Beaver Creek serves up spectator guide for navigating World Championships

The world is descending on Beaver Creek Resort Feb. 2-15 for the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. More than 700 athletes will be present from 70 nations and in addition to the competitive race events taking place on the slopes, the InterX Celebration will be taking place in Beaver Creek Village each day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The competition venue is contained to the Red Tail Stadium area. In total, less than five percent of Beaver Creek’s terrain will be impacted by the event and Grouse Mountain and Larkspur Bowl will remain open for skiing and snowboarding. There’s no better time to ski or ride and take advantage of all the animation, festivals and events taking place throughout the valley for two straight weeks. In addition, with the exception of Talons Restaurant, all on-mountain dining venues will be open and for a unique on-mountain gourmet dinner, Beano’s Cabin and Zach’s Cabin will be open during the championships. Beaver Creek Resort is offering the following recommendations for navigating mountain access in, around or through the race venue.

• Lower Red Tail trail is now closed through the completion of world championships. Skiers and snowboarders can access the Red Tail Stadium venue via upper Red Tail trail to the “utility corridor”, a specially designated route that will carry skiers around the finish venue and deliver them below the stadium.

• Grouse Mountain and Larkspur Bowl skiers are encouraged to ride the Strawberry Park Express Lift (#12) and take Beaver Creek Expressway trail into Larkspur Bowl and follow routes to the lift mazes. The Larkspur Bowl Lift (#11) lift maze will be modified and contain one entry maze, located uphill from the lift loading area, or on the Grouse Mountain side, to make room for designated lanes for skiers, pedestrians and ADA access between Talons Restaurant and the lift.

• The Birds of Prey Express Lift (#9) will be closed to the public until the completion of racing each day. Times may vary and lift signage will alert skiers to when the lift is open to the public. Look for signs in front of the lift maze.

• Talons Restaurant is now closed through the end of world championships as it has been converted to the press center. Talons will re-open as quickly as possible upon the conclusion of world championships. Food and beverage will be available for purchase in the Red Tail Stadium area on training and race days. Public restroom facilities are available at Spruce Saddle, in the base area and will be available at Red Tail Stadium when the event commences.

• Kids Corral at Spruce Saddle will be closed during the event to provide a location for athletes. Spruce Saddle will remain open to the public throughout the world championships serving its daily fare.

• Beaver Creek Ice Rink has been transformed into the InterX Pavilion featuring daily breakfast, grab and go items, après and more. The rink is closed for ice skating and is scheduled to re-open Feb. 18.

• Spectators are encouraged to ski to Red Tail Stadium from Arrowhead, Bachelor Gulch and the main mountain. Race Finish shuttles will operate from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily from the Covered Bridge. There will be a security bag check prior to boarding shuttles as well as in and around all 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships venues.

• Trail 2015 will provide a designated snowshoe route to and from Red Tail Stadium.

• Egress from the stadium for skiers will be via Larkspur Express Lift (#11), lower Dally trail back to the village, and the Birds of Press Express Lift (#9) when it re-opens to the public each day. For spectators returning to the Landing and Bear Parking Lot, the quickest route is to ride the Larkspur Express Lift (#11) and then ski down Primrose, Sawbuck and Leav the Beav trails to the Landing. Snowshoers and pedestrians must stay on designated egress routes down lower Dally trail and remain on the snow. Absolutely no pedestrian traffic will be permitted on the roadway.

• Specially designed 2015 event mountain signage will offer information for spectator access, directions, lanes and routes, and the ski-to spectator access reflects the beginner, intermediate, and expert trail classification for each route.

Visit www.vailbeavercreek2015.com or download the Vail2015 app to stay up-to-date on all event-related information.