Steamboat Springs is one of the most beautiful places to ski in Colorado. Why? Picture this: champagne powder falling to offer thirty plus inches of new snow overnight, sunny bluebird ski days, afternoons filled with soaking in natural hot springs, and delicious micro-brews enjoyed fireside. All of this, and more encompasses what Steamboat Springs offers - the skier's dream and an adult version of Disneyland.
When you stay with us, we want you to feel like a Steamboat local. So our team (who all live and work in Steamboat) put together these awesome tips on how to fully take advantage of the magical winter ski days during your vacation:
1. Get up early
Waiting on family or friends to get ready for the ski day? Locals have a saying we abide by – “no friends on a powder day”. We recommend getting up early, heading to the mountain and leaving your friends and family who might not be ready, behind (you can meet up with them later, right?). Instead of stopping for a sit-down breakfast at one of the many great restaurant's Steamboat offers, we recommend calling our friends at Gondola Pub and Grill (GPG) at the base of the gondola and ordering breakfast sandwiches for a quick grab and go meal. Pack snack bars and water in your ski coat to get you through an epic Steamboat ski day. When you get to the base of the resort, hop on the gondola which will drop you off at the top of the mountain where from there, the world is your oyster, and it is time to, as locals say, “shred”.
2. Get geared up
Another thing to remember is to have the right gear for the day. Need to rent equipment? We highly recommend renting with Ski Butlers because of their customer service, and top of the line ski/board rentals. Nothing is worse than trying to ski or snowboard on a powder day with the wrong or untuned equipment. One more thing to remember when it comes to getting geared up is what to wear. Steamboat Springs may be in the Rocky Mountains but skiing on a powder day requires working extra hard to get those beautiful untouched ski lines - plus you don’t want to freeze because you have been sweating all morning. Make sure to layer with proper clothing and try to stay away from cotton or other materials that will hold moisture instead of breathable layers that allow to wick and take the moisture away from your body. This will ensure comfortability and you will be able to stay out on the hill longer.
3. Plan how you will access the mountain
When it comes to parking and getting to the gondola the quickest, there are a couple different options. Driving? If you get to the base area early in the morning, you can find a spot in the upper Knoll lot and take a quick walk to the gondola. If you have a large crew, we suggest you park at the free meadows skier parking lot and jump on the shuttle for a quick ride to the gondola. The last option is to drive to the gondola area and pay for parking at one of the many pay-parking lots available. Not driving? If you are staying with us, but not staying in one of our Steamboat ski-in/ski-out properties, most of our vacation rentals are located close to the free Steamboat bus route, which takes riders to the base of the mountain and picks you up for quick access back to your vacation rental. Check with our guest services team on the best option for you to access the ski area during your stay.
4. Finish the day off strong
Take as many laps as your legs can handle to experience a fantastic day. Intermediate to advanced riders can access many Aspen tree riding areas – we recommend checking out the shadows or closets tree runs. Need a break? Head to Four Points Lodge for the best Bloody Mary you will ever have, get some lunch, and then head back out for some more fun. As the day goes on and the runs get choppy, start to make your way to the gondola base area. On your way, make a stop at the popular ski-in/ski-out T-Bar, located off the Right-O-Way ski trail, for a cold brew to cheers to a great day of skiing. After you get home and take off your gear, end the day at Strawberry Park Hot Springs to soak in the multiple natural springs mineral pools to relax your body from the ski day. Have a night in at your Steamboat vacation rental, get a good night sleep and get up with the locals and do it all over again the next day.