2022 Birds of Prey Program Book

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Pictured: 81 Elk Track Court | Beaver Creek

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WELCOME TO BEAVER CREEK

Dear Ski Racing Fans,

Welcome back to the Xfinity Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup race week at Beaver Creek. The Vail Valley Foundation, and our partners Vail Resorts, U.S. Ski & Snowboard and FIS are excited to welcome you back to North America’s Downhill! Inside this program you will find schedules, maps, historical stats, feature stories and more.

The Xfinity Birds of Prey races have a legacy and reputation that dates back to 1997, when a test event was first held on the brand new course ahead of our 1999 Alpine World Ski Championships. Twenty-five years later, the races at Beaver Creek have developed a reputation as one of the most iconic and challenging alpine World Cup races on earth. Year after year, the global spotlight returns to Beaver Creek, and we are excited to witness all of the action again with you – from the races to the surrounding celebrations. While those in attendance will have a front-row seat, more than 100 million will tune in from afar on television, and tens of millions more will interact with the event through various global media and social media.

On behalf of the Board and staff of the Vail Valley Foundation, our incredible volunteers, our sponsors and our partners, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the International Ski Federation, the U.S. Forest Service, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail and everyone who works around the clock to put together this incredible event, we hope you have a wonderful experience and welcome you back to World Cup racing in the Rocky Mountains.

Sincerely, Mike Imhof

President, Vail Valley Foundation

VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Photo by Rick Lohre.

Andy Arnold John Arnold

Sam Bronfman Linn Brooks

Susan Campbell

Chen

Cook

Elegance is an attitude

Marco Odermatt

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

Drumline Procession

9am, Beaver Creek Village

Birds of Prey Way

Pumphouse Bar, Sponsor Village and more!

10am–6pm, Beaver Creek Village

Men’s Downhill Race

10:15am, Birds of Prey Race Course Live Race Watch Party in Beaver Creek Village

DJ Pippen MUSIC

11:30am–1:30pm, TINCUP Music Stage

Three For All MUSIC

2pm–3:30pm, TINCUP Music Stage

Shaun White Signing

2:30pm–3:30pm, Beaver Creek Village (CELSIUS Igloo)

Stifel U.S. Alpine Team Signing

3pm–4pm, Beaver Creek Village

Visit with Santa & Hot Chocolate Bar

Brought to you by Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate

3pm–6pm, Beaver Creek Village

Julia Mancuso Signing

3:45pm–4:15pm, Beaver Creek Village (SHRED DOG Booth)

Korbel Champagne Toast

4pm, Beaver Creek Village

Ted Ligety Signing

4:30pm–5pm, Beaver Creek Village (GoPro Booth)

Blink 90210 MUSIC

4pm–6pm, TINCUP Music Stage

Fireworks

6:15pm, Beaver Creek Village

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

Get Down at the Downhill with DJ Trizz MUSIC and Free Bloodies

8:30am–9am, Red Tail Stadium

Drumline Procession

9am, Beaver Creek Village

Birds of Prey Way

Pumphouse Bar, Sponsor Village and more!

9:30am–6pm, Beaver Creek Village

Men’s Downhill Race

10am, Birds of Prey Race Course

Live Race Watch Party in Beaver Creek Village

DJ Pippen MUSIC

11am–1:30pm, TINCUP Music Stage

Ugly Rumor MUSIC

2pm–3:45pm, TINCUP Music Stage

Beers of Prey

A sampling of limited edition, seasonal and fan-favorite brews.

Tickets & info at bcworldcup.com.

2pm–5pm, Beaver Creek Village

Tonewood String Band MUSIC

4:15pm–6pm, TINCUP Music Stage

Warren Miller’s Daymaker

7:30pm, Vilar Performing Arts Center

Tickets & info at vilarpac.org

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

Drumline Procession

9am, Beaver Creek Village

Birds of Prey Way

Pumphouse Bar, Sponsor Village and more!

9:30am–3pm, Beaver Creek Village

Men’s Super G Race

10am, Birds of Prey Race Course

Live Race Watch Party in Beaver Creek Village

Johnny Schleper Band MUSIC

11:30am–1:30pm, TINCUP Music Stage

**Schedule subject to change

Photo by Rick Lohre.

Denver | Frisco | Colo. Springs | Pueblo |

Durango

Proud to serve as the official Air Medical Sponsor

Centura Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 1 303 673 8166 (TTY: 711). Copyright © Centura Health, 2021. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1 303 643 1000 (TTY: 711). CHÚ Ý: N

1000 (TTY: 711).

GETTING TO THE RACES

*BE PREPARED: Please allow for one hour of travel time from the base of Beaver Creek Resort to Red Tail Stadium to avoid missing any of the action!

The Birds of Prey race course has a midmountain finish and all race events are free and open to the public. VIP experiences are also available. Visit bcworldcup.com/VIP for more information and to purchase tickets. Public concessions and restrooms are available.

1. PARKING

ELK Lot

Located at the base of Beaver Creek, the Elk Lot offers convenient paid day parking, serviced by complimentary shuttles to Beaver Creek Village. (Cost: $10)

BEAR Lot

Located at the base of Beaver Creek, the Bear Lot offers convenient paid day parking, serviced by complimentary shuttles to Beaver Creek Village. (Cost: $10)

2. GETTING TO RED TAIL STADIUM

Regularly scheduled free shuttles will bring spectators from the base parking area to the Vilar Performing Arts Center and Birds of Prey Way expo area in Beaver Creek Village. Free race shuttles depart from the Covered Bridge in Beaver Creek Village often throughout race days (a short walk from the first bus drop-off) to Red Tail Stadium. Once dropped off at the race-finish area, there is a fiveminute on-snow walk to Red Tail Stadium. ADA access to the venue is available upon request. Contact 970-470-2269 for assistance and additional information.

3. WATCH PARTY IN THE VILLAGE

KNOW WHERE TO GO

Beat Feuz Age: 34

Hometown: Schangnau

World Cup wins: 16

World Cup podiums: 59

World Cup titles: 4 (DH, 2018-2021)

World Championship medals: 3

Olympic medals: 3 (2018 SG silver, 2018 DH bronze, 2022 DH gold)

Birds of Prey wins: 2

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/1, SG/15

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/1, SG/19

2017 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/25

2014 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/23

2013 Birds of Prey: DH/6, SG/26

2011 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/3, GS/16, GS/17

2009 Birds of Prey: DH/20, DH/DNF, SC/16, GS/DNQ

Matthias Mayer

Age: 31

Hometown: Afritz

World Cup wins: 11

World Cup podiums: 43

Olympic medals: 4 (2014 DH gold, 2018 SG gold, 2022 DH bronze, 2022 SG gold)

2021 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/2

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/31, SG/3

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/15, SG/8, GS/DNF

2017 Birds of Prey: DH/12, SG/6, GS/DNF

2015 Birds of Prey: DH/21, SG/54

2014 Birds of Prey: DH/9, SG/17, GS/24

2013 Birds of Prey: DH/DNF, SG/10, GS/DNF

2012 Birds of Prey: DH/21, SG/7, GS/16

2011 Birds of Prey: DH/48, SG/DNF, GS/DNF, GS/DNQ

to WATCH Racers

Christof Innerhofer Age: 36

Hometown: Gais-Gais

World Cup wins: 6

World Cup podiums: 18

World Championship medals: 3 (2011 SG gold)

Olympic medals: 2

Birds of Prey wins: 1

2021 Birds of Prey: DH/14, SG/14, SG/31

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/23, SG/24

2017 Birds of Prey: DH/4, SG/13

2015 Birds of Prey: DH/7, SG/14

2014 Birds of Prey: DH/27, SG/20

2013 Birds of Prey: DH/14, SG/21

2012 Birds of Prey: DH/1, SG/17

2011 Birds of Prey: DH/12, SG/13, GS/DNQ, GS/28

2010 Birds of Prey: SG/4, GS/DNQ

2009 Birds of Prey: DH/12, GS/DNQ, SC/13

2008 Birds of Prey: DH/31, SG/4, GS/DNQ

2007 Birds of Prey: DH/26, SG/19, GS/DNQ, SC/24

Johan Clarey

Age: 40

Hometown:

Annecy

World Cup podiums: 9

World Championship medals: 1 (2019 SG silver)

2021 Birds of Prey: DH/18

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/46

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/5, SG/26

2017 Birds of Prey: DH/7

2015 Birds of Prey: DH/22, SG/37

2014 Birds of Prey: DH/18, SG/27

2013 Birds of Prey: DH/27, SG/18

2012 Birds of Prey: DH/7, SG/13

2011 Birds of Prey: DH/4, SG/44

2009 Birds of Prey: DH/16, SC/17

2008 Birds of Prey: DH/33

2007 Birds of Prey: DH/16, SG/46, SC/26

2006 Birds of Prey: DH/15, SC/DNF

2003 Birds of Prey: DH/35, SG/43, DH/43

Dominik Paris

Age:

32

Hometown: Merano

World Cup wins: 21

World Cup podiums: 42

World Cup titles: 1 (2019 SG)

World Championship medals: 2 (2013 DH silver, 2019 SG gold)

2021 Birds of Prey: DG/5, SG/24

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/11, SG/13

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/12, SG/3

2017 Birds of Prey: DH/5, SG/10, GS/DNQ

2015 Birds of Prey: DH/20, SG/13, GS/DNQ

2014 Birds of Prey: DH/4, SG/5

2013 Birds of Prey: DH/9, SG/DNF

2012 Birds of Prey: DH/5, SG/29

2011 Birds of Prey: DH/49

2010 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF

2009 Birds of Prey: DH/23, DH/36

Vincent Kriechmayr

Age: 30

Hometown: Linz

World Cup wins: 12

World Cup podiums: 27

World Cup titles: 1 (2021 SG)

World Championship medals: 4 (2019 SG silver, DH bronze; 2021 SG gold, 2021 DH gold)

2021 Birds of Prey: DH/9, SG/5, SG/5

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/2, SG/7

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/5, SG/7, GS/DNQ

2017 Bird of Prey: DH/6, SG/1

2015 Birds of Prey: DH/14, SG/10, GS/DNF

2014 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF, GS/DNQ

2013 Birds of Prey: DH/39, GS/DNQ

Aleksander

Aamodt Kilde

Age: 29

Hometown: Bærum

World Cup wins: 13

World Cup podiums: 29

World Cup titles: 4 (2016 SG, 2020 overall, 2022 DH, 2022 SG)

2021 Birds of Prey: DH/1, SG/1

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/7, SG/2, GS/DNF

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/21, SG/3, GS/DNQ

2017 Birds of Prey: DH/14, SG/8, GS/26

2015 Birds of Prey: DH/16, SG/7, GS/DNF

2014 Birds of Prey: DH/33, SG/DNF, GS/DNQ

2013 Birds of Prey: DH/DNF, SG/23, GS/DNQ

Marco Odermatt

Age: 24

Hometown: Buochs

World Cup wins: 11

World Cup podiums: 29

Birds of Prey wins: 2

2021 Birds of Prey: SG/1, SG/2, DH/15

2019 Birds of Prey: SG/1, DH/45, GS/DNF

2018 Birds of Prey: SG/42, GS/27

2017 Birds of Prey: GS/DNF

Alexis Pinturault

Age: 30

Hometown: Courcheval

World Cup wins: 34

World Cup podiums: 74

World Championship medals: 6

Olympic medals: 6

2021 Birds of Prey: SG/6, SG/6

2019 Birds of Prey: SG/4, GS/17

2018 Birds of Prey: SG/16, GS/14

2017 Birds of Prey: SG/5, GS/12

2015 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF, GS/DNF

2014 Birds of Prey: SG/3, GS/2

2013 Birds of Prey: SG/18T, GS/5

2012 Birds of Prey: GS/5

2011 Birds of Prey: GS/9T, GS/4, SL/DNF

Adrian Smiseth Sejersted Age: 27

Hometown: Bærum

World Cup podiums: 2

2021 Birds of Prey: DH/10, SG/7, SG/13

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/5, SG/8

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/24, SG/23

2017 Birds of Prey: DH/19, SG/18

Age: 35

Hometown:

Sankt Johann, Austria

World Cup wins: 2

World Cup podiums: 10

World Championship medals: 2 (2021 SG silver, 2013 SC bronze)

2021 Birds of Prey: DH/23. SG/ DNF, SG/DNF

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/29, SP/DNF

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/35

2017 Birds of Prey: DH/32, SG/35

2015 Birds of Prey: DH/34, SG/20

2014 Birds of Prey: Dh/21, SG/29

2013 Birds of Prey: DH/33

2012 Birds of Prey: DH/19, SG/28, GS/23

2011 Birds of Prey: DH/53, SG/19, GS/18, GS/16

2010 Birds of Prey: SG/18

2009 Birds of Prey: DH/19, GS/11, SC/5

2008 Birds of Prey: DH/37, SG/DNF

2007 Birds of Prey: DH/35, SC/18

2006 Birds of Prey: SL/DNF, SC/22

Steven Nyman

Age: 39

Hometown: Provo, UT

World Cup wins: 3

World Cup podiums: 11

2021 Birds of Prey: DH/18, SG/40, SG/42

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/17, SG/24

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/9, SG/20

2015 Birds of Prey: DH/15, SG/35

2014 Birds of Prey: DH/3, SG/DNF

2013 Birds of Prey: DH/21, SG/37

2012 Birds of Prey: DH/33

2010 Birds of Prey: SG/25

2009 Birds of Prey: DH/31

2008 Birds of Prey: DH/7, SG/25

2007 Birds of Prey: SC/DNF, DH/2, GS/DNQ, SG/DNF

Bryce Bennett Age: 30

Hometown:

Alpine Meadows, CA

2021 Birds of Prey: DH/22, SG/39

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/39

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/9, SG/39

2017 Birds of Prey: DH/21, SG/46

2015 Birds of Prey: DH/29, SG/42

2014 Birds of Prey: DH/52, SG/42

Travis Ganong Age: 33

Hometown:

Lake Tahoe, CA

World Cup wins: 2

World Cup podiums: 5

World Championship medals: 1 (2015 DH silver in Beaver Creek)

2021 Birds of Prey: SG/3

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/40, SG/6

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/28, SG/15

2017 Birds of Prey: DH/30, SG/33

2015 Birds of Prey: DH/12, SG/6

2014 Birds of Prey: DH/5, SG/28

2013 Birds of Prey: DH/15, SG/DNF

2012 Birds of Prey: DH/16, SG/DNF

2011 Birds of Prey: DH/33, SG/DNF

2010 Birds of Prey: SG/31

Ryan Cochran-Siegle Age: 29

Hometown:

Burlington, VT

World Cup wins: 1

World Cup podiums: 2

2021 Birds of Prey: DH/6

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/6

Bryce Bennett (USA) Age: 30

Hometown: Alpine Meadows, CA

2021 Birds of Prey: DH/22, SG/39

2019 Birds of Prey: DH/39

2018 Birds of Prey: DH/9, SG/39

2017 Birds of Prey: DH/21, SG/46

2015 Birds of Prey: DH/29, SG/42

2014 Birds of Prey: DH/52, SG/42

River Radamus Age: 24

Hometown:

Edwards, CO

2021 Birds of Prey: SG/DNF, SG/DNF

2019 Birds of Prey: GS/DNQ, SG/55

2018 Birds of Prey: DNQ/GS, SG/54

2017 Birds of Prey: GS/DNQ

TINCUP® American Whiskey. 42% Alc./Vol. (84 proof). ©2022 TINCUP Whiskey, Denver, Colorado. Please drink TINCUP® American Whiskey responsibly.

PREVIOUS BIRDS OF PREY Winners

1997

DH Kristian Ghedina, ITA

DH Andreas Schifferer, AUT SG Hermann Maier, AUT 1999

SL Didier Plaschy, SUI

GS Hermann Maier, AUT

DH Hermann Maier, AUT SG Hermann Maier, AUT 2000

DH Hermann Maier, AUT SG Fredrik Nyberg, SWE 2001

No races held 2002

DH Stephan Eberharter, AUT SG Didier Cuche, SUI 2003

DH Daron Rahlves, USA

DH Hermann Maier, AUT SG Bjarne Solbakken, NOR

2004

DH Bode Miller, USA

SG Stephan Goergl, AUT

GS Lasse Kjus, NOR SL Benjamin Raich, AUT

2005

DH Daron Rahlves, USA SG Hannes Reichelt, AUT GS Bode Miller, USA SL Giorgio Rocca, ITA 2006

SC Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR DH Bode Miller, USA GS Massimiliano Blardone, ITA SL Andre Myhrer, SWE

2007

SC Daniel Albrecht, SUI

DH Michael Walchhofer, AUT GS Daniel Albrecht, SUI SG Hannes Reichelt, AUT

2008

DH Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR SG Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR GS Benjamin Raich, AUT

2009

SC Carlo Janka, SUI

DH Carlo Janka, SUI GS Carlo Janka, SUI

2010

SG Georg Streitberger, AUT GS Ted Ligety, USA

*Race rescheduled from Val d'Isere, France

2011

DH Bode Miller, USA

SG Sandro Viletta, SUI

GS Marcel Hirscher, AUT GS Ted Ligety, USA SG Lindsey Vonn, USA* SL Ivica Kostelic, CRO*

2012

DH Christof Innerhofer, ITA SG Matteo Marsaglia, ITA GS Ted Ligety, USA

2013

DH Lara Gut, SUI SG Lara Gut, SUI

GS Jessica Lindell-Vikarby, SWE

DH Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR SG Patrick Kueng, SUI GS Ted Ligety, USA

2014

DH Kjetil Jansrud, NOR SG Hannes Reichelt, AUT GS Ted Ligety, USA

2015

DH Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR

SG Marcel Hirscher, AUT

GS Marcel Hirscher, AUT

2016

No races held

2017

SG Vincent Kriechmayr, AUT

DH Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR

GS Marcel Hirscher, AUT

2018

SG Max Franz, AUT

DH Beat Feuz, SUI

GS Stefan Luitz, GER

2019

DH Beat Feuz, SUI

SG Marco Odermatt, SUI

GS Tommy Ford, USA

2020

No races held

2021

SG Marco Odermatt, SUI

SG Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, NOR

DH Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, NOR

Winningest Racers

Hermann Maier, AUT (6 wins)

Ted Ligety, USA (5 wins)

Aksel Lund Svindal, NOR (5 wins)

Marcel Hirscher, AUT (4 wins)

Bode Miller, USA (4 wins)

Winningest Countries

Austria (22 wins)

Switzerland (15 wins) USA (13 wins)

Meet the PATROL PUPPIES of Beaver Creek

Meet the newest members of the Beaver Creek team: Ruby and Telli! These two new search and rescue dogs-in-training are on their journey from rookie to rescuer. These dogs are hard at work learning all the skills they need to eventually become fully validated search and rescue dogs. They will eventually validate their skills through Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment, but for now are working on socialization, obedience and drive.

As Toby, Ruby, Gavin and Telli work at the office (mountain), they’re focused on building their skills and training to become avalanche search and rescue dogs! If you see them out on the hill, make sure to ask before you say hi, as they could be focused on skills or drills to further their training. And keep watching Beaver Creek’s social media channels to follow their journey from rookie to rescuer!

RUBY

Handler: Toby Harrison Breed: Black Lab Birthday: March 19, 2022

TELLI

Handler: Gavin Mastell Breed: Golden Retriever Birthday: April 22, 2022

Photos courtesy of Beaver Creek

THINGS TO DO in Beaver Creek during Xfinity Birds of Prey 5

Cookie Time, cabin dining & more available all winter long

Cookie Time

Beaver Creek’s beloved Cookie Time is BACK for the winter 2022-23 season! Freshly baked, warm and gooey cookies will meet skiers, snowboarders and village visitors every afternoon at 3:00 pm at the bottom of Haymeadow and Centennial Express Lifts. Delectable, melt-inyour-mouth cookies have been a Beaver Creek staple for many years, with more than 500,000 cookies baked each season. What’s not to love?

Cabin Dining

Beaver Creek cabin dining is committed to providing a world-class experience and serving gourmet fare while surrounded by mountain splendor. Dinner at our three fine dining cabins, Beano’s, Zach’s and Allie’s, is accessible by Beaver Creek Snow Cat-pulled sleigh, an experience to surprise and delight guests under moonlit and star-dotted skies. Beano’s Cabin will continue to elevate fine dining into a feast for the senses, awakening the appetite with a gourmet menu paired with a breathtaking wine list. Allie’s and Zach’s have been reimagined this winter season, launching new menu concepts to satiate foodies and families alike.

Beaver Creek Wonder

Beaver Creek Wonder is an artistic playground of photofriendly, oversize sculptures providing unique experiences scat tered throughout Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek Resort has revitalized Beaver Creek Village in effort to transform the guest experience, from the moment guests arrive. Following numerous enhancements over the course of the past three summers, Beaver Creek’s new art installations will

bring to life a sense of adventure and discovery in the heart of the village. Upon arrival, families will be filled with excitement, awe, wonder and nostalgia as they embark on a unique journey through larger-than-life art. Each element is designed to draw families in, and provide a photo-worthy backdrop worth capturing and sharing, featuring towering Frost Flowers to ice bikes, a giant snow globe and more.

Signature Parks Collection

Beaver Creek is home to the most dedicated learning terrain in Colorado. With the founding of Beaver Creek’s Signature Parks Collection, beginner and intermediate skiers have more terrain built for their skill level than ever before. These dedicated learning areas provide beginner terrain that mimics the setting of advanced trails, granting guests of all ski levels a chance to explore more of the mountain on terrain they are comfortable skiing and snowboarding. The Signature Parks Collection is specifically designed for beginner through intermediate skier and riders to inspire confidence, progressively improve skills, and evoke a sense of wonder and accomplishment. Offering an extraordinary ski experience for beginner and intermediate skiers, this terrain allows guests to discover the amazing treasures Beaver Creek Mountain has to offer, such as mountain-top vistas, groomed glades, adventure zones and access to world-class dining.

Beaver Creek Ski and Snowboard School

Have the races got you looking to sharpen your skills? Beaver Creek’s renowned Ski and Snowboard School is the ultimate place to learn. Whether igniting a child’s passion for the mountain or unlocking more of the mountain with new techniques, Beaver Creek has world-class instructors to teach all abilities.

Beaver Creek Children’s Ski and Snowboard School instructors know how to connect and ignite a child’s love for the mountain experience. If you are an adult looking for steeps and trees – our adult instructors know how to accelerate you to the next level.

A Culinary

DESTINATION FOR All AGES

ELEVATING CABIN AND FINE DINING TO NEW HEIGHTS

Cabin dining at Beaver Creek remains committed to providing a world-class experience and serving gourmet fare while surrounded by mountain splendor. Dinner at Beaver Creek’s three fine dining cabins, Beano’s, Zach’s and Allie’s, is accessible by Beaver Creek Snow Cat-pulled sleigh, an experience to surprise and delight guests under moonlit and star-dotted skies. Beano’s Cabin will continue to elevate fine dining into a feast for the senses, awakening the appetite with a gourmet menu paired with a breathtaking wine list, while Allie’s serves up comforting and refined Northern Italian cuisine and Zach’s shares Alsatian favorites like satiating fondue and opulent oysters.

Dinner at Allie’s Cabin

Guests are whisked from the Beaver Creek Village to the cabin via an open-air sleigh, welcomed warmly and treated to gourmet fare. Dine alongside the glowing floor-toceiling stone fireplace and enjoy sweeping views of the Beaver Creek Village below, as well as time together in the intimate space of one of Beaver Creek’s three exquisite on-mountain fine-dining restaurants. Traditionally renowned for an atmosphere of rustic and intimate elegance, Allie’s Cabin pours forth a refined, classic Northern Italian fare.

Dinner at Beano’s Cabin

The award-winning restaurant sits atop the slopes of Beaver Creek Resort within the White River National Forest. Nestled in a mountain meadow that was once a

lettuce patch and home to the pioneer farmer and restaurant namesake Frank “Beano” Bienkowski, this luxurious log cabin truly elevates fine dining into a feast for the senses. Ascending to Beano’s Cabin awakens the appetite for the gourmet menu that is accompanied by a breathtaking wine list. The ride to Beano’s Cabin provides spectacular views of towering Grouse Mountain and Larkspur Bowl. Upon arrival, a cozy stone hearth and blazing fire welcomes you to chase away the evening chill lingering from the excursion up. Antler chandeliers light up the vaulted ceilings and make the wall of windows in the dining room shine. An open kitchen design allows guests to immediately enjoy the sights and smells of the meal to come.

While Beaver Creek may be known for its beloved Cookie Time, there’s more than just freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for foodies and families alike!

Photos courtesy of Beaver Creek Resort.

Photos courtesy of Beaver Creek Resort.

Dinner at Zach’s Cabin

Perched on the mountainside high above Bachelor Gulch with the uninterrupted views of the magnificent Gore Range, Zach’s is the epitome of fine dining at its peak. Guests are whisked away for a starlit sleigh ride, pulled by a Beaver Creek Snow Cat. Famous for its artful assemblage of fresh Alsatian fare featuring the finest regional and seasonal ingredients paired with excellent vintages for the perfect dinner experience.

Citrea

Debuting an entirely new menu and concept last season, Citrea combines Colorado ingredients with modern culinary interpretations of Mediterranean cuisine. Located in the heart of Beaver Creek Village, alongside the ice rink, Citrea focuses on upscale dining and offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in a sophisticated and high-energy setting. With a patio alongside the Beaver Creek Village ice rink, Citrea is the perfect place to relax and unwind for Après.

CULINARY ADVENTURES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

The Ice Cream Parlour

Located at the top of Haymeadow Express Gondola (#1), the Ice Cream Parlour offers nostalgic ice cream novelties, or a quick soup and sandwich lunch. Menu offerings include root beer floats, ice cream by the scoop, house-made hot chocolate, grilled cheese, tomato soup and more. The Ice Cream Parlour is accessible by skis and by foot, and for foot passengers, a lift ticket is not required to ride Haymeadow Express Gondola.

Beaver Creek Candy Cabin

The Beaver Creek Candy Cabin gained fast fame among guests when it opened its doors during winter 2014-15. Located at the top of Strawberry Park Express and Upper Beaver Creek Mountain Express lifts, the Cabin’s vintage candy store design of yesteryear invites kids and kidsat-heart to explore myriad palate-pleasing sweets – and to discover local artisan craft chocolates found exclusively at the Candy Cabin. Other popular selections include bulk candy sold by the pound and classic Pepsi products made with real cane sugar. It’s the sweetest place at 9840’.

Beaver Creek Cookie Cabin

A Beaver Creek tradition rises to new heights at Red Buffalo Park’s Cookie Cabin. The interior of the Cookie Cabin is open as a special experience for Beaver Creek’s ski and snowboard school guests, where students can stop in for chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa throughout the day. Designed to welcome kids and adults alike with a comfortable and cozy environment, the Cookie Cabin offers the rest and relaxation students need between exhilarating runs at the top of the mountain.

Mamie’s Mountain Grill

With a new direction this winter, Mamie’s Mountain Grill will transform and transport guests to a traditional German biergarten! Offering traditional fare like pretzels and bratwurst, as well as beer on tap, Mamie’s will provide a fun-filled atmosphere for the whole family. Mamie’s will also offer nourishing soups and stews, replenishing and revitalizing guests’ energy after a delightful day on the slopes.

Teamwork makes the Dream Work on the Talon Crew

Since 1997, the famed Xfinity Birds fo Prey World Cup race course is built at the beginning of each winter to host the fastest men on skis for North America’s Downhill at Beaver Creek. But just how does a mountainside in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado transform into a World Cup race course voted No. 1 on the circuit by coaches and athletes who participate?

Meet the internationally known Talon Crew, an all-volunteer crew that provides a critical piece of the course build and maintenance work.

The Talon Crew – made up each year of an average of 325 volunteers from all over the world – is an intensely dedicated and experienced group that strives to produce the most well-prepared Audi FIS Ski Men’s World Cup race course on the circuit. Partnering with the Vail Valley Foundation (the local organizing committee), U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Beaver Creek Mountain, Vail Resorts and Ski & Snowboard Club Vail, the Talon Crew finds itself each year on the icy slopes of the Xfinity Birds fo Prey race course, building fence and installing safety devices, watering, preparing a race-ready surface and providing course maintenance every winter.

The Xfinity Birds fo Prey race course has become legendary in the ski world not only for the speed and challenges it presents to racers, but in the quality and consistency of its track. “We’re the gold standard that everybody’s trying to follow and model after what we do here,” said Talon Crew Volunteer

The volunteer Talon Crew, of course, is not the only crew behind the scenes of the making of the Xfinity Birds fo Prey: they join up the Beaver Creek Mountain Race Department, Snowmaking Team and Mountain Operations Crew and Ski & Snowboard Club Vail coaches, parents and athletes, and many more to create the “One Team” that makes it all happen.

It’s a “One team, same dream” mantra among the teams on the mountain. Prawdzik said. “It’s kind of cool to see it all come together.”

‘An International Brand’

The Talon Crew volunteers are made up of people from a mix of backgrounds and all walks of life. They are tradesmen and women, ex-ski racers and coaches, CEOs of companies, among other backgrounds. Since the Talon Crew is strictly on-course, all members must be expert skiers and physically able to work a shovel, carry something down a hill, sideslip in place, and navigate the extreme steeps of notorious sections of the course like “The Brink.”

And when it snows on race day, the Talon Crew is out there helping clear the course and prep it for a safe and exciting race.

“The more it snows, the more we have to push off. Our favorite expression is: ‘You don’t have to shovel sunshine,’” Prawdzik said. “Most of them know what they’re signing up for – it’s physical labor.”

The Talon Crew spends countless hours prepping with each person assigned to a section of the course to work in teams within that

Coordinator Steve Prawdzik, who has been with the Talon Crew since 2006.

section. The “orchestrated chaos,” as Prawdzik likes to call it, then transitions to race days, when the crowds and television broadcasts going out to the world are in place.

Then the Talon Crew sits back and watches, from the best seats in the house. A silence goes over the course before each racer, with the occasional radio chatter coming through.

“We call it a ‘nose-against-the-glass kind of seat,’” Prawdzik said. “You can’t get a better seat – you can’t buy it. You have to earn the privilege of being there.”

A typical day for Talon Crew starts around 6 a.m. with the all-team breakfast – as the crew waits for the sun to rise.

“I’m still fascinated by why people do this,” Prawdzik said of the Talon Crew. “If you think about it, you spend money to fly here, rent a hotel, buy stuff, new ski gear, all to go stand on a steep pitch and shovel snow and do manual labor so that somebody else can ski.”

But it’s the unique camaraderie that keeps bringing the Talon Crew back together year after year on Beaver Creek Mountain – Xfinity Birds fo Prey serves as a reunion of sorts for the crew. And then there’s also a desire to support ski racing that draws people to the Talon Crew each year.

“You see the same people year after year, so a lot of it is about camaraderie … and meeting new people,” Prawdzik said. “It’s being a part of something meaningful and giving back to ski racing.”

And for many on the Talon Crew, it’s a family affair.

“When you’re in the upper echelons of ski racing and they mention Talon Crew, they know what Talon Crew is,” Prawdzik said. “We’re an international brand. They know about us in Europe.”

For the camaraderie, and the ‘coat’

Prawdzik first joined Talon Crew after hearing about it through a customer of his lighting business. He said many of the people on the Talon Crew joined thanks to referrals. But a running joke within the Talon Crew revolves around doing it to get the free coat.

That’s how On-Hill Coordinator Sean Norris found the Talon Crew. His friend saw a woman with a “really cool coat” and asked how to get it – thus beginning their journey to finding the Talon Crew.

“I remember hunting in Beaver Creek on that mountain before Beaver Creek was built,” Norris said. “We’re some of the very first people that were on the first inaugural year of the Xfinity Birds fo Prey, and we’ve stuck with it ever since.”

Both Norris and Prawdzik are excited about the direction of the Talon Crew, having worked on many kinks over the years and dialing in the process of building a World Cup race course.

“I came up with my buddy Kevin because I wanted to do this with my buddy,” Norris said. “Kevin did it because he wanted a coat. And so for a long time that’s always been the joke: ‘Hey, you get a free coat.’ But the whole point is that it’s camaraderie. It’s working together with people from all over the world. It’s working with people that you would have never met and likely would have never socialized with.”

Globally, the ski industry is indeed a tight-knit community. “People come from all over the world to come work on the Talon Crew, and then they go back home and they tell their friends about it,” Norris said. “And they can’t believe that they worked that hard for that many hours for that many days … for a coat. And it’s not about the coat because you can’t reward these people enough for that sort of thing. The reward comes from the commonality of all of these diverse people coming together and throwing themselves at this mountain and pulling it off when the world says ‘There’s no way you can do it.’ And we don’t even stop to say ‘Watch.’ We just get ‘er done and show them that we did.”

Some days the Talon Crew are the last ones off the mountain. Norris remembers coming off the mountain in the dark for the first time –

“that’s when you learn to carry a headlamp in your backpack.” Norris also remembers days where people might want to quit. “And you look around and nobody on the team is willing to quit because the job’s not done. You stay until that job is completed and finished,” Norris said. “Just the feeling of accomplishment is huge.” It’s that feeling of accomplishment, and the fact that they look good doing it in their Talon Crew coats, that keeps the Talon Crew going.

"We’re the gold standard that everybody’s trying to follow and model after what we do here"

5 QUESTIONS with Birds of Prey champion Daron Rahlves

American with fastest time ever on Beaver Creek course known for being a risk taker who loves speed

It’s about time to sharpen the edges and wax the boards. To get ready for the upcoming Xfinity Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Beaver Creek Dec. 2-4, we connected with one of the legends of international ski racing, two-time event champion, and course record holder at Birds of Prey: the USA’s Daron Rahlves.

What was it like racing the course for the first time at the 1999 Alpine World Ski Championships?

I was intimidated the first time, but that has always played in my favor to ramp up the focus. I always felt a bit on edge with

In 2004, it was the site of your 1-2 finish with Bode Miller and the first-ever 1-2 finish for American men in downhill. What was it like being part of that historic finish?

That was an amazing day except for me finishing second to my teammate (ha ha)

the stacked terrain, jumps and fast turns. That race hill is a beast, and a blast to go at it full send!

What makes it unique compared to other World Cup courses?

As an American, racing in the USA has historically only happened once a season. So that was a unique aspect and special opportunity for me and the U.S. Ski Team. Ultimately though, the demands of looking for speed on this hill and the consequences woke up all World Cup athletes on the first day of inspection and training. It’s a big price to pay if you’re off the timing into a turn or jump.

… all in all it was a showcase of domination on our home turf. That was our focus, individually and as the team. I won there the year before and established the fastest time ever down BOP so second place stung, but to share the podium with Bode was a cool experience. Lots of American pride that day! Not just the two of us, either.

Bryon Friedman finished sixth and we had three Americans in the top six. That’s what Austrians or Norwegians or Swiss usually do, not Americans!

And what was it like to return the next year for a third podium in a row?

Nothing better than winning! Three years in a row first, second, and then first again. That was my last race down Birds of Prey

and a perfect ending. I called it days before the race at the press conference that this was my last season racing. That put more focus on my will, and all-out effort to take back the title that year. And, of course, Bode made it exciting once again.

What’s the most difficult feature on the course to nail?

The flats on top. That’s where I lost the most time and it cost me the win in 2004. Second most difficult feature would be timing the exit off the Brink, taking it up to the fence at the right place and heading into a blind Talon turn. The beauty of this race hill is you need to deal with one feature after another. It doesn’t let up.

Photos by Jonathan Selkowitz.

“The beauty of this race hill is you need to deal with one feature after another. It doesn’t let up,”

-Daron Rahlves

For the Kids

Strength in

staff

and community pushes Ski & Snowboard Club Vail to new heights

After almost two seasons of responding to the global pandemic, a true sense of normalcy has returned to the world of competitive snowsports. While individuals and teams are still exercising caution, athletes can revel as they look forward to national and international camps and competitions, and feel secure in their team training together after a time of isolation. For Ski & Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV), this sense of normalcy yielded more opportunities to celebrate their continued ability to honor the club’s motto, “FOR THE KIDS,” through a dedicated, motivated and outstanding coaching staff.

The depth and strength of SSCV’s coaches is incredibly apparent across athlete groups of all ages. Starting with the development level up to the FIS and national team level, every SSCV athlete is given ample opportunity to succeed on and off snow by seasoned coaches who cultivate SSCV’s core values: Character, Courage, and Commitment, in every athlete who passes through the club. “I believe SSCV’s true success is reflected in the resilience and strength our coaches instill in our athletes,” said Ski & Snowboard Club Vail Executive Director John Hale. “These are character traits that will not only foster excellence in their snowsport, but more importantly, character traits that they will carry with them throughout their adult lives.”

These same core values were instilled in the former SSCV athletes who are competing in the World Cup and at Beaver Creek this season during their time at SSCV, helping guide them to this point of excellence. All the while, young SSCV athletes, awe-inspired in the stands watching these World Cup athletes, know they come from the same teachings, and are motivated to carry on the tradition, growing to their fullest potential

in their snowsport. These values are ingrained into the culture, community and staff of SSCV, continuing to motivate the next generation of athletes.

CONSISTENCY, CULTURE, COACHING

Messages from former SSCV athletes so often reflect the extraordinary impact that SSCV has had on them not only during but after their time at SSCV. This is not possible without world-class coaches who are capable of developing the skills required for each athlete to reach their full on-snow potential, alongside cultivating the character traits needed for each athlete to work hard and push themselves beyond their comfort zone to be their very best both on and off snow.

“SSCV ignited my love and passion for skiing,” said Allie Resnick, a former SSCV alpine athlete, Vail Mountain School alumna and Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team athlete. “I started as a weekend warrior from Denver, moved to the YSL program, and continued all the way through the full-time program. Every coach I have had taught me something that I continue to use in my skiing and life today. SSCV gave me life-long friends and memories. I am so grateful for the role they have played in my athletic development, and continue to play on the World Cup circuit.” Hale stated, “There is nothing more rewarding than to be part of an organization that has this type of lifelong impact on the youth of the Vail Valley.”

From the results of this consistency, culture and coaching, 10 current and former SSCV athletes were named to the Stifel U.S. Alpine Team.

Allie Resnick discovered her love for skiing at Ski & Snowboard Club Vail. Resnick is now one of 10 former SSCV athletes competing on the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team.

Mikaela Shiffrin

Paula Moltzan River Radamus Ava Sunshine Jemison

Allie Resnick

Bridger Gile Kyle Negomir Kaitlin Keane Kjersti Moritz Emma Resnick

*31 additional former SSCV athletes are competing at the NCAA Division 1 level.

In addition, 31 former SSCV athletes were named to the highly competitive NCAA Division I collegiate level this past season. It all starts with the young athlete with a dream. SSCV is there to help turn this dream into a reality, enabling each athlete to be their very best both on and off snow – whether at the World Cup, national team or collegiate level or through development of a lifelong love and devotion to their snowsport.

Learn more about Ski & Snowboard Club Vail at skiclubvail.org

BY

OLIVIA LYDA, SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB VAIL

Photo by Jon Resnick, courtesy of Ski & Snowboard

Ski & Snowboard Club Vail athletes on Team USA

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