Superb!5 / 5Mar 09, 2010
MMichele
WE HAVE TRAVELLED THERE FOR MANY YEARS- THE CHAMPAGNE SNOW IS AWESOME- THE KIDS SKII FREE IS A GREAT PROGRAM AND THE TOWN IS SO QUAINT AND WESTERN LIKEBuild your Steamboat Ski Trip
Learn more about Steamboat
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
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
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
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!
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Steamboat Reviews
Superb!5 / 5Dec 05, 2009
SScott
First skiied with my family on the kids ski free program. Great diversity in levels made it ideal for a family, and is still excellent as my kids have become adults and I need less of a challengeSuperb!5 / 5Oct 30, 2009
RRobert
As we drive out to Steamboat every winter, it just happens to be the closest to Chicago by car.Very Good!4 / 5Sep 13, 2009
EEileen
We have been there many times both with and without children and find it is also a very comfortable place to be.Superb!5 / 5Jan 05, 2009
MMichael
It has terrain for my wife as a beginner skier and for myself as an intermediate to advanced skier.Average!3 / 5May 13, 2008
EEric
Again the lodging and the overall ski slops are main factors for us.Superb!5 / 5Apr 22, 2008
PPaul
Powder with the lowest moisture content, what's not to like. That and the short lift lines.Very Good!4 / 5Feb 28, 2008
MMargie
not exactly easy to get to from Maine, but a great ski school and family friendlyPoor!2 / 5Jun 01, 2007
JJace
Similar to Snowass terrain wise I think. Tougher to get to, not as picturesque.Very Good!4 / 5Dec 16, 2006
PPaula
I used to live in Steamboat along with a few other resorts and I find Steamboat to be very friendly and an awesome mountian to ski and hike on.