Snowboarder Jake Pates is turning to the dating app Bumble in his search for love following his appearance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 27-year-old athlete opened up about what he's looking for in a girlfriend.
Pates, who became a fan favorite during the Games, says the intense training period is over and he's ready to decompress and "maybe find somebody special." While partnering with Bumble, he advises potential matches to "be yourself" and "say something funny" to catch his eye.
His ideal day off involves nature, good conversation, and a nice drink. Although he thinks it would be a "plus" if a future girlfriend snowboarded, it's not a dealbreaker. Pates also revealed his family is "super protective" of his dating life, with his sister and brother's girlfriend actively vetting potential partners, but ultimately they just want to see him happy.