Photo: X Games
The Winter X Games and Aspen Snowmass have gone together like peanut butter and jelly throughout the 21st Century. More specifically, Buttermilk, one of the four distinct peaks that make up Aspen Snowmass, has been the host location for Winter X since 2002. And understandably, the rebrand of the X Games to a team-based, season format for the upcoming X Games League (XGL) has left fans curious if injecting new locations into the mix might leave Aspen…out of the mix.
It won’t. At least not for the near future, as X Games and Aspen Snowmass announced this week that the inaugural event is coming back to Buttermilk and will return through the 2028-2029 season.
“Aspen Snowmass is where the best in freeskiing and snowboarding come to compete at the highest levels every year,” said John Rigney, chief business development officer at Aspen One, in a press release.“We’ve proudly partnered with X Games for more than 25 years because we love their commitment to showcasing the energy and vibrancy of our sports on a global scale, while delivering an elevated experience for athletes and spectators alike. We can’t wait to do it again.”
An X Games League draft is planned for September at Los Angeles’ Cosm, a unique venue akin to the Sphere in Las Vegas but built specifically for hosting live sporting events. XGL announced that more than 180 athletes have opted in for the draft, where just 40 of them will be chosen for the four competing clubs, including names like Eileen Gu, Alex Hall, Mark McMorris, Scotty James, Zeb Powell, and more.
Dates for the inaugural 2027 XGL following the draft haven’t been announced yet, although Winter X events are typically held in late January.
“As the X Games League expands globally, Aspen remains our crown jewel, the iconic winter stop that athletes, fans, and partners circle on the calendar every year,” said Jeremy Bloom, X Games CEO, in the release.
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