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Steamboat

2305 Mt. Werner Circle, Steamboat, 80487
Phone: 970-879-6111 Snow Report: 970-879-7300 (snow report)
Steamboat Website

by Eugene Buchanan

The term “Champagne powder®” was coined in Steamboat Springs, and the northwest Colorado town boasts more Winter Olympians (69 at last count) than anywhere else in the world. Coincidence? You do the math.

Here’s the lowdown on “Ski Town USA”: the resort is located far enough from the Front Range to avoid day traffic, yet receives the most consistent snowfall in the state (a record 483 inches in 2007/’08 alone). This means that there are rarely crowds to track it up.

But the best part is that it was a ranching town before it ever became a ski area. Its people are friendly and unpretentious, and you won’t find a fur coat anywhere. Perhaps no where is its neighborly ranching heritage better illustrated than during the town’s annual Cowboy Downhill, drawing rodeo stars from the world over, and Winter Carnival (Feb. 11-14), where kids get towed behind horses down Main Street and you can see the world’s only high school marching band on skis.

This same attitude permeates the mountain, where locals are as likely to show you their favorite stash as point you to the best happy hour. In keeping with its Olympic heritage, you can even ski with Olympians Billy Kidd and Nelson Carmichael.

Since its inception in 1963, the resort has grown into one of North America’s premier resorts with 165 trails, nearly 3,000 acres, 18 lifts, and 3,668 feet of vertical rise. While Colorado’s third-largest resort doesn’t offer any major Vail-like bowls, it makes up for it with consistent pitch and some of the world’s best tree skiing in Closets and Shadows, runs that will toast your legs before you’re toasting with the resort’s namesake champagne (picture schussing through aspen trees as if they were slalom gates). It’s also one of the most family-friendly resorts in the country, recently unveiling its new Mountain Watch system that lets you track your kids’ day on the slopes via GPS.

Locals routinely enact the powder clause whenever eight inches or more falls, with the two 2,000-vertical-foot high-speed quads of Sunshine and Storm Peak Express letting you knock off eight or nine runs in just two hours. While it might not boast the nightlife of Aspen, it has a solid après scene at the mountain’s base and the newly opened Ghost Ranch Saloon brings in such acts as the Reverend Horton Heat, Agent Orange and Sam Bush. There are also ample places to stay, from luxurious hotels to a wealth of slopeside condos and even urban loft-style rooms downtown. Tire of the main mountain and you can ski the city-owned Howelsen Hill downtown, skate on an Olympic-sized rink, Nordic ski, sleigh ride, dog sled or soak in the nearby Strawberry Park Hotsprings.

Getting there is as effortless as skiing its knee-deep powder. Nonstop flights connect it to such major cities as Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles, or you can drive three hours over Rabbit Ears Pass from Denver International Airport.

The City recently passed a $20 million revitalization project to redevelop the resort’s base, including new bus and shuttle stops; roundabout traffic features; and a redesigned Gondola Square Transit Center. Add to this $30 million in on-mountain improvements over the past four years, including the recent completion of the high-speed Christie six-pack, whisking skiers up from the base. Plenty of private developments are reaching fruition also, with One Steamboat Place, the Edgemont and a new gondola from Trailhead Lodge changing the face of the base village.

Combine this with its snow, friendliness and terrain, and you’ve got a place where you’ll always want to hang your hat.

*all photos courtesy of Larry Pierce and Steamboat

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Current Weather:

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Forecast:
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SKI CONDITIONS

Latest Report: 20110410T13:01:00
24hr Snowfall:
0		 Last Snowfall:
Apr 07 - 5"		 Surface:
No data
Base Depth:
-"		 Trails Open:
0		 Total Trails:
165
Percent Trails Open:
0%		 Lifts Open:
icon 0		 Total Lifts:
icon 20
Terrain Type:
Beginner:
26		 Intermediate:
68		 Advanced:
63		 Expert:
7
Elevation:
weather Peak Elevation:
10568 ft 224 m Vertical:
3668 ft 1118 m Base Elevation:
6900 ft 2103 m		 Total Acres:
2965 Total Miles:
65
Longest Run:
Why Not
3 Miles		 Easiest Run:
Preview		 Steepest Run:
Chute Two
Best Bumps:
Sundown Liftline		 Best Trail Name:
Hot Cakes		  
 

Air Travel

Steamboat offers nonstop flights from nine major airports on American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines with convenient connections nationwide and worldwide. With recent expansion and improvements at the Steamboat/Hayden Airport, Steamboat is the most conveniently accessed ski resort in Colorado.

Driving Directions

From Hayden Airport: The Hayden airport is located just a few miles east of Hayden and approximately 22 miles and 35 kilometers west of Steamboat Springs off Highway 40. From the airport, take the access road about 2 miles out to Highway 40 and turn right. Steamboat is about 22 miles east. There is no public bus service from the airport however, shuttle services are available.

From Denver: 157 miles Northwest of Denver, an easy 3 hour drive. Take I 70 west through the Eisenhower Tunnel to Silverthorne, Exit 205 (67 miles). Take CO 9 North to Kremmling (37 miles), then West on US 40 to Steamboat Springs (53 miles).

From Colorado Springs: 230 miles Northwest of Colorado Springs. Take I 25 north to C 470 (53 miles) then C 470 west to I 70 west (15 miles). Take I 70 west through the Eisenhower Tunnel to Silverthorne exit 205 (67 miles). Take CO 9 North to Kremmling (37 miles), then West on US 40 to Steamboat Springs (53 miles).

**Alternate Routes If Rabbit Ears Pass Is Closed: Take this route if US 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass is closed and you’re coming from Denver or Colorado Springs. Take I 70 west through the Eisenhower Tunnel to Silverthorne, exit 205 (67 miles). Take CO 9 North to Kremmling (37 miles). Head west on US 40 until the intersection with CO 134 (6 miles). Turn left and go over Gore Pass (CO 134). At Toponas, take Colorado 131 north to Steamboat Springs (40 miles). Or, take I 70 west (through Vail) until Exit 157. Take CO 131 North to Steamboat Springs (75 miles), then left on US 40 to town (4 miles).

From Fort Collins: Take CO 14 West, through Poudre Canyon, over Cameron Pass until Walden, CO. Take CO 14 (toward Steamboat Springs) until US 40, and turn right (West) over Muddy and Rabbit Ears Passes to Steamboat Springs.

From Grand Junction: Take I 70 West through Glenwood Springs and Eagle to Exit 157(117 miles). Take CO 131 North (75 miles) to US 40. Turn left on US 40 to Steamboat Springs (4 miles).

From Park City/Salt Lake City, UT: Take US 40/UT 189 South to Heber City, UT. Stay on US 40, Steamboat Springs is about 5 1/2 hours from Park City.

From Laramie, WY: Take WY 230 West (Snowy Range exit) through Mountain Home to the Wyoming/Colorado border, the road changes to CO 127. Stay on CO 127 to Walden. Take CO 14 West to US 40 at Muddy Pass and Rabbit Ears Pass to Steamboat Springs.

Shuttle Service & Private Transfers

GO Alpine Airport Shuttle: GO Alpine is dedicated to providing safe, prompt, and professional ground transportation services. GO Alpine meets all flights at the Yampa Valley Regional Airport (Hayden) in the winter and offers either shared ride shuttle service or private vehicle service to Steamboat. They also provide four daily scheduled, ride share shuttles to/from the Denver International Airport. Charter rates throughout Colorado are also available as well as local taxi service. GO Alpine offers convenient 24-hour reservation assistance and has been serving the community of Steamboat Springs since 1984.

Storm Mountain Express: Storm Mountain Express offers shuttle service, as well as private transfer service, including such amenities as TV, VCR or DVD and complimentary beverages. The primary goal is to provide a first class, safety oriented and affordable transportation service to and from Steamboat/Hayden Airport, Denver International Airport (DIA) and surrounding areas. Large group charter rates are available.

Steamboat Springs Transit (SST)

Getting around Steamboat is easy! For those without their own transportation, the City of Steamboat Springs offers a comprehensive system of FREE transportation between the ski area, downtown as well as most hotel, condominium, restaurant, grocery and entertainment locations. The ski area is located 3 miles/4.8kms southeast of downtown Steamboat Springs. The SST runs continuously from 7:00am til 1:45am daily, stopping at each location approximately every 20 minutes.  Call Steamboat Springs Transit for more information at 970-879-3717.

Lodging Property Shuttles

Many local lodging properties offer private shuttle service. The extent of the service varies by property.