Steamboat Ski Resort Mountain and Terrain
A trip to Steamboat Ski Resort is a complete mountain range experience guaranteed to be jam packed and full of great memories thank’s to its relatively low elevation for Colorado resorts, its famous champagne powder across 2,965 acres of some of the best tree skiing, groomers, and bumps you can find, anywhere.
With 21 lifts and 171 trails, and 2,965 acres Steamboat Ski Resort is its own mountain range with Mount Werner, Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak, Thunderhead Peak, Pioneer Ridge, and Christie Peak. The picture postcard champagne power shots through the gladed areas and trees are located in Pioneer Ridge, Sunshine, and Storm Peak.
Ski Town USA, as it’s known, Steamboat Resort has Colorado friendly base elevation of 6,900 feet (2103 m) with a vertical rise of 3,668 feet (1118 m) the 6th longest vertical rise in the USA. The skiing and riding is some of the best in North America, thanks to its world-renowned light dry powder snow, coined champagne powder, that falls abundantly (average annual snowfall 314 inches /797cm mid-mountain) each season.
Where To Ski Steamboat As A Beginner
Head out of the main village on Christie Peak Express climbs about 1000 and lap the lower portion of the mountain range. Many green runs lap around and gently drop you back to the bottom of the chair. For the more adventurous, you can jump aboard the Steamboat Gondola and climb 1,000 feet higher and take Why Not to the bottom of Thunderhead Express high speed quad. While riding back up, you can assess if any gentle blues that also lap the lift are a possibility for you.
Top 5 Green Beginner Runs At Steamboat Resort
- Why Not
- Sundial into Tomahawk
- Sundial Into Rendevous Way Into South Peak Flats
- Rough Rider Basin
- Swinger
What is Steamboat Like For Intermediates?
If I had to describe Steamboat Resort for intermediate and blue run skiers in only five words, I would have to save. Spectacular, welcoming, fun, easygoing, and delightful. The range of blue runs across the resort is exceptional, there is something for everyone. Steamboat is such a fun place to ski and ride, especially for intermediate skiers and snowboarders with perfectly groomed trails.
Quick Draw
Quick Draw is spacious at the top, wide open, and usually uncrowded. It narrows a little at the bottom but it’s a gentle giant cruiser the whole family will enjoy.
Flintlock
Flintlock is one of Steamboat Resorts’ best-kept secrets. It begins like any other blue run but as you make your way further down the mountain it opens up into your own ‘private’ meadow. it’s a special place to lap with family and friends.
Buddy’s Run
Named after Buddy Werner, a Steamboat Resort legend who was the first American and the first from outside Austria and Switzerland to win the famed high speed Hahnenkamm downhill race in Kitzbühel, Austria. No need to race downhill here though, this run is steeper at the top and the bottom, and ‘breath catching up’ more flowing in the middle. Buddy’s Run at Steamboat is a real gem, just like the man himself.
Rainbow To Moonlight
The Rainbow top section offers a little steeper more challenging blue terrain, then you head into the gentler Moonlight Saddle skiers’ left and continue on down Moonlight run. It’s a ripper way to build up your mileage and see how wide you can make your smile. If you prefer to can opt to stay on Rainbow and lap the Four Points Chairlift.
Top 5 Intermediate Runs:
- Quick Draw
- Flintlock
- Buddy’s Run
- Rainbow To Moonlight
- Highline To High Noon
Does Steamboat Have Good Black Runs?
The short answer is yes. There are some wonderful steep groomers for high speed runs, and plenty of bumps but what makes Steamboat Resort so special is the gladed Aspen and Pine trees areas that are so well spaced for powder skiing and riding, it’s like mother nature placed each one in the exact location.
Where To Ski Steamboat On A Powder Day?
Line up for the gondola early, at the top of the gondola head down Rudi’s Run to Strom Peak Express lift, and then head out into Morning Side. Here you will find what you are looking for if that entails open and gladed Aspen and Pine tree skiing. Everywhere is good on a powder day, just make sure you hit the slopes as early as possible, to carve up as much of Steamboat’s famous Champagne Powder as possible.
Steamboat Terrain Parks: A Quick Review
Steamboat Resort’s four terrain parks are designed for different skill levels. Across the four parks, you can have fun playing and mastering the various features including jumps, rails, boxes, half-pipes, and the like.
Lil’ Rodeo Terrain Park is their entry-level park. Rabbit Ears Terrain Park is the next step up and a local favorite. If you want to go big, say 50 to 70 feet, Mavericks Terrain park is Steamboat’s biggest park and is obviously for experienced riders only.
Other Things To Know About Skiing And Riding Steamboat Ski Resort
Steamboat is on the IKON Pass so you can ride Steamboat on various lift tickets. Steamboat is located in Steamboat Springs. Steamboat Springs is a city in northern Colorado’s Yampa Valley. Steamboat Springs ski area is 2, Steamboat Springs 2,965 acres. Some of the best skiing is found on Storm Peak and Sunshine Peak. Steamboat Springs geothermal hot pools are said to promote health and wellness and are great after a day of skiing. Steamboat Springs is about a 3.5 hour transfer from Denver International Airport. Steamboat Springs is home to two ski areas, Howelsen Hill ski area, and the Steamboat ski resort. The town is at 6,900 feet. Annual snowfall is 314″/797cm. Top elevation is 3,668 feet. There are 21 lifts. Steamboat Gondola (8-passenger), Wild Blue Gondola (10-passenger), High-Speed Six, High-Speed Quads, Quads, Triples, Doubles and Surface lifts. Including the Sunshine Express Lift and the Pony Express Lift and may high speed quads.
Steamboat Statistics
| Skiable Terrain | 2,965 acres / 1,200 hectares |
| Vertical | 3,668 ft / 1118 m |
| Top Elevation | 10,568 ft / 3224 m |
| Base Elevation | 6,900 ft / 2103 m |
| Average Snowfall | 314 in / 26ft / 797 cm |
| Beginner Terrain | 14% |
| Intermediate Terrain | 42% |
| Advanced Terrain | 44% |
| Trails | 171 |
| Parks | 4 |
| Pipes | 2 |
| Public Race Course | Group Racing |
| Winter lifts Total | 17 |
| Gondolas Trams | 1 |
| Chair Lifts | 14 |
| Surface Lifts | 2 |
| Lift Capacity | 41,026 |
| Longest Run | 3 mile / 4.8 km |
| Mountain Restaurants | 5 |
| Snowmaking | 375 acres / 152 hectares |
| Village Bed Base | 20,000 |
| Season Opens | November |
| Season Closes | April |
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