World Cup Alpine Ski Racing in the USA: Back to Back Weekends November/December 2025
If you’ve been hanging out in my corner of the internet for a while, you already know I watch every single World Cup ski race for alpine skiing. I, myself, competed in the sport for 15 years, reaching an international level (FIS) and racing for the University of Colorado Boulder, and while I have “retired” from alpine ski racing, I still am an avid spectator of the sport. If you ask anyone I know, they would say that alpine ski racing is my true passion in life.
The last two weeks I had the pleasure of watching not one, but TWO Audi FIS Ski World Cup races in Colorado!
Weekend 1: Stifel Copper Cup – Women’s Slalom Ski Racing Magic
Over Thanksgiving weekend, I headed up to Copper Mountain for the Stifel Copper Cup, where the women raced slalom. Believe it or not, this was my first women’s tech race in person.
I watched the ladies race speed at Beaver Creek last year, but slalom is a different beast tighter, quicker, more technical, and honestly? Completely hypnotic.
I also have a bit more appreciation for slalom, as that was the event I skied the most on the modest hills of Minnesota in the Midwest. While I did race some speed on occasion, I naturally can appreciate the level of skill it takes to ski at World Cup slalom level.
To make it a bit more special, this was the last time we’ll see the women’s slalom in Colorado for a bit, since next year the race heads back to Killington, Vermont. With the construction of the race-hill lift wrapping up on the Superstar run, Killington will be back in the rotation for 2026.
But the moment that stole the show?
Mikaela Shiffrin, of course. She won in classic Mikaela fashion: smooth, fierce, and over a full second ahead.
If you’ve ever stood at the bottom of a slalom course and watched those gates whip and snap as the racers fly by… it’s unreal. The speed these women carry is honestly stunning to see in person.
I also root for my fellow Minnesotan, Paula Moltzan. She and I raced against each other a few times in Minnesota (where she absolutely crushed the field), so it’s always neat to see how far she has come and support her recent success.
Again, I think it hit home more as that has been me skiing a slalom course, and to see the speed these ladies have, was truly inspiring and jaw-dropping.
Mikaela is not only a dominant athlete, she also is a good human being. She stayed long after the cameras went home and the race was over to sign autographs and take pictures with fans (many of them little girls).
Mikaela is a great role model for those of all ages, and it’s exciting to see her continue to break ski racing records. Go Mikaela!
Weekend 2: Birds of Prey – The Beaver Creek Tradition Continues
The following weekend, I was back doing what has basically become an annual weekend trip for me: the Birds of Prey men’s races in Beaver Creek. I’ve been heading up to the mountains for this race for eight years now, and it never gets old. The energy, the course, the crowds – it’s one of those events that just feels like the official start of winter and race season.
This year I watched the Giant Slalom, and surprise-surprise: Marco Odermatt took the win.
At this point he and Mikaela are basically the king and queen of the World Cup, each dominating their fields with this calm, unstoppable consistency. It’s wild to witness it in person.
He was bib one on the first run, so a bit anticlimactic to have the first racer be the run winner, but nonetheless, he showcased his dominance.
And this year, for the first time, I stayed at the Westin in Avon, and honestly, it was such a “fairytale” experience.
It was one of those stays where I tried to take it all in and appreciate the small moments. The Christmas singers in the lobby, the daily hot chocolate and cookies…
It felt like stepping straight into a cozy holiday movie between race sessions!
Next Stop: Kitzbühel – The Ultimate Bucket List
And as if these back-to-back weekends weren’t enough, January is about to be the moment: I’m finally heading to Kitzbühel, Austria to watch the Hahnenkamm. This has been my ultimate bucket list item since I was in 8th grade.
That season I had broken my leg in a downhill race, so to help with the FOMO, my mom purchased me a subscription to watch World Cup ski racing (of course commentated by the iconic Steve Porino), and the first time I watch the Hahnenkamm downhill race, I knew I had to make it there some day.
This race is the Super Bowl of alpine ski racing and I can’t believe it’s actually happening that I will be there to witness it in person.
I haven’t skied in Europe in almost a decade, so the idea of being back in the Alps and witnessing the Streif in person? I’m ecstatic!
Plus, excited to experience the après scene of Europe now that I am not there training. If you have any recommendations for Kitzbühel, Austria, please let me know in the comments below!
Where Alpine Ski Racing in the U.S. Is Headed
One thing that stood out over these two weekends is how much momentum alpine ski racing seems to be gaining in North America.
With more early-season races shifting to the U.S., likely thanks to the unpredictable snow conditions in parts of Europe, it’s giving American fans rare access to the sport.
The turnout at Copper Mountain for Mikaela was huge! People showed up, loud and proud, and it felt like a real moment for the sport in the States. If this is the direction the World Cup is heading, I’m SO here for it! More races, more exposure, more fans discovering just how incredible these athletes really are.
Sharing the sport and creating a pipeline of the next generation is critical for the continued growth of the sport.
Can’t wait to see what Mikaela does next—and you better believe I’ll be right there when I can, cowbell in hand.
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