1963-John Fetcher and Gordy Wren at the base of Storm Mountain Ski Area. Courtesy Fetcher Family Collection
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, ALSO KNOW AS SKI TOWN USA has been home to more Winter Olympians than any other town or city in the United States. Steamboat springs is located in North West Colorado, nestled in the Yampa Valley and offers a year round experience.
The winters will find you enjoying the world class skiing and amenities that Steamboat Ski resort is famous for. The phrase “Champagne Powder” was coined here and for good reason. Our location at the end of a long valley allows the clouds to reform with abundant snow, averaging 350 inches of annual snowfall, which has less moisture content falling in a feather light blanket that is ideal for your skiing pleasure. With the ski base beginning at only 6,700 feet in elevation people from lower areas can enjoy all their winter activities with less wind and altitude related incidents. However skiing is only one of the many activities to be enjoyed in Routt County in the winter. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, indoor tennis, year round fishing and horseback riding or soaking in the natural Hot Springs are just some of the pleasures to be explored.
Summers are no less active with miles of hiking trails, mountain or road biking, a full array of sports tournaments, pro rodeos, kayaking, tubing, watching dozens of Hot Air balloons at our annual balloon rodeo and arts fair weekend, or simply enjoying an evening under the stars at Strings in the Mountains concert venue.
Of course a trip to Steamboat Springs would be incomplete without a trip to downtown. Shops, restaurants and art galleries are plentiful and inviting. Come experience our annual Winter Carnival, the oldest west of the Mississippi, or watch fireworks launch from three locations on Howelson Hill on the 4th of July.
You will immediately notice how our ranching heritage continues to permeate our culture and our friendly helpful attitudes. Come discover our history and heritage and you will soon be afflicted by the Curse of the Yampa Valley which states that once you leave you will forever be compelled to return.
Steamboat Springs is a great place to live, work, raise a family or retire. From our award winning healthcare system to our upper echelon educational system we have all the amenities that anyone can desire in a rural setting. Getting around is easy with bike trails and free bus service. Located just 24 miles from town is our newly expanded Regional Airport with convenient connections to the rest of the world.
No wonder Real Estate is so desirable. Yet, compared to other top tier mountain resorts we are very competitively positioned on both product and price. Perhaps it’s due to the vastness of the valley from South Routt and Stagecoach State Reservoir to North Routt and the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness area and Steamboat Lake State Park or west to Hayden along the Yampa River.
The possibilities are diverse and endless.
Click on the following link to view more than 50 Years of Steamboat History, brought to you by Steamboat Magazine.
Michelle Avery, CRS, GRI