Some people come to Steamboat Springs, Colorado for the beauty of the surroundings. Some come for the western atmosphere, the restaurants, and the casual, laid-back atmosphere of the city. Most, however, come for the snow. “Ski Town” averages nearly 30 feet of snow each season, which means snow, snow, and more snow, all winter long.
Steamboat Springs claims the driest and fluffiest snow in the world. The snow there is so dry and fluffy that the locals have coined and patented the descriptive phrase “Champagne Powder.” To back up their claim, the local government hired several meteorologists to measure the moisture content in the snow surrounding Steamboat Springs, and the results confirmed the idea that Champagne Powder has 70% less moisture than average snow.
Other than Champagne Powder, Steamboat Springs ski areas are unique in that once you leave the gondola at the top of the mountain and start skiing down any of the many available trails, you are actually skiing on owned land. from the US government. That’s right. Skiing is available in Steamboat Springs due to a unique partnership between Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation and Routt National Forest. In fact, this arrangement may be the only one anywhere in the United States. Typically, ski property is owned by someone and rented to a company that provides the services necessary to keep skiers coming back year after year.
Within 400 yards of a ski base area, there are at least three excellent hotels with ski in, ski out packages available. Obviously, the closer you get to the action, the higher the room prices. Move a little further from the base of the mountain and you’ll find a wide range of ski resorts that offer more amenities and less cost. The choice is yours, as always: ski out the back door, hop in the gondola and be on your way, or wake up, have breakfast, get dressed, take a shuttle to the bottom of the mountain and your ski. the adventure begins. Whichever you prefer, you’ll find it in Steamboat Springs.
