U.S. Ski & Snowboard, X Games Announces Strategic Partnership, Introduce Winter X Games Series
Park City, UT & Ventura, CA (June 27, 2024) – U.S. Ski & Snowboard and X Games announce a strategic partnership for the world’s best action snow sports athletes. This unique collaboration will unite two prominent organizations to create The Winter X Games Series, including the U.S. Ski & Snowboard-hosted FIS World Cup events, the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix and Visa Big Air presented by Toyota, alongside Winter X Games.
X Games and U.S. Ski & Snowboard aim to further elevate snowboarding and freeskiing competition, including creating an athletic pathway to the Winter X Games. Winners of the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix and Visa Big Air events will receive guaranteed invitations to Winter X. The next podium place will be invited if the winners have already secured an invitation. Additionally, the next generation of the nation’s best freeskiers and snowboarders will have the opportunity to rise to the X Games based on results from the Revolution Tour, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s development series, which will also be co-branded with X Games. U.S. Ski & Snowboard and X Games will also collaborate on the calendar and events, including adding X Games-specific disciplines like knuckle huck and street style to the U.S. World Cup weekends, which already include FIS-level halfpipe, slopestyle and big air.
The collaboration will also involve co-branding and co-promotion efforts, leveraging the strengths of both organizations to enhance the visibility and engagement of athletes and their stories. U.S. Ski & Snowboard and X Games will also share content, ensuring comprehensive coverage and extending the reach for all events and athletes.
"Collaborating with X Games is an exciting step forward in our mission to provide more world class competitive opportunities for freeskiers and snowboarders," said Sophie Goldschmidt, U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO. "With the recent announcements from X Games regarding their expansion to include more events in various locations and Shaun White’s Snow League, these sports have unmistakable momentum in the market and we are enthusiastic to work together to see them grow.”
Added Scott Guglielmino, X Games President and COO, “As we build toward the X Games League format, this partnership will allow us to deliver on the promise of more world class competitions and a more consistent schedule for the athletes. Working with U.S. Ski & Snowboard will ensure we support and grow the athlete pipeline, which will benefit the entire industry.”
Stay tuned for further announcements regarding event locations, dates and additional details.
For more information, please contact:
Courtney Harkins
Director of Marketing & Communications, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
courtney.harkins@usskiandsnowboard.org
Grace Coryell
Event Communications Director, X Games
grace.coryell@xgames.com
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ABOUT U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders competing on 10 teams: alpine, cross country, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, snowboard, freeski, nordic combined, ski jumping, Para alpine and Para snowboard. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org.
ABOUT X GAMES
Since its inception in 1995, X Games has been the leading action sports competition and lifestyle brand, spotlighting the world’s best action sports athletes against the backdrop of each individual host city. Over the past 29 years, X Games has organized the world’s premier action sports events around the globe, complemented by top musical performances, year-round content and fan experiences. A major expansion of the brand — X Games League (XGL) — will debut in 2026. XGL will introduce a new global, team-based format and a consistent, year-round international competition calendar. In 2022 MSP Sports Capital (MSP) acquired a majority interest in X Games. ESPN televises X Games and remains a minority partner.