Aspen 2024 X-Games: How Weather Impacts Course Creation & Athlete Performance

news image
Special Stories
28 Jan 2024 11:00 AM

It's the 23rd consecutive year X-Games has been held at Buttermilk Ski Resort in Aspen, Colorado. The X-Games take place on January 26 - 28th, where athletes from 16-19 different countries participate and compete throughout a number of courses.

A lot goes into planning these courses and Mother Nature holds a crucial role in the course design. It looks like conditions for the X-Games weekend packs a lot of sunshine, light winds, and temperatures in the 20s-30s. Meteorologist Taban Sharifi spoke to Landon Taylor, project manager of Snowpark Technologies, on the intricate set up of the X-Games courses and how the snowfall can impact the course design.

Taylor said the natural snow Colorado gets is not enough to build the courses by the time they need it. They rely more on man made snow to create the X-Games courses.

While loads of snowfall is needed to bring the games to life, athletes are not hoping for snow as they hit the mountains to compete. The weather can impact how these athletes perform on one of the world's largest stages. Meteorologist Taban Sharifi also spoke with a few athletes as they were prepping for the games on their ideal conditions to compete and ride in.

Many of the athletes were enjoying the Colorado weather just ahead of the games Wednesday. Craig McMorris, X-Games competitor, said conditions were a 12 out of 10 compared to Vancouver, Canada where it was raining!

To stream the contests, catch the winners, and stay in the know on the 2024 X-Games in Aspen, CO, visit their official site HERE.

All Weather News
More
Lala Impacting Hawaii with Damaging Winds, Flooding

Lala Impacting Hawaii with Damaging Winds, Flooding

Lala continues to move westward of Kauai, sti

17 Aug 2026 2:00 AM
Flooding Risk Lingers for Another Day

Flooding Risk Lingers for Another Day

The Midwest can't catch a break. After a dama

17 Aug 2026 1:45 AM
Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

A ridge of high pressure continues to dominat

17 Aug 2026 1:30 AM
Heat Returning to the Desert This Week

Heat Returning to the Desert This Week

The last few days Mother Nature has turned do

17 Aug 2026 1:10 AM
Cold Front Brings Severe Storms Back to the Midwest

Cold Front Brings Severe Storms Back to the Midwest

Last week several rounds of storms moved thro

17 Aug 2026 1:00 AM
What to Know About the Total Solar Eclipse on August 12th

What to Know About the Total Solar Eclipse on August 12th

Get ready for one of the most spectacular dis

13 Aug 2026 10:00 AM
Repeated Severe Threat for the High Plains

Repeated Severe Threat for the High Plains

HIGH PLAINS - Tuesday proved to be an incredi

13 Aug 2026 1:30 AM