For years Freeskier has thrown the famed athlete welcome party at X Games at the ever-rowdy Sky Hotel. This year, thanks to great partnerships with Red Bull, POC, RESQWATER and the AFP, we stepped up our game and brought the heat to Belly Up, Aspen’s premier music venue.

This invite-only party brought the industry together under one roof on Thursday to kick off what has turned into a historic X Games. The world’s best freeskiers were in attendance, soaking in the music laid down by DJ WuShu, DJ Largechild, and headliner The Polish Ambassador, who played while wearing an old-school ski suit—apparently his everyday attire. Top dogs from all over the industry came to kick back one last time before the Games went into full throttle on Friday.

Thanks to everyone who came to Belly Up to help us kick off the 2013 X Games right, deep into the night, bottles of champagne in hand. And a huge thanks to Red Bull, POC, RESQWATER and the AFP for helping us make it happen, year after year.

Find out more about the performers:
DJ Wushu: facebook.com/thewushufanpage
DJ Largechild: facebook.com/DJLargechild
The Polish Ambassador: thepolishambassador.com

Related:
– Follow along with @FreeskierLive this afternoon as slopestyle wraps up this year’s X Games.
– Read our recap of the 2013 X Games Aspen Ski Big Air from last night
– See the 2013 X Games Aspen television broadcast schedule
– Check out more photos from the party over at General Snus’s Facebook page.