Leave it to Colby Stevenson to accomplish never-been-done milestones at X Games.
The 26-year-old skier found himself back at the top of the podium thanks to a mind-blowing finish at the Thayers Men’s Ski Knuckle Huck contest during X Games Aspen 2024 on Saturday (January 27).
“It’s awesome,” Colby tells Celeb Secrets host Juliet Schroder at the base of Buttermilk Mountain moments after his big win. “[X Games] is always such a fun event, and ever year I try to do a new trick that I’ve never done, so I’m stoked to come out and land all of my four hits and do some never-been-done tricks. The energy is crazy… it really is like X Games mode.”
Using the same course as the Big Air jump, athletes utilize the rollover — or the “knuckle” of the course to throw their most stylish tricks, and Stevenson made sure to use his creativity during the 20 minute jam session. Mentioning to Celeb Secrets that his fourth place finish in Slopestyle earlier in the day “stung a little,” the Park City-based athlete was determined to show up and put down a run that would ultimately make him the first in X Games history to repeat gold in the discipline.
“I came out today for Slopestyle. That’s my main event — like that’s my, my Super Bowl, you know? So I put down a really good run and came fourth, so that stung a little bit,” Colby explains. “I just had a little fire under my butt to come out tonight and put it down.”
Stevenson’s gold medal finish consisted of an epic nose butter into 710 and 1440, which is something he says was nearly six years in the making. When asked about how he keeps up with other competitors in his landscape as well as push himself to be the best he can be, the 26-year-old says the secret is to focus on what he’s already achieved and expanding it to higher levels.
“I hone in on what I can do and try to expand on those ideas that I’ve, you know, been building on those skills since I was a kid,” the Team USA skier says. “I add to what I’ve done with new grabs, and new rotations. I did three tricks tonight that I’ve been dreaming of doing for probably six years, so I’m super proud of myself.”
As for what’s next, Colby heads to Mammoth to compete in the Grand Prix this weekend for his final contest of the season. He will then make the trek to the backcountry with his buddies and some great camera equipment to “create something special.”
“Last year I won Skier of the Year for my backcountry part, so I’m doing a solo project this year. I’ve got a couple of my good buddies who are really good on the camera, and we’re gonna go out and just try to create something special both visually and also skiing wise. It’s a different vibe,” he shares.
Celeb Secrets caught up with Colby moments after winning the competition, where he talked about his gold medal finish, landing never-been-done tricks, and what’s next for the rest of the season. Check out the full interview below and let us know if you’re hyped for the skier’s big finish by leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post.
For more coverage from X Games Aspen 2024, click here.
