Beaver Creek opens more terrain but still no word on skiing to Birds of Prey races

Update: Race officials confirmed Thursday there will be spectator skiing to the Redtail finish area. The races are free and open to the public. Due to weather forecasts for heavier snow Saturday, the downhill has been switched to 10:45 a.m., Friday, and the super-G is at 11 a.m., Saturday.

Beaver Creek now has more than 600 acres of skiable terrain after the opening of the Strawberry Park lift on Wednesday, including the Interconnect to Bachelor Gulch, but the big question remains: will there be recreational ski access to the Redtail finish area for the men’s World Cup ski races Friday, Nov. 30 through Sunday, Dec. 2?

“Most of you want to know: will there be skier access down to the races this year?” Vail Valley Foundation spokesman Tom Boyd wrote Wednesday morning. “Believe me, I want to know as well.

“There is no doubt the skiing at Vail and Beaver Creek is phenomenal right now, and snow totals are high. The amazing crew at Beaver Creek Resort is working around the clock to get our race course ready and to open the Redtail run, which provides access to the race finish area from the top of Centennial lift,” Boyd added. “It looks promising, but no promises. Skiing will, however, be available from the finish area down Dally sometime soon – we are hoping for later today.”

The Vail Valley Foundation is the organizer of the annual Birds of Prey World Cup. Boyd then provided this primer for getting to the races by bus:

Getting to the races:

• Wednesday, Thursday, shuttles run from Beaver Creek bus stop (by covered bridge) to the finish area starting at 5:30 a.m. and running through 7:30 p.m.
• On race days (Friday, Nov. 30 — Sunday, Dec. 2), the shuttle from Beaver Creek to the finish area starts at 5 a.m., and there is a dedicated media shuttle from 5:30 – 8:30 a.m. that you will have to show your credential to ride.
• To get from Beaver Creek Base Parking Lots up to Beaver Creek Village:
  • Buses begin from the main lots at 5:30 a.m. and run until 2:30 a.m. daily.
  • Buses should be on 10 minute service at this time of year, but 20 minutes, worst case scenario.

You can see status of buses by downloading the Village Connect app. Get the app by going here: https://www.beavercreek.com/explore-the-resort/about-the-resort/getting-around.aspx

All the additional terrain is coming online just in time for a series of storms starting Wednesday and lasting into next week.

“At least three storms will bring powder to Colorado through early next week,” Opensnow.com meteorologist Joel Gratz wrote on Wednesday. “The best powder from the first storm will be on Thursday in the northern and central mountains, the second storm should bring powder to the southern and central mountains on Friday and the northern mountains on Saturday, then a third storm could keep snow going in the southern mountains on Sunday into Monday.”

Here’s the Vail Resorts’ press release on ski terrain openings at Beaver Creek, including the Interconnect to Bachelor Gulch:

Beaver Creek Resort Expands Terrain, Begins Operating Strawberry Park Express Lift (#12)

BEAVER CREEK, Colo. – Nov. 28, 2018 – Following 15 inches of new snow in the last seven days and 66 inches this season, Beaver Creek Resort is now operating Strawberry Park Express Lift (#12). Ski access is now available between Bachelor Gulch and the main Beaver Creek mountain by way of Primrose, Intertwine, and lower Stacker. The resort currently offers 604 acres of top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding on beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain.

Beaver Creek Resort is operating the following lifts with access to 35 trails and 604 acres of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain:

• Haymeadow Express Gondola (#1)
• Rose Bowl Express Lift (#4)
• Red Buffalo Express Lift (#5)
• Centennial Express Lift (#6)
• Cinch Express Lift (#8)
• Strawberry Park Express Lift (#12)
• Bachelor Gulch Express Lift (#16)

All guests are reminded that they must observe all posted signs, closures and slow zones, especially during the early-season. Closed trails may contain hazards due to early snow coverage. Accessing closed terrain is a violation of the Colorado Ski Safety Act and will result in the loss of skiing privileges and could involve prosecution and a fine.

Epic Pass: Last Chance to Purchase Extended to Sunday, Dec. 2

The last chance to purchase the 2018-19 Epic Pass and other Epic Season Pass options – including the Epic Local, Epic 7-Day and Epic 4-Day – is Sunday, Dec. 2. The Epic Pass provides skiers and riders with the greatest multi-resort pass value in the ski industry, offering access to more than 65 resorts in eight countries for $949. New for the 2018-19 winter season, the Epic Pass will now feature unlimited, unrestricted skiing and riding at 19 mountain resorts including Crested Butte, plus seven days at Telluride, in addition to unlimited access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. The remaining lineup of passes is available for purchase at epicpass.com.

Beaver Creek Early Season:

Experience Winter’s Extraordinary Start at Beaver Creek:

From world-class events to special offers, four extraordinary weeks of celebration await. Early season celebrations to come include Xfinity Birds of Prey Men’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup Nov. 29-Dec. 2; Winter’s Welcome, Dec. 7-9; and the Haymeadow Park Grand Opening on Dec. 15. During Winter’s Welcome, Epic Pass holders can kick off the winter season with incredible deals and activities throughout Beaver Creek’s village, simply by flashing their pass. www.beavercreek.com/explore/winters-extraordinary-start

 Xfinity Birds of Prey Men’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup: Nov. 29-Dec. 2

This week, Beaver Creek welcomes the fastest downhill skiers in the world and their fans for the only Men’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup stop on U.S. snow. In addition to the weekend’s Super G, Downhill, and Giant Slalom races, spectators and fans are invited to attend the week’s festivities in Beaver Creek Village, including the Eighties Ski Welcome Party, Beers of Prey, Birds of Prey Way, and more. www.beavercreek.com/explore-the-resort/activities/winter-activities/birds-of-prey

Beaver Creek Ski School Flash Your Epic Pass: Nov. 26-Dec. 9

Epic Pass holders can flash their Epic Pass at Beaver Creek’s Ski School for 50 percent off full-day or half-day private lessons between Nov. 26 and Dec. 9. Lessons can be booked online at beavercreek.com or by calling 970-754-5300.