Steamboat Springs

By car

Steamboat Springs is typically 3-4 hr away from Denver by car in good winter conditions. If heavy snow, there are a couple of passes (including Rabbit Ears Pass) which become much more difficult and slow going. The most direct route from Denver to Steamboat is I-70 west to Silverthorne. From there, take Highway 9 North to Kremmling where you meet up with US 40. Then drive west on US 40 over Rabbit Ears pass to Steamboat. With no traffic or snow, the drive can be as quick as 2.5 hr.

By plane

• Yampa Valley Regional AirportMany major airlines, including United, American and Delta, provide direct service from hubs and major cities during the winter, It is only a 30 min flight from Denver on United.

By bus

Numerous bus and shuttle services are available from Denver airport.

The City of Steamboat Springs provides free municipal bus service year round. Buses arrive approximately every 10 min in the winter and every 20 minutes in the summer. The Steamboat Springs Transit stops along every major route with service from downtown to the mountain condos and ski area.
Alpine Taxi is Steamboat's taxi Service. They provide in-town taxis as well as shuttle service to and from the Yampa Valley Regional Airport (Hayden) and the Denver International Airport.
Storm Mountain Express and Go Alpine also offers shuttle service to and from Hayden.

The Town of Steamboat Springs is essentially separated into several areas. One is the mountain area (known simply as "the mountain" or "the base area") surrounding the base of the Steamboat Ski Area on Mt. Werner, there are multiple shops as well as dining and nightlife. The area also includes many hotels, condominiums, and rental homes. The area is relatively easy to navigate on foot, but driving can be more difficult.
The other major area is downtown, around 4 miles from the Ski Area. Downtown Steamboat is located along Lincoln Avenue (US 40) and stretches 8-10 blocks between Third Street and Eleventh Street. This is the historic area of town. Shopping, dining and nightlife are here as well. Most of Steamboat's better restaurants are located downtown, and the area is much easier to navigate in a car than the mountain area. Parking on Lincoln Avenue is limited, but there are several parking lots on the numbered side streets.
West Steamboat is west of downtown and houses more locally oriented businesses (like hardware stores, mechanics, and specialty shops).
Steamboat is long known for its legendary "Champagne Powder" snow, western heritage, and Olympic Tradition which gives Steamboat the name of "Ski Town USA." Steamboat is also known for its reputation as a breeding ground for US Winter Olympic Athletes, who often participate in the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club that practices and trains athletes on Howelsen Hill. Howelsen Hill is Steamboat's second, smaller ski area, and is located near the downtown area. Howelsen Hill is the oldest continuous operating ski area in Colorado. Tickets here are much cheaper than at the Steamboat Ski Area, but terrain is also much smaller and includes one lift that operates on weekends, a pomma, a halfpipe, and several runs.
Notable Steamboat sites:

• Fish Creek FallsWaterfall located in the town of Steamboat Springs. These falls are also pictured on the label of Coors Beer.

• Routt National Forest

• Flat Top Mountains

• Continental Divide Trail

• Steamboat Lake State Park

  phone: +1 970 879-3922

• Stagecoach State Park

  phone: +1 970 736-2436

• Strawberry Park Hot SpringsNatural hot springs just outside of Steamboat.

• Yampa River Core TrailA beautiful paved trail that follows the Yampa River through downtown Steamboat Springs.

• Howelsen Hill

  phone: +1 970 879-8499 (main),+1 970-871-7084 (Nordic)
  The oldest continuous operating ski area in Colorado.

• The Howler - Steamboat Springs Alpine Slide

  - located in Steamboat Springs

Summer

• Kayak, raft, and tube the Yampa river

• Wild West Balloon Adventures

  phone: +1 970 879-7219
  address: 42415 E Deerfoot Ln
  A Hot Air Balloon ride over Steamboat Springs

• Romick Rodeo

  address: 501 Howelsen Parkway

• The Howler Steamboat Springs Alpine Slide

  phone: +1 970-819-8010
  address: 645 Howelsen Parkway
  You take a chairlift to the top of Howleson Hill and then using a sled you go down 2400 feet of winding curves
• Flyfishing on the Yampa River and Elk river
• Camping in the Zirkels Wilderness
• Day time rides up the ski mountain ski gondola

• Zephyr Helicopter Company

  phone: +1 970 846-4677
  Helicopter Rides over the area that surrounds Steamboat Springs
• Rock climbing
• Swimming in the Steamboat Hot Springs

Horseback Riding

Golfing

Golf at many of the area's Golf Courses

Hiking

• Fish Creek FallsA 2.5 Mile one way hike that brings you up to 9000 Feet Elevation. It is only 1/4 of a mile to the First Falls

• Mt. Werner,
• Buffalo Pass
• Rabbit Ears pass

Summer Events

• Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series
• Hot Air Balloon Festival
• Steamboat Running Series
• Steamboat Springs Soccer Tournament
• Steamboat Marathon and Triathlon

• Strings in the MountainsRegular classical performances in the summer made by touring (as well as local) musicians.

• Triple Crown Sports Tournaments
• USA Pro Cycling Challenge - the largest Steamboat bike race

Winter

• Ice Climb Fish Creek FallsA 2.5 Mile one way hike that brings you up to 9000 Feet Elevation. It is only 1/4 of a mile to the First Falls

• Ski Mt. Werner
• Snowmobiling
• Snowcat ride and powder skiing
• Winter fly fishing
• Dogsledding
• Night tubing at the ski base area
• Romantic dinner on the top of the mountain

• Strawberry Park Hot Springs

  phone: +1 970 879-0342
  address: 44200 County Rd#3
  hot springs about 15 min outside of downtown (more or less depending on weather). Sit in 104 degree Mineral water, also offers lodging in cabins or even a locomotive (clothing optional after dark). If it's snowy, the road up to the springs requires by law AWD and snow tires or chains. Note that is AWD/4WD with snow tires, some have had severe problems with the hill with AWD and all season tires when it was snowing. A fantastic set of hot springs, though the facilities could be better. Clothing is optional after dark.}
• sitting in hot tubs when it snows
• Winter Concert Series
• try to be there for the last day the ski mountain is open for business, the place is one big party. meet some locals and have a good time.
• Check out the Olympic Ski jumping hill at Howelson hill, its a great thing to watch
• Cross country ski on many of the Nordic tracks surrounding the area
• The Annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill

Winter Events

• Coureur Des Bois

• Steamboat Winter CarnivalThe oldest winter carnival in the United States west of the Mississippi river.

• Winter Concert Series

Ski

Shops

Several shops are located downtown Steamboat on Lincoln Avenue. Additionally, there are stores on the mountain near the ski area in Ski Times Square.

• SmartWool SocksWhile you're there, purchase a pairthe corporate headquarters are located in Steamboat Springs.

• Embellishments8th Street. A beautiful shop of home furnishings and accessories specializing in fair-trade merchandise.

Equipment rental

There are many places in Steamboat where you can rent ski and snowboard equipment for your stay in Steamboat.
Here are just a few of the many equipment rental stores found in Steamboat

• Black Tie Ski Rentals

• Breeze

• Christy Sports

• One Stop Ski Shop Ltd

  phone: +1 970 879-4754

• Ski Haus

  phone: +1 970 879-0385

• Sportstalker: Retail-Rental

  phone: +1 970 879-2445

• Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare

  phone: +1 970 879-9144

• Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation

  phone: +1 970 879-6111

• Steamboat Ski Touring Center

  phone: +1 970 879-8180

• Terry Sports

  phone: +1 970 879-8414

If you arriving in Steamboat without a car it is probably easier to rent your gear closer to your hotel or even better the lifts as most offer over night storage, saving you the hassle of lugging your skis back to your accommodation every day. Or to secure special boot size or your preference for equipment rental.
You can also book your ski or snowboard rental online which may save you some money and less time in the rental store.
The main companies in Steamboat that offer this service are;

• Black Tie (Which also offer full delivery service to your accommodation)
• Christy Sports
• Breeze Ski Rentals
• Fleischer Sport
• Rentskis

On the mountain

• Ski Time Square

• Cafe Diva

• Market on the Mountain

• Saketumi

• The Tugboat

• Slopeside Bar & Grill(kid friendly)

• Gondola Square

• Gondola Pub & Grill

• Bear River

• La Montana

• Enzo Pizzeria Italiano(Steamboat Grand Complex)

In between

• Three Peaks Grill

• Ore House At the Pine Grove

• Fiesta Jalisco

• Colorado Bagel Company

• Freshies

• Blue Sage Pizza

• The Egg & I

• Rex's American Grill and Bar

Downtown

• Winona's Restaurant

  phone: +1 970 879-2483
  address: 617 Lincoln Ave
  Generous portions of food and a local favorite.

• Bistro c.v.

• Mahogany Ridge

• Creekside Cafe & Grill

• Cottonwood Grill

• Backcountry Provisions

• Cantina Fresh Mexican

• Cuginos

• 8th Street Steakhouse

• Mazzola's

• The Tap House

• Old Town Pub

• Sunpies

• Mambo Italiano

• Double Z Bar & Barbeque

• The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

• Steamboat Smokehouse

• Sweetwater Grill

• The Shack Cafe

• Old West Steak House

• Azteca Taqueria

On mountain

• Ski Time Square

• The Tugboat

• Slopeside Bar & Grill

• Lupos

• Gondola Square

• Gondola Pub & Grill

• Bear River

• Pirates Pub

Downtown

• Bistro c.v.Not the largest wine selection, but the best.

• Bella's Wine Bar

  address: Lincoln Ave 7th and 8th
  Best wines in town and live jazz/blues/afro Cuban weekly

• Mahogany Ridge

• The CantinaMargaritas.

• The Tap House

• Old Town PubA legendary Steamboat landmark and a must visit for everyone. It's family friendly, but also offers great nightlife with a diverse music scene.

• Mambo Italiano

• Double Z bar & barbecue

• The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

• Steamboat Smokehouse

• Big House Burgers and Bottle Cap Bar

• The Home RanchRelais Chateau ranch 17 miles NW of town.

• The Inn at Steamboat

  phone: +1 970 879-2600
  address: 3070 Columbine Dr
  The Inn at Steamboat offers a touch of class for those seeking a quiet mountain get-a-way.

• The KOA CampgroundWest of town has great facilities including a very nice hot tub. They have facilities for large and small campers and motor homes, tent sites, as well as cabins. $25 per night for a small camper with electric.

• The Lodge at Steamboat

  phone: +1 970 879-6000
  address: 2700 Village Dr
  Property has 120 units with two, three and four bedroom condominiums. Accommodations are located at the base of Mt. Werner approximately 200 yards from the Gondola.

• Timber Run Condominiums

  phone: +1-970-879-8000
  address: 2015 Walton Creek Rd
  You can choose between two or three bedroom condominiums. This property offers free guest shuttles during the winter season to and from slopes, shopping, dining, etc.

• The Ranch at Steamboat

  address: Ranch Rd

• Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas

  phone: +1 970-879-2220
  address: 2200 Village Inn Ct