Those of us who cover action sports don’t need to be reminded how much these sports are growing, both in popularity and coverage. This weekend at the Natural Selection, writers from Rolling Stone, Men’s Journal, Outside, Men’s Health, and of course, ESPN The Mag, showed up in Jackson Hole to write about the contest (and take some powder turns, of course). That wouldn’t have happened a few years ago.

Also, coverage of our Winter X Games preview is still going strong. In the Feb. 5 issue of the Denver Post, writer Scott Willoughby talks about how Bleiler told the mag she is done showing skin simply because that’s what’s expected of female athletes. The full story is below, along with links to several other stories on our decision to put the first female action sports athlete on the cover …

Bleiler Bucks Trend, Baring New Ideals – Denver Post, 2.5.08

X Games Halfpipe Queen Bleiler Flying Higher – USA Today, 1.23.08

Winter X Games: Sandy Native Turns Heads – Salt Lake Tribune, 1.24.08

Winter X Games Just Keep Growing – The Gazette, 1.24.08

Piling Up A History – Rocky Mountain News, 1.24.08

Winter Wonderland – Chicago Tribune, 1.25.08

Winter X Games Report – Rocky Mountain News, 1.26.08

And a few fun radio hits …

News Channel 8, KOLO-TV CH 8 (ABC) Reno

“The 2008 Winter X Games are underway in Aspen, Colorado. And as always our area produces some of the top athletes in the X Games. The latest issue of ESPN The Magazine features 17-year-old South Lake Tahoe resident Jamie Anderson and Gretchen Bleiler …”

Good Day Colorado, KDVR-TV CH 31 (FOX) Denver

“Gretchen, she’s the hottest snowboarder in Aspen, just at the X Games, won a bunch of stuff, only the fourth woman ever to be on the cover of ESPN The Magazine. Rick Riley and Gretchen in ESPN The Magazine. Excellent.”

Elliot In The Morning, WWDC-FM 101.1 Washington, DC

“Who is the – I’m not sure how old the magazine cover is, I don’t know if it’s current one or if it’s back an issue or two – who is the hot as hell snowboarder on the cover of ESPN The Magazine? Honestly, I couldn’t tell you off the bat, but I could do some research and call you back if you want. Some blond chick, who is on the cover of ESPN The Magazine, oh my god.”