X Games Aspen 2026: How to Watch & What to Expect
Locale: UNITED STATES

How to Experience the Action
For those eager to witness the gravity-defying feats, several avenues exist to tune in. Traditional television coverage will be provided by ESPN and ESPN2, broadcasting live events throughout the weekend. For a more immersive and extensive viewing experience, ESPN+ offers streaming access to all X Games Aspen 2026 competitions. Beyond the broadcasts, the official X Games website ([ https://www.espn.com/xgames/ ]) will be a central hub for live scores, detailed results, athlete profiles, and behind-the-scenes content, ensuring fans stay completely connected to the action. Social media channels associated with X Games will also provide real-time updates and highlights.
Event Schedule: A Weekend of Thrills
(All times listed are Mountain Time)
Thursday, January 23rd: The games kick off with Snowboarder X (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM), a head-to-head, single-elimination race format that blends slopestyle and boardercross elements. Later that day, the Women's Ski Superpipe (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM) will see athletes launch themselves from the top of a massive halfpipe, executing intricate and complex routines.
Friday, January 24th: The Men's Ski Slopestyle (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM) promises spectacular aerial maneuvers across a creatively designed course filled with rails, boxes, and jumps. The afternoon features the Women's Snowboard Slopestyle (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM), showcasing the female riders' creativity and technical skill.
Saturday, January 25th: The Men's Snowboard Superpipe (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM) is expected to be a highlight, with riders competing to deliver the most stylish and technically challenging runs. Saturday evening culminates with the Men's Ski Big Air (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM), where athletes will take flight from a massive ramp, performing breathtaking aerial tricks.
Sunday, January 26th: The final day of competition begins with the Women's Ski Big Air (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM), followed by the Men's Ski Superpipe (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM) - a fitting end to a weekend of incredible athleticism.
Athletes to Watch: Legends and Rising Stars
The lineup of competitors features a mix of established legends and rising talents. Kelly Slater, a surfing icon, continues to exert an influence on action sports culture. While not directly competing, his presence underscores the broader connection between various extreme sports. Kelly Clark, a snowboarding legend known for her consistent and stylish performances, will undoubtedly be a crowd favorite. David Wise, a dominant force in the ski superpipe, is always a contender. Finally, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, a uniquely versatile athlete proficient in both snowboarding and skiing, will be an athlete to watch across multiple disciplines, adding an element of unpredictability to the competition.
Understanding the Disciplines: Superpipe, Slopestyle, and Big Air
For those unfamiliar with X Games, understanding the different disciplines is key to appreciating the spectacle. The Superpipe competition takes place within a massive, U-shaped halfpipe. Athletes perform a series of tricks while traveling up and down the pipe, judged on amplitude, difficulty, and execution. Slopestyle involves navigating a carefully constructed course with a variety of obstacles - rails, jumps, and other features - showcasing creativity, technical skill, and flow. Finally, Big Air is all about launching off a gigantic ramp and performing a single, spectacular aerial trick, judged on height, distance, and style. Each discipline requires a distinct skillset and showcases different facets of freestyle athleticism.
X Games Aspen 2026 promises an unforgettable experience for fans of winter sports. Mark your calendars and prepare to be amazed!
Read the Full ESPN Article at:
[ https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/47682891/x-games-aspen-2026-how-watch-winter-events-schedule ]