ASPEN, Colorado—Eleanor Andrews, 17, felt a thrill as she ripped down the street style ski course at X Games Aspen 2025. As one of only three athletes under 18 competing in a ski event at the Games, Eleanor carved the mountain along with older athletes she has idolized idolize to look up to (verb) for years. “It’s just crazy to see all these women I’ve watched since I was really young,” she told TIME for Kids.
STREET STYLE Eleanor Andrews takes on the street style course at X Games Aspen 2025.
COURTESY X GAMES
From January 23 to 25, top snowboarders and skiers from around the world gathered in Aspen, Colorado. Some were teens, like Eleanor. In the X Games, kids don’t have separate events. They compete against adults. And sometimes, they take home medals anyway.
Breaking Records
South Korean snowboarder Gaon Choi made history in 2023. That year, at 14, she became the youngest X Games competitor ever to win gold in a snowboard halfpipe event. The record previously belonged to Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim. Kim has been a mentor to Gaon.
ROLE MODEL Snowboarder Chloe Kim greets fans at the X Games Aspen 2025 on January 25.
EZRA SHAW—GETTY IMAGES
Now 16, Gaon overcame a back injury to compete this year. During the snowboard superpipe event, she repeatedly soared into the air while zipping back and forth along a 22-foot-tall halfpipe. “Don’t think about the past,” Gaon told TFK through an interpreter, while reflecting on her time off. “Think of what you’re going to be doing in the future.”
Rockstar Rookies
Snowboarders Lily Dhawornvej, 15, and L.J. Henriquez, 16, competed in their first X Games this year. Being rookies rookie a player who is just starting out, professionally (noun) didn’t hold them back. Lily scored a bronze medal in the snowboard knuckle huck. “I’m definitely feeling excited,” she told TFK after her victory. “A lot of adrenaline.” And though he didn’t medal, L.J. gave his signature joyful performance. He boarded with a big smile on his face.
MEDAL CEREMONY X Games rookie Lily Dhawornvej takes home the knuckle huck bronze medal.
MARK KOHLMAN—X GAMES
Lily and L.J. both competed in the new street style event, in which athletes create their own routine on a short course. They rode their boards over metal rails and up concrete barriers. Neither took home a medal for it. But L.J. insists medals aren’t why he competes. He does it for love of the sport. “Just follow your passion,” he advises. “Follow your heart. If you want to do it, you’re gonna find ways to do it.”
FRESH FACE L.J. Henriquez looks on at the X Games Street Style Pro qualifier event in December 2024.
BRETT WILHELM—COURTESY X GAMES
Just as street style athletes find their own way across a course, Eleanor, Gaon, Lily, and L.J. are carving their own paths in the competitive world of winter sports.
Winter Sports Terms to Know
carve verb: to execute an advanced maneuver, moving quickly down a slope on skis or a snowboard without making wide turns
halfpipe noun: a large, snow-covered tube for performing jumps on skis or a snowboard
knuckle huck noun: a ski or snowboard event that involves using the curved upper section of a slope to perform tricks
slopestyle noun: a type of freestyle skiing or snowboarding in which competitors use rails for sliding and massive ramps for jumping
street style noun: a ski and snowboard event that’s similar to slopestyle, on a shorter, flatter course
superpipe noun: a large halfpipe structure used in extreme sports, usually with vertical walls higher than 16 feet tall
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