Steamboat

Steamboat Ski Resort

The home of “champagne powder”, Steamboat is famous for the dryness and quality of its snow – but there’s more to this Colorado resort than just the powder.

Over 8.5m of snowfall drops on Steamboat each winter, most of which is incredibly light and fluffy, making the powder skiing here as good as it gets. After a snowstorm, almost 3000 acres of terrain awaits, including some of the best tree skiing around. But the mountain is not just an off piste playground – in fact the lower slopes offer some of the best beginner terrain in the USA and there is some great groomed terrain radiating from Thunderhead Lodge at the top of the Steamboat gondola.

Lots of accommodation is available in the purpose-built Mountain Village at the foot of the slopes, where several bars are a good place to go for a Happy Hour drink at the end of the ski day. Alternatively you can base yourself in or around the town of Steamboat Springs itself, which offers greater variety both on the accommodation and amenities front.

Our Steamboat Resort Ratings

• Beginner ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Intermediate ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Advanced ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Snow Reliability ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Fast Lifts ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Resort Activities ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Après ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Value ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Steamboat Skiing and Snowboarding

The bottom of the mountain is a beginner’s paradise, served by dedicated chairlifts and even opening up for night skiing. Lots of longer greens and gentle blues make this then a great resort for progression – the runs off the Sunshine Express in particular are ideal. More confident intermediates will enjoy the Morningside runs if they have been groomed – check the daily grooming report – and the slightly steeper runs by the Pony Express.

Four terrain parks await for freestyler skiers and snowboarders, but more advanced skiers and riders mostly come here for the powder and the tree skiing. Our favourite zones include Morningside Park, the trees off the Pony Express and the extremely steep terrain off the summit of Mt Werner – the latter of which is a short hike from the top lift.

• Total Pistes: 2965 acres
• Beginner: 14%
• Intermediate: 42%
• Advanced: 44%
• Lifts: 17
• Altitude: 2103m – 3224m

Steamboat Piste Map

The local area map can be downloaded here.

Steamboat Resort

You have two main choices when visiting Steamboat – either staying at the foot of the slopes in the more recently developed Mountain Village or in downtown Steamboat Springs. The former is home to several big hotels and lots of condos, many of which are available for rent during the season. Being self-catered, these represent a great option for families – large supermarkets and liquor stores are just a short drive away.

Alternatively you can base yourself down in the town of Steamboat Springs. Here there is a lot more going on, particularly in the evenings and on the bar and restaurant front. Several microbreweries can be found in town and dinner options range from hearty bar food, right through to Mexican and Japanese cuisine – there is plenty to choose from.

How to get to Steamboat

It is possible to catch a short connecting flight from 15 US airports to the local Steamboat airport, a mere half an hour away from the resort. Otherwise it is a three hour drive from Denver. The drive takes you either past Winter Park or via Breckenridge and Keystone (depending on your route) so it is easy to tie in visits to other Colorado resorts during your trip.

• Steamboat airport: 0.5 hours
• Denver airport: 3 hours

Steamboat Contact Details

• Website: www.steamboat.com
• Email: Contact via online form
• Telephone: + 1 970 879 6111
• Facebook: @SteamboatResort
• Instagram: @steamboatresort
• Twitter: @skisteamboat