The X Games has come and gone, which means you can set your countdown to 352 days. I know I can’t wait for that alarm to buzz, but don’t think there isn’t preparation to do. In order to weather this chaotic storm, here are a few tips to take into next year’s exhilarating weekend.
1. Some people go to X Games for the killer bands, but let’s not forget what brought the bands here. The amazing athletes show off all weekend long with tricks like triple backside rodeos and triple cork 1440s, there is no telling what these riders will do for the gold chain to land on their necks. While the music is a “can’t miss,” especially because you probably begged to have the cost of the tickets be put on your dad’s credit card, make sure to check out what these athletes bring to the table for free. Prior to heading up for the weekend, check out the times of some events that you like and make sure to check them out. My personal favorites are the Big Air and Superpipe. All that’s left to do is decide if you’re more of a skiing or snowboarding person, or whichever athletes you think look fresh in their snow pants. Whatever gets you to the event works, but it’s the performance that will have you screaming in amazement as if you grew up an extreme sport junkie.
2. The whole vibe at X Games is chill, so if you stick around long enough, chances are you’ll meet your favorite athletes. Normally, there are designated areas for athletes and VIPs to walk to and from events. To no one’s dismay there aren’t any velvet ropes or walls higher than the one in China barricading this passage from the general public. So, when all the thrill begins to die down, that’s when it’s time to start inching towards that line. As the rest of the audience moves on to enjoy the other activities, use this opportunity to meet some of the stellar athletes. They all can’t stop smiling anyway, so why not get those pearly whites in a selfie? Each athlete seems to be amazed that they are so popular, and hey, it gives the rising stars a chance to feel like Leonardo DiCaprio. Who are we to deprive them of that moment? Also, by getting in on this photo-op, you enjoy the VIP experience without the bill and the ability to raise your Instagram game.
3. Remember that you’re standing in snow the whole time, all day, every day. While this may seem immensely obvious, that still might not make you choose your industrial (maybe a bit ugly) snow protective boots and instead opt for the Doc Martens or Vans that are too cool to pass up. If you are that person that prioritizes fashion over function, which we all tend to do at some points in life, make sure to buy toe warmers or slip-shaken hand warmers in between your toes. Your little piggies will cozy up to that fire and won’t cause you to believe that amputation from frostbite is your fate. It lets you hear Lil Wayne’s entire set instead of limping over to the bus before “Uproar” even gets the crowd to uproar.
4. It’s expensive, so take advantage of all the free stuff. Everyone looks hesitantly at their credit cards and might even refuse to look at their bank accounts prior to putting their payment down for housing and concert tickets to X Games, but it’s important to remember how much free stuff you can get if you just look or ask for it. There are free buses shuttling fans visiting the Aspen area to the base of the one and only Buttermilk Mountain, where all the magic happens. Any mountain or resort in the area usually gets access to Aspen, Snowmass or Highlands, and you’re covered with no gas charges hitting your account. Also, Uber is a near nightmare for your wallet, so why bother? Just take a seat on the bus where you can meet another avid David Wise, Mark McMorris or Jamie Anderson fan. Not only that, but getting a hankering for some food is expected from the endless walking, jumping, dancing and head banging, and X Games has no problem hooking you up with food. This year Wendy’s was ready to fuel you up, and waiting in line looked like a drag at first, until they offered Frosties for those waiting. When the sun was out it was as if the ice cream truck had rolled through your neighborhood once again. Jeep joined the party by offering hot Belgian waffles, which is an iconic après snack. Tents are scattered with free activities and prizes, product demos and athlete signings. It takes the adventurer in you to find it all. Think of it like Easter with hidden gems hidden at every corner.
5. Mosh pits can be fun, but are they really that fun? Or are you just trying to relive the nostalgia from the bar and bat mitzvahs you went to in eighth grade? Concerts and mosh pits go together like peanut butter and jelly, and I’m pretty sure they always will. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I guess it depends on the type of person you are. There is no surprise that you might find yourself in one at X Games, especially because the line ups have been on fire (literally half the artists shoot fire during their show) for the past couple of years, which makes anyone and everyone charge the stage like a bull. Why do we all cram together like sardines? We all want that one picture to post on some social media to show everyone that Kygo was a mere seventeen inches away from us, but that can only be obtained from the pushing and shoving to get to the front. The result can make dreams a reality or leave you in the eye of a mosh pit. The best way to attack this constant struggle is to weave through the crowd until you can capture that infamous picture and then weasel your way out the back. Why go all the way to the back once you made so much progress? Easy, because now you can dance like the crazed fan you are, and you’ll probably see the stage better anyway now that the 6’5” guy is no longer in front of you. It’s even easier for a picture moment with buds, preferably one where you are towering high on someone else’s shoulders. I encourage you to go into the mosh pit. It’s basically a rite of passage, but don’t live in the mosh pit because the back row was always the best seat on the bus anyway.
6. Go up the side of the ramp at Superpipe. Obviously, in order to see the rider’s full line of tricks it would be perfect to stare up the pipe from the very bottom but how many other instances can you say Chloe Kim flipped over your head, or anyone flipped over your head for that matter? Yeah, you’ve probably been walking all day, but these extra steps are the bridge to a different world. It lets you see how high these athletes soar; they are contending with birds here, people. You just can’t get that same understanding when waiting patiently for them at the bottom. It’s fast, it goes by in an instant; but with the wind blowing your hair back, it’s a wild rush. Who knows, maybe as Scotty James throws a Cab 1080, he’ll hear your words of encouragement in the background.
Now that you’re ready to hit X Games 2020 as a pro, in the meantime head up to the slopes and keep shredding yourself. Maybe it’ll be you on the circuit instead of watching below.
