Winter is officially here, and that means Beaver Creek Resort is preparing to welcome the world’s fastest skiers to its snowy slopes. Beaver Creek is the only place in the United States to host the men’s World Cup alpine speed races every season. But this December’s race series is extra special, because it also includes the women’s World Cup speed races. For the first time ever, both men and women will race on Beaver Creek’s legendary Birds of Prey course.
The men’s downhill race kicks off the competition on Dec. 6, followed by the men’s super G on Dec. 7 and giant slalom on Dec. 8. Then, the following weekend, the world’s fastest women—including the winningest ski racer of all time, Vail Valley native Mikaela Shiffrin—will compete at Beaver Creek for the first time since the 2015 World Championships. The women’s weekend starts with the downhill on Dec. 14, followed by the super G (the race Shiffrin plans to do) on Dec. 15.
Sure, you could just stay home and watch on TV. But since Beaver Creek is just a few hours away, why not make plans to experience these iconic races in person?
Here’s what to know about visiting Beaver Creek to watch World Cup ski racing next month.
Why Check It Out
Well, if you’ve never witnessed skiers going 80 miles per hour down a ski slope, it’s quite the spectacle. Beaver Creek has historically been the only ski area in America to regularly host World Cup downhill and super G events. And, it’s free.
What are downhill and super G, exactly? Downhill is the fastest alpine ski racing discipline, with the longest top-to-bottom course and the fewest gates. Competitors can hit speeds of 80 miles per hour while firing down the course. Birds of Prey, the course at Beaver Creek, contains numerous jumps, off which racers sometimes take to the air for nearly the length of a football field. The gates for the downhill course are set up in advance, and competitors get a couple of training runs to practice before race day.
Super G is the second-fastest discipline, with athletes reaching speeds up to 70 miles per hour. While the course is slightly shorter than downhill, the super G challenge is that the gates are set up just before the race and athletes don’t get a chance to try it out at speed. Instead, they inspect the course slowly, gate by gate, and have to visualize the correct line. Missing a gate in ski racing is an automatic disqualification—and it happens a lot in super G. Many athletes consider the Birds of Prey super G course to be the most technical and challenging on the enfite World Cup circuit, because of its steep opening pitch, jumps and off-balancing turns.
How To Watch The Races
If you want to be in the heart of the action, head to Red Tail Stadium at the race finish area. You have to arrive early to get a seat, but there’s plenty of standing room around the bottom of the course. It’s equipped with a massive jumbotron, and cameras and drones are set up throughout the course. From here, you’ll be able to catch every second—including the one-hundredth of a second (way less than the blink of an eye) that it often takes to win the race in this crazy sport.
How to Get There
Parking is available for $13 a day in the Bear and Elk lots in Avon at the base of Beaver Creek. A free resort shuttle takes you to Beaver Creek Village, where another free shuttle gets you to the finish area, which is located partway up the slopes.
Allow about an hour from the time you park to get to the finish area. The men’s races start at 11 a.m. on Dec. 6, 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 7 and 10 a.m. on Dec. 8. The women’s races start at 11 a.m. on Dec. 14-15.
The best news yet, especially for Epic Pass holders, is that it’s looking likely that Beaver Creek will have enough terrain open to allow spectators to ski or snowboard to the race venue. Race organizers say confidence is high that ski access will open, thanks to the onslaught of November snowfall and cold temperatures that allow for snowmaking. If this option is available, signs pointed toward the venue will be posted at the top of Centennial Lift from Beaver Creek Village.
Who to Watch
On the men’s side, Norwegian Alexander Aamodt Kilde (Shiffrin’s fiancé) swept both the downhill and super G races over the last two years at Beaver Creek (races were canceled last year due to heavy snowfall). Sadly, Kilde is out this season following surgical complications after a crash last season. Swiss sensation Marco Odermatt has won the Beaver Creek super G twice, including a second super G race (in 2021 and also in 2019) and was runner-up to Kilde last time. Also keep an eye on American Ryan Cochran Siegle (you’ll know he’s coming when the crowd starts chanting, “RCS! RCS!), who landed an Olympic silver medal in super G in 2022 and has notched top 10s on the Birds of Prey course. Beaver Creek hasn’t hosted a giant slalom since 2019, when American Tommy Ford landed a surprise victory (his first World Cup podium) and the crowd went absolutely nuts. He’ll be one to watch this year, for sure, along with Vail Valley native River Radamus, who grew up ripping down the Birds of Prey slopes.
On the women’s side, of course, Shiffrin is a major contender in super G. With a best-in-history 97 World Cup wins, she’s going for a nice round 100 this season. Also, American Breezy Johnson will return to the circuit this year after a year off of racing and is an animal in downhill, as is her teammate Jackie Wiles, who is back in top form after a major comeback season. Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami is always a threat in both disciplines and Italian Federica Brignone excels at the technical courses.
American downhill icon Lindsey Vonn, who just announced her comeback to ski racing at age 40, might very well race at Beaver Creek. Vying to compete on the Birds of Prey course her entire career, she will absolutely be one to watch if she’s on the start list.
Where to Eat, Drink and Party
There are food, drink and gear tents (get your cowbell!) in the race finish area, but the real party is in Beaver Creek Village. Head to the ice rink, where you’ll find a big screen to watch all the race action in case you don’t make it to the finish area. Also, there’s free live music throughout both weekends, as well as gear, drink and food tents. Fireworks light up the night sky on Friday of men’s race weekend and Saturday of women’s weekend. Also enjoy bib draws, giveaways and autograph-signing opportunities.
One of the best parts of the Beaver Creek World Cup weekend is the Beers of Prey beer festival. There are not one but two this year, on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, both featuring at least a dozen favorite Colorado breweries. Beers of Prey has sold out the last couple of years, so get your tickets early when they’re cheaper ($35).
Where to Stay
Early December presents one of the best opportunities to stay at the swanky Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, as rates are about half of what they typically are mid-winter. Located off the beaten path, the hotel offers a free shuttle to and from Beaver Creek Village. It has one of the most luxurious spas anywhere in Colorado, as well as a Michelin-recommended restaurant, Wyld. If ever there was a time to treat yourself, this is it.
One of the more affordable lodging options at Beaver Creek is long-standing favorite The Charter. This massive sprawl of various-sized condos is located within walking distance of Beaver Creek Village and it has a great pair of outdoor hot tubs. It’s also got a friendly, community vibe. The Charter is also where many of the European teams stay, so you’re likely to be sharing the elevator with someone who is treated like an NFL star in his/her home country.
