Winter Activities
Winter Activities. Winter sports are the lifeblood of the town in the winter and skiing and snowboarding are the pack’s leaders. The Steamboat Ski area and Howelsen Hill are the primary locations where one can make a day of the town’s favorite activities.
Alpine Skiing/Snowboarding
Steamboat Springs is home to one of the nation’s premier ski resorts. With a diversity of trails and over 3000 vertical feet on almost 3000 acres of terrain averaging 340 inches of snow each year, Steamboat is a destination Ski Resort for domestic and international travelers. www.steamboat.com
Snowmobiling
Bring the sleds and access the best high-country snowmobiling terrain the Rocky Mountains have to offer. Public access to Rabbit Ears Pass, Buffalo Pass, and the Mt. Zirkel wilderness area offers an endless snow-blanketed landscape of varying difficulties.
If you don’t have your own snowmobile, contact Saddleback Ranch, Steamboat Snowmobile Tours, or any of the other various outfitters in town.
Ice Climbing
No experience necessary! Rocky Mountain Ventures in Steamboat Springs has various ice-climbing opportunities for all ability levels. The ice climbing excursions are safely guided by local climbing experts. Dress warm and enjoy the scenery from the top of a frozen waterfall. Visit www.verticalgrip.com.
Snowshoe Tours
On your own or with a guide anyone can enjoy this spirited activity. With hundreds of trails around Steamboat and in-expensive snowshoe rentals available at every shop, there is no reason why you shouldn’t. The Steamboat Ski Resort offers a guided Gourmet Snow Shoe Tour on Mt Werner, and Rocky Mountain Ventures will gladly take shoers to the backcountry for spectacular views and settings.
Cross-Country Skiing
Tour through the snowy aspen groves, trek alongside a river bank, or enjoy the scenic winter activity wonderland here in Steamboat, up at Rabbit Ears Pass, over to the Flattops, or through Gore Canyon. Take a multi-day trip and ski hut-to-hut in the backcountry guided by a local outfitter.
Horseback Adventures
Enjoy a winter stroll across snow-blanketed ranches just outside of Steamboat. Del’s Triangle 3 Ranch and Saddleback Ranch offer short guided rides for children and adults. Or treat yourself and your loved ones to a picturesque sleigh ride through mountain meadows complete with a home-cooked dinner when you return. There are several guest ranches in town that offer superb sleigh ride opportunities.
