by Michele Kadison

With an average of 30 feet of snowfall each season, Steamboat Springs is the ideal vacation spot for lovers of all things winter. And the snow that falls in Steamboat, is not your average type of snow. Meteorologists have measured Steamboat’s trademark “Champagne Powder” as containing 70% less moisture content than average snow, which means that here you have some of the fluffiest and driest snow in the world! And as if this were not attraction enough, Steamboat Springs boasts some of the best trails, terrain parks, and top-to-bottom snow coverage to be had anywhere!

Recognized by Ski Magazine as the #1 family resort in the west for four years in a row, Steamboat Springs boasts a 3,668 foot vertical drop, a three mile run, a high speed gondola, four high speed quads, six triple chairlifts, seven double chairlifts, and two surface tows. Some of the on-mountain amenities offered include a patrol, school, rentals, snowmaking, cafes, restaurants, bars, and a nursery.

Featured Attractions

Howelsen Hill Ski Area

Not to be missed is Howelsen Hill, home of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, one of the world’s most renowned organizations for producing national and Olympic champions. For the record, this club has produced 22 Olympians, 23 FIS competitors, four World Pro Circuit members, 14 members of the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame, and 14 National Ski Hall of Fame members. Opening in 1913 for the first Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival, Howelsen Hill has hosted many world cup events and national championships and lays claim to being the largest natural ski-jumping center in North America. The ski area offers 15 downhill trails and more than 25 kilometers of cross-country trails to choose from, making Howelsen one of the best touring centers in the world and a must when visiting Steamboat Springs.

Vital Stats: 440 foot vertical drop, a 5,208 foot run, one double chairlift, Pomalift, rope tow, five ski jumps, on-mountain patrol, and snowmaking.

Steamboat Ski Area

Steamboat Ski Area is located 7,000 feet high in the Colorado Rockies. As one of the largest ski mountains in North America, this locale is comprised of six peaks: Mount Werner, Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak, Thunderhead Peak, Pioneer Ridge, and Christie Peak. Boasting 142 trails, 3,600 vertical feet, and 2,939 acres, these peaks are filled with top-of-the-line groomed cruisers, bumps, steeps, open meadows, legendary tree skiing, and several terrain parks. Pioneer Ridge as well as Sunshine and Storm Peak are beautifully gladed, offering Champagne Powder snow in the trees for the powder addicted! With 339 inches of snow produced annually, the resort supplements this vast supply through its state-of-the-art snowmaking system in order to provide quality snow conditions from the top of the mountain to the base throughout the entire winter season.

SoBe Terrain Park

Serviced by its own chairlift, this Steamboat Springs park offers 11.8 acres of terrain for all levels of ability. Adjacent to Mavericks superpipe, SoBe boasts an outdoor sound system and a wide range of rails such as kinked, sliders, rainbows, S’s, mailboxes, and double barrels. For the novice rider, SoBe offers Mini-Mav, a five-foot wall miniature version of the superpipe.

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