Chip Hailstone is best known for appearing with his family on National Geographic’s Life Below Zero, but there is much more to his story than television. He spent decades building a life in northwest Alaska, where hunting, fishing, travel, weather, and family work became part of his everyday routine. On the show, viewers often saw him preparing equipment, traveling across the tundra, checking ice conditions, and helping younger members of the family learn the practical skills needed to live in a remote Arctic environment.
His legal name is Edward V. Hailstone. Public biographies generally report that he came from Kalispell, Montana, before moving to Alaska as a young man. He later built a life with Agnes Hailstone, and together they raised a large family in northwest Alaska. Their family became one of the most recognizable parts of Life Below Zero because the show regularly followed their daily work, seasonal travel, hunting trips, and family traditions.
Chip Hailstone Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full legal name | Edward V. Hailstone |
| Known as | Chip Hailstone |
| Profession | Hunter, fisherman, trapper, television personality |
| Known for | Life Below Zero |
| Reported birth year | 1969 |
| Early home | Kalispell, Montana |
| Alaska home | Northwest Alaska, along the Kobuk River |
| Wife | Agnes Hailstone |
| Family | Raised seven children |
| TV series | Life Below Zero |
| Series run | 2013–2025 |
| Last updated | September 20, 2026 |
Chip’s legal name is well documented, while his television career and family life in northwest Alaska have also been widely covered. However, some smaller biographical details, especially his exact date of birth, are reported differently across online profiles. For that reason, his commonly reported birth year of 1969 is more reliable to use than a specific birthday that cannot be confirmed consistently.
Who Is Chip Hailstone?
Chip Hailstone is an American hunter, fisherman, trapper, and television personality who became widely known through Life Below Zero. The series began in 2013 and followed people living in remote parts of Alaska, where harsh weather and long distances make everyday life very different from life in major cities. Chip and Agnes became long-running members of the cast, and their family often appeared in scenes involving hunting, fishing, seasonal camps, equipment maintenance, and food preparation.
It is also important to understand the difference between Chip and Agnes Hailstone’s backgrounds. Agnes is the Alaska Native member of the couple and is widely described as Iñupiaq, while Chip originally came to Alaska from Montana. Some online biographies mix these details together, but their backgrounds are different. Much of the knowledge shown within the family comes from experience passed through generations, with Agnes and other relatives also playing an important role in teaching younger members of the family.
Early Life and Move to Alaska
Most public biographies report that Chip Hailstone was born in 1969 in Kalispell, Montana. His exact date of birth is less certain because different websites list different dates. Some profiles mention March 8, while others give March 5 or another date, so it is safer to use 1969 as his commonly reported birth year instead of treating one exact date as confirmed.
Chip is also reported to have developed an interest in hunting and fishing while growing up in Montana. Several biographies say he moved to Alaska around 1988, when he was about 19 years old, and eventually made northwest Alaska his permanent home. Although detailed stories about his childhood are mostly based on secondary profiles, his later life in Alaska is much better documented through his television appearances and public records.
Life in Northwest Alaska
Chip and Agnes built their family life along the Kobuk River in northwest Alaska, where daily routines are closely connected to weather, wildlife, seasonal changes, and access to food. Their family relied heavily on hunting, fishing, gathering, repairing equipment, and traveling between different locations. These activities became a major part of their story on Life Below Zero because they showed viewers how much planning and work can be involved in living in a remote Arctic environment.
The television series regularly showed Chip checking ice, using snowmobiles, preparing fishing equipment, building hunting blinds, and working with family members. In such an environment, hunting is only one part of the work because safe travel is equally important. Ice thickness, weather changes, fuel supplies, tools, and animal movement can all affect a trip, which means careful preparation is often necessary before leaving home.
Marriage to Agnes Hailstone and Family
Chip is married to Agnes Hailstone, who became just as important to the family’s television story as Chip. Together, they raised seven children in northwest Alaska. Public reports generally identify five daughters shared by Chip and Agnes, while Agnes also has two sons from an earlier relationship. The daughters most often named are Tinmiaq, Iriqtaq, Mary, Caroline or Carol, and Qutan.
Over the years, Life Below Zero began showing more members of the Hailstone family as the children grew older. Their daughters and grandchildren appeared in episodes involving hunting, fishing, travel, and other family activities. Chip was also shown working with daughters such as Tinmiaq, Carol, and Qutan, while grandson Sabastian appeared in later material. This focus on several generations made the Hailstone family different from many other reality television families because their story centered heavily on practical skills and family cooperation.
Chip Hailstone on Life Below Zero
Life Below Zero premiered in 2013 and followed people living in some of Alaska’s more remote regions. Chip and Agnes became long-running cast members, and their sections of the show often focused on preparing food, maintaining equipment, moving safely across difficult terrain, and teaching younger family members. Their lifestyle gave viewers a look at the amount of work needed to live in an area where stores, roads, and other modern services may be far away.
The show also became successful within the television industry and received numerous awards and nominations during its run. Chip continued appearing during the later years of the series, including episodes that showed snowmobile trips, spring hunting, and family work. By late 2024, Chip had publicly indicated that there was no new contract for another season, and the original series later ended after its 23rd season, with final-season episodes airing in 2025.
The Legal Case Explained
One part of Chip Hailstone’s life that is often explained too briefly online is his criminal case. Court records show that Edward V. Hailstone was convicted of two counts of perjury and two counts of providing false information with the intent to implicate another person in an offense. The case developed after statements he made following an encounter involving Alaska State Troopers and members of his family.
Chip later challenged the case through post-conviction legal proceedings. In October 2024, the Alaska Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court’s decision denying his remaining ineffective-assistance claim. Some online articles create the impression that the convictions were completely removed, but the later appellate ruling does not support that description. It is more accurate to say that Chip challenged the case through the courts, but the appeal discussed in 2024 did not erase the original convictions.
What Happened After Life Below Zero?
The biggest confirmed change in Chip’s public life is the ending of Life Below Zero rather than the announcement of a major new television project. His appearances during the final years of the series continued to focus on the same activities that had defined his screen image for a long time. These included hunting, traveling by snowmobile, working with family members, and preparing for seasonal changes in northwest Alaska.
As of September 2026, there is no clearly confirmed major new television project involving Chip Hailstone. Some biography websites have published claims about his current income, future plans, or new activities, but many of those claims are difficult to verify. It is therefore more accurate to say that his long run on television has ended and that his public image remains closely connected with his family and the years he spent documenting life in Alaska.
Chip Hailstone Net Worth
Chip Hailstone’s net worth is a popular search topic, but there is no reliable public record confirming an exact amount. Different websites publish figures ranging from around $100,000 to much higher estimates, yet these numbers are usually not supported by official contracts, tax records, financial statements, or verified comments from Chip. Some sites also claim that he earned a particular amount per episode, but those figures are usually presented without strong evidence.
Because of this, there is no solid reason to present one exact Chip Hailstone net worth in 2026 as confirmed fact. His television career clearly provided income for many years, and he became a recognizable reality television personality through Life Below Zero. However, his personal finances remain private, so any specific net worth figure should be treated only as an estimate unless reliable financial information becomes publicly available.
How This Was Researched
I researched this Chip Hailstone biography by reviewing television records, public court information, episode details, and published reports about the Hailstone family and Life Below Zero. I also compared several biography pages to identify details that were repeated consistently and areas where different websites gave conflicting information. Some of the biggest differences involved his exact birth date, financial estimates, and descriptions of his legal case, so I have avoided presenting uncertain details as confirmed facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Chip Hailstone in 2026?
Most public profiles report that Chip Hailstone was born in 1969. Based on that year, he would be about 57 years old in 2026. His exact birthday is reported differently across several secondary sources, so the specific date should be treated with caution.
What is Chip Hailstone’s real name?
Chip Hailstone’s legal name is Edward V. Hailstone. He is publicly known as Chip Hailstone, which is the name used throughout his television career and the name most viewers associate with Life Below Zero.
Who is Chip Hailstone’s wife?
Chip is married to Agnes Hailstone. The couple became widely known through Life Below Zero, where their family life, hunting activities, seasonal travel, and work in northwest Alaska were regularly featured.
How many children did Chip and Agnes Hailstone raise?
Chip and Agnes raised seven children in their family. Public biographies generally report that five daughters are shared by Chip and Agnes, while Agnes has two sons from an earlier relationship.
Why did Chip Hailstone go to court?
Chip was convicted of two counts of perjury and two counts of providing false information with the intent to implicate another person in an offense. The case was connected to statements he made following an encounter involving Alaska State Troopers and members of his family. He later challenged the case through additional legal proceedings.
Is Chip Hailstone still on Life Below Zero?
No. The original Life Below Zero series ended after its 23rd season, with final-season episodes airing in 2025. Chip had already indicated in 2024 that there was no new contract for another season.
What is Chip Hailstone’s net worth in 2026?
There is no independently verified public figure for Chip Hailstone’s net worth in 2026. Several websites publish different estimates, but his actual finances are private, so those numbers should not be treated as confirmed.
Accuracy Note
This biography is based on publicly available television records, court information, published reports, and other documented material. Some personal details, including Chip Hailstone’s exact birthday and financial information, are reported differently across websites, so uncertain claims have not been presented as confirmed facts.
Written and researched by Hassan, contributor at ntx magazine.
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Written by Hassan, founder and editor of NTX Magazine — an independent news and biography publication. Every article is researched and cross-checked against multiple public sources before publishing; see our Sourcing Standards page for details.
