Steamboat Springs Colorado (US)

Ski Resort Review, Information and Guide

Description | Terrain | Terrain Parks | Village & Shopping | Links

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Steamboat Summary:

Base:	6,900ft 2,103m
Summit:	10,568ft 3,224m
Vertical:	3,668ft 1118m
Ski area:	2,965 acres
Trails:	164
Total Lifts:	17
Terrain parks:	1
Snowfall:	334"
	848 cm

Runs/trails:

Beginner:	14%
Intermediate:	42%
Advanced:	44%

Daily Report:

Status:	closed

Status:

closed

Currency:	USD

Currency:

USD

Resort Services:

ski rental
ski instruction
food
lockers
ski shop
child care 1 yr+

Trail Map:

Select to enlarge

Steamboat Weather:

Steamboat Forecast

Steamboat Description:

Located in western Colorado, Steamboat Springs is an unpretentious (by ski resort standards) old mining town with a western cowboy ambiance masking as a ski town. It has both a superb ski mountain and ski town combination. The mountain has a variety of terrain suitable for all levels of skiing with groomed cruisers, steep chutes, mogul runs and wonderful tree glades.

The village at the base of Steamboat

Steamboat Mountain Terrain:

Beginners and Intermediates:

Steamboat is kind to beginners and intermediates with plenty of groomed trails. With 42% of the trails dedicated to intermediates this vast mountain should have enough terrain to please an intermediate skier with new cruisers for days.

Beginners will not have to venture far for their runs as there are plenty at the base of the mountain with eight short lifts dedicated just to the beginner. You can walk down the short ski run right into the apres ski bars if you find that it is in any way intimidating.

After getting past the beginner phase, you will want to quickly graduate to the "Walley World" area (far right side of the trail map) serviced by the main run "Tomahawk" and "Sunshine Express" lift. Wide spaces and gentle slopes between the Aspens also make it ideal for one's first tree skiing experience. (wear a helmet)

Intermediate run

Top of Thunderhead

Moguls:

You will find Steamboat's finest mogul runs to be Tornado (shown below), Rolex, 3'Oclock and the runs off of Morningside.

Moguls run: Tornado

Chutes:

The double black diamond "Chute 1", "Chute 2" and "Chute 3" runs are my favorites for steep and narrow challenging runs. To access these chutes take the "Bar-UE" or "Storm Peak" to the top and ski the backside run "Morningside Park" to the "Morningside" lift. The Morningside lift will take you to the top of Chutes 1, 2 and 3. A short hike will allow one to access additional double black diamond terrain: Christmas Tree Bowl, No Names and North St. Pats.

This chute was particularly hazardous as it had a significant vertical drop through the trees, just out of sight from this vantage point. Choose a safer alternate route when necessary.

Double Black terrain: Chutes 1, 2 and 3 as well as the hike-able trails: Christmas Tree Bowl, No Names and North St. Pats. Morningside Lift is on the back side of the mountain and its peak services this terrain. In order to repeat chute runs one must make their way to the base of Bar-UE to ride that lift, ski the backside to Morningside lift which will then drop you off at the top of the chutes. There is no direct route.

Hike from the top of Morningside Lift to No Names and North St Pats

Entrance to No Names and North St Pats double black diamond terrain

North St Pats. These outer trails have very little traffic and often have powder stashes long after a storm. Note that there is a significant flat trail at the bottom in order to get to the Bar-UE lift.

Trees and powder:

Steamboat has abundant tree runs populated with a mix of Aspen and fir trees. In fact Steamboat is well known for its tree glades and runs. Check out "Big Meadow", "Fetcher Glade" off of the lift "Pony Express" and lower "Shadows" below the "Sundown Express" or "Priest Creek" lift.

The following photos were taken off of "Pony Express":

Shadows:

Out of Bounds Areas:

Out of bounds areas are accessible from the top of the "Pony Express" lift. Access gates will be seen if you ski to "skier's right" as you head down the mountain.

Out of bounds warning. Access is allowed but you are very much on your own.

Steamboat Terrain Parks:

This mountain has a ginormous terrain park, "Maverick's". It has the longest superpipe I've even seen, 650ft long and 50ft wide with 15ft walls.

I believe that most boarders will enjoy the terrain at Steamboat more than the snowboard parks.

Howelsen Hill:

Located in town off of Lincoln Avenue on the western bank of the Yampa river, this ski jump training facility is serviced by a single lift and hosts three jumps.

Historical note: It is the oldest operating ski area in Colorado.

Steamboat Springs Howelsen Hill ski jump

Snowmobile Trails:

High Mountain Snowmobile Tours (pickup from Gondola square or in town)
1878 13th Street, Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80487
Phone: (970)879-6500, (877)879-6500
Steamboat Snowmobile Tours (mountain and in town pickup)
(Moonlight dinner tour also available)
P.O. Box 881117, Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80477
Phone: (877) 879-6500
Saddleback Ranch (15 miles from Steamboat)
Phone: 970-879-3711

Cross Country Skiing:

The Steamboat Ski Touring Center has 10 km of beautiful forested cross country ski and snowshoe trails. The rental shop can provide you with all the ski equipment you need.

Call (970)879-8180

The town of Steamboat Springs, the Base Village and Shopping:

Steamboat has it all, a wonderful town and base village. While the base ski village has shops and restaurants, check out the town of Steamboat Springs Colorado for a broader range of choices.

Shopping is most plentiful on Steamboat Spring's main street, Lincoln Ave.