You may have noticed the broad range of topics the GeekMom writers "geek out" about. I am lost when it comes to fixing my own computer, and admittedly even have trouble downloading apps sometimes. But there are a few topics that I get totally geeky about in my own way.
Because I'm the one legged lady, I love writing about prosthetics. Because I have six million of them in my house, I love writing about Legos. And because we have always lived in a snowy state and my kids' lives revolve around snow sports, I am a huge fan of the Winter X Games. It's bigger than the Olympics in our household, if only because we don't have to skip over the sports we aren't interested in. We are crazy about every single competition.
Now that we live right down the road from Aspen, where the Games take place, the past two years we've been able to go. I wrote about our adventure last year, as we were newbies to seeing the events live. This year we took a different route. With press passes in hand we got to go a bit behind the scenes and see what makes the whole thing tick.
My sons were mesmerized as we sat in a tent packed with reporters and listened to a panel of the athletes (yes, including Shaun White) answer questions and talk about their sport. Before the event started I was seated on a small couch next to Bobby Brown, one of the best X Games athletes. He looked like the many friends my son brings home – shaggy hair, baggy boarding clothes – so I didn't even realize it was him until my son totally geeked out once Bobby made his way to the front for the press conference.
I truly believe that is part of the draw for my boys. The Olympics seem so far away and remote from their real lives. But the X Games are up close and personal. Kids (and moms) who love snow sports can relate to them. The athletes are surrounded by family and friends at the Games, but also by a lot of the general public. Sure, there was an athlete's only lounge, but it was very common to see these guys and girls who have many medals in their closets just walking around the venue. You just have to recognize them behind their stocking caps and goggles.
We spent two days watching events like Big Air (a ski jump event to see who can do the best tricks and get the most altitude off a huge ramp), Super Pipe (the long half bowl venue that sends boarders and skiers high into the air, over and over again) and new to us this year, snowmobile races. At each competition we were right there, mixed in with the families and friends of the athletes. Even without press passes, it's possible to get front row spots along the finish lines.
Because I'm technically disabled I was able to use the viewing platform that was ADA approved. It was double the fun to sit amongst kids and teens in wheelchairs, who may never get to experience these extreme sports, and see their wide smiles and hear them cheering with the crowd. The X Games staff did a great job of setting up the venue to include people of all abilities. The only rough spots were the snow covered paths to the events, which are just a part of nature, and part of the environment needed to host the Games.
I would also like to give credit to Danny, one of the big guys at ESPN, who approved a press pass for my son that we called a "disabled assistance pass". I don't think they've had ever had a request for such a thing, but having my tall strong son to hold onto while I climbed stairs made of snow and navigate up rough slopes made my visit much more enjoyable. I was very impressed that Danny could see the value of that decision.
The X Games are free, which continues to amaze me, so if you are ever planning to be in Colorado in the last half of January, make it a priority to stop by Aspen. ESPN does a great job of setting up an exciting event that draws a lot of snow-loving people, from toddlers to grandparents. It was nice to spend a few days surrounded by our fellow Snow Geeks.
