On Jan. 22, the 19th edition of the Winter X Games will return to Aspen, Colo., showcasing the best extreme winter sports athletes from around the world. This year’s games are expected to be bigger than ever with new competitions and an expanded roster of performers.
The X Games have come a long way since their inception two decades ago. The first Winter X Games were held in 1997 at Big Bear Lake, Calif. The next four years saw the competition move to Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado, and Mount Snow in Vermont, before settling on Buttermilk Mountain in 2002 for Winter X Games VIII. This was a big step in the extreme sports world, as well as the first time the event was televised live and featured night events.
The ever-changing games are set to shake its competition up once again, particularly with its addition of adaptive events to the lineup of 19 competitions. After being showcased as a demonstration in 2011 and 2012, Snowboard X Adaptive is now a medal race, and will be joined by Mono Skier X and Snocross Adaptive. The Unified Snowboarding Dual Slalom competition will feature teams consisting of one Special Olympics athlete and one X Games athlete. Special Olympics Global Ambassador, Hannah Teter, will compete.
Snowmobile Hillcross will also be making a comeback this year; it hasn’t been a Winter X Games event since 2004. The event is an uphill race, where riders must maneuver around jumps, bumps and obstacles. Levi LaValle is expected to dominate the race, winning seven gold medals in snowmobiling, including the last Hillcross more than a decade ago. He also placed first in the Freestyle, Knockout and Speed & Style events.
This year’s Winter X Games will emphasize music, aiming to give the games a festival atmosphere. This year’s headliners will include Snoop Dogg, Chromeo, Wiz Khalifa and Skrillex. To learn more about the Winter X Games XIX, visit xgames.espn.go.com.
Read This Next
The Osprey at Beaver Creek, A RockResort
Hotel
Nov 16, 2014#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedTravel Goods
Nov 21, 2024Never Lose an Item Again with Apple’s New Share Item Location Feature
It’s your worst nightmare: Your plane is taxiing and you’re looking out the window, only to realize you’ve left your iPad or laptop in the airport. Thanks to a new feature from Apple, these fears can be allayed, ensuring we always know where our valuables are, whether traveling or at home.
Sponsored Content
Seoul: Your Favorite Worldwide City
Seoul is the place for your next bleisure destination.
Dining/Entertainment
Nov 20, 2024Experience the Only Restaurant Made Entirely of Ice in America
You’ve heard of ice hotels, but what about ice restaurants? When ice Hôtel de Glace de Québec opens in January 2025, it will be home to the only restaurant made entirely of snow and ice in America thanks to a partnership with Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.
Destinations
Nov 20, 2024What Destinations Are Trending in 2025?
Luxury travel company Scott Dunn looks ahead to 2025 with predictions of hot destinations to visit. These focus on under-explored locations, sustainable tourism and exclusive experiences.
Sponsored Content
Discover Greece’s Tower Towns: A Journey Through History
Greece's tower towns offer a captivating blend of history, architecture and stunning landscapes that make them perfect for curious travelers. These towns, particularly found in the Mani region of the Peloponnese, are defined by stone towers built during the medieval period. Constructed for both defense and as symbols of family pride, the towers stand as a testament to the region's turbulent history and its residents’ resilience.
Destinations / Europe
Nov 20, 2024Where to Find the Best Stargazing Spots in Ireland
This year, the Northern Lights put on quite the display across Ireland, but don’t think these lights are the only thing you can see in Ireland. In fact, many spots across the country provide some of the best opportunities to stargaze thanks to low levels of light pollution. Ireland has three International Dark Sky Parks and even more spots which, although not accredited, are worth a visit for anyone wishing to see the sky in its unfiltered form.
ShareThis