Industry News
The Xfinity Birds of Prey race course at Beaver Creek, Colorado, passed the key course-quality test today by the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (‘FIS’). The course quality test, known as “snow control,” is undertaken by FIS race officials and determines whether or not the course will be race ready. It is typically conducted two weeks prior to the event. The FIS World Cup at Beaver Creek has been given the green light for the Downhill and Super-G races scheduled for November 28 – December 3, 2023.
“Beaver Creek is known for its incredible early-season conditions, and we are happy to have official word that our course is once again in excellent shape for racing. A huge congrats and thank you goes out to our partners at Beaver Creek Mountain and our amazing race crew, known for creating one of the best racecourses in the world. We can’t wait to welcome the world’s fastest men back to this iconic course in the upcoming weeks.”
— ” Sarah Franke, Event Director Vail Valley Foundation
“I have a huge amount of gratitude for our employees and the Talon crew for putting this epic racecourse together,” said Beaver Creek Resort Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Bobby Murphy. “We can’t wait to host incredible talent from around the world at our resort, and welcome fans from near and far to our unique Beaver Creek experience.”
“We’re thrilled to be heading to the Xfinity Birds of Prey in just a couple of weeks,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “We can’t wait to see the Stifel U.S. Ski Team ski in front of such an incredible hometown crowd. A huge thank you to VVF and Beaver Creek for preparing the storied course for the fastest men in the world.”
The nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation serves as the local organizing committee (‘LOC’) for the Xfinity Birds of Prey races, working in close partnership with the FIS, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Vail Resorts, the Beaver Creek Resort Company, Beaver Creek Resort, the U.S. Forest Service, and other partners and sponsors to make the races one of the highlights of the World Cup tour since they were first held in 1997.
The Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup has deep roots in the Vail/Beaver Creek community, which is one of four modern venues to have also hosted one of the original World Cup events, as Vail hosted a giant slalom in spring of 1967.
RACING SCHEDULE
November 28 – 30, 2023: Downhill training
December 1, 2023: Downhill Race 1, 10:45 a.m. start
December 2, 2023: Downhill Race 2, 10:45 a.m. start
December 3 2023: Super G Race, 10:45 start
*Race times subject to change.
DOMESTIC TELEVISION SCHEDULE*
Friday, December 1, 2023:
10:45 a.m. – Downhill, live on Outside (free)
Saturday, December 2, 2023:
10:45 a.m. – Downhill, live on Outside (free)
12:00 p.m. – Friday’s downhill (delayed) on CNBC
3:00 p.m. – Saturday’s downhill (delayed) on NBC
Sunday, December 3, 2023:
10:45 a.m. – Super G, live on Outside (free)
2:30 p.m. – Super G (delayed) on NBC
*All times Mountain Standard Time (MST)
Festivities will surround the event, including films, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete signings, ski films, the Beers of Prey beer tasting, VIP opportunities, and more.
