About the Author: Shauna Farnell

Mikaela Shiffrin is recovering at home in Colorado after surgery for a punctured oblique muscle sustained during a crash at the Killington giant slalom. Reflecting on the fine margins of ski racing, Shiffrin said, “There’s a difference of just a few centimeters between crashing like that or winning a run.”

Birds of Prey Crowd Photo: Meredith Guinan World Cup Speed Stars Weigh In Marco Odermatt

Racing for the first time on Beaver Creek’s Birds of Prey downhill course, the world’s fastest women know they must enlist every tactical skill in the playbook.

Growing up and learning to ski near Oslo with a Norwegian father and Brazilian mother, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen emerged as a significant force within the Norwegian Ski Federation. His passion for personal branding and sponsorships brought him into conflict with the Norwegian Ski Federation, whose restrictions on athlete sponsorships clashed with his vision. This disagreement played a significant role in his decision to step away from competitive skiing.

Competing in her first races in more than five years, Lindsey Vonn crossed the finish line of a pair of FIS downhill races at Copper Mountain, Colo., on Saturday, shaking her head.

Norwegian champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde made a surprise appearance at the Beaver Creek World Cup downhill race on Friday, mingling with teammates and fellow racers but in town primarily to spend time with fiancé Mikaela Shiffrin.

With new coaches, new confidence and more GS training, America’s downhillers are ready to race.

It’s been a while since American men have put on a decent show on home snow. This weekend, they hope to change that on the famed Birds of Prey course at Beaver Creek, Colorado.

“The first time I was on Birds of Prey was 2011,” says Ryan Cochran-Siegle. “We’ve had success intermittently, but it would be nice to put forth a stronger effort this season.”

The U.S. veteran Tommy Ford, is making a point not to force anything as he approaches the site of his most triumphant day on skis at the Beaver Creek World Cup.

Featured Image: Johno McBride. Credit: Holly Cole The Aspen native led the U.S. and Canadian

VAIL, Colo. – Inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame last weekend, Lindsey Vonn divulged that the low points in her career shaped her the most.

“They taught me something very special,” she said in her induction speech. “They taught me grit.”

VAIL, Colo. – Mikaela Shiffrin confirmed that she plans to compete in the World Cup super-G on the Birds of Prey course in Beaver Creek this December.

Before joining Colorado Mountain College’s alpine ski team in Steamboat Springs, many of the most successful skiers faced rejection from Division 1 universities. Their CMC experience, however, has proven to be much more than a consolation prize. It has allowed students of all backgrounds to transfer after building up their academic and competition skills at CMC.

From Olympian to mom to columnist, Edie Thys Morgan continues to make her mark in

With a growing list of former national team skiers and athletes springboarding to D1 teams,

As a child learning to ski at the remote, snow-hammered SilverStar resort in interior British Columbia, Eleri Smart was initially motivated by the hope of spotting fairies and the promise of hot chocolate at the end of the day.

Idependent SYNC Team athlete Simon Fournier is entering his next chapter as a ski racer in new situation, with a university degree in hand. Notably, he kicked off the 2023-24 season with a victory in the Beaver Creek, Birds of Prey NorAm giant slalom.

It’s a serious step to add downhill to one’s repertoire. Still, for Radamus, who lives in nearby Edwards and grew up racing with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, it seemed only appropriate for the World Cup’s one-stop at his home hill to be the place for his inaugural downhill race. However, with both downhill races canceled at Beaver Creek due to the weekend's inclement weather, River Radamus’ World Cup downhill debut will have to wait.

Given the increasing crossover between speed and tech, as well as the gap for athletes seeking international race experience who aren’t yet ready to step up to the World Cup, a new women’s team has formed this year, focusing on giant slalom and Super G and competitors on both the Europa Cup and World Cup.