The 2013 X Games Aspen are upon us. Buttermilk Mountain has once again transformed into a sea of lights; scaffolding; massive, perfectly sculpted snow features; airborne skiers, snowboarders and snowmobiles; and crazed fans. This is freeskiing’s biggest competition stage. X Games attracts the biggest media spotlight. X Games dishes out the fattest paychecks. The ultimate bragging rights are on the line.

In order of appearance: H. Harlaut, R. Henshaw, K. Herman and G. Kenworthy.

The action got underway this morning with slopestyle practice. Between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. the invited athletes had their first crack at the course. And right from the get-go, competitors were overheard praising the course and its array of features. Notably, the riders were pleased to see four rail options—a bump up from last year’s two—in addition to four pristine jumps.

The rails are technical. The landings are steep. The transitions between jumps are mighty quick. This course will test the world’s best skiers, and this course will undoubtedly push those skiers to rise to new levels. It’s fair to say we’re in for quite the show this week.

“The jumps are super nice, super big,” says Henrik Harlaut. “It’s probably the best slopestyle course I’ve ever hit here at X Games.”

“The course this year is pretty much the best it’s ever been,” confirms Russ Henshaw.

We’re off to check out this evening’s superpipe practice session. Stay tuned—we’ve got more photos coming your way, a full TV broadcast schedule and information on the upcoming events.

For behind the scenes photos from X Games, follow @FreeskierMagazine on Instagram.

Related:

– See the 2013 X Games Aspen television broadcast schedule.
– Watch Aspen’s Winter X Games slopestyle course preview video.
– Check out the Winter X Games 17 competition schedule by day.
– See the full list of invited riders to X Games Aspen 2013.
– Freeskier and Red Bull to host athlete welcome party during X Games in Aspen.
– The top 9 reasons to look forward to Winter X Games 17 in Aspen.