A plethora of mountain-related events could freeze Interstate 70 traffic this weekend — even worse than the normal crush of weekend traffic.

Oh yeah. There will be snow, too.

Three of Colorado’s most popular winter events will take place west of the metro Denver area this weekend, causing westbound traffic to likely slow to a halt on Friday and eastbound traffic expected to follow the gridlock pattern on Sunday, according to a news release by the Colorado Department of Transportation. The department urges those heading into the mountains to explore public transportation options or plan their driving trips with traffic in mind. 

Looking at the docket of events happening this weekend, it’s not surprising that travelers will be flocking westward like the setting sun.

The 2024 X Games will see elite, extreme snowboarders and skiers bombing half pipes and hills at Buttermilk Mountain at Aspen Snowmass from Friday to Sunday. Athletes will also be in Vail on Saturday and Sunday for the NBS Mogul Classic freestyle competition. 

And, in a significantly less dangerous affair, countless people will head to Breckenridge for the International Snow Sculpture Championships all weekend.

On top of all that — literally — winter weather may bring several inches of snow to parts of the I-70 mountain corridor on Friday, according to the release. Heaviest snow totals are expected over I-25 and US 160 near the Raton Mesa, La Veta Pass and Wet Mountains west of Pueblo.

Luckily, CDOT is using its Bustang bus service to transport people from Denver’s Union Station to Glenwood Springs five times daily from 7 a.m. to 5:40 p.m., providing locals with a safe way to get to the X Games. Event goers will have to transfer at Glenwood Springs to the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), which will take goers up to the games, according to the release.

CDOT’s Snowstang can transport others to Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Loveland Ski Area and Steamboat Springs. CDOT’s Pegasus shuttle service also goes from Denver’s Union Station to Idaho Springs, Frisco, Vail and Avon.

More information on traffic and road conditions can be found at COtrip.org.