Each January, Aspen Snowmass transforms into a spectacular stage for the Winter X Games, where the world’s best snowboarders, skiers, and snowmobilers converge to push the limits of gravity and style. The 2026 edition promises to be the most electrifying yet – a blend of world-class sport, dazzling mountain scenery, and après-ski indulgence that defines modern alpine luxury. For those seeking to experience the X Games 2026 with comfort, exclusivity, and flair, this guide covers everything from tickets and travel to the best hotels, dining, and unforgettable Aspen experiences – all enhanced by the ease of flying via a private jet to Aspen with AirX.
Winter X Games 2026: What to Expect
The Winter X Games Aspen 2026 will take place at Buttermilk Mountain, Colorado, from January 23–25, 2026. The event will feature competitions across snowboard slopestyle, superpipe, big air, and skiing events, as well as concerts, live DJ sets, and luxury hospitality lounges. The atmosphere combines elite athleticism with a festival-like energy – where spectators sip champagne beside the halfpipe and world champions share lifts with guests on powder-perfect mornings.
Daytime access to the venue is typically free until 4:00 PM. To enter the evening competition viewing areas and concerts, you’ll need a General Admission (GA) ticket purchased via Front Gate Tickets. GA pricing is published by the organiser (tickets start around $39 per day), and VIP options add reserved viewing and hospitality.
Winter X Games Tickets and VIP Access
Ticketing for X Games Aspen 2026 is managed via Front Gate Tickets. Current options include:
- General Admission (GA) – Ticketed access to evening competitions and all headliner concerts, plus entry to X Fest activations. GA is standing-room only; doors for GA open around 4:00 PM.
- Silver Lounge – Adds a heated lounge and enhanced access over GA for select evening sessions.
- Gold Lounge – Premium hospitality with a dedicated lounge environment and priority viewing access for evening competitions and concerts.
- Chalet Lounge (On Location) — A private, premium hospitality space at Buttermilk with hosted food & beverage and reserved viewing; ideal for groups and corporate hosting.
Headliner music acts for 2026 include Disco Lines (Friday, January 23 2026) and Alesso (Saturday, January 24 2026). Additional ticket packages and VIP experiences are announced closer to the event on the official X Games site and Front Gate Tickets.
Tickets usually go on sale in late autumn via the official X Games Aspen website. Early booking is recommended, as top-tier passes are limited to fewer than 300 guests each year.
Getting to Aspen
Reaching Aspen is part of the experience. Some visitors fly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), which sits just three miles from downtown Aspen and ten minutes from Buttermilk Mountain. In winter, commercial flights might be restricted by extreme weather, making a private jet to Aspen the most reliable and comfortable choice.
AirX offers direct cross-Atlantic private jet routes from major cities, including Frankfurt, London, and Paris, with flexible scheduling and dedicated ground handling. Depending on your itinerary, you may also choose to arrive via Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) or Denver International Airport (DEN) – both serviced by AirX charters with seamless ground or helicopter transfers into Aspen.
With AirX private jets, you can select from aircraft such as the Challenger 850 or Legacy 600, offering lie-flat seating, premium catering, and space for winter gear. For larger groups or sponsors, VIP Airliners like the Lineage 1000 or Boeing BBJ combine range and refinement, while the Commercial VIP A340 accommodates up to 100 guests in luxurious comfort.
On arrival, AirX can coordinate customs clearance, tarmac transfers, and chauffeured ground transport to your resort – ensuring every detail, from runway to ski slope, runs seamlessly. Enquire with us about details.
Finding the Right Luxury Accommodation
Aspen’s hotels are synonymous with style and sophistication, offering elegant suites, private spas, and ski-in/ski-out access. A few standout choices for 2026 include:
Located at the base of Aspen Mountain, The Little Nell remains Aspen’s most prestigious address. Expect fireplaces in every room, ski valets, and a wine cellar with over 20,000 bottles. Private access to the slopes and impeccable service make it a perennial favourite.
- Rates: from around $2,000 per night in high season.
Classic elegance meets modern indulgence at the St. Regis, where the Remède Spa and nightly champagne sabering ritual epitomise Aspen’s unique blend of luxury and leisure. The heated outdoor pool is the place to unwind after a day of competition.
- Rates: from approximately $1,500 per night.
Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection
This historic hotel fuses Western heritage with contemporary flair – leather armchairs, roaring fires, and mountain-view suites make it a refined retreat. Its famed J-Bar remains Aspen’s social hub.
- Rates: from roughly $1,200 per night.
Note: Approximate distance: 65 km (about 1 hour) from Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE); 355 km (around 4 hours) from Denver International Airport (DEN).
For private stays, exclusive chalets and designer lodges in Snowmass or Red Mountain offer total seclusion, personal chefs, and direct transfers to the X Games venue.
Dining and Après-Ski in Aspen
Aspen’s dining scene rivals that of any world capital. Between competitions, indulge in these acclaimed culinary experiences:
- Matsuhisa Aspen – Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature Japanese-Peruvian cuisine in a timbered chalet setting; try the yellowtail jalapeño and miso black cod.
- Element 47 – Located in The Little Nell, this Michelin-standard restaurant serves contemporary American dishes paired with rare vintages from its award-winning cellar.
- Cache Cache – A local institution known for its intimate atmosphere, truffle fries, and celebrity sightings.
- Pine Creek Cookhouse – Reachable by sleigh or snowshoe, this log-cabin restaurant in the Ashcroft Valley offers alpine fine dining with breathtaking views.
As evening falls, Aspen’s après-ski comes alive. The Ajax Tavern’s terrace fills with laughter and champagne flutes, while Caribou Club remains the town’s most exclusive late-night hideaway – invitation-only and effortlessly chic.
Combining the X Games with an Aspen Holiday
Beyond the thrill of the Winter X Games, Aspen offers world-class winter leisure. Spend mornings skiing the untouched bowls of Highland Bowl, afternoons exploring the boutiques along Galena Street, and evenings at the Wheeler Opera House. Day trips to Snowmass or Maroon Bells reveal postcard-perfect alpine scenery.
Luxury travellers often extend their Aspen holidays into week-long escapes, pairing the X Games with bespoke experiences such as private heli-skiing, snowcat tours, or guided art walks through Aspen’s contemporary galleries. Premium Aspen holiday packages can also include private yoga sessions, spa treatments, and curated dining itineraries arranged through your hotel concierge or AirX’s own travel partners.
Experience the Winter X Games in Style with AirX
Whether you’re attending for the adrenaline, the ambience, or simply the glamour of Aspen in winter, arriving on your own schedule elevates the entire experience. With AirX, every detail – from flight planning to in-flight dining and ground transport – is designed around you.
Choose your preferred aircraft, tailor your itinerary, and let AirX’s aviation specialists handle the rest. From discreet boarding to champagne service above the clouds, AirX ensures your Aspen travel experience matches the prestige of the event itself. Ready to plan your journey? Contact the AirX team to arrange your private jet to Aspen and discover a new standard of winter luxury. Get in touch with AirX today and make your 2026 Winter X Games adventure one to remember.
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