For the 13th year Aspen hosts the X Games starting Thursday at the Buttermilk ski area. But, beyond the competitions on the hill, downtown Aspen will see concerts and events sharing in the spirit of the games. While it will be fun, it could lead to some traffic, parking and other issues for folks trying to get around town.
So, Aspen Public Radio has created a simple guide for the big questions you might have about the X Games, how to get there, where to park, tickets, breaking news and more.
Thanks to a partnership between the City of Aspen and Pitkin County, many of these answers can be found on this website: http://pitkinemergency.org/
If you go to the X Games…
The best place to get the rundown on the events and times of the competitions at Buttermilk is through the X Games website: http://xgames.espn.go.com/events/2014/aspen/schedule/
Most of the events run from 12pm-9pm from each day through Sunday.
X Games and legal marijuana?
As of January 1st, 2014, recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado under certain conditions. Since the X Games is a non-smoking/non-drinking event, it is also a marijuana free.
What will happen if I try to bring marijuana into the X Games?
You will not be allowed to enter the venue with marijuana, but you will be given the opportunity to take it back to your car/home/hotel. There will also be 4 amnesty boxes outside of the venue where you can dispose of marijuana before entering the venue.
You can learn more about the regulations and the law under Colorado’s Amendment 64 through this link: http://pitkinemergency.org/2014/01/20/faq-colorado-amendment-64/
If you go to the concerts…
The X Games is presenting two concerns in Wagner Park in Aspen this weekend.
On Saturday at 3pm, Phoenix and Matt & Kim will perform.
On Sunday at 3pm, Tiësto and Axwell will perform.
Both are ticketed events. You can get tickets and more information here: http://www.bellyupaspen.com/xgames/
But keep in mind there will be street closures and other detours around Wagner Park. As part of the concert planning, E. Durant between S. Monarch Street and S. Galena St, and Monarch between Durant and Hyman will be closed from 2:30pm to 8:00pm on Saturday & Sunday. In addition, the Northbound lane of Monarch between Durant and Hyman will be closed until 4:00p Tues Jan 28th in order to provide safety for crews working the events. Parking on Monarch by Hyman will be unavailable through 4:00pm Tuesday Jan 28th.
You can find out more through this link: http://pitkinemergency.org/2014/01/21/x-games-music-information/
How to get there - Parking, Shuttles and more.
You can find out more through this link:
http://pitkinemergency.org/2014/01/20/transportation-information/
Parking
Event Parking for X Games Aspen 2014 is located at the Brush Creek Intercept Lot, (North side of Hwy 82 & Brush Creek Road) west of the Airport. There is no charge for parking at the Brush Creek Intercept Lot or for the shuttle service to the venue. Pay parking is available in downtown Aspen, including the Rio Grande Parking Plaza (427 Rio Grande Place) which provides 24-hour covered parking.
Drop Off & Pick Up Area
Guests can be dropped off and picked up at the base of Buttermilk Mountain. Loading and unloading only. NO parking or waiting is allowed. ADA drop-off is available at the base of Buttermilk Mountain. Follow signs toward the ADA/VIP Drop-off/Pick-Up location. Designated wheelchair viewing areas have been established at the patio deck of Bumps Lodge and on the south/hill side of Bumps below Big Air. Staff in the Guest Services tent will be available to escort an individual to the wheel chair viewing area. Please locate a Guest Services representative at the venue entrance or go to the Guest Services tent located in X Fest for information and assistance.
Shuttles
X Games shuttles will run continuously from the Brush Creek Intercept Lot to the venue from 9am-8pm. Shuttles will also run from downtown Aspen and Snowmass to Buttermilk from 9am-8pm and from Aspen Highlands to Buttermilk from 9am-4:30pm. There will be no direct transportation to/from Buttermilk to Highlands after 4:30pm. Guests can take a regularly scheduled bus into Aspen and transfer to an X Games bus at the Rubey Park location. Outbound shuttles to the Brush Creek Intercept Lot, Aspen and Snowmass will run 45 minutes after the last competition concludes.
RFTA provides extensive and free bus service around Aspen. There will be a direct X Games bus (9am-8pm) from the Rubey Park transit center in downtown Aspen to/from Buttermilk Mountain. Anyone requiring transportation outside of Aspen/Snowmass, such as to Glenwood Springs, Carbondale or Basalt, should reference RFTA for assistance.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Regularly scheduled RFTA shuttles can bring you to the venue should you park in the Brush Creek Intercept Lot prior to 9am. The last X Games shuttle departs from the venue’s main entrance 45 minutes after the last competition concludes each night.
X Games Music Concerts
To reach the X Games concerts in Wagner Park on January 25 and 26, catch an Aspen-bound bus from the Buttermilk venue and exit at the Rubey Park Transit Center (final stop). Wagner Park is adjacent to the transit center. Extra bus service will be available after the shows to return spectators to the Buttermilk venue. Follow the signage to reach the appropriate bus.
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