Aspen X-Games One Week Later
Photography : Josh Boles
Sara Shimizu
Sara Shimizu
The X Games. For a kid growing up in Indiana, where cornfields stretch farther than ski slopes, they were a portal to another dimension. A world of gravity-defying feats and superhuman athleticism. My youth was spent immersed in this world, devouring skate magazines, rewinding VHS tapes of legends like Bob Burnquist, and endlessly grinding digital rails in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (using all of the best cheat codes Nintendo Power could offer). Opportunities for aspiring extreme sports athletes in Indiana were, let's just say, limited. Perfect North offered a taste, but the landscape lacked the natural grandeur that breeds champions. The X Games, for me, represented possibility, a testament to the human potential to redefine limits, embodied by athletes like Shaun White, Lynn Hill, and Kelly Sildaru.
In early 2025, just weeks before the anticipated arrival of a new member at Future Gold Media, I decided it was time to push my own boundaries. Aspen beckoned. I needed to witness the athletes shaping the future of extreme sports firsthand, to capture imagery that would inspire the next generation, and to document the electric atmosphere that permeates the Games. The journey, however, was a logistical nightmare. Securing a flight to Aspen and finding accommodation during X Games week proved to be a masterclass in Murphy's Law. Multiple booking errors and a series of unfortunate events (best left unsaid) threatened to derail the entire trip. Yet, the allure of the Games was too powerful to resist and after a chaotic ballet of travel arrangements, we made it happen.
Aspen X-Games 2025
Arriving in Aspen in the dead of night was a stark contrast to the vibrant energy I expected. The quiet, almost deserted airport felt strangely out of sync with the X Games buzz. Towering mountains loomed in the darkness, silent witnesses to my late arrival. Traffic delays out of both Los Angeles and Indianapolis meant I'd already missed the first day of competition—a bitter pill to swallow. As I drove past Buttermilk Mountain, however, the faint glow of lights and the distant roar of the crowd offered a tantalizing glimpse of the action unfolding. I pulled over, if only for a moment, to soak in the atmosphere. The energy was palpable. I tuned into the live feed and heard the announcements of gold medals being awarded to athletes like Rell Harwood, Alex Hall, Anna Gasser, and the incredible Scotty James. Tomorrow, I’d be in the thick of it, but for now it was driving on a highway barley lit enough to make out how tall the mountains next to me were.
Eileen Gu
The next morning, layers upon layers of base layers, my new Vans boots (hey Vans, give us a call!), adrenaline, and anticipation fueled my trek to the X Games shuttle. The venue was a hive of activity. Sponsors like Monster, Sonic, and Pacifico jostled for attention, their branded flags snapping in the crisp mountain air. Even those without tickets gathered at the edge of Buttermilk, riding the ski lifts and watching the competitions from above, content to absorb the electric atmosphere. Women's Snowboard Slopestyle was my first live X Games event. Witnessing Zoi Sadowski-Synnott's triumphant return and gold medal win after years away was truly inspiring. Her winning run, a 94.66, was a display of breathtaking grace and control. Even my Sony 200-600mm lens couldn't fully capture the power and emotion of her final jump and the ensuing roar of the crowd. The energy at the base of the slope was electric. Throughout the weekend, I made a conscious effort to put down my camera and notepad, to simply be present and experience the Games.
Women's Ski Street Style offered a fascinating look at creativity and resilience. The discipline, judged on originality, difficulty, creativity, style, and trajectory, demands a unique blend of athleticism and artistry. This year's competition was marked by Eileen Gu's unfortunate withdrawal. After a fall during the Street Style event, Gu announced she wouldn't compete in the halfpipe and big air. Citing a fever, exhaustion, and the cumulative effects of a demanding schedule, she emphasized the importance of prioritizing well-being. Gu's candidness highlighted the intense pressure these athletes face. Her withdrawal, the third consecutive year her X Games appearance has been cut short by injury, raised concerns about the physical toll of these extreme sports. With Gu out, Olivia Asselin stepped into the spotlight. Dubbed the "it" girl of women's street skiing, Asselin is known for her creativity and unique style. She even designs her own clothes. With World Cup podiums and Olympic experience, she was a strong contender. Her performance in Street Style was a masterclass in innovation, blending technical skill and artistic expression. Asselin's gold medal win was well-deserved, a testament to her talent and dedication. Other events, like Men’s Ski Street Style and the Monster Energy Women's Ski SuperPipe, showcased the incredible talent of athletes like Cassie Sharpe, Colby Stevenson, and Ziyang Wang, all of whom earned well-deserved gold medals.
Day two crackled with palpable energy. The crowd buzzed with anticipation. Chloe Kim, the ROXY and Monster-sponsored star, was competing. Could she win another gold and tie Shaun White's record? The crowd was ready. And she delivered. The eruption was immediate, a wave of pure joy. Kim's winning run, a 93.33, was sheer brilliance. But the most resonant moment came after the podium. Meeting Chloe, her excitement was infectious. She radiated warmth and appreciation for her fans and fellow athletes. Her passion for snowboarding and her connection to the community were evident. It was a reminder that even in high-stakes competition, human connection matters. As a Hoosier, Nick Goepper's gold in the Ski SuperPipe was particularly inspiring. Growing up near Perfect North, where the "mountains" barely reach 800 feet, seeing a fellow Hoosier dominate the SuperPipe felt surreal. Nick's journey, from slopestyle king to superpipe champion, is a testament to his talent and adaptability. His win, just a year after changing his focus, cements his place in skiing history. It's been 17 years since someone conquered both slopestyle and superpipe, a remarkable feat. For kids back home grinding rails at Perfect North, Nick's gold is proof that even from the flatlands of Indiana, X Games dreams can take flight.
Aspen X-Games 2025
This account offers only a glimpse into the whirlwind that was the 2025 X Games. It's impossible to capture every athlete's performance, every heart-stopping moment, every nuance of the competitions. The sheer scale of the event, the simultaneous events happening across different venues, and the constant flow of athletes, fans, and media made it a sensory overload. And let's not forget the physical challenge. Lugging multiple camera bodies and lenses, including the hefty bag of a solo photojournalist, across the snowy and often icy terrain was a workout in itself. The X Games are a massive undertaking, influencing photographers, journalists, and sports enthusiasts alike. It's a proving ground for athletic talent and a platform for innovation in both sport and media. I was thrilled to be a small part of that energy, to witness these incredible feats of athleticism, and to share a sliver of the experience here.
A week later, the echoes of the X Games linger. The spectacle, the athleticism, the sheer audacity—it's an experience that stays with you. More than just sport, the X Games are a cultural phenomenon, a celebration of pushing boundaries. I left Aspen with a renewed appreciation for these athletes. I'll continue to support them, to follow their careers, and to champion the X Games—an event that reminds us of the extraordinary potential of the human spirit. And I'll be back. Hopefully with smoother travel arrangements next time.
Chloe Kim
