Difference between revisions of "Steamboat Springs"

Revision as of 16:53, 29 March 2010

Steamboat Springs is a ski resort in the state of Colorado in the United States of America.

Get in

Steamboat Springs is typically 3 to 4 hours away from Denver by car in good winter conditions. If heavy snow, there are a couple of passes (including Rabbit Ears Pass) which become much more difficult and slow going. The most direct route from Denver to Steamboat is I-70 west to Silverthorne. From there, take Highway 9 North to Kremmling where you meet up with US 40. Then drive west on US 40 over Rabbit Ears pass to Steamboat. With no traffic or snow, the drive can be as quick as 2.5 hours.

The Local Airport is only 22 miles from Steamboat (Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) in Hayden, CO). Many major airlines, including Continental, American and Delta, provide direct service from hubs and major cities during the winter, It is only a 30 minute flight from Denver on United.

• Powderhound Transportation provides shuttles to Steamboat Springs from Denver International Airport

Get around

The City of Steamboat Springs provides free municipal bus service year round. Buses arrive approximately every 20 minutes in the winter and every 30 minutes in the summer. The Steamboat Springs Transit stops along every major route with service from downtown to the mountain condos and ski area.

Alpine Taxi is Steamboat's taxi Service. They provide in-town taxis as well as shuttle service to and from the Yampa Valley Regional Airport (Hayden) and the Denver International Airport.

See

The Town of Steamboat Springs is essentially separated into several areas. One is the mountain area (known simply as "the mountain" or "the base area") surrounding the base of the Steamboat Ski Area on Mt. Werner, there are multiple shops as well as dining and nightlife. The area also includes many hotels, condominiums, and rental homes. The area is relatively easy to navigate on foot, but driving can be more difficult.

The other major area is downtown, around 4 miles from the Ski Area. Downtown Steamboat is located along Lincoln Avenue (US 40) and stretches 8-10 blocks between Third street and Eleventh Street. This is the historic area of town. Shopping, dining and nightlife are here as well. Most of Steamboat's better restaurants are located downtown, and the area is much easier to navigate in a car than the mountain area. Parking on Lincoln Avenue is limited, but there are several parking lots on the numbered side streets.

West Steamboat is west of downtown and houses more locally-oriented businesses (like hardware stores, mechanics, and specialty shops).

Steamboat is long known for its legendary "Champagne Powder" snow, western heritage, and Olympic Tradition which gives Steamboat the name of "Ski Town USA." Steamboat is know for its reputation as a breeding ground for US Winter Olympic Athletes, who often participate in the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club that practices and trains athletes on Howelsen Hill. Howelsen Hill is Steamboat's second, smaller ski area, and is located near the downtown area. Howelsen Hill is the oldest continuous operating ski area in Colorado. Tickets here are much cheaper than at the Steamboat Ski Area, but terrain is also much smaller and includes one lift that operates on weekends, a pomma, a halfpipe, and several runs.

Notable Steamboat sites and events include:

• Fish Creek Falls Waterfall located in the town of Steamboat Springs. These falls are also pictured on the label of Coors Beer.
• Routt National Forest
• Flat Top Mountains
• Continental Divide Trail
• Strings in the Mountains Regular classical performances in the summer made by touring (as well as local) musicians.
• Steamboat Lake State Park
• Stagecoach State Park
• Strawberry Park Hot Springs Natural hot springs just outside of Steamboat.
• Yampa River Core Trail A beautiful paved trail that follows the Yampa River through downtown Steamboat Springs.
• Howelsen Hill The oldest continuous operating ski area in Colorado.
• Steamboat Winter Carnival The oldest winter carnival in the United States west of the Mississippi river.

Do

Summer

• Hiking Fishcreek falls, Mt. Werner, Buffalo Pass and Rabbit Ears pass
• Kayak, raft, and tube the Yampa river
• Hot air balloon rides
• Night time rodeos at Howelson Hill
• Mountain biking on Mt. Werner
• Alpine slide
• Flyfishing on the Yampa River and Elk river
• Camping in the Zirkels Wilderness
• Day time rides up the ski mountain ski gondola
• Steamboat Lake Outfitters
• Horseback riding
• Golf at many of the areas Golf Courses
• Helicopter tours
• Rockclimbing

Winter

• Ski Mt. Werner and try to get some locals to take you to Buffalo Pass
• Ice climb Fishcreek falls
• Snowmobile rentals
• Snowcat ride and powder skiing
• Dogsledding
• Night tubing at the ski base area
• Romantic dinner on the top of the mountain
• Strawberry Park Hot springs (clothing optional after dark)
• sitting in hot tubs when it snows
• Winter Concert Series
• try to be there for the last day the ski mountain is open for business, the place is one big party. meet some locals and have a good time.
• Check out the Olympic Ski jumping hill at Howelson hill, its a great thing to watch
• Go star gazing on a clear night, then check out the snow cats doing their work on the mountain
• Cross country ski on many of the nordic tracks surrounding the area
• The Annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill
• Steamboat Activities (Snowmobiling, Sleigh Rides, Winter Fly Fishing, Snowcat Skiing), [1].

Ski

• Strawberry Park Hot Springs, hot springs about 45 minutes outside of town (more or less depending on weather). If it's snowy, the road up to the springs requires by law AWD and snow tires or chains. Note that is AWD/4WD with snow tires, some have had severe problems with the hill with AWD and all season tires when it was snowing. A fantastic set of hot springs, though the facilities could be better. Clothing is optional after dark.

Buy

Several shops are located downtown Steamboat on Lincoln Avenue. Additionally, there are stores on the mountain near the ski area in Ski Times Square.

• SmartWool Socks, [2]. While you're there, purchase a pair--the corporate headquarters are located in Steamboat Springs.
• Embellishments, 8th Street,[3]. A beautiful shop of home furnishings and accessories specializing in fair-trade merchandise .

Equipment Rental

There are many places in Steamboat where you can rent ski and snowboard equipment for your stay in Steamboat.

Here are just a few of the many equipment rental stores found in Steamboat

• Black Tie Ski Rentals
• Breeze
• Christy Sports
• One Stop Ski Shop Ltd 970) 879-4754
• Ski Haus 970) 879-0385
• Sportstalker: Retail-Rental 970) 879-2445
• Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare 970) 879-9144
• Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation 970) 879-6111
• Steamboat Ski Touring Center 970) 879-8180
• Terry Sports 970) 879-8414

If you arriving in Steamboat without a car it is probably easier to rent your gear closer to your hotel or even better the lifts as most offer over night storage, saving you the hassle of lugging your skis back to your accommodation every day. Or to secure special boot size or your preference for equipment rental.

You can also book your ski or snowboard rental online which may save you some money and less time in the rental store. The main companies in Steamboat that offer this service are;

• Black Tie (Which also offer full delivery service to your accommodation)
• Christy Sports
• Breeze Ski Rentals
• Rentskis

To view a comparison of the above online rentals stores rates, locations and equipment [4]

Eat

• Winona's Restaurant 617 Lincoln Ave, (970) 879-2483,‎ Generous portions of food and a local favorite.

On Mountain

• Ski Time Square

• • Cafe Diva
  • Market on the Mountain
  • Saketumi
  • The Tugboat
  • Slopeside Bar & Grill (kid friendly)
  • Jade Summit
  • Gondola Square
  • Gondola Pub & Grill
  • Bear River
  • La Montana

In Between

• Three Peaks Grill
• Ore House At the Pine Grove
• Fiesta Jalisco
• Colorado Bagel Company
• Freshies
• Blue Sage Pizza
• The Egg & I
• Rex's American Grill and Bar

Downtown

• Bistro c.v.
• Mahogany Ridge
• Creekside Cafe & Grill
• Cottonwood Grill
• Backcountry Provisions
• Cantina Fresh Mexican
• Cuginos
• 8th Street Steakhouse
• Mazzola's
• Giovanni's
• Antares
• The Tap House
• Old Town Pub
• Sunpies
• Mambo Italiano
• Double Z Bar & Barbeque
• The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
• Steamboat Smokehouse
• Steamboat Yacht Club
• The Shack Cafe
• Old West Steak House
• Azteca Taqueria

Drink

On Mountain

• Ski Time Square
  • The Tugboat
  • Slopeside Bar & Grill
  • Lupos
  • Gondola Square
  • Gondola Pub & Grill
  • Bear River
  • Pirates Pub

Downtown

• • Bistro c.v. (not the largest wine selection, but the best)
  • Mahogany Ridge
  • The Cantina (margaritas!)
  • The Tap House
  • Old Town Pub is a legendary Steamboat landmark and a must visit for everyone. It's family friendly, but also offers great nightlife with a diverse music scene.
  • Mambo Italiano
  • Double Z Bar & Barbeque
  • The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
  • Steamboat Smokehouse
  • Big House Burgers and Bottle Cap Bar

Sleep

• ResortQuest Steamboat, 1855 Ski Time Square Drive, (866) 634 9616, [5], manages Steamboat's finest rental condos all around the mountain's base area, from ski-in/ski-out to a short stroll away
• Mountain Resorts, 2150 Resort Drive Suite 100, (888) 686-8075, [6]. Steamboat's Lodging Expert - offers a wide variety of attractive, well-maintained accommodations in Steamboat Springs, Colorado with rates ranging from economy to luxury.
• The Snowflower Condos, (888) 235 1231. Reasonably priced and located right at the base of the ski mountain, around 50 yards or so from the Gondola building.
• The KOA Campground west of town has great facilities including a very nice hot tub. They have facilities for large and small campers and motor homes, tent sites, as well as cabins. $25 per night for a small camper with electric.
• The Home Ranch,(800) 979-1780, [7]. Relais Chateau ranch 17 miles NW of town.
• Moving Mountains Chalets, 2750 Burgess Creek Rd, (877) 624-2538, [8]. Luxury full-service catered chalets and private vacation rental homes> A turnkey solution for family, group and corporate ski vacations.
• Bear Claw Condominiums, 2420 Ski Trail Lane, (800) 232-7252, [9].
• Canyon Creek Steamboat Springs Ski Resort, 2740 Eagle Ridge Circle, (800) 276-6719, [10].
• Colorado Vacation Rentals, (303) 909-5563, [11]. Brand New 1-4 Bed Condos, Ski in/out, Private Hot Tubs - Great lodging at Great prices!
• Dulany Steamboat Springs Condo Resort, 2286 Apres Ski Way, (800) 276-6719, [12].
• Kutuk Steamboat Springs Condo Resort, 2000 Ski Time Square Drive, (800) 276-6719, [13].
• LaCasa Condominiums Steamboat Springs Resort, 2315 Ski Trail Lane, (800) 276-6719, [14].
• Pines at Orehouse Plaza - Brand New!, 440 Orehouse Plaza, (303) 909-5563, [15].
• Ptarmigan House - Steamboat Springs Condo Resort, 2322 Apres Ski Way, (800) 276-6719, [16].
• Saddle Creek Town Homes, 1775 Latiog Loop, (303) 909-5563, [17].
• Sheraton Steamboat Resort, 2200 Village Inn Court, 1-866-716-8134, [18].
• Ski Inn - Steamboat Springs Condo Resort, 2350 Ski Trail Lane, (800) 276-6719, [19].
• The Antlers Steamboat Springs Resort, 2085 Ski Time Square Drive, (800) 276-6719, [20].
• The Lodge at Steamboat Springs Resort, 2700 Village Drive, (970) 879-8000, [21].
• The Plaza Steamboat Springs Condo Resort, 1870 Ski Time Square Drive, (800) 276-6719, [22].
• The Willows Town Homes, 1172 Natures Lane, (303)909-5563, [23].
• Thunderhead Lodge Steamboat Springs Resort, 1965 Ski Time Square Drive, (800) 276-6719. [24].
• Timber Run Steamboat Springs Condo Resort, 2015 Walton Creek Road, (970) 879-8000, [25].
• Waterford Steamboat Springs Condo Resor, 2650 Medicine Springs Drive, (800) 276-6719, [26].
• Yampa View Steamboat Springs Hotel, 2590 Longthong Drive, (800) 276-6719, [27].
• The Ranch at Steamboat, Ranch Road, (800) 525-2002, [28].
• Storm Meadows at Steamboat, Storm Meadows Drive, (888) 262-5150, [29]. A collection of vacation condominiums located on the slopes of the Steamboat Ski Area.
• Pioneer Ridge Management, 1355 South Lincoln Ave, (888) 672-6938, [30]. Private homes, condominiums, and cabins for rent in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
• The Inn at Steamboat, 3070 Columbine Drive, (970) 879-2600, [www.innatsteamboat.com]. Nestled in the mountains of Northwest Colorado, the Inn at Steamboat offers a touch of class for those seeking a quiet mountain get-a-way.
• Condos in Steamboat (Steamboat Springs Condo Rentals), 63 Park Place Steamboat Springs, CO 80487, ☎ (970) 879-5351, [31]. Condos available in Steamboat Springs, CO with locations slopeside, in the village, or downtown.

Get out