Steamboat Resort Guide

Significant investments to the resort’s infrastructure over the past years have complemented the array of recent private developments that have swept the mountain village, and the Steamboat Promenade, a slope-side heated walking path from Torian Plum Plaza to One Steamboat Place, has transformed the gondola base area. Visitors will love the new bars and restaurants on the mountain and downtown, too.

Nestled 7,000 feet up in the Colorado Rockies is one of North America's largest ski mountains filled with world-class groomed cruisers, celebrated bumps, breathtaking steeps, magnificent open meadows and tree skiing/riding that is quite simply the best in the world.

Never far from its ranching roots, Steamboat-Ski Town, USA with its famed abundant Champagne Powder snow provides more than one million guests each winter access to 182 trails for all ability levels spread over six peaks serviced by a state-of-the-art lift system.

• Steamboat holds the trademark for 'Champagne Powder snow'. They get an average of 8.5m of light, dry, deep snow each winter!
• Steamboat offers 3,741 acres for your skiing and snowboarding pleasure with 23 lifts, 182 named pistes and hundreds of acres of off-piste terrain, including our world-famous tree skiing and riding.
• The town of Steamboat Springs, home of Steamboat ski and snowboard resort, is real Old West America, with about 10,000 friendly locals and over 100 restaurants, pubs and nightclubs, 2 full-service supermarkets, plenty of purveyors of wine and spirits, clothing and speciality shops and 10 cinema screens.
• Steamboat is an excellent option for families (kids ski free), couples and groups of all skill levels of skiing and snowboarding.

Steamboat is more than just a big mountain; it's an authentic western town that serves as a constant reminder that the Old West is alive and well. Founded over 100 years ago, it’s a place where you’ll find every modern amenity and plenty of old-fashioned courtesies.

Historic downtown is a place where gourmet restaurants alternate with casual cafés, boutiques, galleries, museums and retail stores, many of which have been in business for generations.

Whether your taste buds run to the wild and exotic or the quick and easy, Steamboat boasts over 100 bars and restaurants to take care of even the most discriminating appetite. It’s a great place to try local favourites such as elk, buffalo and Rocky Mountain trout.

No visit to Steamboat is complete without a ride on the Steamboat Gondola to a special treat at Hazie's (one of USA Today’s top ten mountaintop restaurants); Ragnar's with award-winning continental cuisine and wines, or the mountain-top Western family experience of the Western BBQ, all enhanced by spectacular views of the Yampa Valley below:

Hazie’s: All the ingredients for an exceptional evening come together at Hazie's, one of USA Today’s top ten mountaintop restaurants. Elegance and atmosphere combine to make this a dinner you’ll always remember. This high alpine bistro, named after Hazie Werner, mother of three Olympians, offers the perfect setting to savour a special three-course, set-priced dinner while enjoying the sparkling lights of the Yampa Valley below.

Ragnar’s: Experience the quintessential Colorado evening. Let the Steamboat Gondola whisk you to a waiting sleigh that draws you underneath starry skies to Ragnar’s. Enjoy a five-course continental cuisine dinner with a Scandinavian flavour and live acoustic entertainment.

Western BBQ: If you’re into a lively, fun-filled evening, the Western BBQ features live country western music and dancing. The Western BBQ, atop the Steamboat Gondola, is open Friday through Sunday evenings and additional holidays, mid-December through early April.

If you're staying in one of Steamboat's condos you may want to pre-book a delivery of groceries, this not only saves you time but also takes away some of the stress of settling into resort:

The Grocery Company of Steamboat: Steamboat Springs' oldest grocery delivery service, ready to help you start your vacation the moment you arrive!

Fridge Fillers: Why spend your vacation time in the grocery store? Let Fridge Fillers do your grocery shopping for you and give you a sampling of Steamboat's best local speciality shops as well! At no added charge they include delivery from quality stores such as Fuzziwigs, The Colorado Bagel Company, Steamboat Seafood Co., Cellar Liquors, Healthy Solutions, etc!

Ski Town Grocery: No parking lots, no lines, no hassles. Let Ski Town Grocery take the stress of shopping out of your vacation...

Grocery Moms: Fresh, friendly, and fast. Grocery Gals is the reliable, professional and economical grocery delivery choice in Steamboat Springs! We will shop and deliver your groceries before you arrive in Steamboat Springs any time of the year!

Together, historic downtown Steamboat and the mountain village unveil a diverse and unique array of boutiques, galleries, jewellery, speciality stores and shopping experiences, all ideally located in a pedestrian-friendly mountain setting. From exclusive designer items to budget-conscious souvenirs, Steamboat appeals to all levels of shopper from the die-hard to the casual window browser. You'll also find two full-service supermarkets, ten beer, wine and liquor stores and a Walmart.

Mountain tours - The resort’s Ambassador staff offer Free Mountain Tours every day at 10:30am. Intermediate and advanced skiers and riders are welcome and tours last about an hour and a half.

No lift lines - 7 days a week! Steamboat is just far enough from Denver and other Colorado urban centres to avoid day-trippers, and that means more fresh lines for you.

Snow - If you wake up on a powder day you need to get your skates on and make some fresh tracks - grab a coffee and a muffin and have breakfast on the way up! Closet, Shadows and Twilight are fabulous tree runs named on the piste map, but ask a local to direct you to these: Two-Thirty, Twistercane, Broadway Trees and everywhere on Pioneer Ridge off the Pony Express lift. And check out the edges of Flintlock for a gentle cruise through the forest.

First Tracks - For the really early powder birds, enjoy half an hour of blissful intimacy with the mountain before the Gondola opens to the public.

Steamboat Powdercats - Just 25 minutes from downtown Steamboat Springs, access the mellow terrain at Buffalo Pass for snowcat skiing at its finest in Colorado's backcountry.

Snowboarders adore Steamboat! - The Mavericks Terrain Park is great with a regulation superpipe, boarder-cross course, walls, tabletops and a chairlift right in the park. There are also hardly any evil flat spots!

Best kept secret - Steamboat has a lesser-known ski area on Howelsen Hill. Located in downtown Steamboat it also offers night-skiing. For cross-country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts, the trails at the Howelsen Sports complex may be your favourite spot.

Improve your technique - We highly recommend Steamboat’s ski school programmes. Taking a course will hugely increase your enjoyment of your holiday, whatever your ability level. Steamboat Ski School is located at the base of the gondola. Book early over peak dates.

• Steamboat and Winter Park Two Resort pass - covering Steamboat and Winter Park
• Steamboat only lift ticket

The resort’s Ambassador staff offer Mountain Tours Sunday to Tuesday 10am to 12pm. You must be comfortable on blue runs. 13+ $20, 10-12 $10 (or free with an Adult purchase). Must be booked online in advance. All proceeds given to non-profits.

Colour grooming maps are produced every morning. This useful tool shows the trails that have been groomed overnight as well as the daily weather, snow conditions, when the half pipe is cut and whether or not Billy Kidd or Nelson Carmichael are skiing today. The grooming report is available at several convenient locations around the mountain.

Whether you want to keep track of little ones in Ski & Snowboard School or the amount of vertical on that epic powder day, Flaik's Steamboat Mountain Watch is the perfect tool. Using proven GPS technology, Flaik's Steamboat Mountain Watch is able to track skier location along with vertical feet, speed and distance. Click for further details.

Thunderhead Food Court - On the 3rd floor of the upper gondola terminal, the Thunderhead Food Court offers a variety of lunch choices including: healthy entrées, salad bar, burgers, pizza & snacks. The Sundeck BBQ offers expansive outdoor seating and breathtaking views.

Rendezvous Food Court - Located halfway down High Noon, the Rendezvous Saddle offers two floors of lunch choices. The upper loft level features Mexican specialities and pizza, while the main level provides pasta, stews, salad bar, sandwiches, soups, burgers and potato bar. The Sundeck BBQ is Northwest Colorado’s most popular “beach” resort.

4 Points Hut - Located atop the Four Points Lift on Storm Peak, the Four Points Hut is the ideal place for tasty and healthy refuelling with a view. Warm up with chilli, soup, hot dogs, drinks, draft beer, cappuccino and snacks from 9:15am to 3:30pm. If it’s one of those beautiful Colorado bluebird days, then sit back and enjoy the outdoor BBQ with a vista as far as the eye can see. They also make a delicious Bloody Mary.

In Steamboat, we believe the best way to ski like a champion is to learn from one. The Steamboat Ski & Snowboard School has more Olympians and Olympic coaches on staff than any other resort in the U.S. Steamboat’s program is recognized as one of the finest in the world, with over 400 instructors trained in PSIA and the latest learning techniques. Consistently rated as one of the best in the industry, the resort offers a full line of clinics to suit all ages and ability levels.

Steamboat’s kids’ programs are recognized as some of the top kids’ programs around by parents and kids alike. The resort’s specially trained, kid-friendly staff care about your child’s experience and gives parents the confidence of knowing their kids are in good hands and having a great time. In addition, every child in the resort’s Ski & Snowboard School receives a Steamboat MountainWatch tracking device while in the program.

Could your child be the next Olympian? There’s no better place to start them on their way than through the Steamboat Ski & Snowboard School and Kids’ Vacation Center. Even before unveiling its revolutionary Steamboat Mountain Watch technology, Steamboat has an international reputation for the best children’s programs in the country and was ranked the #1 Family Resort in North America in the latest SKI Magazine reader polls.

The Kids’ Vacation Center (KVC) One-Stop Check-In Centre allows parents to purchase clinics, equipment rentals and lift tickets for their children all in one location. Whether they’re a recent arrival to skiing or an experienced skier, taking care of our littlest guests has always been a priority at Steamboat.

Everyone loves the community’s family-friendly restaurants, small town safety and ambience along with a host of children’s activities.

Kids Ski Free - Steamboat’s Kids Ski Free™ and Grandkids Ski Free programs enable children 12 years of age and under to ski free the same number of days as their parents/grandparents when parents/grandparents purchase a 5-or-more day adult lift ticket. One free child per paid parent/grandparent.

Kids Rent Free - One kid 12 or under rents free with each five-day parental adult rental; certain restrictions apply. Special rates are available for kids who do not participate in Kids Ski Free rental programs. Rentals are available at the Kids’ Vacation Centre.

Kids-Only Terrain & Lifts - Steamboat has 5 kids-only lifts and 2 special beginner teaching areas with their own Magic Carpet lifts. More advanced kids access the entire mountain, including kids-only ski terrain at Rough Rider Basin with its own lift plus Indian teepees, a frontier-style fort and the Beehive - a kids’ terrain park.

The Champagne Powder® snow and fabulous skiing and snowboarding that have made Steamboat world-famous are backed by an abundance of activities for all to enjoy.

Concerts - Steamboat rocks this winter with an incredible line-up of concerts at various locations, including the new permanent stage located at the base of the Steamboat ski area, as well as many of the local music venues downtown and on the mountain.

Hot Air Balloon Tours - Imagine the view as you soar high above town and the mountains around Steamboat! Half hour or full hour Yampa Valley flights are available. Continental breakfast, champagne ceremony with flight certificates and courtesy pick-up are included.

Hot Springs - At the end of an active day, a relaxing soak in a natural hot springs mineral pool can be just what your sore muscles need. The natural hot springs at Old Town or Strawberry Park are two of our many natural treasures.

Sleigh Rides - Snuggle deep in the blankets as you take an incredible sleigh ride through the beautiful Rocky Mountain countryside. In the evening, it will seem like you can touch the stars as you glide across the Champagne Powder® snow.

Snowmobile Tours - Take a day off from skiing and try something different. Snowmobiling is not only fun and easy to learn, it enables you to see some incredible local scenery. A two-hour dinner ride is also a great family option.

Snowshoe Tours - Take a beautiful guided winter snowshoe tour! Options available include: a guided tour on Mt. Werner with a gourmet lunch included, Half-Day and Full-Day tours at various locations and a Full Moon Tour.

Spa Services - Relax and indulge yourself on your day off from the slopes with a spa visit. Whether you want a deep-tissue massage to ease your tired muscles, a herbal wrap or a rejuvenating facial, this is the perfect getaway.

Winter Gondola Adventure Zone - We're always introducing the latest in thrills and adventures to our lineup! Stop by the base of the ski area and check out the Slingshot Bungee Jump and the East Face Climbing Wall.