Squaw and Heavenly Lose bid to Host Winter X Games

Freestyle snowmobile.

The Winter X Games are underway now at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado. During the opening press conference at Buttermilk, the press was told that a 5 year extension contract had been signed with the Aspen Skiing Company.

In 2013 the Lake Tahoe Sports Organizing Committee (TSOC) put a bid in to ESPN to host the X Games at Lake Tahoe. The contract was set to expire with Buttermilk after the event this weekend. The TSOC planned to hold the Games at Squaw Valley and Heavenly Resort.

TSOC thought the X Games would bring exposure to Lake Tahoe, showcase Tahoe winter sports, and generate an estimated $10 million in identifiable benefits to the region.  

Committee partners to the TSOC include the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, North Lake Tahoe Chamber/Convention & Visitors Bureau/Resort Association, Heavenly Mountain Resort and Squaw Valley.

I am glad the X Games are not coming to town. The expected 20,000 to 25,000 spectators per day and the commute between venues are not what Tahoe needs. I’ll watch the Games on TV. 

 

Shaun White will not be attending the X Games in Buttermilk because he is “resting” for Sochi.