Steamboat Ski Holidays

USA Holidays

Expert Opinion Our Expert
Caroline Denholm

"After working a season here, Steamboat is one of my favourite ski resorts. Why? Because there is a locals' feel about the place and it is home to the lightest, driest Champagne powder! Plus the views of Yampa Valley are stunning."

Resort Info

  • Resort Scorecard
  • Beginners 8/10
  • Intermediates 10/10
  • Advanced: 8/10
  • Families: 8/10
  • Nightlife: 9/10
  • Village Charm: 9/10
  • Affordability: 7/10
  • Non Ski Activities: 8/10
  • Sustainability: 8/10

Season: 21 Nov 2012 - 14 Apr 2013

Nearest Airport: Hayden/ Denver

Flight Time: 10hrs direct.

Direct Flight: Yes

Transfer Time: 40 mins/4 Hours

Transport: Transfer or Car Hire

Elevation: 10, 568 ft

Vertical Drop: 3,668 ft

Avg Snowfall: 28 ft

Ski Area: 3,000 acres

Ski Lifts: 18

Runs: 165

Grade: 44% advanced
42% intermediates
14% beginners

Why Steamboat?

Steamboat is a fun ski town with a Wild West flavour which comes from the town's ranching heritage. It is the home of champagne powder and Steamboat prides itself on being a real town rather than a manufactured ski resort.

The skiing is diverse with lovely rolling groomers through the trees on the front side of the mountain and some steeper runs in the bowls on the back of the mountain. It makes an excellent destination to learn to ski and snowboard - there is a special area just for beginners, and once you have mastered the basics, the rest of the mountain is easily accessible by chairlifts and the gondola.

There is a choice of accommodation at the base of the ski area and in the town of Steamboat which is a few miles away - the two are linked by a free shuttle bus. Steamboat town is the livelier of the two locations and has affordable hotel type accommodation, whereas the self-catering condo accommodation and higher-end hotels tend to be around the base of the ski area. One Steamboat Place was added at the base of the mountain in Dec 2009, a very attractive new addition housing new retail outlets, a restaurant and ski school ticket office.

If at the end of the ski day you are still raring to go there are 100+ pubs and restaurants, two full-service supermarkets, ten liquor stores, ten cinema screens, plus lots of shops and art galleries. Steamboat also provides unique off-mountain activities, including the Strawberry Park Hot Springs and horseback rides, along with more traditional winter fun: snowmobiling, sleigh ride dinners, snowshoe tours, spa services and more.

Steamboat celebrates 50 years of skiing in 2013 – go and join the festivities!

Click to view Steamboats' special anniversary online magazine.

Northern Lights Experience this natural phenomenon with a stopover in Reykjavik, Iceland

Ski Safaris Combine Steamboat with other Colorado ski resorts in one holiday.

Ski & Sun Love the snow but need a little more time to relax on your holiday?