STEAMBOAT
A cowboy ski town that holds the record for being home to more Winter Olympic athletes than anywhere else in the United States, Steamboat Springs is a hotbed of snowsports culture!
The oldest ski hill in Colorado opened here in 1915, and since then, the newer and much larger Steamboat Ski Resort has opened with 2,965 ac of diverse ski terrain across an entire mountain range. The town is also home to geothermal hot springs where you can soak those weary muscles after a hard day on the slopes!
Terrain & Snow quality: Where Steamboat really excels is in its glade skiing, which is undoubtedly some of the best in Colorado. Head up to Sunshine Peak and ski over the backside to Morningside Park – here you’ll find some of the best tree runs in Colorado, with options for a variety of tree-skiing abilities! Snow quality is top notch – there’s a reason they call it ‘champagne’ powder. Without getting too deep into the science, there’s a desert off to the west where most snowstorms come from which dries out all the moisture. This turns the snow into tiny flakes that are incredibly easy to blow through, even if you’re knee deep in it.
On the flipside, even though the resort is famed for its excellent snow quality, it doesn’t always get much of it, especially if the storms flow from the south. The relatively low summit elevation of 10,568 ft also means that on a warm day, the snow on the lower half of the mountain degrades quickly. Lastly, the small town feel does mean that shopping and activities outside of skiing are limited – if you want that, then Vail and Aspen have you covered.
All in all, if you imagine the name ‘Ski Town USA’ with its great western charm and friendly local attitude, you’re probably visualizing Steamboat.
At Great Divide Transportation, we offer safe and affordable Vail Limo Service to destinations throughout the Vail and Beaver Creek area.