplines.

5. Did Grace Henderson compete in the 2026 Olympics?

Yes. Henderson made her Olympic debut for Team USA at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. She finished 14th in women’s big air and 15th in women’s slopestyle.

6. What did Grace Henderson win at the X Games?

She won a silver medal in women’s Big Air at X Games Aspen 2025. It was her first X Games medal.

7. Who is Grace Henderson’s brother?

Her younger brother is Hunter Henderson, a professional freestyle skier who also competes in slopestyle and big air for the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team.

8. What does Grace Henderson do outside skiing?

Her listed interests include surfing, golfing, backpacking, and other outdoor activities. She also remains connected to the skiing community through events such as the Henderson Invitational.

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