X Games Aspen

X Games Aspen 2026, presented by Jeep, runs January 23 through 25 at Buttermilk Mountain, marking the 25th consecutive year the world’s premier action sports competition has staged at Aspen Snowmass. Over 100 athletes from across the globe compete across 18 disciplines spanning ski and snowboard SuperPipe, Slopestyle, Big Air, Knuckle Huck, Snowmobile Speed and Style, and Snowmobile Freestyle. The competition is broadcast live in the United States on ESPN and ABC, and streamed globally on YouTube and XGames.com. Daytime access to the competition venue and X Fest sponsor village is free until 4 PM daily. Evening competitions and the ticketed concert series require a General Admission wristband; children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. There is no parking at Buttermilk: all attendees must use the RFTA regional transit system or designated Park and Ride shuttles from Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, El Jebel, Basalt, and Willits.

The Athletes and What to Watch For

The 2026 field includes some of the most decorated names in international winter action sports. Alex Hall (USA), six-time X Games champion and the defending Knuckle Huck title holder, competes across Big Air, Slopestyle, and Knuckle Huck. Nick Goepper (USA), three-time Olympic slopestyle medalist, returns to defend his SuperPipe title. Scotty James (Australia), seven-time X Games champion and two-time Olympic halfpipe medalist, is chasing a fifth consecutive Aspen victory. Red Gerard (USA), PyeongChang 2018 slopestyle gold medalist, is attempting a third consecutive Slopestyle title. Anna Gasser (Austria), two-time Olympic Big Air gold medalist, returns from an off-season shoulder injury. Zoi Sadowski Synnott (New Zealand), Olympic slopestyle gold medalist, is competing for a sixth X Games gold.

The Music Program

Evening concert programming requires a ticket and runs after 4 PM each day. Friday evening features Disco Lines, with a daytime performance from TESSLA before the gate charge begins. Saturday evening is headlined by Alesso, the Swedish DJ and record producer, with daytime sets from Kendoll and Girlfriends, and a performance from Elliot Sloan, the 16-time X Games medalist who also records music. Sunday closes the weekend with Elliot Sloan returning to the stage. A Thursday evening preview event features the live-scored ski film “Ornada” by Armada Skis, with footage involving seven X Games gold medalists including Phil Casabon, Tanner Hall, and Sammy Carlson.

Logistics That Matter: Brush Creek Park and Ride reached capacity during 2026 event days. Plan to use alternative RFTA stops well in advance of your target arrival time. Rideshare services operate from Owl Creek Road and East Buttermilk Road near the main entrance. Aspen Mountain’s Lower Gondola Plaza hosts partner activations, contests, giveaways, and athlete appearances January 23 to 25, 9 AM to 4 PM, accessible on a valid Aspen Mountain lift ticket or season pass. Cameras with lenses shorter than 3.5 inches are permitted for personal use; tripods and professional equipment are not allowed inside the venue.

Aspen Beyond the Event: The Roaring Fork Valley

Aspen occupies one of the most richly provisioned resort environments in North America, with four mountains, a walkable downtown of historic Victorian architecture, and a restaurant culture that sustains James Beard nominations year after year. For families attending X Games with children who are also skiers, the daytime window before the 4 PM gate offers a genuine opportunity to ski Buttermilk in the morning, walk the competition venue at noon, and be back on snow by mid-afternoon. The Roaring Fork River valley southwest of Aspen, accessible via RFTA buses, connects to the communities of Basalt and Carbondale, both of which offer more affordable lodging than downtown Aspen during X Games weekend. Lake.com lists vacation rental options across the Roaring Fork Valley for families and groups seeking self-contained accommodations with kitchen access during the event window.