Breezy Johnson competes at the Stifel Birds of Prey World Cup in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Photo: @dustinsatloff // @usskiteam
Largest Birds of Prey Festival in Event History
BEAVER CREEK, Colo. — 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 Dec. 3-13, creating the largest Birds of Prey festival in event history.
The expanded schedule will now feature seven total World Cup races across two weekends at Beaver Creek Resort from Dec. 3–13, 2026. The men’s series will include two downhills, a super-G, and a giant slalom, while the women’s weekend will showcase back-to-back downhills followed by a super-G.
The move builds on the landmark debut of women’s racing on the iconic Birds of Prey downhill track in 2024 — a milestone many in the ski world viewed as long overdue.
Women’s Racing Continues to Grow at Beaver Creek
“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.”
Beaver Creek COO Bobby Murphy said the expanded calendar reflects both the evolution of the Birds of Prey event and the growing prominence of women’s speed racing on the World Cup circuit.
“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,” Murphy said. “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.”
2026 Birds of Prey World Cup Schedule
Men’s Weekend
- Thursday, Dec. 3: Men’s Downhill
- Friday, Dec. 4: Men’s Downhill
- Saturday, Dec. 5: Men’s Super-G
- Sunday, Dec. 6: Men’s Giant Slalom
Women’s Weekend
- Friday, Dec. 11: Women’s Downhill
- Saturday, Dec. 12: Women’s Downhill
- Sunday, Dec. 13: Women’s Super-G
The schedule remains preliminary pending final FIS Council approval.
Photo: @dustinsatloff // @usskiteam
Free Spectator Access and Expanded Festival Experience
All races will be contested at John and Karen Arnold Red Tail Stadium, home to one of the most challenging downhill tracks on the World Cup circuit. Organizers said free general admission will once again be offered, alongside VIP hospitality experiences featuring indoor viewing areas, food and beverage service, and premium race access.
Beyond the racing, the two-week festival is expected to include live music, athlete autograph sessions, sponsor activations, and the popular “Beers of Prey” event in Beaver Creek Village.
A Major Step Forward for Women’s World Cup Racing
The announcement comes at a time when women’s alpine racing continues gaining momentum in North America, with increased visibility, stronger attendance, and growing investment in women’s World Cup events.
For Beaver Creek, the addition of another women’s downhill further cements Birds of Prey as one of the premier speed venues in alpine skiing — and signals a continued commitment to expanding opportunities for both men’s and women’s racing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.
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