Snowmobile Events Are Coming Back To X Games Aspen

After a multi-year layoff, snowmobiles and snowmobilers will be returning to the X Games for 2026 with two different competitions.

In a press release issued at 1 p.m. central time on Tuesday, September 30, X games officials said that Snowmobile Freestyle and Snowmobile Speed & Style were coming back to the winter venue in Aspen, Colorado. The event is schedule for January 23-25, 2026, at Buttermilk Mountain.

The winter version of X Games first included snowmobiles in 1998, when Toni Haikonen earned a gold medal in snocross ahead of Dennis Burks and Per Berggren. Various events were added and subtracted over the years – including but not limited to hillcross, freestyle, best trick, speed & style, snowbikes, long jump and more. Tucker Hibbert scored his first Pro class win at X Games in 2000 at age 15; Levi LaVallee, meanwhile, made himself a household name through high-profile X Games exposure (and success) in various events.

Snocross, though, was dumped after 2017, and all snowmobiles disappeared from competition a few short years later.

The X Games was originally created and operated by the ESPN network, which guaranteed the event all sorts of coverage. In 2022, though, a majority interest was sold to MSP Sports Capital.

Here’s the full press release from the X Games.

Snowmobiles Return to X Games Aspen 2026!

Get ready for more competitions, more fans, and more excitement at X Games Aspen 2026! X Games has announced the highly anticipated return of Snowmobile Speed & Style and Freestyle disciplines at the iconic action sports event which will celebrate 25 years at Buttermilk from January 23-25.

The X Games Snowmobile Speed & Style event was last held in Aspen in 2018, where Brett Turcotte won his first X Games gold medal, edging out veteran rider Levi Lavallee in a very close matchup. Snowmobile Freestyle will also be a featured competition at X Games Aspen 2026, returning to Buttermilk after a five-year hiatus. Fans can expect exciting snowmobile tricks on a course featuring multiple jumps, aiming for a high score based on originality, execution and style. Snowmobile athletes invited include snowmobile veteran and eight-time X Games medalist Brett Turcotte, two-timeX Games bronze medalist Willie Elam, and Brandon Cormier, who earned his first X Games gold medal as a rookie with his incredible freestyle snowmobile skills in 2020. 

“I am so blessed to hear that X Games will be bringing back snowmobiles for 2026,” commented Turcotte. “I have been waiting for this opportunity and am more motivated than ever for the chance at another gold medal moment!” 

X Games Aspen 2026 will be free and open to the public during the day. Tickets will be required to access the event in the evenings and will include a variety of ski, snowboard and snowmobile competitions, X Fest, and live music. Early bird prices for general admission tickets will be available in the coming weeks. Visit www.xgames.com for more information.