Winter X Games

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An annual extreme sporting event arranged and broadcasted by ESPN, the Winter X Games celebrates its 21th anniversary in 2017 at Aspen Snowmass’s Buttermilk Mountain from January 26 to 29. The premier winter action sports festival features the talents of more than 200 of the world’s top athletes competing for prize money, medals, and bragging rights. With daytime and evening events, concerts, and interactive elements, there’s no better way to see this elite side of snow sports than in person.

Events at the 2017 Winter X Games

  • Special Olympics Unified Snowboarding Final: Special Olympic athletes are paired with pro athletes to compete in snowboarding runs
  • Ski Slopestyle: Skiers navigate a downhill course with a variety of obstacles, winning points for originality, amplitude, and tricks
  • Snowmobile SnoCross: Similar to motocross races, athletes on snowmobiles race on course with banked corners, tight turns, obstacles and steep jumps at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour
  • Snowboard Big Air: An event added to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, snowboarders perform gravity defying tricks after flying off a special launch while attempting to achieve the greatest height and distance
  • Snowboard SuperPipe: Snowboarders perform tricks on an oversized halfpipe made of snow
  • Snowboard Slopestyle: Snowboarders navigate a downhill course with a variety of obstacles, winning points for originality, amplitude, and tricks
  • Snow BikeCross: A new event in 2017 that is similar to SnoCross, athletes on snow bikes (dirt bikes with snowmobile tracks instead of wheels) race on a course with banked corners, tight turns, obstacles, rollers and steep jumps
  • Ski SuperPipe: Skiers perform tricks on an oversized halfpipe made of snow
  • Snowmobile Freestyle: Similar to motocross or BMX stylistic competitions, athletes navigate a course while performing high-flying tricks in an allotted amount of time
  • Ski Big Air: Skiers perform gravity defying tricks after flying off a special launch while attempting to achieve the greatest height and distance
  • Snowmobile Best Trick: Making a triumphant return in 2017, athletes on snowmobiles fly off a special launch and demonstrate their best tricks

See the full schedule here.

Event Costs

All Winter X Game competitions are open to the public free of charge. Hospitality services and special concerts at the Buttermilk Mountain stage come at a cost. The musical lineup at the 2017 Winter X Games includes Bassnectar, Anderson Paak & The Free Nationals, The Chainsmokers, and G-Eazy.

If you’re flying to Aspen in a private jet to experience every glorious second of the annual competition, the best package offered by ESPN is the 4-Day Platinum Tower Pass (USD $1,799, plus applicable fees), which gives you exclusive access to the Platinum Tower at the SuperPipe’s base. The package includes beer, wine, gourmet food, and the best views without crowds. Pass holders also enjoy preferred access to all musical performances (many of which are sold out at the time of publication), athlete meet and greets, a photo on the SuperPipe, private tour, limited-edition merchandise, and a single day all-mountain lift pass. If you only plan to attend certain days of the competition, Daily Platinum Tower Passes( are also available with many of the same perks (USD $300 to $600, plus applicable fees).

Photo by JGS Concepts

Photo by JGS Concepts

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