For Aspen native Dan Glidden, the Winter X Video games in Aspen has all the time been extra than simply an occasion — it’s been a spectacle.

2002 marked the primary yr X Video games got here to Aspen at Buttermilk Mountain. He had already been serving with the Aspen Police Division for practically 12 years by that time. He would ultimately retire in 2015, however inside 13 years of overlaying the X Video games, he mentioned the one factor that remained constant yr to yr was it all the time discovered a method to develop in measurement.

“I used to be overwhelmed, not a lot by the work, simply the dimensions,” he mentioned. “It’s not that we hadn’t had different occasions within the valley, however simply the dimensions of X Video games, the sheer variety of individuals. I imply I grew up in Aspen, so I’m ‘small city,’ I used to be all the time simply astonished. Yearly, it was similar to, ‘Whoa.’ It was one thing to see.”

This yr’s X Video games are coming again to city from Friday via Sunday, and together with it comes the visitors locals have come to know and love. That’s why, as all the time, APD, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Workplace, and the Colorado Division of Transportation (CDOT) are encouraging everybody to benefit from bus programs whether or not touring from inside or exterior of the valley.

Pitkin County Chief Deputy of Operations Parker Lathrop mentioned whereas heavy visitors is all the time anticipated, one distinction from earlier years is that X Video games will not be that includes giant live shows, which is predicted to cut back congestion to an extent. That mentioned, planning on utilizing Roaring Fork Valley Transit to the bus cease in entrance of Buttermilk would be the greatest plan of motion, although parking will nonetheless be provided inside designated areas for these set on driving. For any locals who’re needing to commute via the realm over the weekend, he mentioned staying conscious of the busier occasions will assist keep away from longer delays.

“We don’t are inclined to see an excessive amount of arrival suddenly, however when the video games begin to let loose form of round 10 p.m. to 11 on a Friday and Saturday night time after which 8:30 p.m. to 9 on Sunday, know that there’s going to be lots of people leaving, and we’re gonna begin seeing fairly a bit extra visitors headed downvalley, so simply simply know that that’s happening,” he mentioned. “And likewise, it’s necessary to remain centered on the automotive in entrance of you rather than the intense lights up on the hill. We all the time are inclined to have just a few fender benders from individuals who get sidetracked by the very vibrant lights.”

CDOT Communications Supervisor Elise Thatcher mentioned for these planning to attend X Video games, along with anticipating heavy visitors alongside Colorado Freeway 82 from Glenwood Springs to Aspen, attendees ought to examine info supplied by X Video games over what to anticipate when arriving on the occasion and the place to park. Moreover, she mentioned it’s necessary for vacationers coming from exterior of the valley to know that Bustang gained’t drop off on the Buttermilk cease in Aspen, so a switch from Bustang to RFTA in Glenwood Springs shall be required.

“Vacationers can go by Bustang to the West Glenwood transit station; at that location, they will journey on RFTA as much as X Video games,” she mentioned. “Utilizing public transit means attendees can benefit from the occasion with out worrying about parking and heavy visitors.”

In preparation for longer bus strains, RFTA has teamed up with Hermes Worldwide Inc. to offer further again ups as wanted. Communications Supervisor Jamie Tatsuno mentioned that backup assets are additionally being scheduled via RFTA upkeep amenities, particularly via the Glenwood Springs facility, to permit for steady shuttles from Brush Creek Park and Trip, downtown Aspen and Snowmass Village, in addition to present extra connectivity with Bustang providers.

“I believe our bus tracker at myrfta.com is absolutely necessary,” she mentioned. “It’s a extremely nice useful resource for riders. After which we even have our RFTA cell tickets for individuals coming from downvalley – not simply the Aspen/Snowmass vacationers, however individuals don’t must discover a money or a ticket merchandising machine. They will make the most of our RFTA cell tickets to purchase bus tickets to stand up to the Brush Creek Park and Trip or the Buttermilk venue.”

For extra details about X Video games, go to xgames.com. For info concerning RFTA and routes, go to rfta.com/routes/velocirfta-brt. Lastly, for details about Bustang and different methods to attach with RFTA from the Entrance Vary, you are able to do so at  colorado.gov/governor/information/11381-governor-polis-and-cdot-announce-first-its-kind-partnership-between-x-games-aspen-and.

To achieve Jonson Kuhn, e-mail him at jkuhn@aspentimes.com.