"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."

Our expert Caroline Denholm

Tips & Advice

 Full resort details can be found in our Steamboat Resort Guide

Skiing and the mountain:

• Ski Safaris - Steamboat is located within an easy drive to a number of other Colorado resorts, which makes a multi-resort Ski Safari a very easy option if you're looking to explore the region. A twin centre with Winter Park (2 hrs away) is a fantastic option, combining two Colorado resorts with high annual snowfalls.

• No lift lines - 7 days a week!  Steamboat is just far enough from Denver and other Colorado urban centres to avoid day-trippers, and that means more freshies for you.

• Snow – fresh snow is what it's all about and Steamboat gets the light stuff.  If you wake up on a powder day you need to get your skates on (I mean skis!) and make some fresh tracks - grab a coffee and a muffin from Gondola Joe’s and have breakfast on the way up! Closet, Shadows and Twilight are fabulous tree runs named on the piste map, but ask a local to direct you to these: Two-Thirty, Twistercane, Broadway Trees and everywhere on Pioneer Ridge off the Pony Express lift.  And check out the edges of Flintlock for a gentle cruise through the forest.

• Getting up the mountain - Steamboat has one main gondola, and the lift operators make sure they fill every seat in the morning, so the wait isn’t too long.  Once you’re up the mountain, stay up there until lunchtime then return to the base, as the gondola is quiet in the afternoons and you can get in some really long runs.

• Snowboarders adore Steamboat! - the Sobe Terrain Park is great, with the longest half-pipe in North America.  And freeriders love cruising around 1189 hectares of well-connected terrain with no evil flat spots.

• Best kept secret - Steamboat has a lesser-known ski area: Howelsen Hill. Located in downtown Steamboat, it’s open day and night for your skiing and riding pleasure. And for cross-country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts, the trails at the Howelsen Sports complex may be your favourite place to be.

• Ski smart – to get as much skiing in as possible, think about how ‘most’ people like to ski - i.e. go up between 9 and 10, lunch between 12 and 1 and ski down between 2.30 and 3.30. If you can avoid these peaks you won’t wait for lifts and the runs will be far less busy.

• Improve your technique - we highly recommend Steamboat’s ski school programmes, whether it be for a challenge, developing a particular aspect of your technique with a private lesson, or a programme for your children. Taking a course will hugely increase your enjoyment of your holiday, whatever your ability level. Steamboat Ski School is located at the base of the gondola. Book early over peak dates.

• Weather - Colorado prides itself on 300 days of sunshine a year and it doesn’t disappoint.  Always have your sunscreen with you at all times and remember on a sunny day you need to apply it every 2 hours. 

On Mountain Dining:

• Steamboat has 3 mountain restaurants, Thunderhead with Hazie’s rated Top 10 Mountain Restaurants by USA Today, Rendezvous Saddle and The Four Points Hut. The Rendezvous Saddle is a good sun trap and great for burgers as they have outdoor BBQ. Both Thunderhead and Rendezvous Saddle have big food courts as well as individual restaurants and bars on site, giving you lots of choice from fine dining to a quick snack.

Resort and Après:

• Best Mexican in town. Tequila's - ask waiting staff what to order.
• Best Italian food  - Mazolla's
• Best breakfast - Creekside Café - great food and charming atmosphere
• Best special occasion (and wine list) - Café Diva and Bistro CV
• Best Seafood –  Cottonwood Grill
• Best fast food - Johnny B. Goods - order a Gyro and a milkshake for a great value high carb fix
• Best local atmosphere - Rex's at the Holiday Inn, open breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Best for Lunch - The Truffle Pig is new and delicious for lunch, apres and dinner, slopeside at One Steamboat Place.

• Best après - you’ll find most folks at the Gondola base at the Bear River Café or the Slopeside Grill. Mahogany Ridge at 5th and Lincoln downtown has $1.00 tapas plates from 4:00-6:00pm. For something a little different, enjoy a margarita at the Snowbird Lounge in the Ptarmigan Inn. On many Saturday afternoons you’ll find big-name bands performing free in Gondola Square. And the local's favourite, Rex's at the Holiday Inn.

• Steamboat must-do - reserve a spot on the 4:30pm Sweet Pea shuttle out to Strawberry Park Hot Springs. You arrive with daylight and beautiful views and then ease into to a dark starry sky while soaking in the relaxing natural spa. Closer to town you can enjoy the Old Town Hot Springs with lap pool, soaking pools and a water slide.

• Ragnar's Sleigh Ride Dinner - enjoy a unique evening snuggled under warm blankets while riding in an open sleigh pulled across the mountain by a snowcat to a 5-course feast at Ragners accompanied by live music.

• Time out - Steamboat Springs maintains a 7km walking path along the Yampa River all winter long. Go for a stroll to enjoy the natural beauty - and it’s very romantic on a chilly moonlit night. A new six-cinema complex opened recently, adding to the four movie screens at the Chief Plaza on Lincoln Avenue, and since they’re obligated to carry different films, you’ll always have a choice of 10 different first-run films to see. There is also a fabulous public library at 12th and Lincoln, should you need some quiet time with a good book or magazine.
   
• Self catering - Take your lodging shuttle ot the city bus to City Market or Safeway, two full-service supermarkets between the mountain and downtown.

Where to Stay:

• On the Mountain is where most Steamboat visitors choose to stay.  You'll find an incredible selection hotels and self-catering apartments for all tastes and budgets, in locations ranging from ski-in/ski-out to a short mile from the slopes. Most mountain lodging properties offer guests a free private shuttle for skiing and other transportation needs, and all guests have access to the free city shuttle.  See the Sheraton, the Steamboat Grand, the Ptarmigan Inn, The Lodge, The West and Trappeurs Crossing Resort.
  

• Off the Mountain: Alternaternative accommodation is located in downtown Steamboat Springs, a 3 mile free bus ride from the slopes and an easy walk to many pubs, restaurants and other Steamboat Springs amenities.  There are also the Highway 40 corridor hotels just a mile away from the slopes with free private shuttle or bus service all around town and the mountain.  See the Holiday Inn and the Hampton Inn.

Car Hire:

• As Steamboat is the furthest northern resort in Colorado, I would recommend a car for a ski safari as Winter Park & Copper Mountain are included on the same lift pass. Also the drive through Yampa Valley and Rabbit’s Ears pass is stunning. There is plenty to do in Steamboat for a 10 day holiday so transfers will be fine as the local bus service is excellent.