X Games Aspen 2023 officially commenced at Buttermilk Mountain on Friday (January 27) with a stacked day filled with gold medal competitions, heavy-hitting musical performances, and a deep lineup of the world’s best skiers and snowboarders all vying for their shot at X Games glory.
The heart-pounding action popped off bright and early with the Jeep Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle, followed by Special Olympics Unified Snowboarding and Skiing, Women’s Ski Big Air, Chipotle Ski Knuckle Huck, and finally wrapped with the highly-anticipated Monster Energy Men’s Snowboard SuperPipe Final, which aired live on ESPN.
Earning the first gold medal of the day was none other than Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, who stomped her fourth and final run in women’s snowboard slopestyle, making her the winner two years in a row. Sadowski-Synnott is no stranger to pressure and knew what she wanted to do. So at the top of the course, the New Zealand native then took to the course and put down a run that included: 50-50 gap to boardslide rainbow rail, lipslide pretzel, gap to Cab 270 to fakie, Cab underflip Weddle grab, frontside 720 Weddle, backside 900 tailgrab, switch backside 900 Weddle.
“I was really wanting to put down a switchback [1080] down in this X Games, but with the conditions with the flat light, I had to pull it back a bit and try to land the cleanest run possible… I only managed to do it on my last run,” admitted Sadowski-Synnott.
Despite not landing the run she had hoped, Sadowski-Synnott was pumped on snagging first place. “It means absolutely everything to me to defend X Games gold,” the 21-year-old said. “I grew up idolizing Jamie Anderson and the likes of Anna Gasser, and now feeling like I’m properly in the mix is a dream come true– I can’t believe it!”
Next up was the Special Olympics Unified Snowboarding and Skiing, where skiers and snowboarders competed in a slalom race along with their pro teammates. On the ski side of things, rapper Yung Gravy competed with veteran skier Tom Wallisch ahead of his upcoming performance at X Fest Snow on Saturday evening.
While the duo came in last place, the 26-year-old said, “This is lit, I was a skier kid growing up, and I love X Games – I didn’t know I was competing today, though,” he admitted. “My manager said there was something about Special Olympics, and next thing I know, I’m racing Tom Wallisch. Being in the X Games is awesome, and now I’m competing? I love it!”
As the snow continued to pummel the courses and blanket Aspen with a fresh coat of white, X Fest Snow came to life with big-name musical talents taking to the stage. TJ Mizzell kicked things off with a DJ set while the electronic dance duo, Night Tales, tore it up as everyone danced.
Then it was time for Women’s Ski Big Air, streamed live on X Games‘ YouTube channel, where Megan Oldham made history. The 21-year-old from Canada became the first woman in skiing and snowboarding ever to land triple cork in a competition. Oldham stomped a leftside triple cork 1440 to earn a perfect score of 50. Big Air is the best of two scores combined, and Oldham added a rightside double cork 1260, which earned a score of 41. Her combined score of 91 was good enough to win gold and etch Oldham into the X Games history books.
Oldham, who has been training specifically for this event, said, “It feels crazy to be a part of the huge push in progression right now, and being able to land a trick that has never been done before is a dream come true!”
Rounding out the podium was Tess Ledeux and Kirsty Muir, taking second and third respectfully. Ledeux stomped a technical leftside double cork 1440 tailgrab, while Muir surprised everyone with her leftside double cork 1620 Weddle.
Then over at X Fest Snow, the music and vibes cranked up to 100 as multi-GRAMMY award-nominated musician Kaskade unleashed a fiery set in front of a hyped crowd. Despite the falling snow and cold winter temps, the fans were fanatic about Kaskade’s free performance.
Over on the big air jump, the Chipotle Ski Knuckle Huck took off under the bright evening lights. Jesper Tjader took the win in a surprising and dramatic win.
“It’s been a life goal to get a medal at X Games, and it’s been such a long time coming,” explained Tjader.
When asked about his methods, he followed up by saying, “I would never do these tricks on a slopestyle course, as this event’s focus is on creativity, which is such a big part of skiing.” Matej Svancer took silver, and Mr. Colby Steveson claimed bronze.
Wrapping up the solid day was the Monster Energy Men’s Snowboard SuperPipe Final, where Scotty James claimed the gold once again, marking his fifth X Games Gold medal in the seven times he’s competed in SuperPipe.
“This feels amazing, it’s hard to put into words how excited I am,” James said after his run. “It was pretty challenging conditions to say the least as it was dumping so much, but I feel really happy to be riding with everyone and seeing how all adapted to the conditions,” said James.
His winning run went down like this: 180 drop-in to switch, switch chicken wing McTwist, Cab double cork 1080 Indy, frontside 1080 tailgrab, Cab 900 Weddle grab, switch backside 1260 Indy. The switch chicken wing McTwist and switch backside 1260 both had the judges and crowd in awe.
Despite the snowy conditions which hampered some of the athletes ability to achieve amplitude, SuperPipe Finals showcased the riders’ technical prowess and was the perfect action-packed finale to an energetic and exciting day. Jan Scherrer took silver with a run that included a Backside 900 tailgrab, frontside double cork 1080 Indy, Cab double cork 1080 Indy, frontside 1260 Indy, alley-oop frontside 900 nosegrab.
Valentino Guseli took bronze with his 15’ 5” switch method (second-highest measured air of the contest), Cab double cork 1080 Indy, frontside flatspin 1260 tailgrab, backside 900 Weddle, frontside double cork 1080 Indy.
X Games Aspen 2023 continues tomorrow (January 28) with marquee contests like Jeep Men’s Ski Slopestyle, Monster Energy Women’s Snowboard SuperPipe, Monster Energy Women’s Ski SuperPipe, Pacifico Women’s Snowboard Big Air, and Pacifico Men’s Snowboard Big Air, along with performances from Mod Sun and Yung Gravy.
For more coverage from X Games Aspen 2023, click here.
