Every year at the X Games, the stands are packed, and the excitement is high. As fans watch athletes throw huge tricks off the jumps, few people stop to think about what it actually takes to compete.
From January 23 to 25, the X Games allowed world-class competitors to express their talents in the 3-day-long competition at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado. This is the 25th anniversary of the X Games, which originated to showcase young talent from athletes around the world. This event has turned into an exhibit of well-known athletes who come together and compete head-to-head. Since its establishment, it has adopted various events that have majorly grown its popularity. It is really not that simple to compete at X Games as there are many different ways and levels to compete at before achieving the title of X Games. You can get invites from scouts or get on national teams which will draw attention and secure you an invite. Competing at X Games isn’t just about being good at a hobby, it is about being one of the most elite athletes on the planet. While it looks fun to watch, it takes years of extreme training just waiting for the moment to compete at this level and accomplish the big dream.
Nicole Mason, the head of AVSC’s snowboarding program, snowboarded ever since she was little and is an expert in the snowboard industry. Mason started her carrer as a local ski instructor then advanced all the way to teaching at the national level. During Covid she took a step back, started her own business and ran that for a number of years before being offered a position here. She explained how people start their journey to X Games and where people begin on their path.
“[You can be a ] young kid and you’re performing really well and you’re doing like really big tricks, the chances are you’re going to catch the eye of maybe like a Monster agent or a Monster person that’s there, and they’re going to be like, Oh, let’s put that kid in X Games next year,” Mason said.
There is not one path that people follow to become an X Games athlete. Instead, there are many ways to get there. Some athletes come up through the World Cup circuit, some get seen by scouts, while others are found by their standout performances or based on some special skills they have. Since there is not one direct path that leads to the X Games, it can be difficult to know how to make it. It may also depend on who you know in the winter sports world that can afford you the opportunity.
“It’ll be like they call it a rookie breakout season. So if there’s like a younger kid that is coming in and beating pros or people with big names, a lot of times that catches the attention of sponsors or national teams.” Mason said.
Once athletes make it to the X Games, it seems like they have accomplished their dream. However, there are sacrifices that are made competing at such a high level.
“You’re missing your friend’s birthday parties, you’re missing social gatherings, you’re missing, you know, family get-togethers, maybe even like special holidays and really you ‘re-you’re on the road, and you lose touch a lot of times with those relationships and connections,” Mason said.
