Fans waiving USA flags at the Beaver Creek Birds of Prey World Cup. Credit: GEPA pictures/ Harald Steiner

The United States World Cups will be a grand time this season with thrilling races, numerous activities, live music, autograph signings, ski films, and much more. The first World Cups are at Killington, Vermont and Beaver Creek, Colorado. Both resorts have planned multiple events surrounding the race schedule for fans to come together and raise their glasses to the beginning of the season on this side of the hemisphere!

The festivities will kick off for The Stifel Killington Cup on Friday, November 24th, 2023, at 3:00 PM, and the party won’t stop until Sunday, November 26th, after the awards ceremony. The excitement will continue the following weekend at Beaver Creek, CO, with the famous Birds of Prey. From the morning of December 1st, 2023, to the end of December 3rd, Beaver Creek will be stoked with good vibes. 

Of course, our ski race enthusiasts will be at one of the venues watching the men or women rip down the race track, but it is also fun to partake in other activities while at the mountains. Here is a list of celebratory events to look forward to that we hope you can attend!

The Stifel Killington Cup

About (November 24th-26th, 2023)

The Stifel Killington Cup is “Bigger than a race,” where the resort aims to bring together ski racing enthusiasts that will celebrate the deep passion and history of the sport in the Northeast. The fastest female racers will fight to be the first to cross the finish line on the Superstar track. The field will be competing in GS on Saturday and slalom on Sunday. 

Fun events you don’t want to miss

• On Friday, the entire weekend starts with a bang! Killington Distillery will host the Killington Mountain School World Cup Party from 3:00-5:00 PM. 
• Following the bib presentation, Killington will light up the night with a fireworks display. Viewing will take place at the K-1 Base Area. 
• Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will have live music performances on the Kona Big Wave Stage at different times each day. Big performances include 220 KID, Mix Master Mike, Young the Giant, and Matisyahu. 
• After the Festival Village opens on Saturday, you will want to stick around for the opening parade. 
• Donna Weinbrecht, a 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist for the US Freestyle Ski Team, will have two autograph signings on the 3rd floor of the K-1 Lodge on Saturday (9:00-10:00 AM and 12:00-1:00 PM). Read more about Donna Weinbrecht .
• The Snowshed Ballroom will host the “Doing it All” Female Panel and a movie called Advice for Girls from 6:00-8:00 PM.
• Then, it’s time to cut a rug at The Wobbly Barn for the after-party, presented by Kona Big Wave. The Saturday party will start at 9:00 PM and ends at 1:15 AM. 
• After dancing the night away, take Sunday to watch the girls dance through the slalom courses. 

The Entire Schedule 

The Stifel Killington Cup could not run without their “Beast Crew,” their volunteer squad of over 250 members on 14 teams. Also, The Killington World Cup Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is critical to the success of this World Cup event and the lives of many young ski racers in the Northeast. Stifel’s dedicated partnership with the US Ski Team granted the company naming rights to three FIS Ski World Cup alpine events in the United States. This winter, Stifel is the title sponsor for the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup, Stifel America’s Downhill in Aspen, and this World Cup in Killington.  

The Beaver Creek Xfinity Birds of Prey 

About (December 1st-3rd, 2023)

The Beaver Creek Birds of Prey World Cup, presented by Xfinity, first debuted in December of 1997. Since then, the Birds of Prey downhill has an international field of top athletes competing for gold. Downhill Olympic Gold Medalist, Bernhard Russi of Switzerland, designed the track in hopes of it becoming the biggest and most exciting show in men’s ski racing, and it sure has! The men’s downhill races are on Friday and Saturday, and super-G is on Sunday. 

Fun events you don’t want to miss

Friday

• Before the weekend of racing opens, a film will be showing at the VPAC that honors Warren Miller. It shows how Warren positively changed the industry of ski and snowboard films. Warren Miller’s ALL TIME: Seventy-four years of filmmaking is a trip down memory lane. It will be at 7:00 PM on November 30th. 
• After watching the action on December 1st at the Red Tail Stadium, head to the Birds of Prey Way to pop some Korbel bubbly while dancing to DJ Pippen’s beats. When you are at Birds of Prey Way get autographs from the Stifel US Alpine Team and legend Ted Ligety.
• At 4:00 PM on Friday, enjoy Alternative/Indie music from Yoke Lore before the bib draw. See your favorite athletes and get a chance to win a giveaway at the drawing. 
• The film The Legend Has It by Teton Gravity Research will be shown twice on Friday at 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. This film will help you get even more hyped for winter. 
• Be wowed by the Fireworks show that will close out the first night.

Saturday

• Start the second downhill day off with enthusiasm and a delicious Bloody Mary at the bottom of the Red Tail Stadium. The festivities start at 9:15 AM, and the men will start at 10:45 AM. 
• The 7th annual Beers of Prey in the Beaver Creek Village, will have 15 local craft brewers. Sample the winter seasonal tastings at each booth, starting at 2:00 PM. This is a ticketed event. 
• Throughout the day, there will be live music in the Birds of Prey Way. Enjoy the great sounds of Blue River Grass, Zach Deputy, and Grateful Shred. River Radamus will be doing an autograph signing in the same area and time as the Blue River Grass.

Sunday

• Another day of racing will commence with a super-G at 10:45 AM. Directly after the race there will be a live performance by the Clay Street Unit. 

The Entire Schedule 
The Birds of Prey World Cup would not be possible without the Vail Valley Foundation, generous partnerships and volunteer support. The Vail Valley Foundation initiatives brings together partnering companies and people that assist in hosting this event. Learn more about partnering or volunteering for the event.