A Primer for the Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail Valley

The FIS World Ski Championships couldn’t happen at a better time in Colorado. With $58M worth of improvements at Beaver Creek and Vail last summer, and two local competitors, Vail Valley is primed to host the exciting event and accommodate the big crowds.

Photo: Courtesy of Vail Beaver Creek 2015
Photo: Courtesy of Vail Beaver Creek 2015

The races kicked off on February 3 and run through February 15 and it’s a great time to be in the area for a winter vacation. More than 600 athletes from 70 countries will be competing, with two Vail locals pinned as favored to win. Lindsey Vonn, a native of St. Paul, MN has lived in Vail for decades. With more World Cup medals than you can shake a ski pole at, she is fully recovered from knee injuries that kept her from competing at Sochi, and is favored to take the Downhill and Super-G. Another local, Mikaela Shiffrin, was born and raised in Vail is the Olympic and world slalom champion and is favored for the slaloms during week two.

With other superstars such as Bode Miller, Julia Mancuso, Tina Maze, Kjetil Jansrud, Steven Nyman and Marcel Hirscher competing, the races will be an exciting spectacle. The celebs will be hanging out in villages during the weeks around the event, so be prepared to rub elbows with them at any given time after the races.

The entire event will be broadcasted live throughout the world from the International Broadcast Center at the finish area at the base of Beaver Creek. Opening ceremonies for the World Cup will be held at Championships Plaza/Solaris in Vail. Guest can watch the races from the Red Tail Stadium at the base Beaver Creek, which seats nearly 3,500 people in general seating. After the races, there will be nightly ceremonies and concerts held in Vail, with some events in nearby Avon. Check your local NBCSportsNetwork for showing times.

All of the events are open to the public and free to attend. In addition, free shuttles will be offered to transport guest between the stadium and both resort areas. Adventurist guests have the option of strapping on some snowshoes or skate skis and taking Trail 2015, which is the designated route to Red Tail Stadium (about 2 miles). Vail Valley has thousands of lodging, dining and shopping options to meet your needs, and there are also quality and affordable choices in Avon, with free daily shuttles that connect the two.

Most of the trails at Vail and some at Beaver Creek will be open for skiing during the races. For your convenience, and to help you make the most of your après time, refer to the events calendar on our site. Have fun attending the event and cheering on our American superstars!

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