It was just another ho-hum day inside the EXPN trailer at Winter X VI. That was until Barrett Christy rolled in for a chat. We talked to the 11-time Winter X medallist about being in Aspen, and hitting the pipe in Vail. Check it out.

How was your trip to Aspen? Was it nice not having to fly?
It was nice. I actually came in for the last two Grand Prix's at Breckenridge so I got to sleep in my own bed and drive over from Vail to Breck everyday. But right now I couldn't do that drive to get here by eight in the morning! But it is nice to have the Winter X Games in Colorado. It feels nice to be home.

Do you spend much time in Aspen?
I haven't been to Aspen in years. The last time I think was for another ESPN event, and I think there was a Grand Prix at Snowmass once. I've never been to Buttermilk and as far as I know they didn't allow snowboarding on the other mountains. Aspen is probably a really cool town I just haven't spent much time here. I'm sure that the X Games sort of transforms the town into something else. It's fun to be here now.

How did you feel about your runs here at Winter X?
I'm happy. I just came back from an injury in December and started riding right in time for the Grand Prix event. All I have really done so far is pipe contests and I was kind of relieved to come here because it is more of a relaxed format and there is a lot more riders here. I was really happy with fourth because that was behind and in front of some Olympic riders and I'm not going to the Olympics. I was happy with that run for sure.

Barrett Christy in the superpipe at Winter X Games VI.

What is your take on the Olympic qualifying?
It was bad timing for me because I hadn't gotten back on my feet yet in time to do well at the qualifiers. But I'm in favor of the up-to-the-last-minute thing. It's really hectic but also allows some riders who are all-around competitors who don't necessarily do the right points events to be eligible to go. It allows anyone to go in there and try. So I like it but I'm sure there will be enough people who don't like it that it won't be like that forever.

How about Kelly Clark winning the gold medal in the SuperPipe?
I've been watching Kelly go off all year so it's pretty cool to see. The more she does well the more confidence she gets. With that confidence she is just doing bigger and better things. It's fun to watch. She is going to go places. I'm stoked to see it. It has changed so much since I started competing and it is great to be a part of that growth and watch people come up. She probably wasn't even snowboarding when I started, she's young you know! I hadn't even started when I was her age. There is so much ahead of her.

What do you think of the pipe in Vail?
Vail has one of the best pipes I have ever seen. I only got to go there for a day in between the Breck events but it was very good. I expect them to keep it up all year and I'm looking forward to going back.

What about the pipe here at Winter X VI?
It was a little laid back but I really liked the pipe here. It had good shape. It's just getting up and competing in a pipe at 8 a.m. in the morning is a little different than riding halfpipe and being a good halfpipe rider. It's really a challenge to do that sometimes.

Have you been partying it up in Aspen?
I had an early night last night. I heard I won tickets to Green Day but I haven't gone to pick them up and I don't know if I can stay up that late because I have to be up at 8 a.m. to ride the Slopestyle tomorrow.

For more Barrett Christy talking about the Mt. Baker Banked Slalom click here.

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