The first week of December is, hands down, one of the best weeks of the alpine world cup season. That’s because it’s Beaver Creek week. And let’s just say, the Beav does it right. The accommodations, competition, atmosphere, après-ski and usually the weather are all top draw. The mountain is magnificent and the town itself both charming and first class. It truly embodies everything great about the alpine life. What’s more, this particular stop on the world cup calendar is generally one of the only four event sites. And that is something embraced by both spectators and skiers alike. For the skiers, it’s a chance to settle in to one place for more than a few days at a time and get into somewhat of a competitive rhythm with the hill. For fans, it’s the opportunity to create a week long festival feel around town. They also get to see a variety of disciplines and the full roster of skiers who are contesting them at the highest level. Most places hold either tech or speed races, but not always both. Here, you have a mix of events meaning that more of the world’s top skiers are on hand. Plus, the courses they are competing on are universally considered some of the best on the planet. “Challenging, but fair” is the way you’ll hear most of the athletes describe the Birds of Prey. It has all the elements of a truly great downhill track: steep, technical, jumps and just enough flat.
Of course, even with its early season slot, Beaver Creek is always a high priority for the Americans. And unlike the only other U.S. stop on the tour in Aspen, (women only now) BC has been kind to the home boys over the years. While no American has won in Aspen since 1981, the likes of Daron Rahlves and Bode Miller have won multiple times on the Birds of Prey. The U.S. team is always fired up to come here and expects good results. No matter what has happened in the first few weeks of the season, the week at the Creek is always a pick me up. It’s the only chance each season for the American men to compete at home so they come to town with everything dialed in and ready to rock. Never mind that this might be the last week for them to get a good cheeseburger or stay in a hotel where they can see back to back to back to back to back episodes of Law & Order. No, the comforts of home will not be a distraction for the focused U.S. squad.
So unless you’re waiting on the edge of your seat for our president elect’s next cabinet appointment, clear time for some of the best alpine skiing you will get to see all year and make sure you join us over at universalsports.com for all the race coverage.
Gee wiz, Beav, you’re the best!
I have been looking looking around for this kind of information. Will you post some more in future? I’ll be grateful if you will.