Amanda Miller Our first year covering the X Games (1/23-1/25, 2025) in Aspen, Colorado at Buttermilk Mountain was an unforgettable experience. The sports, music, and overall atmosphere all played into the perfect weekend.
Pre X Games
Before getting into this review, I just want to say how incredible it is to have gotten to cover the X Games. Being someone who has never been to the X Games, I had no idea what I was in for. Unfortunately, I only made it there two out of the three days (I ran into a travel delay on day one), but it was still a great experience overall.
I had always seen various interesting things about the X Games on television, but never thought I would ever find myself attending. Walking in on day two and seeing everything in the flesh, I probably had a look on my face when people walked into a place like Red Rocks for the first time.
The Atmosphere
The place was massive and I felt so small but so empowered. There were people everywhere. The lifts were running, taking people up and down the resort. To my left was one of two Sonic booths, giving away free pretzels with cheese and snowball strawberry shortcake shakes. They also had live music that took place on the 1st level throughout all three days.
To my right, there were more vendors such as; Sally Hansen who was offering free manicures and another Sonic setup that allowed you to sit inside. There was also merch where you could purchase exclusive X Games gear along with artist merch from whoever was playing that day. On day three, Big Gigantic handed out free beanies.
Photos by Amanda Miller Media. All images © 2025 Copyright Amanda Miller Media. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The Games: Day 2
The day kicked off with the Snowboard Big Air Finals. The athletes brought their A-game, executing mind-blowing tricks with precision. The crowd went wild as the riders launched themselves into the sky, pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible. A standout moment was when Aidan McKenna pulled off a flawless 1440, solidifying his spot as one of the top riders in the world. The final scores were razor-close, but Brock Cote edged out the competition with a massive frontside double cork that left the judges in awe.
Next, we saw the Ski SuperPipe Finals. The skiers showed off absurd levels of technicality and style. Colby Stevenson proved he’s a force to be reckoned by, blending smooth style with aggressive spins. The real surprise of the day came from Maggie Voisin, who delivered an impeccable performance that earned her a spot on the podium, outshining some of the favorites. Her tricks were smooth, but she could combine style with difficulty that stood out.
The Slopestyle qualifiers battled the clock and the course. The jumps were challenging, and the rails required precision and creativity. Evan McKeever stood out with a run that was a perfect combination of risk and reward, securing his place in the finals. But Zoe Kalapos impressed everyone with a smooth and effortless run that included a switch frontside 900 and a flawless rail section.
Photos by Amanda Miller Media. All images © 2025 Copyright Amanda Miller Media. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Music: Day 2
Two artists known in the EDM genre performed acts for the day, which were Tessla and Illenium.
Tessla
I had only heard of Tessla but had never listened to them before seeing their set at the X Games. Although I contemplated giving them a listen before the event, I decided to wait and hear them live for the first time—and it was worth it. Tess and Lauren Ashley (LA) are a female duo from Los Angeles, CA, who both live part-time in Aspen, CO. Their set was filled with fun, uptempo, high-energy dance beats (featuring Ashley’s live vocals) that had everyone moving. Additionally, I admired their bright and colorful visuals and lighting, which perfectly matched their style and energy, further elevating their incredible performance.
Photos by Amanda Miller Media. All images © 2025 Copyright Amanda Miller Media. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Illenium
Closing out the night was my favorite artist and the top reason I wanted to cover the X Games—Illenium. Notably, every artist at the X Games was allotted a half-hour time slot, and in that brief window, Illenium gave it his all and truly delivered an incredible set. Furthermore, he included many of his most popular songs and even played an unreleased track, which was a delightful surprise. Earlier in the day, he participated in a brief interview with the X Games, where he shared his past experiences attending as a general fan and expressed his love for snow sports, particularly snowmobiling.
Photos by Amanda Miller Media. All images © 2025 Copyright Amanda Miller Media. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The Games: Day 3
The day started with the Big Air competition, which was nothing short of spectacular. Athletes pushed the limits of gravity, with huge tricks that left the crowd in awe. Leading the charge was Max Parrot, whose flawless triple cork 1440 earned him a well-deserved gold. But it was Chloe Kim who stole the show in the women’s event, nailing a backside 1080 to secure her third consecutive Big Air gold, further cementing her legacy as one of the sport’s greatest.
The athletes’ high-flying stunts had fans chanting and shouting, and the perfect snow conditions played a huge role in the spectacular performances. The innovation in trick execution was particularly noteworthy, with riders pulling off rotations and grabs never before seen at this level. The judges had a tough time deciding, but it was clear that the riders were in their prime.
The SuperPipe was brilliantly lit up with acrobatic finesse, setting the stage for an electrifying event. Notably, Alex Ferreira came out on top in a high-speed, high-energy final. His fluid, technical style consistently wowed the judges, and most impressively, his double cork 1260 with a stylish grab stood out as the highlight of the competition. Meanwhile, Eileen Gu continues to be the face of women’s freestyle skiing. As expected, she dominated her competition and confidently took home the gold. Her effortless spins and high-flying flips once again demonstrated why she remains the reigning champion in the sport.
Photos by Amanda Miller Media. All images © 2025 Copyright Amanda Miller Media. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Music: Day 3
I did leave before the X Games came to a close as I was insanely exhausted due to not sleeping too well and a knee issue that was causing me a lot of pain, but I did manage to catch both of Big Gigangtic’s sets. I hate to say that as much as I tried pushing through, I did miss Deadmau5’s set and I’m still so sad about it. From what I saw on various platforms following the weekend, his set looked phenomenal and it appears he played all his tracks. Ones I would have loved to hear considering I still have not seen him live.
Big Gigantic
You might have noticed when I mentioned Big G’s set there was an added s, which indicated there was more than one. There was, which was a huge surprise to me. There were two sets by Big Gigantic on day three, the first of which was hard to find because Dominic Lolli was set up for a live DJ set on the very top of the street-style slope. From there his set was played over the speakers throughout the venue, dropping several collabs with artists such as Griz and ProbCause. It was an amazing set and it made me that much more excited for the following set. A set that would take place on the X Games music stage with Jeremy included on his drum set.
Set two finally came and it was just as good as any set I’ve seen by them in the past. Again, it was only a half hour but the guys brought their energy and played a ton of their most beloved tracks, which included “Good Times Roll” and “I Can Feel It”. I loved the crowd’s energy, there were good vibes all around which fit their aesthetic and matched both Jeremy and Dom’s perfectly. It was a set that was too short and I deeply wished they had more time. Big Gigantic Live is always a good time and they seriously never disappoint.
Photos by Amanda Miller Media. All images © 2025 Copyright Amanda Miller Media. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Final Thoughts
The X Games Aspen delivered an incredible fan experience. The interactive zones were packed with fans, and the food and drinks were top-notch. The atmosphere was a perfect mix of laid-back ski town vibes with the high energy and intensity of the X Games. Fans got a chance to engage with athletes during autograph sessions and as they departed from their landings. The weather was cooperative with just the right amount of chill to keep things comfortable for the athletes and spectators alike. The snow was immaculate, and the park’s features were dialed in, leading to flawless performances across the board.
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