Steamboat Customer Reviews

Steamboat has a lot to like. A wide variety of runs, be they open, tree-lined, or gladed. An efficient lift system, well linked with near-zero poling anywhere, and only two 2-man chairs without safety bars (both avoidable without loss of amenity). The sole gondola, from the base, was level access, i.e. no steps. How good a start to the day is that?! A far less than usual 1.3m initial base proved little disadvantage thanks to the excellent piste management, and a couple of decent 'dumps' nicely spaced out during our stay. A daily grooming map, available as hard-copy, showed runs always groomed, additional ones groomed overnight, and also listed those groomed the previous night. Whilst not 100% accurate, this was a great help. They groom more blacks here than most US resorts, too. Our one criticism was that the only restrooms on the mountains were those at the only 3 eateries. Whilst the most central of these was on the ground floor, the main food offering was 43 steps above this! A restroom/warming hut at each of the two summits would be an inexpensive but welcome enhancement. Steamboat has clearly developed a lot, but with low-rise architecture. The town itself is a 10-minute free bus ride away, the frequency being every 10 mins too (30 after 8pm). Lincoln Av is both the town and the major road that passes through it. Despite this, it has a good 'back-country' feel and interesting shops. If you get to finish skiing early enough, Mahogany Ridge micro-brewery (Lincoln & 5th-ish) has 1/2 price happy-hour and $1 appetisers from 4.00-5.30. Nice atmosphere and clientele, 10 or so home-brews. We went twice, me having 3 beers, her 2 cocktails, 8/9 appetisers between us and a bill of just €40 including a generous tip! I think we'll be back to Steamboat sometime.

Excellent trip, amazing snow (2 storms delivered 12" powder each when we were there) yet visibility still good. Skiing good variety, brilliant black diamond runs through the trees (especially of Pony Express lift). Town itself easy to reach via shuttle in the eves or car. Journey took about 3.5 hours from Denver (bit longer over the snowy Rabbit Ears Pass on the way - glad of the 4wd in our Full size SUV). Much easier sunny drive on the return, even had some time for retail therapy at the Silverthorn Outlet village! Minimal queues for the lift - gondola had to wait 10-15 mins at the weekends, but after that once up the mountain no queues. Well organised and supervised slopes. Steamboat town good range of restaurants to choose from, great Italian Mambo (v lg portions!) but all worth booking ahead for. Shuttle around from our accommodation worked really well.