X Games Aspen 2026: Snowmobiling’s Long-Awaited Return
Every January, the extreme sports community migrates to Aspen with almost ritual consistency — athletes, media, industry insiders, and fans all converging on the mountains like clockwork, like the salmon of Capistrano. It’s the one week a year where action sports sit at the center of the universe, and in 2026, snowmobiling finally found its way back into that orbit.
After a six-year absence from the Winter X Games, snowmobiles returned to Aspen, and the response was immediate. Crowds were large, energy was high, and from the first practice session to the final flag drop, it was clear that the sport hadn’t been forgotten. If anything, it had been missed.
Friday: Freestyle Returns to the Big Stage
Snowmobile Freestyle officially marked the comeback on Friday, and riders wasted no time reminding the world what the sport is capable of. The format gave each athlete two 75-second runs, with two ramp jumps to snow landings per lap and complete freedom to link tricks however they saw fit.
The level of riding was aggressive from the outset. Riders threw KOD backflips, double-grab backflips, and technical variations that demanded both precision and commitment.
It was modern snowmobile freestyle in its purest form — fast, dangerous, and unapologetically progressive.
The intensity came with consequences. Two medical delays halted the event after heavy slams by Marcus Olsson and Brandon Cormier, both of whom went down hard attempting high-risk tricks. Earlier in the day, Dan Shaffer suffered a get-off during practice but regrouped and still took his place on the start line — a reflection of the resilience that defined the entire field.
One of the standout storylines was the riding of Kyle Saxton. Having learned the backflip to snow landing only weeks prior to X Games, Saxton threw the trick in competition with a level of comfort and confidence that suggested years of experience. It was one of those moments that reminded everyone just how quickly progression is accelerating at the top level.
When first runs were complete, Brett Turcotte set the benchmark with a 93.33, combining difficulty, execution, and flow. Close behind, Cody Matechuk posted a 91.00, immediately establishing himself as a legitimate threat. Matechuk’s performance carried its own layer of disbelief. Known primarily for his extreme background, he had never hit a ramp on a snowmobile before December 2025. In just a couple of months, he progressed from zero ramp experience to throwing competitive, high-scoring freestyle runs on the biggest stage in action sports, a learning curve that is nothing short of remarkable.
A new finals format added suspense. Instead of the first-run leader dropping last, Turcotte was slotted second-to-last in the second round, leaving the door open for a dramatic finish. Turcotte’s second run didn’t eclipse his opening score, putting all eyes on Matechuk. Riding with speed, Matechuk managed to hit seven features, maximizing scoring potential and delivering one of the most suspenseful moments of the night. In the end, Turcotte’s first run held strong.
The final Freestyle podium:
- Gold — Brett Turcotte
- Silver — Cody Matechuk
- Bronze — Willie Elam
The win marked Turcotte’s ninth X Games medal and fourth gold, further cementing his legacy. Polaris, Arctic Cat, and all three podium riders were running Cheetah Factory Racing handlebars, a detail that underscored the depth of industry involvement surrounding the sport’s return.
Saturday: Seeding Runs and Strategic Riding
Saturday shifted the focus from spectacle to strategy. The snowmobile seeding competition sent riders down the course one at a time, racing the clock while still being judged on trick execution. The course was a fast, technical hybrid — long straights feeding into rhythm sections, flowing corners, and natural transitions that rewarded momentum but punished hesitation. Riders had to balance outright speed with the discipline to place meaningful tricks without scrubbing time.
Once again, Turcotte stood apart. His combination of pace, control, and calculated trick selection earned him first overall in qualifying, securing the top seed heading into Sunday’s head-to-head bracket.
Sunday: Weather Forces a Pivot — Speed With Style Is Born
Sunday morning delivered a curveball. Bitter cold temperatures and a deteriorating forecast with heavy winds forced organizers to pivot quickly. Ramp jumps were removed entirely.
In classic X Games fashion, the crew adapted on the fly. Within hours, the venue was transformed into a modified snowcross-style course, complete with berms, whoops, rhythm sections, and a large landing feature that emphasized flow and racecraft over airtime. The event was officially renamed Speed With Style, reflecting the necessary evolution of the format.
Practice was interrupted by a serious incident involving Chris Coosmans. After losing control mid-corner, his sled ghost-rode up the berm and into a corner ramp, striking a cameraman. The impact caused a serious injury and destroyed the camera, resulting in a delay while medical crews responded and safety protocols were reassessed.
Finals: A Full-Circle Finish
When racing resumed, the bracket format delivered. Brett Turcotte and Willie Elam advanced through the field and met in a final that carried real history. Years earlier, both riders raced snocross together as teenagers on the Blair Morgan Racing Team. Now, they were lining up for X Games gold.
Turcotte launched off the start and grabbed the early lead, but Elam answered with experience and race craft. Finding a faster line through the whoops, Elam carried momentum and took control as the pair approached the large landing feature. From there, he never looked back.
- Gold — Willie Elam
- Silver — Brett Turcotte
- Bronze — Cody Matechuk
It was the same trio from the Freestyle podium, just reshuffled, highlighting how tight and competitive the top tier of snowmobile athletes has become.
Why the Return Matters
Across all three days, snowmobiling felt like a crowd favorite. The stands were full, the reactions were loud, and the engagement was unmistakable. This didn’t feel like a novelty appearance. It felt earned.
Events like X Games drive innovation, pushing athletes and manufacturers to rethink equipment, technique, and progression. They inspire participation, giving the next generation tangible proof of what’s possible. And they accelerate progression, forcing riders to evolve faster than ever before.
After six years away, snowmobiling didn’t just return to X Games Aspen — it made a compelling case for staying.
And when the competition wrapped each night and riders spilled out into Aspen’s bars, hotels, and after-parties, it felt exactly how a proper X Games week should. Long nights, loud stories, and enough beer flowing that it might as well have been wine. Let’s hope we see snowmobiles back on this stage next January.
