According to legend, 19th-century fur trappers in the Yampa Valley heard a chugging noise that sounded like riverboat steam engines. It emanated from Colorado's only natural mineral geyser spouting high across the Yampa River, and gave the town its name. Steamboat Springs is now Colorado's northern-most ski resort, a sprawling mountain with all the amenities skiers have come to expect. There's a lively village, plenty of high-speed quad-chair lifts, a gondola, and lots of terrain. Steamboat is especially proud of its authentic western town that existed long before skiing put it on the map.< ... More
Luxury Colorado resort just steps from the chairlift, offering year-round activities – Experience the height of luxury is at the newly renovated resort. Steamboat Spring’s only ski in/ski out full-service hotel has well-appointed guest rooms with a king or two queen beds, suites, 1 and 2-bedroom Village Inn condominiums, and 2 and 3-bedroom luxury villas. The resort features complimentary ski storage, rooftop hot tubs, a 60-foot outdoor heated pool, two restaurants, and an Italian coffee shop.
The Steamboat Grand Resort offers brand new, beautifully appointed guest rooms, suites and penthouses, with a professional staff that will cater to your every need and want.
This condo resort combines fine country living & first class service. In addition to a premier location at the base Mt Werner, you’ll enjoy the gym, hot tub, Steamboat ski shuttle & more.
3-story condominium resort at the base of the Steamboat Ski Resort – Take in panoramic views of Mount Werner and the Yampa Valley from this comfortable and traditional condominium resort. It's conveniently located 200 yards from the Steamboat gondola and 300 yards from Ski Time Square restaurants and shops. In addition to almost 3,000 skiable acres, Steamboat offers the premier Mavericks Superpipe.
Take a swim in the outdoor heated pool, relax in the hot tub, and have a massage at this ski-in/walk-out condo resort. Each unit has a private balcony, a full kitchen, and a gas fireplace.
This popular condo resort, with a mountain lodge ambience, has a spa, an outdoor heated pool, a hot tub, and a fitness center. Recreation, dining, entertainment, and shopping are nearby.
These 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom condos, with easy access to recreation, dining, and entertainment, are ideal for families and groups. The property has a sundeck with gas grills and 2 hot tubs.
Just 100 yards from the base of Mount Werner, these spacious, multi-level condos are conveniently located for year-round outdoor recreation. Slip into one of 2 hot tubs for some relaxation and watery socializing.
Spend time playing in the fresh mountain air, and then relax in the outdoor hot tub or indoor sauna at this ski-in/ski-out condo complex. The European chalet ambience is enchanting.
Families like this ski-in/ski-out condo resort with its full kitchens, gas fireplaces, and affordable rates. There are indoor and outdoor hot tubs, saunas, and daily housekeeping services.
According to legend, 19th-century fur trappers in the Yampa Valley heard a chugging noise that sounded like riverboat steam engines. It emanated from Colorado's only natural mineral geyser spouting high across the Yampa River, and gave the town its name. Steamboat Springs is now Colorado's northern-most ski resort, a sprawling mountain with all the amenities skiers have come to expect. There's a lively village, plenty of high-speed quad-chair lifts, a gondola, and lots of terrain. Steamboat is especially proud of its authentic western town that existed long before skiing put it on the map.
With north- and west-facing trails, most of Steamboat's terrain is shielded from direct sun, contributing to the snow's staying power. Wind usually directs loose snow into the troughs of moguls, making for some wonderfully soft turns. The big action is at Mt. Werner, with fantastic tree-skiing, wide-open cruisers, and plenty of bumps. The aspen groves between Storm and Sunshine Peaksare glorious glade temples, rarely crowded and perfectly spaced. When the snow melts, the ski area is open for hikers and mountain bikers, tubing down the Yampa River, horseback riding, fishing, and more. There are also frequent events like professional rodeos, but mostly Steamboat is cherished for the balance between its modest, nostalgic town and its great ski resort.
You can choose to fly into Denver or Hayden. Driving time from Denver to Steamboat Springs is 3.5 hours; from Hayden to Steamboat Springs is 30 minutes.
New York City 4.25 hrs
Miami 4.5 hrs
Philadelphia 4.25 hrs
Boston 4.5 hrs
Los Angeles 2.25 hrs
Chicago 2.75 hrs
Dallas-Fort Worth 2 hrs
San Francisco 2.5 hrs
Steamboat Ski Area: This is where the champagne powder pours, and skiers come to play in it with the help of 20 lifts, including 4 high-speed quads and a gondola. Skiers enjoy 142 trails across 2,939 acres, roughly half of them intermediate, on a 3,668-foot vertical drop.
Medicine Bow/Routt National Forest: Situated within this public land, Steamboat is the perfect gateway to the wilderness ecosystem, rich with opportunity for year-round fun like hiking, mountain biking, bird-watching, and fishing. Nearby attractions include the 283-foot Fish Creek Falls and the rugged allure of the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area. To the north are Steamboat and Peal Lakes, bustling with fishermen and sailors from late spring to early autumn.
Howelsen Ski Area: This tiny historic ski area right in Steamboat is Colorado's oldest. Your first impression of its 3 lifts, 15 trails, and 440-foot vertical may not be overwhelming but this is, in fact, the largest ski-jumping complex in America, and a major Olympic training ground.
Ski Touring Center: Cross-country skiers focus on these 18 miles at the base of Mt. Werner below the Steamboat Ski Area, where groomed trails for Nordic skiing wind alongside beautiful Fish Creek and the surrounding countryside. These gentle rolling trails offer just the right mix of diverse and challenging terrain.
The Steamboat Ski Area is located in Medicine Bow/Routt National Forest in northwest Colorado. It is actually a complete mountain range comprised of Mount Werner, Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak, Thunderhead Peak, Pioneer Ridge, and Christie Peak, totaling 2,939 acres of diverse skiable terrain. Gladed areas of Sunshine and Storm Peaks are Steamboat's particular claim to fame, with "champagne powder" scattered among the trees. There are 142 named trails covering over 65 miles with a base elevation of 6,900 feet and a vertical rise of 3,668 feet, which is the second highest in Colorado.
Steamboat Springs' extreme altitude and alpine climate cycle through the four distinct seasons, each with its own beauty and related activities. According to 80 years of weather records, Steamboat Springs has the least variable weather pattern in Colorado, and snowfall ranges from 170-450 inches per year. Summer is known for mild temperatures, cool evenings, and low precipitation.
Spring 51°
Summer 74°
Fall 56°
Winter 24°
The famous "champagne powder" covers the slopes from November to April, but summers are a wonderful and little-known secret. The mountains are blanketed with wildflowers and festivals fill the valley, creating a whole new playground for outdoor folks. Temperatures are warmest and wildflowers are at their peak in July and August, when resorts are amazingly uncrowded. Also, many locals say their favorite month is September, when autumn sets the aspen leaves ablaze in gold and scarlet hues.
Ski & Snowboard: Steamboat Springs is Ski Town USA. It has produced 52 Olympian skiers and is the permanent home of 38 Olympian skiers who hone their skills on the famed champagne powder. Renowned for having the world's best tree skiing, Steamboat attracts hundreds of skiers and snowboarders to its 142 trails across 2,939 acres on a 3,668 vertical drop. 20 lifts, including 4 high-speed quads and a gondola, take skiers to the top, where a clear day reveals endless open countryside miles from civilization.
Historic Wild West: Steamboat Springs began to be settled in the 1800s, when fur trappers were drawn to the mountainous area in search of prize game. The perfect skiing conditions were later recognized, and Howelsen became Colorado's first ski area. Although small overall, it is in fact the largest ski-jumping complex in North America, and an Olympic training ground. Strawberry Park Hot Springs is an old thermal spring that has long attracted people to its relaxing mountainside pools. More so than other ski areas in the region, Steamboat Springs proudly retains it wild west charm, and although fully developed for skiing, very little has changed over the decades.
Active Pursuits: Beyond skiing and snowboarding, there are loads of winter activities for all, including cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, sleigh riding, and dog sledding. When spring starts melting the snow and ice, Steamboat becomes a totally different kind of resort area, attracting fishermen to the brooks and streams, and nature lovers to the great outdoors. There's horseback rising, hiking, river rafting, and even hot air ballooning. Fishermen find an abundance or rainbow, brook, brown, and cutthroat trout in the Yampa Valley and nearby streams and ponds. There's even the 18-hole Sheraton Golf Course for the golfer fanatics. No matter the season, Steamboat is always open for those wishing to explore the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain of northernColorado.
Skiing "The Boat": Colorado residents say this area is their favorite because it has the best powder and it's a big mountain with a variety of runs catering to all skill levels. A favorite intermediate trail is Buddy's Run on Storm Peak, but the 142 trails on 2,939 acres of champagne powder with a 3,668-foot vertical allow for lots of favorites!
Cross-Country Skiing: Eighteen miles of groomed ski and snowshoe trails challenge skiers to try something new. The touring center has a ski shop, school, and rental facility to have you ready in a flash for backcountry tours.
Snowmobile Tours: Travel with guides from peak to peak through snow-covered meadows and mountain roadways with endless miles of 360° Kodak-moments along the Continental Divide. Snowsuits, boots, goggles, helmets, and lunch on the longer trips are provided.
Sleigh Rides: Nestle under warm blankets and glide through the night forest on a horse-drawn sleigh. Along the way, you'll stop for a tasty home-cooked western dinner prepared and served at a heated site on the trail. Western entertainment while you eat completes the evening.
Dog Sledding: Learn to command your team of Siberian Huskies on a thrilling ride through the Yampa Valley or just snuggle back under the blankets and leave the driving to the pros, whichever you prefer!
Strawberry Park Hot Springs: The perfect place to relax after a strenuous day of skiing, tailor-made by Mother Nature.
Horseback Riding: Join professional wranglers in the great western outdoors. Ride on deer and elk trails, along the Yampa River, and across streams. You'll see lots of wildlife, so bring a camera! No riding experience necessary.
Hiking: Hike the trails you love to ski! Once the snow melts, you can take the gondola or chairlift up the mountain and hike around the summit, or on the quiet trails passing high lakes, sunny peaks, and rushing streams.
Rafting: Floating and picnicking along the Colorado River in the Yampa Valley is an experience you'll never forget! Expert guides are available on request.
Fishing: Large rainbow, brook, brown, and cutthroat trout are just some of the catches you can look forward to on the Yampa River and valley streams. Local guides are famous for their enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of the local waters.
Golf: The 18-hole Sheraton Golf Course is a 6,906-yard championship course designed by Robert Trent Jones and surrounded by the distracting beauty of the surrounding Rockies - a perfect excuse for balls that shoot astray!
Hot Air Ballooning: Float up, up, and away above the Yampa Valley for a stunning view of the mountains and valley during a crisp sunrise or long-shadowed sunset flight.
There's no shortage of variety and good food on this mountain, so you can count on good eats whether you're a family looking for casual and affordable options, a group of friends looking for a party-time meal, or a couple looking for an intimate, romantic spot. And of course, the incredible view is part and parcel of even the most humble burger and fries!
Gourmet
Antares is housed in a splendid Victorian building with fieldstone walls, frosted windows, stained glass, and pressed-tin ceilings. The eclectic cuisine is an inspired mix of recipes from America's rich ethnic stew. Tasty dishes are as diverse as elk medallions with a Bing cherry-Merlot sauce, and Maine lobster over chili pepper linguine. The food is complemented by a respectable wine list. 57½ 8th Street
The Cabin: Come and sample chef Chris Wyant's award winning Colorado cooking. Unique interpretations of alpine cuisine, including aged Midwestern prime beef, chops, native wild game, and jet fresh seafood, are served in a comfortable Rocky Mountain setting complimented by a large selection of wines and desserts. The Cabin has received the prestigious Wine Spectator Award Of Excellence for 2002, 2003, and 2004, and is open nightly for dinner during the winter season. Reservations are a must, as this is one of Steamboat’s most popular restaurants. 1475 Pine Grove Road
Highly Recommended
Montana's: Mexican/Southwestern specialties fused with a traditional menu have made La Montana's one of Steamboat's most popular eateries. All the food, like the Red Chile Pasta, is homemade and has been featured in Gourmet, Bon Appetit, and other magazines. Enjoy summer dining on the beautiful deck. Apres Ski Way & Village Drive
Ragnar's: More an experience than a restaurant, dinner at Ragnar's is the quintessential Colorado night out. Let the Steamboat Gondola whisk you to a waiting sleigh that takes you to your table. Enjoy five-course meals with a Scandinavian flair. Venison, pork, veal, meatballs, a selection of soups, and more mark a menu of Norwegian Mountain cuisine. Live acoustic entertainment accompanies your meal. 1475 Pine Grove Road
Local Flair
Steamboat Smokehouse is more than a place to go for a meal, it's a place to go for a raucous good time with live music and great food, to be exact. The party atmosphere might fool you into thinking it's just a bar but the finger-lickin' good BBQ and hickory-smoked meats make clear that this place is first and foremost about western home-cooking. 912 Lincoln Avenue
Western BBQ: Steamboat’s original western-style BBQ buffet is found at the top of the Steamboat gondola. Come on up and enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet with a full service bar. Dance to the music of a live country/western band until 10pm, and enjoy a complimentary ride on the Steamboat Gondola. The menu consists of traditional favorites, like ribs, chicken, salmon, and more. The warm western hospitality and outstanding views of the Yampa Valley complete the experience. 1475 Pine Grove Road
Romantic
L'Apogee is an excellent French restaurant lit with flickering candles glinting off rose walls. Steamboat's most intimate dining room serves well-crafted classic fare with Asian influences like roast duckling with orange-blossom honey. The wine cellar is cited by Wine Spectator as one of America's best! 911 Lincoln Avenue
Hazie's: An elegant atmosphere high in the Rockies makes for an exceptional evening meal you'll always remember. This alpine bistro, named for the mother of 3 Olympians, serves special continental dinners above the sparkling lights of the Yampa Valley below. Ribeye steaks, crab cakes, roast chicken, and other hearty entrees befit the western setting. Take your time and embrace your loved one as you gaze across the mountains of Colorado. 1475 Pine Grove Road.
Sunset is your cue to slow down and relax. Choose your pleasure from a moonlight amble, a pint of lager in a cozy pub, chilling at the pool hall, popcorn and a movie, playing up to a comedian, a soak in a hot spring, and so on. The flip side of Steamboat's slopes is all about winding down, and the resort comes through with choices for everyone.
Steamboat Dinner Theater: Catch this hilarious production of the award-winning play, Greater Tuna, performed by local actors every Friday and Saturday.
Stoker Comedy Club: Big-name comedians from Comedy Works in Denver perform every Friday and Saturday night, and for a small price you get a gondola ride, free appetizers, and the show!
Old Town Pub: Great bands liven up the mountain nights while you share a brew and juicy burgers at this local's hang-out.
Slopeside Grill: Some of the best entertainment on the mountain, including live music nightly from jazz to reggae.
Steamboat Brewery: Lots of homemade ales are on tap here, along with lagers, porters, stouts, and excellent pub grub!
Heavenly Daze: Three levels of good times are yours to check out with a brew pub on the bottom level, a pool hall/rock club/disco combination on the top floor, and a restaurant in between.
The Cowboy Downhill: This crowd-favorite is probably the most popular event in Steamboat, drawing even more spectators than the World Cup! January
Nordic Combined World Cup: The action kicks off with individual jumps on the 70-meter/K88 hill and 7.5k individual cross-country sprints. The competition then moves to the 90-meter/K112 "big hill" and the 15k cross-country race. January
Winter Carnival: A week-long celebration of winter with downhill and cross-country races, jumps, chariot races, ice hockey, and broomball. The carnival culminates with a fantastic night show, fireworks, and the famous Lighted Man. February
Yampa River Festival: Every year there's a kayak rodeo, slalom, and the favorite Crazy River Dog Contest. June
Sore Saddle Bike Festival: Weekend festivities include a GT air show, trials, group rides, and children's events. June
ProRodeo Series: Professional rodeo cowboys compete for prize money and silver buckles in bareback and saddle riding, calf, steer and team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and bull riding. June - August
Cowboy Roundup Days: One of Steamboat Springs' oldest traditions, these roundup days salute the spirit of the Old West. Events include parades, firework displays, flapjack feed, entertainment, a cattle drive through town, and rodeos. July 1-4
Strings in the Mountains Festival of Music: An ambitious line-up of award-winning musicians entertain the crowds with chamber music, jazz, country, bluegrass, pop, world, and children's music. July - August
Rainbow Weekend: Steamboat's most colorful weekend is famed for its Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park events. July
Casual clothes are appropriate pretty much everywhere throughout the year, with the occasional need for "smart casual" in a few upscale restaurants. Layered clothing and a medium-gauge jacket are the best choice for spring and autumn, with loose, light clothing in summer, and heavy, layered, waterproof clothing and boots in winter.
Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association: 1255 S Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477, phone 970-879-0880 or toll-free 800-922-2722