The Winter X Games 2025, held from January 23 to 25 in Aspen, Colorado, delivered yet another unforgettable showcase of extreme sports. Featuring breathtaking performances, groundbreaking tricks, and a commitment to innovation and sustainability, this year’s event pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in snowboarding and freestyle skiing. With historic firsts, dominant performances, and rising stars, the action sports world continues to buzz about the significance of this year’s competition.

From Hiroto Ogiwara’s record-setting 2340 mute grab to Chloe Kim’s continued dominance in SuperPipe, and the debut of exciting new disciplines like Street Style, the Winter X Games 2025 proved to be a defining moment for the future of winter action sports. Here’s a closer look at the event’s highlights, the athletes who stole the show, and the impact that will resonate far beyond the slopes of Aspen.

Hiroto Ogiwara Lands First-Ever 2340 in Snowboard Big Air

One of the most defining moments of this year’s X Games came from 19-year-old Japanese snowboarder Hiroto Ogiwara, who made history in the Men’s Snowboard Big Air competition by landing the first-ever 2340 mute grab in competition—a trick that involves an astonishing six and a half full rotations in the air. This mind-blowing feat earned Ogiwara a 97.33, securing him the gold medal and cementing his name in action sports history.

His performance was enough to surpass defending champion Taiga Hasegawa, who delivered an impressive showing but couldn’t match Ogiwara’s revolutionary trick. Ogiwara’s achievement not only set a new benchmark for snowboarding but also highlighted the rapid progression of aerial maneuvers in the sport.

Miro Tabanelli Matches the Feat in Ski Big Air

Not to be outdone, Miro Tabanelli turned heads in the Men’s Ski Big Air event by landing a 2340 of his own—a trick that equaled Ogiwara’s in terms of difficulty and rotation count. This marked a significant milestone for freestyle skiing, proving that the sport’s evolution is accelerating at an unprecedented pace.

Tabanelli’s precision, control, and style in executing the trick made it one of the most talked-about moments of the competition, reinforcing how ski and snowboard athletes continue to push the limits of physics and creativity.

Chloe Kim Ties Shaun White’s SuperPipe Record

Chloe Kim delivered another gold-medal-winning performance in the Women’s Snowboard SuperPipe, securing her eighth X Games gold in the event. This victory ties her with the legendary Shaun White for the most SuperPipe gold medals in X Games history.

Kim’s flawless execution, amplitude, and control through the pipe showcased why she remains the most dominant female snowboarder of her generation. With Olympic and X Games titles already under her belt, her legacy in the sport continues to grow.

Tess Ledeux Becomes the Most Decorated Female Skier in X Games History

On the women’s skiing front, Tess Ledeux had a phenomenal weekend, taking gold in Women’s Ski Slopestyle and bronze in Big Air. These achievements bring her total X Games medal count to 12, including seven golds, making her the most decorated female skier in X Games history.

Ledeux’s consistent excellence across multiple events cements her status as one of the greatest freestyle skiers of all time, further solidifying her dominance in Slopestyle and Big Air.

Seventeen-Year-Old Flora Tabanelli Stuns in Women’s Ski Big Air

The Winter X Games 2025 was also a showcase for rising stars, with 17-year-old Flora Tabanelli making an unforgettable X Games debut. She won gold in Women’s Ski Big Air, becoming the first Italian woman to claim an X Games gold medal.

Her daring tricks, fearless execution, and technical precision immediately positioned her as a future star in freestyle skiing. With her breakout performance, Tabanelli is now seen as a potential Olympic contender and an athlete to watch in upcoming competitions.

Innovation and Sustainability: The Future of Action Sports

One of the most intriguing developments at the Winter X Games 2025 was the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in halfpipe judging. In collaboration with Google Cloud, the X Games tested an AI-powered system that analyzed athletes’ performances, providing data-driven insights aimed at enhancing judging accuracy and reducing human error.

While AI scores did not impact official judging, the initiative offered a glimpse into the future of competitive sports adjudication. With ongoing discussions about subjectivity in scoring, AI-assisted judging could soon become a valuable tool in ensuring fairness and consistency.

A Commitment to Sustainability

Beyond competition, the X Games continued its commitment to sustainability, implementing eco-friendly measures such as waste reduction, renewable energy sources, and carbon offset initiatives. These efforts reinforced the importance of environmental responsibility in major sporting events.

With growing concerns about climate change’s impact on winter sports, such sustainability initiatives ensure that the future of skiing and snowboarding remains viable for generations to come.

Memorable Moments and Fan Engagement

One of the most exciting additions to the Winter X Games 2025 was the introduction of the Street Style discipline. This event incorporated urban-inspired elements into snowboarding and skiing, combining rails, stair sets, and ledges to create a unique and creative competition format.

The new event resonated with both athletes and spectators, bringing an exciting street-inspired aesthetic to the X Games while offering competitors a fresh platform for creativity and technical expression.

Standout Performances from Alex Hall and Rell Harwood

Two athletes who delivered unforgettable moments were Alex Hall and Rell Harwood.

• Alex Hall dazzled the crowd in Slopestyle, combining innovative tricks, effortless flow, and technical mastery to secure a podium finish. His creative approach to course design continues to set him apart in the sport.

• Rell Harwood put on a show in Knuckle Huck, a fan-favorite event that focuses on style, improvisation, and creativity rather than traditional scoring metrics. Her unique approach and flawless execution made her one of the most exciting athletes to watch.

Live Music and a Global Audience

Adding to the festival-like atmosphere, the Winter X Games 2025 featured live music performances, drawing fans both in-person and online. The combination of world-class action sports and high-energy entertainment solidified the X Games as more than just a competition—it’s a cultural event.

Impression

As the dust settles on the Winter X Games 2025, the event’s impact continues to resonate across the action sports community. With historic tricks, dominant performances, rising stars, and forward-thinking innovations, this year’s competition set a new standard for what’s possible in freestyle skiing and snowboarding.

Looking ahead, the rapid progression of aerial maneuvers, the integration of AI in judging, and a continued push for sustainability will shape the future of action sports. Whether it’s the next generation of riders pushing new boundaries or the evolution of competition formats, one thing is certain—the X Games remains at the forefront of extreme sports.

With the 2026 Winter Olympics on the horizon, many of the athletes from Aspen 2025 will look to build on their momentum as they prepare for the world’s biggest stage. Until then, the thrills, innovation, and unforgettable moments of this year’s Winter X Games will continue to inspire athletes and fans alike.

 

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