A Snowy Serenity: My Winter Visit to Steamboat Springs

I recently visited family in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. How lucky I am to be able to spend time with my kids and grandkids in such an amazing location.

I flew into Denver International Airport and from there caught a flight to Hayden, about a 30-minute drive to Steamboat. I landed in a winter wonderland with about 4 feet of snow on the ground with more to come that evening.  It was breathtaking!

With February being high ski season there were lots of tourists.  We estimated close to 100,000 people in town during my stay with only about 13,000 being residents. 

I am not a skier, but if it is your thing, as it is for my son and twin granddaughters, there is no better place to do it than “the Boat”. Steamboat has been dubbed Ski Town U.S.A. with many Olympians calling it home. It is also known as one of the friendliest family resorts. The resort is in the midst of a massive renovation to enhance the experience in and around the mountain. It has also become a part of the IKON pass allowing skiers unlimited access to Steamboat as well as 11 other destinations.

I am not a skier, but if it is your thing, as it is for my son and twin granddaughters, there is no better place to do it than “the Boat”. Steamboat has been dubbed Ski Town U.S.A. with many Olympians calling it home. It is also known as one of the friendliest family resorts. The resort is in the midst of a massive renovation to enhance the experience in and around the mountain. It has also become a part of the IKON pass allowing skiers unlimited access to Steamboat as well as 11 other destinations.

I thoroughly enjoyed the gondola ride. The eight-passenger gondola offers a ticketed ride up Mt. Werner with aerial views of the city of Steamboat Springs and Yampa Valley. Gondola Square sits at the base of the mountain and is surrounded by restaurants, amenities, shops, and other things to do before or after the journey.

We also took a look around Howelsen Hill Ski Area. It is Colorado’s oldest (since 1915) continuously operated ski area and has the largest and most complete ski jumping complex in North America

We also took a look around Howelsen Hill Ski Area. It is Colorado’s oldest (since 1915) continuously operated ski area and has the largest and most complete ski jumping complex in North America.

The charming downtown area is full of little shops for every interest imaginable. I never tire of walking around this town and I find something new each time. During this trip, I discovered The Homesteader Store where I picked up this snazzy pullover!

I would be missing the Winter Carnival kicking off that evening after I left but walking around the prior day we observed the high school students creating their snow sculptures which would be judged at the event.

Steamboat is also full of delicious restaurants, many locally owned and operated.  I visited a couple of the finest during my stay and this potato-wrapped salmon at Table 79 comes highly recommended. On the final night, we dined at the Primrose and were fortunate enough to be seated by the large window facing the mountain where we could watch the ski jumpers.

We had some laughs playing this variation of the classic game. The grandkids found it exciting to be familiar with the places on the board and were eagerly buying properties based on their favorite spots. I guess that strategy was a good one because they ultimately outplayed Grandma.

We took a drive up to Colorado Mountain College which sits just north of town. From here we had an incredible panoramic view of the entire city. It was interesting driving through the neighborhoods where residents leave holiday lights up for the duration of winter. This is ordinarily a pet peeve of mine but here it makes sense. It seems to only add to the ambiance of this authentic mountain town.

A final shot on my ride to the airport for my return home to what would be a very different climate.

I will be back in the summer for some hiking, rafting, and a round or two of golf. There are always fun times to be had in Steamboat no matter the season.