A Local’s Guide to the X Games

Winter X Games XII starts today, and eight Vermonters have their hats in the ring in what has become the world’s biggest annual competive snowsports event.

Vermont’s contingent includes snowboarders from Stratton and Mount Snow, a snowmobile racer from Jericho and a freestyle skier from West Bolton. The group features the famous — Kelly Clark, Lindsey Jacobellis, Hanah Teter — and the up-and-coming — 16-year-old snowboarder Lizzy Beerman of Weston, a junior at Stratton Mountain School.

Practice began in Aspen, Colo., Wednesday, and television coverage on ESPN and ABC begins today at 9 p.m. For those interested in keeping up with the locals as they fly high for cash and prestige, I present the following viewer’s guide.

Athlete: T.J. Gulla
Hometown: Jericho
Event: Snowmobile cross
On TV: Round 1, 9:30-11:30 p.m. Friday, ESPN; Round 2, 3-6 p.m. Saturday, ABC; Finals, 9-11 p.m. Saturday, ESPN

Lizzy Beerman
Weston
Women’s snowboard halfpipe
9:30-11:30 p.m. Friday, ESPN

Kelly Clark
Mount Snow
Women’s snowboard halfpipe
9:30-11:30 p.m. Friday, ESPN

Lindsey Jacobellis
Stratton
Women’s snowboard halfpipe, boardercross
9:30-11:30 p.m. Friday, ESPN (halfpipe); 3-3 p.m. Saturday, ABC (boardercross)

Hanah Teter
Belmont
Women’s snowboard halfpipe
9:30-11:30 p.m. Friday, ESPN

Kevin Pearce
Norwich
Men’s snowboard halfpipe, big air, slopestyle
3-6 p.m. Saturday, ABC (slopestyle final); 9-11 p.m. Saturday, ESPN (halfpipe elimination round, big air final); 9-11 p.m. Sunday, ESPN (halfpipe final)

Ben Jacobellis
Stratton
Men’s boardercross
3-6 p.m. Saturday, ABC

Tanner Rainville
West Bolton
Skiing slopestyle
2-6 p.m. Sunday, ESPN

NOTE: Watching the X Games waiting for a particular athlete or event can be frustrating. The coverage jumps around and there's no guarantee the Vermonters will get on the air. The best bet is the women's halfpipe where four Green Mountain riders will be competing, three of them X Games veterans capable of coming out on top.