Seven competitions over two weekends of men's and women's World Cup racing will make 2026 the largest Birds of Prey festival yet
Beaver Creek, Colo., May 7, 2026 — The Vail Valley Foundation, International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), Beaver Creek Resort, and Stifel U.S. Ski Team announced today that a second women's downhill race has been added to the 2026 Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup December 3-13. The addition expands the women's race weekend to three events, including two downhills and a super-G. Combined with the four men's races the previous weekend — two downhills, a super-G, and a giant slalom — 2026 is set to be the largest Birds of Prey World Cup festival in history.
In all, seven World Cup races will take place on the iconic Beaver Creek course this December across back-to-back weekends, more than at any previous Birds of Prey since the course made its World Cup debut in 1997. The 2024 festival marked the first time women competed on the Birds of Prey downhill course, and the addition of a second women's downhill in 2026 continues that momentum.
"Seven World Cup races across two weekends is a reflection of how far this festival has come and where it's headed," said Sarah Franke, Senior Vice President of Operations for the Vail Valley Foundation. "The historic debut of women's racing in 2024 was a milestone decades in the making, and we are proud to build on that this year with the biggest and most exciting festival we have ever hosted. We are grateful to our community, partners, and volunteers, for helping us make an event of this scale possible.”
“This is an incredibly exciting moment for Birds of Prey,” said Bobby Murphy, COO of Beaver Creek. “The addition of a third women’s race, combined with four men’s races, would make the 2026 event the biggest and most dynamic in our history. It reflects the growth of the sport, our commitment to elevating women’s racing, and the continued evolution of Birds of Prey as one of the premier stops on the World Cup calendar. We’re thrilled about what’s ahead and can’t wait to share what this expanded event will bring to athletes and fans alike.”
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):
- Friday, December 11: Women's Downhill
- 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. Visit bcworldcup.com for the latest updates.
All race action will take place at John and Karen Arnold Red Tail Stadium, where fans can witness the world's fastest skiers navigate one of the most revered downhill courses in the world. With free general admission, Birds of Prey remains one of the most accessible and fan-friendly events on the World Cup circuit. Premium VIP hospitality will again be available, featuring heated indoor spaces, unlimited food and beverages, the best views of the action, and more.
In addition to the seven World Cup races, the two-week festival will feature an expanded lineup of exciting events and activations in Beaver Creek Village, including free live music, sponsor activations, athlete autograph sessions, the fan-favorite Beers of Prey, and additional programming to be announced as the event draws closer.
Tickets for Beers of Prey and VIP hospitality 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.
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About the Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup
The Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup at Beaver Creek Resort has become legendary in the ski world.
Beaver Creek Mountain is home to the formidable Birds of Prey racecourse, challenging an international roster of top athletes for one weekend of racing that typically features Men’s Alpine super G, downhill and giant slalom competitions. The event is organized by the nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation, 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, Stifel, CELSIUS, Nature Valley, Purina Pro Plan and other partners.
Learn more at bcworldcup.com.
About the Vail Valley Foundation
The Vail Valley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit with a mission to provide leadership in arts, athletics, and education, and address community needs to enhance our valley as a place to live, work, and visit.
The organization's work in education is through Youth Power, a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit corporation which provides programs from early childhood to college and career to support youth and families every step of the way. The VVF puts on several annual events including the GoPro Mountain Games, Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup races, Vail Dance Festival, and Bulleit Hot Summer Nights and Town of Eagle ShowDown Town free concert series. The organization manages the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, hosting over 150 events annually. The VVF also operates Eagle River Valley Childcare, a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit corporation focused on enhancing early childhood education and development services across the community.
Vail Valley Foundation is grateful for our cornerstone partners: Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort Company, GoPro, Nature Valley, Constellation Brands, CELSIUS, Diageo, Lucid, Lifetime Home Remodeling, and Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate.
To learn more, visit vvf.org.
About Beaver Creek Resort
A renowned resort with intimate alpine villages, a World-Cup mountain pedigree, spectacular hospitality and detail-oriented guest service, Beaver Creek is the luxury destination where families fall in love with skiing and riding. Relax, indulge and explore during any season, with more than 40 in-resort and slope-side culinary offerings, elegant village boutiques and cherished daily traditions like Cookie Time. Explore more than 2,000 acres of diverse terrain, from McCoy Park to the Birds of Prey World Cup racecourse, accessed on the Epic Pass. Just 30 minutes east of Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) and 2.5 hours west of Denver International Airport (DEN), Beaver Creek offers luxury ski-in, ski-out accommodations throughout three villages. Visit BeaverCreek.com for additional information.
