Resort information for Steamboat

Steamboat is a resort village, 10 minutes drive from the old working cattle-town of Steamboat Springs. The lift-base village is no beauty; but it’s best to stay there, and near the gondola there are a few shop- and restaurant-lined multi-level squares, some of which are receiving a much needed facelift over the next few years. The resort also sprawls across the valley.

Steamboat’s slopes are prettily set among trees, with extensive views over rolling hills and the wide Yampa valley. The place is relatively isolated, but you could combine it with resorts west of Denver, from Winter Park to Vail. The term ‘Champagne Powder’ was invented here, so it’s no surprise to find that, despite a relatively low altitude, Steamboat has an excellent snow record. It has a 10-year annual average of 335 inches, and there is snowmaking from top to bottom too. Queues form for the gondola first thing, but they move quickly (and can be avoided by using chairs instead).

There are food courts and table-service restaurants up the mountain, though peak time crowds can be a problem. There are over 70 bars and restaurants, and the base lodge area is livelier than the old town in the evening. There’s a nightlife trail map – presumably for the ultimate bar crawl.