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Resort Guide

One of North America’s leading ski resorts, Steamboat has multiple claims to fame. In no particular order, there is its Wild West heritage which saw cowboys getting about on skis and snowshoes more than a century ago and continues to this day. Then there is its reputation for superb light fluffy snow falling in great abundance which the resort has trademarked “champagne powder�. There’s also a reputation for creating more Olympic level skiers than any other US resort, earning the resort the nickname, “Ski Town USA�.

Steamboat is in fact really two places a few miles apart. There’s the ski area and resort at its base, and the original old cowboy town of Steamboat Springs a little way down the road. The ski resort is now owned by Intrawest, who famously created Whistler in Canada and now own about a dozen major ski areas in North America. They have launched a “revitalisation� programme of rebuilding and expansion for the resort which they’ve called ‘Steamboat unbridled.’ This should see the area, which is excellent already, get better still over the coming years.

Beginners

The Steamboat Ski and Snowboard School employs more than 400 instructors trained in the latest learning techniques. A huge range of learn to ski packages are available, some inclusive of equipment and lift tickets. Private lessons are also an option, including the chance to participate in your private learn-to-ski-as-a-family group.

Intermediates

With more than half of the runs on the mountain graded intermediate and more than 60 trails in that category to choose from, intermediate level skiers will find a great choice of terrain to keep them happy. Trails on the mountain are arranged with common themes making it easier to remember where you have been. Storm Peak, for example, contains runs named after weather occurrences such as Twister, Hurricane, Rainbow, Cyclone and Tornado. Those on Sunshine Peak are named after time references. Pioneer Ridge trail names feature early settlers and pioneer themes, and Morningside Park, of course, has a morning theme.

Advanced

There’s terrain and special programmes to keep most advanced skiers happy during their stay. For example, if moguls are your thing, the area christened The BMT, “the bumper migration trail� by locals, comprising a series of trails located off Four Points allowing individuals to ski and ride bumps the entire day. You won't find it on the map, so you’ll need to be lucky enough to catch up with some of Steamboat's bump enthusiasts to find out where this super bump route lies. Backcountry powder cat skiing is also available with Steamboat Powdercats. Each cat will accommodate a total of twelve skiers/riders in warmth and comfort for a day of guaranteed untracked powder snow on the wide open fields of Buffalo Pass, near the Continental Divide.

Snowboarding

Steamboat’s Mavericks terrain park with superpipe is one of the best. The resort has created a monster of a superpipe with six metre (18-foot walls), 18m (56 feet) wide. The terrain park is serviced by its own chairlift and features terrain for all ability levels spread over 11.8 acres. There is an outdoor sound system, professional designed rails and Mini-Mav, a miniature version of the superpipe with three metre (10 foot) walls, perfect for novice riders. Due to snowmaking installed specifically for this area, Steamboat is able to open Mavericks sooner than most pipes in the world.

Other Activities and Facilities

Steamboat’s slope side resort and the nearby town have a good choice of things to do off the slopes. The Steamboat Health and Recreation Centre offer hot springs swimming pools, a full-service fitness centre, and a water slide for the kids. Or you can take a trip up to the Strawberry Park Hot Springs 11km (seven miles) above town for a unique experience in a beautiful natural setting. There are also full spa facilities at the Grand Hotel.

You can try dog sledding, winter fly fishing, ice climbing, ice skating, snowmobiling, ice climbing, horse riding through the snowy wilderness, go snowshoeing, ascend the climbing wall, try your hand at pottery, play indoor tennis, bungee jump, take a winter driving course, enjoy a sleigh ride, take a helicopter tour or go hot air ballooning. Steamboat’s bowling alley, Snow Bowl, offers open, cosmic and moonlight bowling options. Other facilities include a library, cinemas, galleries and there are regular concerts and theatrical performances.

For cross country skiers there are five centres within a 50km (30 mile) radius offering 120kms of groomed trails, including the Steamboat Touring Centre (trail passes available at the Steamboat Ski Area with free shuttle), Howelsen Hill Trails, Catamount Ranch, Vista Verde Ranch & Steamboat Lake State Park.

Après Ski and Dining Out

Steamboat boasts more than 100 bars and restaurants. A visit to the Mahogany Ridge Brewery, located in the heart of downtown Steamboat Springs, is well worth while. Made on location micro-brews are created under the direction of brew master, Charlie Noble. It offers everything from light ales like Alpenglow to dark brews such as Jane’s Brown Ale and everything in between, with up to eight original brews on tap.

Steamboat is a great place to try elk, buffalo and Rocky Mountain oysters, or visit Italian, Mexican, French and Japanese restaurants. You also have the opportunity to ride up the gondola to Hazie's and Ragnar's for a Western barbecue featuring live country western music and dancing, with an all-you-can-eat buffet. For a more up-market experience The Cabin at the Steamboat Grand features gourmet cuisine and a choice of more than 250 wines.

Families

Steamboat is widely recognised as one of the world’s best resorts for families. Indoor childcare is provided by the Kiddie Corral for children aged six months to six years. Each childcare room provides age-appropriate activities and lots of fun. The Kids’ Vacation Club offers a Kids Night Out for children aged five to twelve years (young teens also welcome), every Wednesday to Saturday evening from 6–10pm in peak periods. The Steamboat Ski & Snowboard School and Kids’ Vacation Centre operate the ‘One-Stop Check-In Centre’ which allows parents to purchase lessons, equipment rentals and lift tickets for their children all in one location.

The youngest children aged two and a half to three-and-half join Buckaroos, which includes full day childcare and a one-hour private ski clinic. For the next year of life there is Mavericks which has full-day group clinics with small group sizes, and two one-hour sessions. Next up is Sundance Kids for children aged four to six, with more ski time and then Rough riders for six-seven year olds wanting a lot of time on the snow. Older children have structured classes appropriate to their age group.

The facility operates three magic carpet state-of-the-art conveyor lifts which have revolutionized kids’ programs by quadrupling the number of runs most kids take per hour.

Steamboat’s Rough Rider Basin is a children-only zone on the mountain with a Wild West theme, including teepees, a log cabin playhouse and the Fort Rough Rider picnic area. With its own surface lift and terrain features, Rough Rider Basin is a complete environment for children.

Accommodation in Steamboat

• Alpiner Lodge - 3 star, bed & breakfast
• Chalet Morningside - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Morningside - 4 star, catered
• Holiday Inn - 3 star, room only
• Holiday Inn - 3 star, room only
• Phoenix Condos - 3 star, room only
• Ptarmigan Inn - 4 star, room only
• Ptarmigan Inn - 4 star, room only
• Rabbit Ears Inn - 2 star, bed & breakfast
• Rockies Condos - 3 star, self catering
• Steamboat Grand - 5 star, self catering

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