Steamboat Springs, Colorado — Known as one of the most famous ski resorts in the country, Steamboat Resort is well regarded for its champagne powder, Western vibe, and tree skiing. However, it isn’t easy to figure out what being there is like until you actually visit.
A few weeks ago, I visited Steamboat for the first time. During my trip, I learned some valuable lessons that I think are worth sharing with those who want to visit Steamboat but have never been or haven’t gone in a while. Without further ado, here are six tips for visiting Steamboat.
1. If You’re Flying In… Hayden Airport Is A Decent Drive Away From Steamboat Springs: There are two ways for people who don’t live in Colorado to reach Steamboat: drive there or fly there. One option is to fly into Denver and then rent a car to reach Steamboat, but that’s a few hours’ drive. Option two, which is a possibility for people who live near a major hub airport, is to fly into Hayden. However, it should be noted that a decent drive awaits you before you reach Steamboat Springs. With this being a rural area, Uber and Lyft drivers exist, but they cost a lot of money. In addition, there are fewer of them than when you’re in a big city like Denver or Salt Lake.
To reach Steamboat Springs, you can rent a car or take a bus transport service there. Rental car services like Enterprise and Hertz have vehicles that you can pick up at the Hayden Airport. For bus services, the Steamboat Express, Ski Town Transportation, and Storm Mountain Express will get you to and from the airport. This is probably the best move if you don’t mind using a bus to get to and from the airport.
Personally, I used Go Easy Rentals, which offers a drop-off and pick-up option for its rental vehicles. While I enjoyed the Ford Bronco they provided, it cost an additional $100 to pick up and drop off at the Airport.
2. Steamboat Springs Has A Great Bus Transit System: However, I didn’t need to use my rental car that much. That’s because the Steamboat Springs Transit is a fantastic service. With various stops across Steamboat Springs and Craig, reaching the ski resort and other essential stops in the area is very easy and free. Yes, this transit service is free for those who ride. I stayed at the Residence Inn, and there was a bus stop right next to the hotel. For those staying in condos, there are bus services that service these areas as well.
3. Steamboat’s Recent Improvements Have Made A Difference: Full Steam Ahead, the implementation of Steamboat’s master plan, created some big changes on the slopes.
Improvements like the base-to-summit Wild Blue Gondola, the Mahogany Ridge terrain expansion, the new Greenhorn Ranch beginner area, the redesigned base area, and the snowmaking upgrades on Sunshine Peak have drastically improved the on-mountain experience.
4. If You Want To Find Untracked Powder, Get First Tracks: Most lifts at Steamboat opens at 8:30 a.m. for the day. However, if you want some time away from the crowds or want fresh tracks on a powder day, you can get up the mountain even earlier. Going from 8-8:15 a.m., First Tracks allows guests can board the Wild Blue Gondola to access three lifts over on Sunshine Peak. This add-on option can be pretty pricey if you wait until the last minute, so it’s best to plan ahead and order these as soon as possible.
5. Steamboat’s Lift Signs Are Kinda Confusing: I don’t think I’ve seen a ski resort use a singular sign for its lifts like Steamboat. For each lift sign, Steamboat indicates the lift has only two seats. Initially, this is confusing, as lifts like Thunderhead are listed as double chairlifts. Guests should know this is how Steamboat signifies all of its lifts, like the Steamboat Gondola.
6. Visit Howelson Hill: One of the highlights of my visit was skiing at Steamboat’s hometown hill. Opened back in 1915, it’s the oldest ski area in North America. While it has a small vertical drop of 440 feet, it features a variety of enjoyable terrain. Its groomers feature great pitches, and there are also some fun, ungroomed, steep trails. The base lodge is rustic, with affordable food options. While you’re there, go check out the ski jumps, and you may even see some people training there.
Sundays are free for everyone, and lift tickets on other days are affordable. Indy Passholders also get two free days there.
Ultimately, while most will flock to the Resort, there are two great places to ski in Steamboat Springs.
Image/Video Credits: Steamboat Resort, Steamboat Springs Transit, Ian Wood
