Steamboat Springs

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

By car
Steamboat Springs is typically 3-4 hr 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 hr.

By bus
Numerous bus and shuttle services are available from Denver airport.

Get around
The City of Steamboat Springs provides free municipal bus service year round. Buses arrive approximately every 10 min in the winter and every 20 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.

Storm Mountain Express and Go Alpine also offers shuttle service to and from Hayden.

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 also known 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 Poma, a halfpipe, and several runs.

Notable Steamboat sites:



Do

 * - located in Steamboat Springs

Summer

 * Kayak, raft, and tube the Yampa river
 * Flyfishing on the Yampa River and Elk river
 * Camping in the Zirkels Wilderness
 * Day time rides up the ski mountain ski gondola
 * Rock climbing
 * Swimming in the Steamboat Hot Springs
 * Day time rides up the ski mountain ski gondola
 * Rock climbing
 * Swimming in the Steamboat Hot Springs
 * Swimming in the Steamboat Hot Springs

Golfing
Golf at many of the area's Golf Courses

Hiking

 * Mt. Werner,
 * Buffalo Pass
 * Rabbit Ears pass
 * Rabbit Ears pass

Summer Events

 * Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series
 * Hot Air Balloon Festival
 * Steamboat Running Series
 * Steamboat Springs Soccer Tournament
 * Steamboat Marathon and Triathlon
 * Triple Crown Sports Tournaments
 * USA Pro Cycling Challenge - the largest Steamboat bike race
 * USA Pro Cycling Challenge - the largest Steamboat bike race

Winter
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 * Ski Mt. Werner
 * Snowmobiling
 * Snowcat ride and powder skiing
 * Winter fly fishing
 * Dogsledding
 * Night tubing at the ski base area
 * Romantic dinner on the top of the mountain
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 * name=Strawberry Park Hot Springs | url=http://strawberryhotsprings.com/} | email=
 * address=44200 County Rd#3 | lat= | long= | directions=
 * phone=+1 970 879-0342 | tollfree= | fax=
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 * content=hot springs about 15 min outside of downtown (more or less depending on weather). Sit in 104 degree Mineral water, also offers lodging in cabins or even a locomotive (clothing optional after dark).  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.
 * content=hot springs about 15 min outside of downtown (more or less depending on weather). Sit in 104 degree Mineral water, also offers lodging in cabins or even a locomotive (clothing optional after dark).  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.
 * 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
 * Cross country ski on many of the Nordic tracks surrounding the area
 * The Annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill

Winter Events



 * Coureur Des Bois
 * Winter Concert Series
 * Winter Concert Series

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



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

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
 * Fleischer Sport
 * Rentskis