In the world of winter action sports, no event looms larger than the X Games. For over two decades, the premier showcase has brought together the most daring athletes to push the boundaries of what’s possible on snow. As the 2025 edition approaches, the Winter X Games is set to expand with new events that will elevate snowboarding to even greater heights.
New Disciplines Raise the Stakes
The 2025 Winter X Games, returning to the iconic Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado for the 24th consecutive year, will feature an enhanced lineup headlined by the introduction of the Street Style competition. In this innovative new discipline, riders will navigate an urban-inspired course filled with rails, walls, and other creative features meant to replicate a city landscape blanketed in snow.
The Street Style event marks a significant evolution for competitive snowboarding. As X Games vice president Tim Reed explains:
“We’re always looking for ways to progress the sport and give athletes a platform to showcase their creativity. Street Style opens up a whole new realm of possibilities and brings the X Games even closer to the roots of snowboarding.”
– Tim Reed, X Games vice president
In addition to Street Style, the X Games will also debut the Knuckle Huck competition for both men and women. Inspired by the impromptu style sessions that take place on the “knuckle” of a jump, where the takeoff transitions to the landing, this event strips away the structure of traditional contests. Riders will be judged on their creativity, originality, and execution as they launch off the knuckle into a sea of awaiting fans.
Expanded Competition Format
The newly expanded three-day competition will feature a revamped format designed to crown the most well-rounded snowboarders. Each rider’s final ranking will be determined by their top performances across multiple disciplines.
- Slopestyle – Riders navigate a course of jumps and jib features, combining big air with technical tricks.
- Big Air – Athletes launch off a massive kicker to execute their most progressive aerials.
- SuperPipe – The halfpipe contest challenges riders to link together intricate runs of airs and flips.
- Knuckle Huck & Street Style – The new events bring additional dimensions to the competition.
With more chances to medal than ever before, the stakes have been raised for the elite field of competitors. As defending X Games gold medalist Mark McMorris notes, versatility will be key:
“The new format is going to really test riders’ complete skill sets. You can’t just be a jump or rail specialist anymore – you need to put it all together across the disciplines if you want to come out on top.”
– Mark McMorris, Defending X Games gold medalist
Snowboarding’s Biggest Stars Collide
The world’s best snowboarders will descend upon Aspen for their chance at X Games glory. All eyes will be on McMorris as he looks to add to his record medal tally. But the path to gold won’t be easy, as a hungry pack of competitors stands in his way.
Rising stars like Rene Rinnekangas and Dusty Henricksen, both coming off breakout seasons, have their sights set on dethroning the veterans. In the women’s field, reigning Olympic and X Games champions Anna Gasser and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott appear primed to renew their budding rivalry.
The high-flying action of the X Games has long made it a fan favorite and ratings draw for ESPN. As the event continues to evolve, its mainstream appeal only figures to grow. The 2025 edition will air across ESPN’s family of networks, with live coverage available to stream on ESPN+.
From the inventive new events to the sport’s most iconic figures vying for hardware, it all adds up to one of the most anticipated Winter X Games in recent memory. As the calendar flips to 2025 and the hype reaches a crescendo, the snowboarding world will turn its collective gaze to the mountains of Colorado for a glimpse at the future of the sport – a future that promises to be more progressive and captivating than ever before.
