Go big at the Winter X Games

If I had to make a list of the sporting events I would most like to attend it would include the America's Cup, the Tour de France, the Superbowl, and anything at the Olympics.
If I was making a list of the coolest sports events I've actually attended, number one would definitely be the Winter X Games. The 11th edition of this adrenalin-junky spectable started with practice sessions today in the usual location of Aspen, Colo. For those, like me, who think the only way to ski is to go big or go home, this is an event you have to see live (even if it means standing out in the cold for hours on end). After a few years of wanting to see the games, I finally got around to it last year (living in Snowmass, Colo. helped). The television doesn't show how big these guys go.
I had the fortune to stand under Simon Dumont when he flew 22 feet out of the 21-foot Superpipe. That is 17 feet above my head. And he travelled over 60 feet down the pipe. This isn't flying, but it is as close as one can get without growing wings.

If you like controversy (will Dumont actually beat Tanner Hall in the judges eyes and not just the fans like last year) this has it. If you like excitement (Dumont is preparing a three-and-a-half-spin trick in the Superpipe) this has it. But most importantly, if you like all things gnarly you need to watch the X games in person. For Canadians this might be the only way to see the games. Instead of being able to watch live coverage during primetime on ESPN, Canadians will be watching selected coverage of last years games during the daytime on TSN. This is one person who will be glued to EXPN.com for all the excitement.