This story originally appeared in Mile High Sports Magazine. Read the full digital edition.
Colorado isn’t home for Tucker Hibbert, but there’s no place he might be more comfortable than in Aspen.
Over the past 16 years, the Pelican Rapids, Minn. native has accumulated a total of 14 X Games medals in Snocross on the famous Colorado mountain.
What for the average person might be a harrowing break-neck race through snow and ice on a nearly 500-pound snowmobile is just another day at work for Hibbert, a 10-time National Snocross champion.
Later this month, he’ll ride again in Aspen, seeking a record-breaking 10th consecutive X Games gold medal.
He’ll try to build off the success of last month’s win at the inaugural ISOC Colorado Snocross National at Colorado Adventure Park near Winter Park. Hibbert rode his Team Monster Energy / Arctic Cat / Ram Trucks sled to a pair of wins in the Pro Open category Dec. 16 and 17.
“I’ve had a lot of good races in Colorado at X Games and at high altitude,” Hibbert said about racing at Colorado Adventure Park. “That gives me a boost … It’s great to have a race in an area where people are excited about snowmobiling and racing.”
Coloradans are certainly excited about snowmobiling. The state boasts over 33,000 registered snowmobiles – second only to Idaho among the Rocky Mountain States. Colorado claims approximately 3,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails developed by snowmobile clubs and associations, usually in cooperation with provincial, state and local governments.
X Games returns to Aspen’s Buttermilk Mountain for the world’s best action sports, music and festival experience Jan. 26 – 29. All sport competitions are free and open to the public. Ticketing information and details for concerts and hospitality are available at aspensnowmass.com.
Featured Image Credit: John Hanson