Nestled between Grouse Mountain and the front face of Beaver Creek, we saw the men’s World Cup at Birds of Prey for the first and only U.S. stop on their tour. The course reputation is legendary; it was described by the NY Times as “not unlike facing a grizzly bear”.  It is groomed to be 16 to 18 inches deep and watered to near titanium toughness.  Skiers with anything but a pro-grade tune slide uncontrollably to the finish line.  It is precisely what the course designers wanted and what you see when the top  athletes take on the Super G, downhill and giant slalom course.  As a bystander, you stare in admiration and awe.  

The awe happened earlier when I rode up on a private shuttle with Bode Miller.  Bode won the G Slalom the day before.  We were also lucky to witness and attend festivities for the first Birds of Prey women’s Super G race.  Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso finished in the top 10.  There was so much world class talent nearby that you only hoped a little would rub off on you!