For the first time since 2001, Copper Mountain will host FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races this Thanksgiving weekend, marking the only U.S. stop for women on the 2025–26 tour and a rare home appearance for the American team ahead of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics.
The Stifel Copper Cup kicks off Thursday with men’s super-G, followed by men’s giant slalom on Friday, women’s giant slalom on Saturday, and women’s slalom on Sunday. The events were relocated from Killington, Vermont, due to chairlift construction on the usual race hill.
Mikaela Shiffrin arrives in red-hot form after winning both slalom races so far this season (Levi and Gurgl) and finishing fourth in the Sölden giant slalom. The 30-year-old American, who called her recent slalom performances possibly the best of her career, is especially excited to race in Colorado for the first time in years and sleep in her own bed during the World Cup season.
The women’s giant slalom field will miss two major stars: 2024–25 overall champion Federica Brignone of Italy, who is still recovering from a spring injury, and Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, who injured her knee in training at Copper last week and faces an extended absence in what was planned as her final season.
Other American women to watch include Paula Moltzan (2nd in Sölden GS, 4th and 5th in the opening slaloms), Nina O’Brien (6th in Sölden), AJ Hurt, and speed specialist Lauren Macuga, who will contest her second career World Cup GS after a breakout downhill and super-G season last winter.
On the men’s side, all eyes will be on Swiss superstar Marco Odermatt, the reigning overall, super-G, and GS champion. Americans Ryan Cochran-Siegle (2022 Olympic super-G silver), Jared Goldberg (World Cup podium finisher last season), and River Radamus (reigning U.S. GS champion) hope to shine on home snow.
Racing begins Thursday, November 27, with live broadcasts available on Outside TV. Spectator grandstand tickets are sold out, but free viewing is available around the finish area, complete with a festival village and live music Friday and Saturday nights.
After a 24-year wait, Colorado finally gets its World Cup moment again — and the U.S. Ski Team is ready to make it count.
