Stay at the Minturn Inn for Birds of Prey this weekend!

Birds of Prey Is The Place to Be Around Vail Valley This Week

By Caitlin Row

With Thanksgiving in the rear-view mirror, we are heading full force into Vail and Beaver Creek’s holiday season!

This weekend ushers in the first few days of December, and that means Birds of Prey ski racing is returning to Beaver Creek Resort. At the time of this writing, Vail Daily reported that downhill training was being delayed a day but course conditions were “ideal.” Though weather has been pretty warm and sunny as of late, Birds of Prey races are on track to happen this year. That’s good news because it was cancelled last year due to temperatures being too warm. Fingers crossed!

Weather predictions for this week keep changing so check back closer to the weekend. Temperatures are hovering in the high 40s and low 50s through the weekend. At the time of this writing, snow showers are on the books for the evening of Sunday, December 3, and for Monday, December 4.

With that in mind, here are my top picks for Vail Valley This Week.

Photo: By Barry Eckhaus, Everything Colorado; Opening Day at Vail Mountain

Beaver Creek will open on Wednesday!

Vail Mountain Delays Opening to Thanksgiving; Beaver Creek Will Open on Wednesday

The 2017-18 Vail Valley ski season is upon us, folks. Vail Mountain was supposed to open this Friday, November 17. At the time of this writing, it was announced that Opening Day was delayed until Thursday, November 23 (otherwise known as Thanksgiving Day) due to lack of snow. Beaver Creek Resort’s Opening Day is still set for Wednesday, November 22. By delaying Opening Day, it should allow for Vail Mountain to continue to make snow (it’s been a lot colder lately, which… Read Mo

Birds of Prey calendar was announced today!

It’s back: Birds of Prey, America’s Winter Opening events announced for Beaver Creek

After the annual Birds of Prey races at Beaver Creek were canceled in 2016 due to snow conditions — or lack thereof — the America’s Winter Opening festivities went on anyways throughout the village.

This year, the world’s best ski racers are set to return at the end of November, and the off-piste festivities kick off with an ’80s-themed Ski Welcome Party with Ted Ligety, and possibly Steven Nyman making an appearance.

As the races get going each morning, Birds of Prey Way will open up in the village featuring a sponsor expo, kettle curling, kids activities and more.

There’s a Friday Afternoon Club event with a special guest, U.S. Ski Team athlete signings, film showings and much more going on outside of the racing.

After the racers tear up the courses on Birds of Prey, Beers of Prey takes place Saturday, Dec. 2, with winter seasonal tastings including exclusive special releases.

For more information about Birds of Prey and America’s Winter Opening events, visit http://www.BCWorldCup.com, a new and improved website. The ticketed events are available on the website.

AMERICA’S WINTER OPENING SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, NOV. 30

’80s Ski Welcome Party with Ted Ligety

4 to 7 p.m. | Beaver Creek Village

Featuring live music (80s cover band), kettle curling, giveaways, fireworks finale extravaganza.

FRIDAY, DEC. 1

Super-G Race

10:45 a.m. | Red Tail Stadium

Birds of Prey Way

Noon to 6 p.m. | Beaver Creek Village

Featuring sponsor expo, kettle curling, kids activities, ice skating, race streaming, giveaways.

FAC with Special Guest (TBD)

3 to 6 p.m. | Beaver Creek Village

Featuring live music, drink specials and more.

U.S. Ski Team Athlete Signing

4 to 5 p.m. | Beaver Creek Village — indoor location TBD

Warren Miller’s ‘Line of Descent’

5 and 8 p.m. | Vilar Performing Arts Center

Tickets available at http://www.vilarpac.org.

SATURDAY, DEC. 2

Downhill Race

11 a.m. | Red Tail Stadium

Birds of Prey Way

12 to 6 p.m. | Beaver Creek Village

Featuring sponsor expo, kettle curling, kids activities, ice skating, race streaming, giveaways.

Beers of Prey

3 to 6 p.m. | Beaver Creek Village

Winter seasonal tasting including exclusive special releases. Tickets available at http://www.bcworldcup.com.

Warren Miller’s ‘Line of Descent’

8 p.m. | Vilar Performing Arts Center

Tickets available at vilarpac.org.

Sunday, Dec. 3

Giant Slalom Race

Run 1: 9:30 a.m. | Red Tail Stadium

Run 2: 12:45 p.m. | Red Tail Stadium

Birds of Prey Way

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Beaver Creek Village

Featuring sponsor expo, kids activities, ice skating, race streaming.