The Audi FIS Alpine World Cup Finals will be held in Aspen from March 15-19, 2017. The International Ski Federation event will feature the world’s best athletes from both the men’s and women’s tour, and is being hailed as the “Return of America’s Downhill.” It will be the first time since 2001 that the men’s World Cup will be held in Aspen. It will also be the first Finals outside of Europe since 1997. We encourage fans and regular March visitors to plan accordingly and make your reservations to be a part of history, early!
Races will take place on Aspen Mountain and the World Cup International Village will be located at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen. Viewing for the races will be available along the course and at the finish area. The village will feature international cuisine as well as concerts, activities and other parties. There will be free public shuttles to the races that will operate each fay from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shuttles will drop off at the venue entrance, located on Monarch Street. Note: Aspen Mountain’s Lift 1A will not be open to the public during the races.
The Audi FIS Ski World Cup is a season-long schedule of races that compete from late October through March. The top 30 finishers in each race earn points based on how they place. World Cup titles are awarded at the World Cup Finals to the top male and female skiers who have earned the most points in each of four disciplines: Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom and Slalom. Overall World Cup titles are also presented.
“This is likely the biggest ski racing event ever held in Aspen, and that’s saying something,” John Rigney, vice president of sales and events for the Aspen Skiing Company, said in a press release. “We’re excited to put on an amazing event that celebrates our incredible history and showcases the best of what Aspen has to offer.”
“It’s going to be really awesome to finish off the season in the U.S. And I’m even more excited to race on the hill that I grew up skiing on – it’s going to be fun to race down Ruthie’s and Aztec,” said U.S. Ski Team member Alice McKennis. “Not every World Cup athlete has raced at Aspen, so I think a lot of athletes are going to have their eyes open to what a fabulous track it is there. Aspen has a rich ski racing heritage, dating back to the Roch Cup they used to have there, so it’s going to be cool to sort of bring that back to Aspen Mountain and bring that whole vibe back to the community.”
EVENT SCHEDULE
The men’s downhill kicks off the event at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 15. The women’s downhill follows at 11 a.m. Post-race awards will take place at the finish area.
On Thursday, March 16, the Ladies Super G begins at 9:30 a.m., with the Men’s Super G at 11. Post-race awards will follow at the finish area.
Friday, March 17, features the Nations Team Event at 10:30 a.m., with post-race official awards afterward.
The slate for Saturday, March 18, starts with the first run of the Men’s Giant Slalom at 9 a.m. and continues with the Ladies Slalom first run at 10. Run 2 for the Men’s Slalom begins at 11:30 a.m., and run 2 for the Ladies Slalom starts at 12:30 p.m. Post-race awards afterward.
On Sunday, March 19, the day begins with the first run of the Ladies Giant Slalom at 9 a.m., followed by the first run of the Men’s Slalom at 10. Run 2 for the Ladies Giant Slalom begins at 11:30 a.m., and the second run of the Men’s Slalom is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Post-race awards to follow.
IMPORTANT LIFT INFORMATION
There will be no public access to Lift 1A from March 13-19. Additionally, beginning approximately March 5, there will be no public ski access from the mountain to the bottom of Lift 1A (and general west side of the mountain) due to the construction of the finish arena. All downhill skier traffic will be directed to the Little Nell side of the mountain. During this period from approximately March 5-12, the public will be allowed to load lift 1A but not be able to ski back down to the bottom of it. There will be the same scenario during load-out of the finish arena between March 20-23.
Aspen Street will be closed to non-resident vehicle traffic for a similar period of time.Residents and renters with be provided with a placard for their vehicle to access the street so they can get to their parking lot. (This will include Shadow Mountain Condominiums.) All parking on Aspen Street will be reserved for the event from March 5-23.