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

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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.

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