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Monster Energy has confirmed its continued sponsorship as the official energy drink partner for X Games Aspen 2026, marking the event's 25th consecutive year at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen Snowmass, Colorado.

Scheduled for 23-25 January 2026, this "Silver Anniversary" edition (and the 74th X Games overall) features a roster of 150 elite athletes. Notably, the 2026 programme sees the reinstatement of competitive snowmobiling after a five-year hiatus, expanding the event's footprint back into motorised winter sports.

The Return of Snowmobile

For the first time in half a decade, X Games Aspen will host Snowmobile competitions, reintroducing a high-octane vertical to the winter lineup.

• Events: The discipline returns with two formats: Freestyle and Speed & Style.

• Key Talent: Monster Energy athlete and snowmobiling legend Brett Turcotte (known for inventing the "California Roll") returns to competition alongside rivals like Willie Elam and Swedish rider Marcus Ohlsson.

Athlete Roster and Key Narratives

The three-day event will award 54 medals across 18 events. Monster Energy’s roster features a mix of defending champions and returning icons.

Snowboarding:

• Gaon Choi (South Korea): The teenage phenomenon and youngest champion in event history returns to the SuperPipe fresh off a U.S. Grand Prix win.

• Jamie Anderson: The 21-time medalist returns to Slopestyle competition following maternity leave.

• Kokomo Murase (Japan): Aiming to land a triple cork 1620 in Big Air, a trick she recently landed as the first woman in competition.

Freeski:

• Gus Kenworthy: The British-American freeskier makes his return to competition after a four-year break in the SuperPipe.

• Alex Hall: A dominant force in Park City, Hall is competing across Slopestyle, Big Air, and Knuckle Huck, looking to add to his 12-medal haul.

• Cassie Sharpe (Canada): The Olympic champion defends her SuperPipe gold against new team rider Zoe Atkin.

Broadcast and Entertainment Strategy

X Games Aspen 2026 continues to evolve its media distribution model to capture younger demographics.

• Linear TV: Live coverage nationwide in the US on ESPN and ABC.

• Streaming: Live streams available on The Roku Channel and globally via YouTube.

• Social: Dedicated behind-the-scenes content streams on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch.

The competition schedule is supported by a lifestyle festival element, featuring live musical performances from headliners Alesso and Disco Lines.