Steamboat

Closed
Kylie Dingman
SnowPak Local Insider
Kylie Dingman
Pros
  • Opportunity to unwind in one of the many geothermal hot springs!
  • Located in a small authentic Colorado Western town
  • Best uncrowded ski resort in Colorado
Cons
  • A bit further out from Denver

Overall

4.3

Serving up some of the best glade skiing in Colorado combined with its trademarked Champagne powder, Steamboat is undeniably one of the best in the state. There are incredible tree runs to suit everyone from intermediates to experts and hike-to-terrain packed with freshies. Unlike the big corporate ski resorts in Colorado, Steamboat maintains a local atmosphere in its Cowboy ski town as it's further to get to from Denver than most other resorts in the state and sees less day-trippers. To top it all off, the geothermal hot springs in town make for the perfect après ski activity after a long day on the slopes!

Best month to go

January and February

January and February is the best time to visit Steamboat because they are snowiest months to experience amazing Champagne powder!

FLY TO

Denver International Airport

DRIVE/SHUTTLE TO

Steamboat Springs (3.5-4 hours)

Base of Steamboat (Walk)

  • Ski-in/ski-out accommodation available
  • Expensive lodging
  • Less restaurants and shops than in town

Find accommodations around here

Steamboat Springs (3-5 mi)

  • Wide range of affordable and luxury lodging
  • Free shuttle bus services around town and to ski resort
  • Has various restaurants and stores

Find accommodations around here

For beginners

Steamboat is great for beginners with tons of connecting green runs from the top of Christie Peak Express! For beginners with more skills, check out at the top of Sunshine Peak Express for some steeper green runs! Around Rough Rider Basin, there's a poma lift for the little ones to lap all day while skiing through small buildings, little bumps and short trees, fantastic for practicing turns.

For intermediates

Intermediates can find suitable trails across the whole resort! Buddy's run is a popular and fun first track run with great snow! Intermediates can also get a taste of Steamboat's amazing glade skiing in "Wally's World" the area off the Sunshine Express lift. The area isn't too steep and there is plenty of room for intermediates to weave comfortably between the trees.

For experts

For a ton of fun with groomers, bumps and glades, our pick for experts is to take on the black runs off the Four Points lift and Storm Peak! Closets and Shadows are the most popular glades (and for good reason) but for fresh champagne pow, experts can find it at the Christmas Tree Bowl, No Name and other hike-to glades on Mt Werner.

Find freshies

The large skiable terrain at Steamboat means freshies are less likely to get tracked out quickly. Most of the time, the mountain will get a "second dump" from the powdered trees which is even better since there are fewer crowds than a powder day to track it all out! If you're willing to hike 10-20 minutes, you can also find pockets of fresh snow at the Christmas Tree Bowl to plow through.

Ditch the crowds

The Gondola lines can get quite long in the morning so as an alternative, take the Christie Peak Express and ski to the Thunderhead Express which will take you to the same place! Though be warned, Christie Peak Express can also get a bit busy in the morning. When the Storm Peak Express gets packed, hop on the Pony Express instead and explore quieter yet fun terrain off this lift!

Non skiers

Besides the hot springs Steamboat is known for, there's not a whole lot on offer for non-skiers. Snowmobiling and riding the Mountain Coaster (the longest coaster in North America!) are some things non-skiers could do but with limited shopping and activities in this small Cowboy ski town, non-skiers might be left disappointed here.

Families

For some fun family-friendly skiing, Steamboat has it all. Christie Peak and Thunderhead Express are the most family-friendly areas for beginners while intermediates will enjoy the numerous blue runs off Sunshine Peak and in Wally's World. This area is especially ideal for more advanced parents who can also have fun while taking their kids through the glades!

Save up to 36% when you book a Steamboat package!

View Steamboat packages

Steamboat Reviews

Superb 4.5 / 5
based on 85 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Superb!4.8 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Steamboat ReviewsHans G.
intermediate snowboarder
This at home cowboy town has it all. And the same can be said for the resort. Super nice people, many miles of fresh pow, and the hot springs will heal you back up for the next day of riding.... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Oct 15, 2021
FFanny
beginner skier
Very fast lift chairs to move people. Friendly staff and clean bathroom. I will come back in near future. Like the feature of leaving the lift ticket in the pocket and got scanned through quickly.... More
Very Good!4 / 5Apr 20, 2020
Steamboat ReviewsDanielle D.
advanced skier
Again another favorite. Always find a place to stay last minute and prices are good. The free bus system is fantastic. Weather you’re staying on the mountain and want to go out in town or the just opposite, getting around is easy. Snow is always good and we’ve always had good weather.... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Apr 20, 2020
Steamboat ReviewsSally H.
intermediate skier
Incredible, light/ dry champagne snow. Lots of fun groomers with a wide variety from beginner to more advanced. Easy to find powder stashes! Great free bus service to the ski area and town. The Grey Jay's that land on your mittens while riding the chairlift well be a memory that lasts a lifetime.... More
Good!3.7 / 5Jan 22, 2020
Steamboat ReviewsD.
advanced snowboarder
Dirt off, it's worth the scenic drive from denver via silverthorne or west from Fraser after you get bored at winter park. Steamboat has a different western character than many summit co resorts. It's posh but laid back, cowboy style. The views are fantastic. The air quality is also. Smell the pines and snow and nothing else, except if you're lucky... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Dec 02, 2019
JSJames S.
advanced skier
I took my honeymoon there and it was terrific great trees good food and friendly locals. It was really close fish creek falls and strawberry park both were close to town and our hotel. Love Steamboat hope to return soon... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Nov 04, 2019
Steamboat ReviewsDustin W.
intermediate snowboarder
Dont even know where to begin, steamboat is hands down my favorite slopes/ town/ hotsprings/ steak house . The list goes on and on. Hands down my favorite place to s snowbaord and just chill even in the summer i take weekend getaways here!!... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Oct 09, 2019
Steamboat ReviewsWeston A.
intermediate snowboarder
It is a really nice place. We really enjoyed our stay there and the people at the resort were nice. I had a blast staying there. If I could go back to Staemboat in another vacation I would be back... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Sep 12, 2019
ADAdam D.
advanced skier
Great resort for all skill levels but lacked in grooming, often runs wouldn't be groomed for more than a few days at a time despite being a "groomed" trail. Otherwise great place. Bit far from Denver though... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Jul 01, 2019
Steamboat ReviewsJake S.
intermediate snowboarder
Steamboat is my favorite resort by a long shot. From the champagne powder to the flowy tree runs, this mountain is incredible. I’d really recommend checking the base depth and make sure that you will have enough to be able to truly enjoy the powder in the trees safely. There are so many excellent choices for lodging as well.... More