Winter X Games

The next big thing in skiing and snowboarding is already here. At least, that’s according to the heavy hitters in the snow sports industry, which held its annual conference this last weekend in Denver. Aspen blogger Andrew M. Israel was there to take it all in. He writes the AspenSpin.com, and occasionally for aspenpublicradio.org. Israel says one of the best moments doesn’t really have much to do with snow: "Always one of my favorites is waffles on a stick, at the Vans booth. 

For the first time in seven years, snowboarding phenom Shaun White did not take home the X Games gold for Super Pipe. The Flying Tomato decided to save his legs for the Olympics in a matter of weeks… and Danny Davis took home the gold. That was the last event for this winter’s X Games… and early signs are that it may have been successful

Editor's note: Below is a transcript of reporter Elise Thatcher's story.

[Sound of snowboarder landing on the ice in the SuperPipe, during men’s finals.]

Good afternoon and welcome to Valley Roundup, a review of the week’s top news stories in Aspen and beyond.

We are joined today by Carolyn Sackariason, Editor of the Aspen Daily News, Andy Stone, a columnist fro and former editor of the Aspen Times and Michael Miracle, Editor of Aspen Sojourner magazine.

The X Games are upon us and the word is that ESPN will continue them in Aspen for another five years.  The games bring a younger crowd to town.  Today we consider what Aspen looks like to a 20-something visitor.

Basalt is organizing a crowd-sourcing urban planning process.  The town wants residents to look ahead and imagine a future town.

Aspen will soon have an empty art museum to repurpose and the ideas for the space are rolling in.  The city wants a public service that will engage the community.

And on the Download with Rob St. Mary - Netflix could be ready to press subscribers into the battle over net neutrality.

One year ago today, Caleb Moore crashed during the Snowmobile Freestyle event of the X Games. He later died from his injuries. The crash led to some changes in how that event was run. Still, despite the inherent dangers, the Snowmobile Freestyle contest goes on.
 

Editor’s note: below is a transcript of reporter Elise Thatcher’s story.

Announcer: “It all comes down to the score… oh my gosh! He’s going to pick up where he left off, the gold…”

The X Games are in full swing, with eye popping jumps and bright lights. And, it’ll be on the calendar for five more years, thanks to a new agreement.

Hometown favorite Gretchen Bleiler is competing in this week’s event-- her last X Games before she retires.

Aspen Police say a so-called skimming device was discovered at a local ATM. We’ll find out what that means for locals.

Cell service can be a real pain in Snowmass Village. But improving coverage can be tricky.

We’ll hear how a state senator hopes to expand broadband internet in the Valley….

Whether there’s more snow coming any time soon…

And the long view from a decorated athlete... about his experience at the Olympics.