Men’s and Women’s World Cup Ski Races will Return to Beaver Creek in 2026
CATCH Two weekends of world-class COMPETITION AT STIFEL BIRDS OF PREY IN December
Mark your calendars: both men and women will compete at the 2026 Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup this December, marking the women’s highly anticipated return to Beaver Creek’s iconic downhill course following their historic debut in 2024. Today’s announcement from the Vail Valley Foundation, International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), Beaver Creek Resort, and Stifel U.S. Ski Team comes as excitement builds toward the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
2026 Stifel Birds of Prey Race Schedule*:
Weekend 1 (Men’s Racing):
- Thursday, December 3: Men’s Downhill
- Friday, December 4: Men’s Downhill
- Saturday, December 5: Men’s Super-G
- Sunday, December 6: Men’s Giant Slalom
Weekend 2 (Women’s Racing):
- Saturday, December 12: Women’s Downhill
- Sunday, December 13: Women’s Super-G
*The World Cup schedule is preliminary and pending final FIS Council approval in Spring 2026.
The back-to-back race weekends will build on the tremendous success from 2024, when the world’s fastest women competed on the Birds of Prey downhill course for the first time.
“Watching the women take on the Birds of Prey downhill course for the first time in 2024 was a historic moment for alpine ski racing, and the fan response was overwhelming,” said Sarah Franke, Senior Vice President of Operations for the Vail Valley Foundation, the nonprofit that organizes the Birds of Prey festival each year. “We are thrilled to continue growing our community’s ski racing legacy and building Birds of Prey as a premier destination for the fastest skiers on earth, both men and women.”
The women’s historic races in 2024—and their 2026 return to Beaver Creek — were made possible through a transformational $10 million gift from John and Karen Arnold as part of the Vail Valley Foundation’s Empowering Possibility Capital Campaign. This gift, announced in 2024 with the naming of John and Karen Arnold Red Tail Stadium, has been instrumental in securing and expanding the ski racing festival to include both men’s and women’s FIS World Cup races.
“We’re incredibly excited about the opportunity to welcome both the men and women back to the Birds of Prey course,” said Bobby Murphy, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Beaver Creek Resort. “When Beaver Creek hosted two weekends of racing in 2024, the energy in the village and on the mountain was something special. Birds of Prey is a world-class venue that consistently showcases the very best in alpine racing, and we can’t wait to bring even more of that atmosphere back to Beaver Creek!”
Athlete Excitement Builds
For Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes, racing in Beaver Creek is a rare opportunity to compete on home soil on one of the most revered downhill courses in the world. The venue has quickly become a favorite among the women, and many are eager to return.
“Beaver Creek is hands down my favorite race, and I cannot wait to go back!” said Stifel Women’s U.S. Ski Team athlete Tricia Mangan during training in November. “The vibe at Beaver Creek is so fun, it’s super early in the season, the crowd is amazing… the track itself is really technical which I love, and you just have to send it.”
Adding to the excitement: fan-favorite and rising star Lauren Macuga hopes to make her downhill race comeback at the 2026 Stifel Birds of Prey following an ACL tear during a training crash in November 2025 that sidelined her for the rest of the 2025-26 World Cup season, including the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
“You can feel the energy [in Beaver Creek],” said Macuga. “You can be at the top of the course, and you can just feel the energy from all the U.S. fans. It’s incredible… It’s cool to be on a men’s track and show them the women can do it, too!”
The question on everyone’s mind: could the 2026 races feature a special hometown appearance from Mikaela Shiffrin, the winningest alpine skier of all time? Fans are encouraged to stay tuned on whether Mikaela will compete in the Birds of Prey super-G in 2026.
A World-Class Event Experience
All the race action will once again take place at John and Karen Arnold Red Tail Stadium, where fans can witness the world’s fastest skiers navigate the technical course. With free spectator admission, Birds of Prey continues to be one of the most accessible and fan-friendly events on the World Cup circuit.
Premium VIP hospitality options will be available once again in 2026, featuring heated indoor spaces, unlimited food and beverages, TVs with all the racing action, the best views, and more.
Beyond the racing, Beaver Creek Village will come alive with festivities throughout both weekends, including free live music, sponsor activations, athlete autograph sessions, the fan-favorite Beers of Prey, and more.
Tickets for VIP hospitality and Beers of Prey will go on sale closer to the event. For the latest updates, race schedules, athlete news, and event information, follow @bcworldcup on social media and visit bcworldcup.com.