New York, NY – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and NBC Sports are once again partnering to showcase alpine ski racing in America with live coverage of the Nature Valley Aspen Winternational and Audi Birds of Prey at Beaver Creek, both in Colorado. In addition to full HD live stream coverage on NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC and NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) will broadcast 6.5 hours in the U.S. between the two TV networks.

Last season, NBC reached 3.4 million viewers with its coverage from Aspen and Beaver Creek, which featured U.S. Ski Team stars Mikaela Shiffrin, Steve Nyman and Ted Ligety, who won the giant slalom. Fans experienced the excitement of the famed Birds of Prey downhill course again in February at the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships where U.S. Ski Team athletes brought home five medals, including golds from Ligety and Shiffrin. Exposure was at a record high with 30 hours of live coverage.

“The coverage and engagement we experienced last season at the World Championships was unlike anything we’ve seen surrounding alpine ski racing in our country,” stated USSA President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “We see a similar atmosphere in Aspen and Beaver Creek, with our athletes skiing in front of their biggest supporters. It’s an exciting time to be a fan of the sport.”

The Audi FIS Ski World Cup tour in Colorado is part of an overall plan by the USSA to raise the profile of alpine ski racing in America. Aspen and Beaver Creek have been remarkable early season races for the tour, with great consistency of racing conditions. The USSA’s investment in broadcast has dramatically increased viewership in America.

Next season the USSA will take another big step, with Aspen playing host to the March 2017 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals. The tour will also travel to the heavily populated eastern USA in November 2016 with women’s races in Killington, Vt.

In addition to seeing their favorite athletes, fans will hear a familiar voice emanating from their TVs. U.S. Ski Team athlete Bode Miller will join Dan Hicks, plus former World Cup downhillers Steve Porino and Todd Brooker, as an analyst during NBC Sports’ coverage of Audi Birds of Prey. For nearly two decades, Miller has been one of the most successful skiers in the world and one of the sport’s most unique personalities. Steve Schlanger will also join the call from Aspen.

The USSA, in conjunction with its partners at NBC, has pioneered domestic coverage of the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup, showcasing the organization’s Olympic stars to viewers across the United States. The 2014-15 season was the first of a five-year deal that extends through 2019, including the media rights for the 2017 FIS Audi Ski World Cup finals in Aspen.

“Providing fans with the opportunity to watch or stream events for all of USSA’s sports continues to be a high priority for our organization,” said USSA Chief Marketing Officer Michael Jaquet. “We’ve made great progress in raising the profile of alpine skiing here at home and we will take advantage of every opportunity to do so in the future.”

2015 Nature Valley Aspen Winternational TV Schedule (times EST)
Fri. Nov. 27 – 2:30 p.m. – Women’s Giant Slalom – UniHD  LIVE *
Sat. Nov. 28 – 3:30 p.m. – Women’s Slalom – NBCSN – LIVE *
Sun. Nov. 29 – 3:00 p.m. – Women’s Slalom – NBC – LIVE *

2015 Audi Birds of Prey TV Schedule
Fri. Dec. 4 – 12:30 p.m. – Men’s Downhill – NBCSN – LIVE *
Sat. Dec. 5 – 1:00 p.m. – Men’s Super G – NBCSN – LIVE *
Sun. Dec. 6 – 5:00 p.m. – Men’s Giant Slalom – NBC

* Live streaming coverage on NBC Sports Live Extra