Travel to Steamboat with ski insurance from Essential Travel

The impressive Steamboat resort offers spectacular valley views, and the traditional hospitality of the West, combined with the services and facilities of a resort ranked among the five largest in the US.

Skiers are attracted to Steamboat resort for its genuine down-to-earth atmosphere and vast number of lodging options, including ski-in/ski-out accommodation spread along the mountain base. It also boasts a world-renowned ski school, performance camps, a conference centre and ski and snowboard rentals.

Steamboat is famous for its ‘champagne powder’, which is dumped en masse over 164 trails spread over an area of 1,200 hectares. The longest run is a staggering 4.8kms, and there is a total of 20 lifts. Thirteen per cent of the trails are rated easy, 56 per cent intermediate and 31 per cent difficult.

The ski season runs from late November to early April, with the most expensive time to ski between December 20 and January 1. Steamboat is easily accessible via air, with Yampa Valley Regional Airport located 35kms away. Storm Mountain Express offers a door-to-door shuttle service.

Skiing in Steamboat

The six towering peaks at Steamboat ski resort boast world-renowned tree-skiing, challenging mogul fields, sweeping groomed runs, a beginners-only area and lift, and a terrain park complete with North America’s longest super-pipe. The resort receives liberal doses of sparkling white powder (over eight metres annually) due to its position atop the Continental Divide.

There are 164 runs in all serviced by 20 lifts, with the longest run coming in at 4.8kms. Thirteen per cent of the runs are rated easy, 56 per cent intermediate, and 31 per cent difficult. The Bashor Terrain Park boasts an outdoor sound system, a large bowl, over a dozen rails, and the Maverick super-pipe – the longest in North America.

Steamboat ski resort is one of the largest in the US, yet retains a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Its six peaks provide a bewildering array of runs; while the resort base boasts ski-in/ski-out lodging, mountain-top dining, ski and snowboard hire, childcare and conference facilities, and a well-regarded ski school.

The ski season runs from late November until early April, with the best conditions occurring from January to mid-March. The most convenient way of getting here is via air, with Yampa Valley Regional Airport serviced by year round flights to and from Denver International Airport. From Yampa Valley, there is a shuttle service covering the 35kms to Steamboat resort.

Après-ski in Steamboat

A range of hotels and condominiums are located slope-side, and there are also some a short walk or shuttle ride away. The nearby township of Steamboat Springs offers charming hospitality and an excellent variety of lodging, dining and entertainment options. The area is famous for its mineral hot springs; while other activities include hot-air ballooning, sleigh rides, horseback riding and snowmobile tours.

Bear River bar, at the base of the mountain, offers live music daily; while at the top of the mountain are a number of restaurants serving barbecue, alpine bistro, and Scandinavian cuisine.

Steamboat Springs offers an excellent array of shops, galleries and museums, as well as a health and fitness centre with naturally heated pools. The other big attraction of the area is its mineral hot springs, with one of the most popular being the natural Strawberry Park Hot Springs, 11kms out of town.

Steamboat Springs has retained its traditional Western ranching atmosphere and is a fascinating place to wander around and chat with the friendly natives. Be sure to check out the Tread of Pioneers Museum, which focuses on early ranch life and the history of skiing.

Transportation to Steamboat

Steamboat ski resort is situated in northwestern Colorado in the Routt National Forest, four kilometres from the historic ranching town of Steamboat Springs and 251kms northwest of Denver. The most practical transportation to Steamboat resort is via air from Denver, landing at Yampa Valley Regional Airport, from where a shuttle service whisks you to the slopes.

Steamboat resort is an easy three-hour drive from Denver. First take I-70 west through the Eisenhower Tunnel to the Silverthorne exit (205), which takes you north on highway 9 to Kremmling, and then head west on US 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass to Steamboat.

The nearest international airport is Denver International Airport, one of the busiest in the world, servicing flights to and from all major North American cities as well as a direct service to and from London Heathrow with British Airways.

There are year-round connections with Yampa Valley Regional Airport, which also offers flights to and from Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Newark and Minneapolis. From Yampa Valley, Storm Mountain Express operates a shuttle service to Steamboat resort, 35kms away. They also run a shuttle service from Denver International Airport, or you can hire a car and drive yourself.

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