Updated December 4, 2025
The world’s best male ski racers are in Beaver Creek for the legendary Stifel Birds of Prey Men’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup this week, with festivities kicking off Thursday. This year features a downhill, super-G, and giant slalom on America’s most challenging downhill course. Whether you’re a first-time spectator or a seasoned fan, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your World Cup experience.
Race Weekend Adjustments
Due to weather, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), Vail Valley Foundation, Beaver Creek Resort, and the Stifel U.S. Ski Team have moved the downhill race from Friday, December 5 to Thursday, December 4, and the super-G race from Saturday, December 6 to Friday, December 5.
There will only be one downhill race, taking place on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. The super-G start time on Friday is set for 11:15 a.m., with the possibility to shift due to weather. Sunday’s giant slalom schedule has not changed.
Additionally, the super-G on Friday and giant slalom on Sunday will have alternative start areas, and all races will finish in the same updated competition finish location at Harrier Jump. All pre-race festivities scheduled for Friday will now take place on Thursday, and Saturday’s scheduled pre-race festivities will now take place on Friday.
Here is the race schedule (weather permitting):
Thursday, December 4, 11:00AM – Men’s Downhill
- Start: Traditional men’s downhill start
- Finish: Harrier Jump
Friday, December 5, 11:15AM – Men’s Super-G
- Start: Men’s downhill foul weather start at the top of the Brink
- Finish: Harrier Jump
Sunday, December 7, 10:00AM (Run 1); 1:00PM (Run 2) – Men’s Giant Slalom
- Start: Pick 5, just below the traditional men’s super-G Start
- Finish: Harrier Jump
Weather conditions are rapidly evolving, and schedules and courses are subject to change.
Once athletes cross the competition finish line, they’ll ski down to the traditional finish area where YOU are—bringing all the energy, excitement, and celebration right to the spectator zones. You’ll see the athletes arrive, celebrate their runs, and interact with fans and media just as they always do.
Beyond the Racing: Festival Events
Everything about the spectator experience remains exactly the same, the VIP tent remains open daily Thursday through Sunday, and village festivities are still a go! It all starts with free live music in Beaver Creek Village on Thursday at 12:00PM and continues all weekend.
From live bib draws to athlete autograph sessions, free concerts in Beaver Creek Village, Beers of Prey tastings, and world-class entertainment at the Vilar Performing Arts Center, there’s something happening all day, every day. Visit bcworldcup.com/events for the most up-to-date schedule.
Getting to the Races
Located at the base of Beaver Creek, the Elk and Bear lots offer convenient day parking, serviced by complimentary shuttles to Beaver Creek Village. Vehicles with five or more occupants receive free parking in the Elk and Bear lots on race days.
From there, regularly scheduled free shuttles depart from the Covered Bridge in the village every 5-10 minutes to take you to the venue.
*Please note: There is no ski-in/ski-out access to John and Karen Arnold Red Tail Stadium this year. All spectators must take race shuttles to access the venue. Skis and snowboards are not permitted on shuttles.
From the shuttle drop-off, it’s a five-minute on-snow walk to John & Karen Arnold Red Tail Stadium. Plan for one hour of total travel time from the Beaver Creek base to the race finish.
Catch the Best Views
All Birds of Prey races, including the grandstands, are free and open to the public (but not to dogs—sorry!). Public concessions and restrooms are available throughout the spectator area.
Harrier Jump is visible from the traditional finish area, and it only takes the athletes a few seconds to ski down from the competition finish, so fans will still get to see all the action on the adjusted courses!
The Public Perch is returning for its second season as a free public viewing area next to the finish with free live DJ sets on select mornings to amp up the race-day energy. Pro tip: arrive early to secure your spot on the Public Perch.
New to World Cup ski racing? The Audi FIS Ski World Cup represents the pinnacle of alpine ski racing, featuring the world’s elite athletes competing across multiple disciplines throughout the winter season. To dive deeper, read our complete guide to FIS World Cup ski racing.
Athletes to Watch
Know who you’re rooting for! Here are some of the most important athletes to watch at Birds of Prey this year:
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (Norway) aims to continue his ski racing comeback at Birds of Prey in what could be one of the most inspiring stories of the season. Kilde sustained life-threatening injuries in a horrific crash at the Lauberhorn downhill in Wengen, Switzerland in 2024 and has suffered several setbacks throughout his recovery. He competed in the Stifel Copper Cup last weekend, marking his first race back since the injury, and finished in the top 10 at Wednesday’s downhill training run in Beaver Creek.
In addition to earning two downhill and two super-G globes, Kilde was the 2020 World Cup overall champion, and he has won the last four times he raced in Beaver Creek. The fiancé of Vail Valley local and American ski racing legend Mikaela Shiffrin, Kilde’s return is even more poignant to the hometown crowd.
Marco Odermatt (Switzerland) is currently the world’s best male ski racer and is well on his way to GOAT status. He won the overall World Cup title for five consecutive years and has accumulated an astonishing 12 World Cup Crystal Globes across downhill, super-G, and giant slalom disciplines, in addition to winning gold in GS at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Odermatt’s season is off to a hot start: he won the opening men’s giant slalom of the 2025-26 World Cup season in Sölden, Austria., as well as the first super-G of the season at Copper Mountain last weekend, and he won the first training run at Beaver Creek on Tuesday. When he races at Birds of Prey, he will, once again, be a threat for the podium.
Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA) won silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games and brings three World Cup podiums to Beaver Creek, including a super-G victory in Bormio, Italy—the site of the 2026 Olympics. He is excited to return to his home country and race in Beaver Creek again.
“My favorite part of racing Birds of Prey is honestly just the track itself,” Cochran-Siegle said while training at Copper Mountain in November. “Skiing a really steep, dark pitch at a high speed, gliding at the top, and then the jumps at the bottom… it’s a fun, flowy section.”
River Radamus (USA) is an Edwards native and will have the local crowd firmly behind him on home snow. Keep an eye on him during the giant slalom—he specializes in the event, just missing the podium at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics with a fourth-place finish.
“[Racing Birds of Prey] means everything to me,” Radamus said during November’s training. “My dream of being a ski racer started by watching all the great American skiers here. Every time I come back here, it reminds me why I do this and how lucky I am to have the best job in the world.”
River, Ryan and the entire Stifel U.S. Men’s Ski Team will be hungry to perform in front of home fans. With Milano-Cortina 2026 on the horizon and Olympic qualification points on the line, expect Team USA to bring their absolute best to America’s premier World Cup venue.
Can’t Make It?
If you can’t get to Beaver Creek for the races, don’t worry—you can watch the action from home! Here is the complete TV broadcast schedule for the 2025 Stifel Birds of Prey:
Domestic television schedule*
- Men’s Downhill – Thursday, December 4
- Live: Thursday, December 4 at 11:00 AM
- Watch: Outside TV (live)
- Replay: NBC – Saturday, December 6 at 3:00 PM
- Men’s Super-G – Friday, December 5
- Live: Friday, December 5 at 11:15 AM
- Watch: Outside TV (live)
- Men’s Giant Slalom – Sunday December 7
- Live: Sunday, December 7
- Run 1 — 10:00 AM
- Run 2 — 1:00 PM
- Watch: Outside TV (live)
- Watch: CNBC (Live) — Sunday, December 7 (Run 2) at 1:00 PM
- Live: Sunday, December 7
*All times Mountain Standard Time (MST)
Stay Connected: Follow @bcworldcup on social media for live updates, behind-the-scenes content, and real-time race results. Visit bcworldcup.com for more information.
We’ll see you on the mountain!
Share this Story:
