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AboutThe town
About Steamboat Springs
About Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs has about 13,000 residents and calls itself "Ski Town, U.S.A." Cowboy culture and skiing run side by side here, and the ranching roots are genuine rather than decorative. Western heritage and outdoor recreation are the two halves of the place, and neither one is playing a supporting role.
Steamboat Ski Resort is the anchor, known worldwide for its "Champagne Powder®" snow, which delivers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in North America. The mountain has more than 2,900 acres of skiable terrain covering gentle groomed runs, hard tree skiing, and mogul fields. The town has produced more Olympic athletes than any other town in North America, which says something about how seriously winter sports get taken around here.
Off the slopes, the Western heritage shows up in the downtown boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants set in historic buildings, and in the Tread of Pioneers Museum, which covers the region's ranching and skiing history. The natural hot springs the town is named for are still in use, with several pools and facilities offering mineral water for the end of a long day.
Summer looks like a different town. Routt National Forest has more than 50 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, and the Yampa River covers fly fishing and rafting. The ranching side stays visible through the warm months in the weekly rodeos and the annual Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series.
The mix of recreation, Western culture, and mountain scenery gives Steamboat a character no other Colorado destination has, and it works for families, for people who spend their time outside, and for anyone after a mountain town that still feels like one.
- Population
- 13,000
- Elevation
- 6,732 ft
- Best time
- Year-round
- Known for
- Champagne Powder®
What makes Steamboat's snow different?
Steamboat trademarked the term Champagne Powder for a reason. The snow here comes in unusually light and dry, thanks to the area's geography and weather, so it skis differently than the heavier stuff you find elsewhere. It's a big part of why the mountain has the reputation it does.
When is the best time to visit Steamboat Springs?
Winter, roughly November through April, is prime for the skiing. Summer, June into September, swaps that out for hiking, biking, and time on the Yampa River, plus the rodeo runs through the warm months. Both seasons are busy, so it really comes down to whether you want snow or sun.
Why does Steamboat produce so many Olympians?
The town has sent more than 90 athletes to the Winter Olympics since 1932, more than anywhere else in North America. That's not luck. The local ski and winter sports programs have been turning out competitors for generations, and it's a point of real pride around here.
What are the hot springs in Steamboat?
There are two main options. Old Town Hot Springs sits in the middle of town with pools, slides, and a fitness setup, while Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a more natural soak out in the trees. The town's name actually comes from early trappers who thought a bubbling spring sounded like a steamboat.
How do I get to Steamboat Springs?
The drive is about three hours northwest of Denver on Highway 40. If you'd rather fly, Yampa Valley Regional Airport is only 22 miles away and gets direct flights from a number of cities during ski season. Shuttles also run up from Denver International if you don't want to deal with winter driving.
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