(Poor) artist's rendering of the X Games in Whistler. Seb Toots, Forsythe photo.

Earlier this year, ESPN announced that the X Games would be taking bids for new locations, hoping to expand the Games to a global series, on top of the existing Summer, Winter and European events. The shortlist of new candidates was released at the kick off of this year's Winter X Games; among a list of multiple summer options, turns out Whistler was the only city to bid for a winter X Games.

Being the lone city vying for a new Winter X Games, the things standing in Whistler's way are approvals from the local community, raising the needed funds to stage the games, and a passing grade after a visit from event organizers – all very reasonable things to accomplish. If Whistler should win the bid, they've got a Winter X Games for three years, starting in 2013 (yes, next year). This new Winter X would be in addition to Aspen and Europe, not intended to replace either (although ESPN's deal with Aspen is up for renewal after this year).

Stories coming out of Whistler's weekly papers are suggesting that the local organizing committee (LOC) is looking for Whistler Council to contribute $250,000 for each year the Games would be held in Whistler. One of the other possible hold ups is with hosting the snowmobile events and the potential environmental factors at play. On the positive side, Whistler already has all of the ground work and infrastructure from hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics already in place.

And when would they hold the X Games? During the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival, of course. Things are gonna get crazy.

The plan is for the event crew to visit Whistler in March to assess the location, and to deliver their decision in April (my guess: during the Festival).

Get the whole story from the Whistler Pique and Whistler Question.

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