Aspen Locks X Games at Buttermilk Through 2029

Which mountain in the valley do you actually care about when the world’s biggest action sports franchise decides to stay put?

Buttermilk. Again.

Aspen Snowmass and the X Games announced a three-year host agreement on Wednesday, locking the winter contest at its longtime home through the 2028-29 season. Jeremy Bloom, the new CEO of the action sports franchise, didn’t just say they weren’t going anywhere; he made it official. This is the 26th consecutive year Aspen has hosted the Winter X Games, a streak that started in 2002 after Snow Summit in California hosted the inaugural event in 1997.

For context, that’s nearly three decades of the event calling the Elk Mountains home. The X Games itself has changed hands, too. Originally the brainchild of Disney-owned ESPN, the controlling stake was sold to MSP Sports Capital in 2022. Bloom, a former Olympic moguls skier and University of Colorado football star, took the CEO reins in December 2024. He’s pushing a new structure: the MoonPay X Games League. It’s a team-based concept launching in January 2027, with the first winter draft scheduled for Sept. 16 in Los Angeles. Expect three winter and three summer stops going forward. Aspen is the first winter stop. The other locations? Still a mystery.

Let’s look at the money and the logistics. John Rigney, chief business development officer at Aspen One, called Aspen the “crown jewel” of the global league. He cited a partnership lasting more than 25 years and an “elevated experience for athletes and spectators.” That’s corporate speak for “we make money, and you get to watch it.” The dates for the 2027 contest aren’t set yet. It usually happens in late January, but with the new league format, that could shift.

Mark McMorris, the Canadian snowboard superstar with 25 Winter X Games medals — the most in history — is excited. He called Aspen a “special place to compete” and highlighted the “unmatched” fan energy at the base of the mountain. McMorris is an XGL founder athlete. His presence signals that the top tier of the sport is on board with the new direction.

What locals should care about is the stability it provides. Buttermilk isn’t losing the X Games. The contract is signed. The dates will be announced in the coming months. The league expands, but the home base stays in the valley. No surprises. No relocation. Just the same deal, renewed.

Bloom said Aspen remains the iconic winter stop that athletes and partners circle on the calendar. Rigney said they love the commitment to showcasing energy and vibrancy. McMorris said the fan energy is unmatched. It’s a lot of adjectives for a ski area that already has skiers and snowboarders every weekend.

The bottom line is stability. Buttermilk isn’t losing the X Games. The contract is signed. The dates will be announced in the coming months. The league expands, but the home base stays in the valley. For the folks living in the shadow of the mountain, that means another three years of the same spectacle, the same traffic patterns, and the same economic boost. No surprises. No relocation. Just the same deal, renewed.