DENVER, CO (June 4) – Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter gave the Beaver Creek/Vail 2015 bid committee a pat on the back for its incredible efforts in delivering the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships back to the Vail Valley.

"This is terrific news for Colorado's world class ski resorts and puts us back on the world stage for years to come," Gov. Ritter said. "By bringing the World Alpine Ski Championship back to Colorado in 2015, the state will reap huge economic benefits and we will be able to cheer on our local athletes."

Vail and Beaver Creek hosted the last Championships to be held in the U.S. in 1999 and also in 1989. Colorado's Aspen resort held the event in 1950. Those are the only times the World Championships have been held in the United States.

When the FIS Alpine World Cup was established in 1967, Vail was a part of the tour and has become a mainstay on the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup since 1983. The men's Birds of Prey race week in Beaver Creek has risen to elite status among athletes and fans since becoming an annual tour event in 1997.

This season's Birds of Prey races are set for Dec. 3-5, 2010 featuring giant slalom and super G in addition to America's headlining downhill.