Ski Resort Guide
Steamboat
Steamboat Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
Steamboat ski resort sits in the heart of the Wild West, full of steakhouses and bars where ranchers rub shoulders with international tourists and ski bums.
The ski resort of Steamboat is a thoroughly modern place, although the age-old view down the rolling Yampa valley looks like something out of a cowboy movie. It has a reputation for its abundant lightweight "Champagne powder" snow (a term it has trade marked and has been much in demand by different corporate owners over the past decade, purchased most recently by Intrawest, which owns the famous 2010 Winter Olympic venue of whistler and eight other North American ski areas.
You've got the option of staying in this growing community around the lifts or in the town; the former has the ease of doorstep skiing, the latter the comfort of doorstep shopping and nightlife.
The ski resort of Steamboat is a thoroughly modern place, although the age-old view down the rolling Yampa valley looks like something out of a cowboy movie. It has a reputation for its abundant lightweight "Champagne powder" snow (a term it has trade marked and has been much in demand by different corporate owners over the past decade, purchased most recently by Intrawest, which owns the famous 2010 Winter Olympic venue of whistler and eight other North American ski areas.
You've got the option of staying in this growing community around the lifts or in the town; the former has the ease of doorstep skiing, the latter the comfort of doorstep shopping and nightlife.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 2,103m (6,900ft) (resort); 2,040m (6,695ft) (town).
Top elevation: 3,224m (10,568ft).
Base elevation: 2,103m (6,900ft).
Number of lifts: 18.
Number of runs: 165.
Average annual snowfall: 8.5m (28ft).
Where in the world?
Steamboat is located to the northwest of Denver in the US state of Colorado's Rocky Mountains.
Hit the slopes
The season runs from late November until late April.
Steamboat is excellent for all levels. Experts love the challenge of skiing among the trees, for which the place is famous, especially when there's deep, new snow). You can spend all day hardly touching a groomed piste.
Intermediates can flash around on the pistes (try Sunshine for ease or Morningside Park to progress), thanks to the good modern lift system dominated by high speed chairs and gondolas, while beginners are well served by the big area at the base, largely out of the way of other skiers.
The ski school, headed by former Olympic champ Billy Kidd, is highly rated.
Steamboat is excellent for all levels. Experts love the challenge of skiing among the trees, for which the place is famous, especially when there's deep, new snow). You can spend all day hardly touching a groomed piste.
Intermediates can flash around on the pistes (try Sunshine for ease or Morningside Park to progress), thanks to the good modern lift system dominated by high speed chairs and gondolas, while beginners are well served by the big area at the base, largely out of the way of other skiers.
The ski school, headed by former Olympic champ Billy Kidd, is highly rated.
Beyond the slopes
Steamboat Springs is a pleasing place to wander, with bookshops, coffee shops, galleries and the like. If you want further snowy action there's snowmobiling, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horse riding, ice fishing on the Stagecoach Reservoir and ice-climbing lessons on a frozen waterfall.
Less energetic are helicopter or balloon flights, while the ultimate relaxation is to lounge in rustic, open-air Strawberry Park Hot Springs, a 4-wheel drive trip into the woods.
Less energetic are helicopter or balloon flights, while the ultimate relaxation is to lounge in rustic, open-air Strawberry Park Hot Springs, a 4-wheel drive trip into the woods.
Family fun
Steamboat is good for families. At the slopeside base children in the lower gondola station from six months to six years old are streamed in to four separate schemes with 'one hour on-snow' activity beginning from age two. There's a special kids skiwear/equipment store next to the centre. Evening sessions organised.
Families can have fun tubing or doing one of a dozen other family-friendly activities available off the slopes, while boarding teenagers might well go in the massive Mavericks superpipe. In the evening there's plenty of fun and affordable places to eat in downtown Steamboat Springs.
Families can have fun tubing or doing one of a dozen other family-friendly activities available off the slopes, while boarding teenagers might well go in the massive Mavericks superpipe. In the evening there's plenty of fun and affordable places to eat in downtown Steamboat Springs.
Retail therapy
The town has a quaint main street. Don't miss FM Light, 830 Lincoln Ave, a great old Westernwear store. There are many galleries but Artisans' Market of Steamboat, 626 Lincoln Ave, a non-profit cooperative of local artists, is worth a look for all manner of things including jewellery, paintings and clothes.
Après ski
The base area is the place for a late afternoon drink - try Bear River Bar and Grill, Sheraton, 2200 Village Inn Court. It's also lively in the evenings, with live bands at the Tugboat Grill, 1860 Ski Time Square Drive. Chaps, Steamboat Grand, 2300 Mt Werner Circle, is OK for a quiet drink.
In town the Mahogany Ridge Brewery and Grill, 435 Lincoln Avenue, serves fine home-brewed beer (try the Alpenglow) in a sedate setting, while the Tap House, 729 Lincoln Avenue, and Old Town Pub, 600 Lincoln Avenue, are generally buzzing.
Steamboat Springs is not a place with a huge dance scene, although the Old Town Pub and Pirates Pub, 1890 Ski Time Square Drive, have DJs. The Country in the Rockies festival (January) features a host of top Nashville names.
In town the Mahogany Ridge Brewery and Grill, 435 Lincoln Avenue, serves fine home-brewed beer (try the Alpenglow) in a sedate setting, while the Tap House, 729 Lincoln Avenue, and Old Town Pub, 600 Lincoln Avenue, are generally buzzing.
Steamboat Springs is not a place with a huge dance scene, although the Old Town Pub and Pirates Pub, 1890 Ski Time Square Drive, have DJs. The Country in the Rockies festival (January) features a host of top Nashville names.
Eating out
There are something like 70 bars and restaurants divided between the town and base area - everything from cafes to Pacific Rim. At the mountain, the Butcher Shop, 1960 Ski Time Square Drive, and downtown the Old West Steakhouse, 1104 Lincoln Avenue, and 8th Street Steakhouse, 50 8th Street, all fit the Western ambiance (there are options other than meat).
The Tugboat Grill, 1860 Ski Time Square Drive, serves good American fare in a relaxed setting with live music, while the Cabin in the Steamboat Grand is fine dining with a mountain flourish.
The Tugboat Grill, 1860 Ski Time Square Drive, serves good American fare in a relaxed setting with live music, while the Cabin in the Steamboat Grand is fine dining with a mountain flourish.
Getting around
A free bus connects the town and ski area. Shuttles connect with the airports, but there are no other nearby towns or ski areas. However with Steamboat's owners Intrawest also owning two other Colorado resorts, Copper mountain and Winter Park, anyone with a prolonged stay in the area might consider purchasing a multi-area lift ticket, now available.
Splashing out
Hazie's, a divine restaurant located high on the mountain at the top of the gondola, serves dinner Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays. The ‘high alpine bistro' creates an elegant menu with continental overtones in plush surroundings and wonderful views of the flickering lights in the Yampa Valley. The dinner price includes the gondola ride up and down. Hazie's also serves lunch daily.
Accommodation
Luxury
Steamboat GrandA massive, 4-star, resort-run hotel with huge condo-style rooms.
2300 Mt Werner Circle (opposite slopes)
Tel: (970) 871 5050 or 1 877 306 2628.
Website: www.steamboatgrand.com
Moderate
Bunkhouse LodgeA pleasant, sub-rustic hotel within walking distance of nightlife offering free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor hot tub.
3155 Lincoln Ave (edge of town)
Tel: (970) 871 9121 or 1 877 245 6343.
Website: www.thebunkhouselodge.com
Budget
Rabbit Ears MotelAn old-style motel with all the comforts, plus free breakfast.
201 Lincoln Ave (downtown)
Tel: (970) 879 1150 or 1 800 828 7702.
Website: www.rabbitearsmotel.com
Getting there
Nearest airports: Hayden (HDN); Denver (DEN).
Distances to resort: 37km (22 miles); 270km (170 miles).
Driving times: 30 minutes; 3 hours 30 minutes.
Distances to resort: 37km (22 miles); 270km (170 miles).
Driving times: 30 minutes; 3 hours 30 minutes.
Website
This resort is good for...
Intermediates, Experts, Families, Beginners, Snowboarders, Non-skiers, Snow reliability, Après ski
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