The Vail Valley is once again lucky enough to host the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships. Over 2 weeks the best skiers in the world will be competing in our backyard with us and 50,000 of our closest friends there to cheer them on. This provides limitless opportunities for business owners in the valley but many challenges as well for them to get ready for the influx of people. There are some big changes coming to both Beaver Creek and Vail mountains and Vail Resorts is leading the charge.

Beaver Creek Changes

While Beaver Creek has hosted the Birds of Prey World Cup Ski Race annually for many years for the 2015 World Championships they are changing the woman's race course. They started cutting a new trail at the beginning of this month that will be skiers right of the usual Birds of Prey course. If you head to Spruce Saddle at the top of Centennial lift you can see them working on the new course that will be ready for racers in 2013 for the Birds of Prey. Along with changing the course itself they are completely re-doing the finish area. They will be constructing new buildings for spectators and permanent structures that will be able to accommodate the growth of Beaver Creek in the future. Watch this video to see the proposed changes.

Vail Changes

Vail will not host any competition races in 2015 but they will be bustling with other activities. Vail will host the opening ceremony, some of the qualifying races, and the medal ceremony; but their daily activities and nightlife is where they will draw the crowds. They will be having many vendors and daily activities for skiers to enjoy as well as free concerts at night.  One of the main changes Vail will be highlighting is their new Epic Discovery that will provide many more summer activities for visitors. By having many of the attractions in place for the huge winter crowd to see, it will get them excited to book their return trip in the summer. Vail Mountain plans on adding a new hiking and mountain biking trails as well as more adventitious activities like zip-lines and an alpine slide that will run on raised rails. For more information click here.

These new changes will provide for the long term success of the world class resorts in our backyard. With Vail Resorts focusing on both winter and summer activities it can ensure that there will be visitors coming to our lovely valley for years to come.  Watch this video for more information on the changes and coming races.

Please contact me for more information on these changes or any questions you may have about the Vail Valley!