Nicknamed Ski Town USA, Steamboat Springs began as a summer resort attraction with hunting, fishing and natural hot springs in the early 1900s. Built at an elevation of 6,695 feet, the town is surrounded by 15 peaks with summits of over 12,000 feet in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness. Located about 160 miles northwest of Denver, Steamboat Springs has a year-round population of around 10,000 people. The area is naturally transformed into a world-class destination for skiers and snowboarders in winter months.
Resorts
Steamboat Springs is home to Steamboat Ski & Resort and Howelsen Hill Ski Area. While Steamboat Ski & Resort is spread across six different peaks, Howelsen Hill Ski Area encompasses a single hill. Steamboat Ski & Resort provides you with a wide variety of world-class slopes and amenities. Howelsen Hill Ski Area is Colorado's oldest ski area to be continuously used, and has been the winter training facility with the most athletes in North America to go to the Olympics. Both resorts are located about three miles away from one other.
The Slopes
Steamboat Ski & Resort has 20 lifts, 165 runs and 2,965 acres of slopes. The resort has 14 percent beginner, 42 percent intermediate and 44 percent advanced slopes. Howelsen Ski Hill Area has four lifts, 15 runs and 220 acres of slopes. Slopes are divided into 20 percent beginner, 30 percent intermediate and 50 percent advanced runs.
Additional Resort Features
Steamboat Ski & Resort has an 11.8-acre terrain park for your riding pleasure, with an exclusive lift to a variety of rails, sliders and the 450 foot long Mavericks Superpipe that is 56-feet wide with 18-foot walls. There is also a mini pipe for beginners with eight-foot walls.
Howelsen Hill Ski Area has a terrain park, natural ski-jumping complex, ice skating, snowshoeing and 13 miles of cross-country ski trails.
Amenities
Lessons and rentals for skis and snowboards are available at Steamboat Ski & Resort. Steamboat Ski & Resort offers you such services as photo services, childcare, winter outerwear rentals, healthy dining alternatives, grocery and ski delivery. Howelsen Hill Ski Area has a day lodge with lockers, snack machines and a warming yurt. Lodging that ranges from private residences to condominiums to hotel rooms are available near both ski resort areas.
Considerations
While Steamboat Ski & Resort is privately owned, Howelsen Ski Hill Area is owned and operated by the city of Steamboat Springs. The town of Steamboat Springs offers you such winter activities as sleigh ride dinners, snowmobile rides, hot springs, spa services and horseback riding. Howelsen Ski Hill Area is a block from downtown Steamboat Springs, where you may find off-site amenities ranging from equipment rentals to dining and lodging.
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