Buttermilk Madness: The Full X Games Aspen 2026 Recap

The energy at Buttermilk Mountain was electric this past weekend as X Games celebrated a quarter-century in Aspen. While the storm cycle brought challenging visibility and speed issues, the world’s best didn't hold back, turning the 25th edition into a masterclass of progression.

The weekend kicked off on January 23 with a sold-out crowd and an electric atmosphere. The UK’s Mia Brooks (GBR) set the tone early, defending her gold in Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle with a massive 96.33. Meanwhile, local Utah talent Marin Hamill (SLC, UT) showcased incredible creativity to take the Women’s Ski Knuckle Huck gold, a victory that officially punched her ticket to the Milano Cortina 2026 Games.

Under the night lights, the SuperPipe was the center of the universe. 16-year-old Sara Shimizu (JPN) won gold in Women's Snowboard SuperPipe with a score of 95.33, while Park City’s Zoe Atkin (Park City, UT) dominated the Women's Ski SuperPipe with massive amplitude, soaring 16 feet above the deck.

Mac Forehand secured his second career X Games gold in Men's Ski Big Air landing a switch left triple cork 2160 mute grab. The night concluded with a return of Snowmobile Freestyle, where Brett Turcotte (CAN) reclaimed gold after a six-year hiatus.

Saturday was defined by historic progression. Cocomo Murase (JPN) etched her name into the history books by stomping the first-ever backside 1620 triple cork by a woman in competition, earning a near-perfect 96.66. Not to be outdone, Hiroto Ogiwara (JPN) successfully ran back his signature 2340 melon to secure back-to-back Big Air golds.

The Park City crew took over day two with multiple medals. In Men's Ski Slopestyle Luca Harrington (NZL) grabbed gold, while legends Colby Stevenson (Park City, UT) and Alex Hall (Park City, UT) rounded out the podium. Hall later made history as the first skier to win three Knuckle Huck titles.

The evening ended with a legacy-defining performance from Scotty James (AUS), who tied Shaun White for the most X Games gold medals (8) after landing back-to-back backside 1440s in Men's Snowboard Superpipe.

The day kicked off with Women’s Ski Slopestyle, where TGR-athlete Kirsty Muir (SCO) won her first gold after missing the last two X Games due to an ACL tear, also being the first women from Scotland to medal at X Games. Mathilde Gremaud (SUI) took bronze but later dominated Women's Ski Big Air earning her 4th Big Air gold.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Mark McMorris (CAN). After a shaky start in the Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle final, he laid down a masterclass third run winning his 25th career X Games medal, solidifying him as the winningest winter athlete.

16-year-old Jessica Perlmutter (Millburn, N.J.) stunned the field in Women’s Snowboard Knuckle Huck, taking gold with her signature "Sloth Roll". On the men's side, Rene Rinnekangas (FIN) finally secured the top spot with a hand-drag double sloth roll that the judges couldn't ignore.

The night concluded with the Monster Energy Men’s Ski SuperPipe, a high-drama showdown under the lights. Finley Melville Ives (NZL)soared an incredible 20 feet above the deck, besting his own lead with a 95.00 to take his first X Games gold.

From the historic 25th anniversary vibe to the world-first rotations, X Games Aspen 2026 was a reminder that even after two decades, Buttermilk still provides the ultimate stage for winter sports.