Beaver Creek upgrades automated snowmaking for Birds of Prey World Cup
Beaver Creek’s Birds of Prey racecourse has received a major snowmaking upgrade ahead of the 2026 Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup, scheduled for 3–13 December.
The Vail Valley Foundation, organiser of the World Cup races, says new automated equipment will help build the lower third of the course, where early-season weather can complicate preparations.
A more consistent race surface
The infrastructure is designed to help crews deliver a more consistent competition surface while improving energy and water efficiency. The system includes ten SMI Grizzly stick guns, six SMI Super Puma fan guns, a new weather station, trenched power and hard-wired communications. Operators can monitor and control the equipment remotely.
The investment follows challenges caused by warmer early-season conditions at previous races, when organisers needed to adapt course arrangements. Greater control over snow production could support racecourse reliability during a period of variable mountain weather.
Preparing for December competition
The upgrade is part of preparations for an expanded Birds of Prey World Cup festival. It also highlights the operational importance of snowmaking infrastructure for major alpine events, including equipment capacity, weather monitoring and efficient use of resources.
Source: Stifel Birds of Prey and Vail Valley Foundation announcement.
Archive image: U.S. Ski & Snowboard World Cup coverage, from the Winter Insight media archive.
