BY PAIGE SLAUGHT
Let your heart not be troubled, the 2017 ESPN Winter X Games are returning to Aspen’s Buttermilk Mountain on January 26-29!
With all competitions free and open to the public, what better way to start off the new year than watching the world’s best action sports and music live and on ice?
On the music side, there will be performances by Bassnectar, Anderson Paak & The Free Nationals, The Chainsmokers and G-Eazy. While admission to the action sports competitions will be free, X Games musical performances require a ticket purchase. Music fans can buy individual concert tickets, or purchase an All-Music pass for $125.
On the sports side, the top ski, snowboard, and snowmobile athletes will compete in 18 different disciplines during four days of extreme action and festivals. While a full list of athletes can be found online, here are some interesting athletes to watch for:
JOSSIE WELLSA
New Zealand native, this five-time X Games medalist is known as one of the planet’s most versatile skiers. Wells won his first X Games gold medal in 2016 for his Slope Style performance, marking him as the first athlete from New Zealand to win at an X Games.
CHLOE KIM
Front and center in women’s snowboarding, Kim is on course to win her fourth consecutive X Games gold medal. After earning her first X Games medal at age 13, she is the only X Games athlete ever to win three gold medals before age 16. A trilingual, first-generation American, she is the youngest member of the U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Team.
ROBBIE MADDISON
Most people know this daredevil Aussie for his record-breaking jumps and creative stunts. One of his most famous leaps was in 2011, when he jumped more than 378 feet, setting a new world record distance jump during the Red Bull New Year’s event.
We also are excited about our local faves, including Bobby Brown, Gus Kenworthy, Alex Ferreira and Arielle Gold, Taylor Gold, Matt Ladley, and Torin Yater-Wallace. These Colorado athletes really know how to wow a crowd!
A special addition to this year’s docket is the Women’s Ski and Snowboard Big Air Finals. Previously held in Europe, this event makes its domestic debut for the first time at X Games Aspen.
Additionally, the 2017 Games feature the introduction of a brand-new event, Snow Bike racing. This competition uses modified dirt bikes, which replace the front wheel with a front ski, and the back wheel with a snowmobile track! On that note, Snowmobile Best Trick will also return to the lineup for the first time since 2013.
All medalists from the 2016 X Games Aspen are invited to return this year, so don’t miss your chance to see your favorite athletes do what they do best! With any luck, you just may stumble upon a meet-and-greet or autograph signing somewhere in Buttermilk Village. This weekend is destined to meet your full “X-Pectations”!
For more information visit: www.xgames.com
