STEAMBOAT
Ski & Snowboard Resort Review
Steamboat, CO , USA commonly known as Ski Town USA, is home to some of the world’s best ‘champagne powder’ snow.
Steamboat Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain
The terrain at Steamboat is spread across 5 mountains; it is the 2nd largest ski area in Colorado. Long wide groomed trails and beginner only areas are complimented by steep mogul courses, double black diamond powder filled chutes and endless treed terrain. The lift system is fast and efficient.
Advanced Skiing and Snowboarding
Steamboat has some of the best tree skiing and snowboarding in the world; from the top of the Sundown Chairlift head right through the pines which lead into the steeper Aspen Glade treed terrain, here you will find perfectly placed trees to slalom through all the way back down to the bottom of the chairlift.
For more tree skiing and snowboarding go right from the top of the Storm Peak Express Chairlift and pick your way through the pines, exploring powder lines right down back to the bottom of the chairlift.
For deep powder runs Kuus’ Cruise, to the right of the Sundown Express offers a multitude of lines as do the challenging chutes of the double black diamond Christmas Tree Bowl.
On powder mornings there can be a big rush for the gondola and upper mountain areas. If the line is really long take the Christies Chairlift for some nice quiet powdery topped warm up runs until the crowds disperse.
Intermediate Skiing and Snowboarding
Almost all of the intermediate trails at Steamboat are groomed nightly. The trails around the recently updated Sunshine Chairlift shoot out in all directions with wide open corduroy groomed terrain and for the more adventurous gentle tree sections which are great to explore after a good snowfall.
Steamboat also has 10 blue black trails which are the same gradient as a blue intermediate trails but groomed less frequently. These trails are a great way for intermediates to experience off piste powder skiing or snowboarding on a not too steep a gradient. The Pont Express Chairlift leads to some of these trails; Cinch, Flying Z Gulch and the long Longhorn Trail.
Beginner Skiing and Snowboarding
There are 25 beginner trails at Steamboat with a gentle slope gradient of between 8 to 25% all are groomed nightly.
In 2007 the Christie Peak Express Chairlift was replaced with a high speed six passenger chairlift. The chairlift not only improves early morning congestion during peak holiday times but has a mid-station perfect for beginners giving easy access to the lower base area and the wide and gentle Headwall beginner trails.
The Steamboat Ski and Snowboard School offers lessons for first timers and children as young as 1st grade. At Steamboat children 12 years or under ski for free when a parent purchases a 5 day lift pass.
It can be very cold at Steamboat as it is located in the middle of the desert. This is an advantage in keeping dry powder for longer but also means the temperature remains very cold for the entire day. Ensure you have warm clothing before you hit the slopes.
Free Skiing and Snowboarding Tours of Steamboat
Mountain Tours depart every day at 10.30am from the Mountain Tours sign at the top of the Gondola. They go for 1 ½ hours and are for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders only.
There are also the ‘Over The Hill Gang’ tours, where anyone over the age of 50 years old can have guided skiing tours for free.
Steamboat Terrain Parks and Halfpipe
The freestyle ski and snowboard facilities at Steamboat are excellent. Mavericks Super Pipe is renowned as one of the best superpipes in the world; it is 650 feet long and 50 feet wide.
The accompanying huge terrain park boasts enormous kickers with plenty of hits, rails, sliders and a mini beginner half pipe.
There are also permanent mogul training runs and aerial training facilities.
Other Activities at Steamboat
There are many off the slope activities at Steamboat including; bowling, frozen waterfall climbing tours, fly fishing, snow tubing, helicopter scenic rides, cross country skiing, horse riding, winter driving school, snow shoeing and hot air ballooning.
Snowmobile day tours are a great way to spend a day off, the snowmobiles are easy to control and a good way to take in the scenery.
Don’t miss Strawberry Park Hot Springs where you can soak in natural hot springs then get an hour long massage to sooth those aching muscles.
A great week to vacation in Steamboat is during the Steamboat Annual Winter Carnival. It has been an annual event for the past 90 years. Activities include the “skijoring” race where the main street downtown is covered in snow and skiers are pulled by horses through a slalom course. Other activities include ski jumping, dual slalom bicycle racing, chariot racing and fireworks displays.
Shopping at Steamboat
Steamboat has many ski and snowboard equipment and hire shops in the Mountain Area and Downtown as well as fashion boutiques, antique stores, art galleries and toy and furniture shops. There are liquor stores and large chain grocery markets, Safeway will even deliver your groceries to your condominium before you arrive.
Steamboat Restaurants
There are 75 restaurants and bars at Steamboat with cuisine ranging from American to Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Continental, South Western, steaks, seafood and an Australian BBQ grill.
In the Mountain Area the Cabin restaurant, at the Steamboat Grand Hotel, serves local Colorado cuisine and native wild game complemented by an enormous international wine list and delicious desserts.
The Bear River Bar and Grill, in Gondola Square, is open for lunch and après ski and serves some of the best burgers you will ever taste. They have a large outdoor sundeck which is always full on sunny days.
For the romantics catch the Gondola up then be whisked away by a horse drawn sleigh to Ragners Restaurant for a 5 course Scandinavian dinner whilst absorbing the beautiful views of the Yampa Valley’s night lights.
The majority of restaurants at Steamboat are Downtown; Harwigs & Lapogee is one of the finest restaurants in Steamboat, with modern international cuisine, top service and a private dining room in the cellar.
Mazzola’s Majestic Italian Diner is really popular; it is full to the rafters every night. They serve pastas, gourmet pizzas and calzone.
Johnny B. Good’s Diner is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving quick meals and great thick shakes.
Steamboat Nightlife
There is a lot to do after dinner at Steamboat; catch a movie Downtown; sip a cocktail in the Steamboat Grand Hotel or see a comedy act at the Bear River Bar in Gondola Square.
Levelz Nightclub, located in the Mountain Area, is the place to go for dancing; it has live bands and DJs every night. The Tub Boat Saloon, also located in the Mountain Area, attracts large crowds after 10pm with various live music acts playing regularly throughout the season.
Downtown the popular Mahogany Ridge Brewery has 8 brews available on tap while the Tap House Sports Bar and Grill has tasty bar snacks and huge TV screens showing the latest football, ice hockey and basket ball games.
Those who really want a big night go on a pub crawl starting at the Mountain Area and continue Downtown - just prepared for a very late night!
New for 2008/2009 at Steamboat
Steamboat resort management has invested $27+ million in resort upgrades since the 2006/2007 winter season.
Existing trails have been regraded with shrubs removed ensuring even smoother groomed corduroy runs.
Steamboat’s snowmaking system has been upgraded with new pipes laid expected to last at least 50 years. The new system is more water efficient, more environmentally efficient and durable than the old system.
Additional snow groomers have been purchased with superior traction resulting in a top corduroy groomed result with 3 machines dedicated purely to the terrain park and superpipe.
More About Steamboat
Your Steamboat Ski & Snowboard Resort Reviews
P. Francis, CO. March 2006 Home of the best dry powder on earth! I've ridden at Steamboat for many years and am constantly amazed how every season it seems to get better and better. I think I almost know every secret powder spot there is until I find another one! For those who haven't ridden there before I would recommend getting a free Billy Kidd guided tour for the first day, so you can get your bearings. Christmas Tree Bowl and the 3 Chutes would have to be my most challenging and awesome rides on the mountain. My partner doesn't ski everyday, she loves to go shopping downtown or book in at the spa at the Grand Hotel for treatments. Steamboat has top service in all respects, happy friendly staff, top quality restaurants, endless winter activities and a top ski school. We stay at the Sheraton Morningside condos and always use the Grocery home delivery service before we go so once we arrive we have everything we want!
C. Jones, United Kingdom, Feb 2006 I LOVED LOVED LOVED STEAMBOAT, I arrived as a relative beginner and after 7 days left as an intermediate skier. I had lessons everyday with the nicest group of people and the most handsome instructor in the world. I stayed Downtown and each day hopped on the bus to the base area, found my group and skied all day. The apres ski started by 4pm with a beer and a 'bear burger' at The Bear River Bar then flowed on from there, I'm sure I went to every bar at the Condo area as well as Downtown! The mountain staff were all very helpful and courteous. The only downside, if you can call it that, was it was absolutely freezing late at night and until about 10am in the morning. I think I had about 6 layers on every morning waiting for the bus - ladies, make sure you dry your hair properly in the mornings I think if you went out with wet hair it could snap off.
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Statistics |
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Elevation |
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Average
Snowfall |
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400
inches |
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Lifts |
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18 |
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Trails
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Map |
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Terrain
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Halfpipe |
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1
super pipe, 1 mini |
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Terrain
Park |
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1 |
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Resort
Website |
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