Thrill in Aspen

Finn Seeley '25
​
The Aspen, Colorado-based Winter X Games 2025 from January 24th to 27th was an event that will truly go down in history. With record-breaking snowmobiling, skiing, and snowboarding performances, winter athletes of all kinds have etched their names into history.

Perhaps the greatest– and certainly most viral– stunts done was during the Snowboard Big Air, where Norwegian snowboarder Marcus Kleveland became the first human ever to execute a perfect 2160-degree spin—an astounding six full turns in mid-air—a record for the highest recorded spin by any athlete. The audience was going wild as the 23-year-old athlete aced it perfectly. It is not surprising to say that he found himself at the top of the podium for his event.

Aside from Kleveland's historic series, snowboarders Chloe Kim and Shaun White had notable halfpipe performances in their respective events. Kim showed off her unparalleled skill by winning a gold medal with a flawless routine. White, the old-hand but still-golden favorite, had everyone holding their breath through his signature stunts. For him to perform such big tricks at 38 is truly amazing.

Alex Hall and Eileen Gu took over all the headlines with Slopestyle and Ski Big Air events. Hall's Slopestyle performance showcased the intricate precision that these athletes take to their sports. In contrast, Gu's winning performance left her one of the greatest-ever freestyle and big air skiers in the competition's history.

The Winter X Games 2025 also included an Adaptive Snowboarding competition. Despite the challenging journeys that each of these athletes endured, their skill was unquestionable. More importantly, however, the event showcased the importance of sportsmanship and inclusion.

With records on the books, the 2025 Winter X Games secured their place in the memories of all its viewers. Marcus Kleveland's world-record run, as well as the jubilation of the fans will be remembered for a long time to come.

​