Steamboat Springs, Colorado — Steamboat has changed a lot in the 2020s. This includes the Mahogany Ridge expansion, a mid-mountain beginner area, a two-stage gondola, a revitalized Steamboat Square, and snowmaking upgrades. While not as noteworthy an offseason, the resort made some cool (pun unfortunately intended) upgrades for the 2026-27 season.
Steamboat Pilot & Today shared this week that Steamboat Resort has made various improvements for the 2026-27 season. The upgrades include a new trail, a reshaped halfpipe, and a free-to-ride surface lift.
Moose
Steamboat Resort’s 184th and newest trail honors a local legend.
Last week, Steamboat Resort announced a new trail for the 2026-27 season. Called Barrows’ Bend, the new beginner run allows a mellow route for less experienced skiers and riders to access the Sunshine Express chairlift. It also gives Steamboat another top-to-bottom beginner route from both the Sunshine Express and South Peak chairlifts.
The run honors Jim “Moose” Barrows. Moose was a U.S. Ski Team racer and Olympian, competing in the 1968 Games. After that segment of his life, he spent many years teaching skiers at Steamboat, and even started a scholarship to help skiers race. The longtime Steamboat Resort instructor passed away in 2024.
Other Improvements For The 2026-27 Season
For terrain park skiers and riders, the most exciting addition is a shaped halfpipe. Steamboat gathered dirt from the future site of Stockman development and shaped it into a halfpipe. With this improvement, it will now take much less snow to fill in and open the terrain park feature. For more info, I’d recommend Steamboat Pilot & Today’s piece on the project.
Learning to ski is another focus. Located next to the Steamboat Gondola, the Buckaroo Carpet will be free to ride when it operates from 12-4 p.m.; Participants just need to sign a waiver. To help more people learn, they’re offering kids free ski passes from Nov. 21 to Dec. 15, and free rentals for kids three and under.
Getting to Steamboat Resort from afar will also be easier. The Yampa Valley Regional Airport is adding a new direct flight from Portland, Oregon. Additional flights are also being introduced from Austin and Houston. This gives the airport 18 direct routes from different airports.
The Colorado ski resort is also introducing Steamboat Hospitality, designed to make bookings easier, and a heli-skiing-like experience program that prepares guests for heli-ski trips.
Parking at Steamboat is also undergoing changes. The Meadows parking lot will charge for parking on weekend mornings and during peak periods. On-site parking capacity will be slightly reduced due to the closure of the Ski Time parking garage.
Steamboat Resort’s projected opening date is November 21st.
Image/Video Credits: Steamboat Resort
