Aspen, CO – The women’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup at the Nature Valley Aspen Winternational will take place on Aspen Mountain this Friday through Sunday.
Since the first sanctioned races took place on Aspen Mountain in 1939, the Colorado resort has consistently upheld the long-standing tradition of alpine ski racing and will once again host a stop on the women’s World Cup circuit. Spectators are invited to the base of Lift 1A to enjoy prime viewing of the finish line from the grandstands as well as attend a host of free Aspen Winternational events surrounding the races.
The giant slalom race is now scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, followed by the finals at 1 p.m. Saturday will feature the first slalom race kicking-off at 10:15 a.m. with the finals at 1:15 p.m. Rounding out the race series, a second slalom race will take place Sunday and will start at 10 a.m. followed by the finals at 1 p.m.
Spectators not only have front-row seats to watch the best female ski racers in the world, but the Aspen Winternational also hosts an abundance of free activities and celebrations. The festivities will begin today with the Community Art Celebration that ignites the spirit of World Cup racing through art created by local artists and students displayed in Aspen storefront windows through the week.
In addition to the World Cup races, the finish arena will play host to a celebratory atmosphere where viewers can enjoy live music, prize giveaways, a kid’s slalom gate foot race, as well as a beer garden and concessions for purchase. No dogs are allowed in the spectator/race venue.
After the giant slalom race Friday, ski race enthusiasts can participate in free public wax room tours from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. in the Mountain Chalet parking garage followed by the World Cup Kick-Off Party. The kick-off party will once again take place at the Limelight Hotel from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. featuring a U.S. Ski Team autograph signing from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. followed by a public bib draw from 6:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Limelight happy hour food and drink specials will be available including $10 cheese and pepperoni pizzas, $3 Bud Light, $4 draft beer, $6.50 house wine and $8 cocktails.
Following the slalom race on Saturday, spectators can head to the Upper Gondola Plaza at the base of Aspen Mountain to enjoy a free Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series featuring Jamestown Revival from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. followed by the women’s first slalom awards ceremony. At 8:15 p.m. the night sky above Aspen Mountain will light-up with a fireworks show.
Free shuttles to the Aspen Winternational will run every 15 minutes with stops at the intersection of Monarch and Dean Streets, Galena and Dean Streets and the venue entrance located at Monarch and Summit Streets. Skiers can access the course from the top of Little Nell via the Tower Ten Road and then return to the Silver Queen Gondola as there is no public loading on the Shadow Mountain lift.
For TV broadcast, the Friday giant slalom will air live from 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. MST on UniHD, the Saturday slalom final will be live in HD on NBCSN at 1:30 p.m. MST and the Sunday slalom final will be broadcast live in HD on NBC at 1 p.m. MST.