Winter X Games to stay in Aspen through 2010

Winter X Games to stay in Aspen through 2010{mosimage}ESPN and the Aspen Skiing Company have reached an agreement that will keep the Winter X Games, the world's signature action sports event, in Aspen/Snowmass through Winter X Games 14 in 2010.

The announcement by Ron Semiao, senior vice pPresident, ESPN Original Entertainment, and David Perry, senior vice president, Aspen Skiing Company, was made one day before the official start of Winter X Games 10, the fifth straight Winter X Games held at Buttermilk, one of Aspen/Snowmass' four mountains.

The announcement is the second long-term announcement made with the two entities; in January 2004, Winter X Games and ASC announced a three-year deal to keep the event in Aspen through 2007.

Winter X Games originally rotated on a more regular basis. Its inaugural event was held in Snow Summit Mountain Resort, Calif. (1997), then moved to Crested Butte, Colo. for two years (1998-99) before moving east to Mount Snow, Vt. (2000-01). It has been in Aspen since 2002. As part of the new agreement, the Winter X Games will remain in Aspen/Snowmass for a total of nine consecutive years (2002-10). Last spring, ESPN signed a five-year agreement to keep the X Games, the world's premier summer action sports event, in Los Angeles through 2009.

"This new agreement further illustrates that Aspen is more than a venue for us," Semiao said. "It takes a true partnership with Aspen Skiing Company, the city of Aspen and the Valley's lodging community to make this event such a success. Our athletes, ESPN staff and sponsors love being in Aspen and we are thrilled to continue our success in this wonderful region of Colorado."

"ESPN and the Aspen Skiing Company brought Aspen into the 21st century with the Winter X Games," said Helen Klanderud, Aspen mayor. "Thank you ESPN for the agreement to bring the X Games to Aspen for three more years beginning in 2008. We welcome and eagerly embrace a new generation of winter sports lovers. Aspen is excited and proud to continue to host the X Games and the youthful energy it brings."

Since Winter X Games Six in Aspen (2002), Winter X Games has seen a significant amount of growth: attendance has increased by 91 percent; Après X free concerts have been added; the event is now live on ESPN and ABC; SportsCenter is now televised live on site; and a multitude of ESPN media platforms are regularly covering the event.

Winter X Games has set viewership records each year, including its stay in Aspen. Last year's telecasts garnered record viewership, averaging 677,000 households across networks, up 23 percent when compared to 552,000 households in 2004.

Winter X Games 10, the premier annual winter action sports competition, will feature more than 230 athletes from across the globe competing for medals and prize money in the following sports: moto X, skiing, snowboard and snocross. Winter X Games 10 will include day and evening competitions and is free to the public.

Winter X Games 10 will feature 15 hours of live programming on ESPN and ABC. ESPN2 will present daily late-night highlight programs from Jan. 29-Feb. 1, resulting in 19 total hours of original programming for Winter X Games 10. Additionally, ESPN International will televise the Winter X Games to more than 190 countries and territories throughout Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Pacific Rim.

– Press release