Skiing Steamboat Springs Colorado North America
A Ski Holiday for All the Family North West Colorado, North America
Sep 18, 2008
Skiing is an ever popular holiday active for many, but choosing where to go can be confusing and it is often hard to know where to start. Skiing in North America is popular due to the amenities and good snow fall. Colorado offers skiing in the Rocky Mountains, but still has a large number of resorts for potential visitors to choose from. Steamboat Springs is located about three hours drive north west from Denver Colorado and offers a mountain and town well suited for a ski holiday for all the family.
The Mountain: Hitting The Slopes
With the summit at 10,568 ft and spreading over 2,965 acres the steamboat ski area has something to please everyone, and its most famed asset, its legendary champagne powder does just that. There are 165 named trails serviced by 23 lifts, including a high speed gondola and 6 high speed chairs. Intermediate slopes at steamboat are plentiful, from sweeping, wide trails with amazing views, to slightly more challenging, tree line adventures. Advanced skiers are also catered for, whether it’s narrow twisting blacks, the rock jumps on the back side of the mountain, or the ever developing terrain park with Maverick’s Superpipe for those who dare. Although in terms of slope ratio Steamboat is gear more towards intermediate and advanced, the slopes designated for beginners are well laid out, and managed, and unlike other resorts, particular those in Europe, once you begin to find your ski legs you are not limited to the bottom of the mountain.
Childcare While Staying In Steamboat Springs
Steamboat is definitely child friendly with a vacation centre running both day, and evening programs and several children only ski areas. Safety is also taken very seriously at Steamboat, the introduction of MountainWatch technology allows parties to locate one another by renting wristband locators, and then using the kiosks around the mountain during the day find one another. All children enrolled at ski-school are given a Watch, and parents can sign up to allow them to check on where their children are.
Things To Do In Steamboat Springs: Not Just A Ski Town
Whilst skiing is the main focus of a winter time trip to Steamboat Springs there are plenty of other attractions on offer. Ice Driving is available from the Bridgestone Winter Driving School, which teaches some important driving skills and offers plenty of fun, as the only way to practice getting out of a skid is to first create one. If you want to explore the landscape options including, hiking, snow-shoeing and horse riding, or for a little more adrenaline there is always snowmobiling. One of the more unusually ways to seen the mountains is on a full moon shoe-showing tour. Those looking for something a little tamer will be right at home taking a soothing soak at the hot springs.
Après Ski
Though not in the same league as Europe, Steamboat has old American charm and a range of eateries and bars which should suit most tastes. Those looking to eat out will be spoilt for choice, with everything from Italian to Chinese, Mexican to Pacific Rim, and of course a heck of a lot of steak. The steamboat dinning guide is a fairly good place to start when spoilt for choice, it lists most of the restaurants both at the ski area and down town. The nightlife in Steamboat can be a little quiet, however there are some place worth visiting. The Tugboat Pub is one venue of note, a great little pub which often has live music and a great old town atmosphere.
