Oberhofen, Switzerland – The International Ski Federation’s governing FIS Council this weekend confirmed the 2016-17 Audi FIS Ski World Cup calendar. The approval paves the way for Killington, Vt., to be added as an opening women’s event in November, followed by the men’s Birds of Prey World Cup at Beaver Creek and the World Cup Finals in Aspen to finish the season.

The traditional U.S. swing in early season will kick off Thanksgiving weekend Nov. 26-27, 2016 at Killington with a women’s giant slalom and slalom. The weekend is traditionally held at Aspen, which will instead play host to the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals March 15-19, 2017. Beaver Creek Resort will continue with its traditional speed and GS weekend Dec. 2-4, 2016.

The races at Killington will be the first alpine World Cup in New England since 1991, when Julie Parisien won a giant slalom for the U.S. Ski Team at Waterville Valley, N.H.

“Bringing Audi FIS World Cup ski racing back to the east has been an important organizational initiative to raise the profile of the sport in America,” said Tiger Shaw, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) president and CEO. “Since we announced Killington in October, we’ve been gratified with the outpouring of support from our fans and the entire ski industry. The combination of an eastern World Cup at Killington, along with the global showcase of the World Cup Finals in Aspen, plus our traditional iconic week on Birds of Prey at Beaver Creek, will provide an amazing platform for alpine ski racing in America.”