X-Games Aspen 2014
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Like many photographers who have a mild interest in action sports, I decided to go to the X-Games this past weekend. I had been wanting to go to the X-Games for a few weeks but my plans fell through last minute and I was stuck thursday night unsure if I was going to go without anyone to go with or anywhere to stay. I decided that sleeping in my car was going to be better than staying home for the weekend. That night I packed my camera gear, a sleeping bag and a bunch of food and by Friday morning I was driving to Aspen.
Henrik Harlaut throwing the first switch tailbutter double 1080 ever in competition during friday's slopestyle elimination.
The first event on friday was men's ski slopestyle elimination. Through middle school and the first couple of years of high school, I followed freeskiing very closely. It was a great experience to see a lot of the biggest names in the sport and to see a lot of the athletes I used to look up to. Unfortunately most of the course was off limits to the general public and it was hard to view and take pictures anywhere except from below the last jump.
Mike Riddle soaring over the crouds during the skiing superpipe final.
That night was my personal favorite event, ski superpipe. Because spectators were allowed to stand on the walls of the halfpipe, this was easily the best event for viewing. The athletes were constantly throwing gnarly tricks straight above where I was standing which was great for taking pictures. The girls went first on the superpipe and before the men had their turn there was an intermission for snowboard big air. As a skier I wasn't too interested in this event and used this time to run back to my car and grab some extra gear. I made it back just before men's ski superpipe and tried to get as close to the action as I could to take pictures.
Kevin Rolland midway through a double cork 1260.
David Wise on top of the podium for ski superpipe with Kevin Rolland in second and Aspen local and crowd favorite Alex Ferreria in third.
After the competition ended I headed back to my car. I made dinner with my camping stove and settled in for the night. I folded down the back seat of my car and set up my sleeping bag so that my feet were in the trunk. This sleeping arrangement actually worked really well. I got 7 hours of sleep that night, more than I get on a typical school night.
The next morning I spent inside a starbucks charging camera batteries. I was at Starbucks for 4 hours doing various activities such as editing photos, drinking coffee, and washing silverware from dinner the night before.
The next morning I spent inside a starbucks charging camera batteries. I was at Starbucks for 4 hours doing various activities such as editing photos, drinking coffee, and washing silverware from dinner the night before.
Snowmobile long jump drew a large croud as the riders shot through the crowd and off a massive jump.
That morning the snowboarders put on quite a show during slopestyle finals. The snowmobiles also drew quite a crowd for their long jump event. But, the event I was waiting all day for was ski big air. Big air is an event I have been watching on TV for years and I was really excited to see it live.
Mens snowboard superpipe practice just before the start of ski big air.
After the women's snowboard superpipe final it was time for ski big air. All the athletes were sending every jump. After watching many stomped triples in the elimination rounds it was obvious the final would be crazy.
Henrik Harlaut showed lots of style on the big air jump.
PK Hunder sending a double cork 1080 during eliminations.
The finals turned out to be absolutely insane. I found myself often putting down my camera just to watch because it was impossible to take a picture that showcased all the skill and athleticism the riders were demonstrating. Henrik Harlaut pulled out his classic nose butter triple cork as well as a switch tail butter double to win gold for the second year in a row. Although he did not make the top three, Jossi Wells definitely deserved an honorable mention for his super stylish switch triple.
Once big air was finished, I was lucky and found a place to stay the night with some friends. Luxuries such as heat and running water were a great bonus to have for the night.
Once big air was finished, I was lucky and found a place to stay the night with some friends. Luxuries such as heat and running water were a great bonus to have for the night.
After a full night of sleep I headed out late back to Buttermilk Mountain to try and catch a few events before the long drive home. I caught the second half of ski slopestyle finals and the first half of the snowmobile snocross final. At 3:30pm I started the 3.5 hour drive home to end my X-Games experience.
Snow flying everywhere during snowmobile snocross finals.
After watching X-Games religiously on TV for most of my life it was amazing to finally get the chance to see them in person. It was a great way for me to prove to myself that when plans don't work out it's not too hard to make a great weekend out of nothing.
Photos and words copyright 2014 by Nick Gilbert.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading!
