Vail / Beaver Creek welcomes the world – So does SSCV!

In a short month from now, Vail and Beaver Creek will be hosting the 2015 World Ski Championships. What does this mean for our resort and what does it mean for our club? It turns out, it means a great deal to us as a Ski Club and we are grateful the event is coming to town.

Vail Resorts is our biggest supporter and without a doubt, the most generous resort company to any American ski club. They deliver endless support to us by providing a private training venue, ski passes to our staff, race support, and grooming support to identify some of the measurable items afforded to our club. More difficult to measure is the philosophical backing they provide. They understand what we are about. They are open to our ideas, our desire to provide a first class training environment, and ambitions. We work closely with the race department, ski school, grooming and management on a daily basis and strive to nurture a symbiotic relationship in order to maintain a cooperative working relationship at all times.

When the World Cup comes to town, we are ready to help. Ski Club Alpine coaches provide the expert support in order to prepare the courses and set up the venue to the high expectations of the best in the World. Indeed, Beaver Creek is the recipient of the highest accolades of all the World Cup stops, thanks to the professional race departments and the support from our Ski Club staff and athletes.

This year, with the World Alpine Ski Championships, we are requested to provide more than the normal support that would be asked of us when hosting only a World Cup. Our athletes will have up-close-and-personal access to the best in the world in our sport. Our kids don’t realize that most clubs do not see these athletes on their training hill on a regular basis like we are able to on Gold Peak and Birds of Prey. This visual is some of the most valuable training a young athlete can have.

Because we recognize the value in having the best of the best here, we make every effort to expose our athletes to it, and support it however possible. Because this will affect our resources, we have learned to plan accordingly so our athletes continue to have the training they need to be prepared for their races. Our Head Coaches plan the most effective and efficient schedule for staff and athletes to minimize any impact on the programming. Staff will be split up and will work together to make sure athletes are being taken care of, while we are pulled to support the event. Our priority is our athletes, and we are obliged to help with the Championships.

We thank Vail Resorts and appreciate all they do for us. We thank you, our athletes and parents for your understanding and support. We are excited that we have these amazing opportunities right here on our playground!