It came last month, all 100 inches of the glorious white stuff

February in Steamboat – what memories are made of!

It came last month, over 100 inches of the glorious white stuff. After an unseasonably warm and dry festive season, the precious powder that we Steamboatians so crave, came. Perhaps the lively snow dances performed under epic fireworks at the 99^th Annual Winter Carnival brought it on? Snow chanters cheered on young athletes carving up Howelson hill, including Condos in Steamboats’ own 7-year-old Jake Filler.

Mother Nature may have contemplated giving us snow shuvellers a break after last years unrelenting snow load. Whatever the reason, she changed her mind, and unleashed the winter storms.

Many of our lucky visitors who bagged some of that knee-deep powder, could be found making the most of the mountain’s first track’s program. At 8am seated amongst equally excited locals, guests were anxious to make their mark on the days’ untouched terrain.

Nordic enthusiasts were just as ecstatic cross-country skiing or shoe shoeing in the peaceful surroundings of the touring center, and Howelson Hill. On Rabbit Ears pass, you could easily believe you had stepped through the back of the wardrobe into C.S. Lewis’s Narnia. Spruce tree branches laden with snow lined over 30 miles of trails, waiting to be explored. As the ground sparkled under the infamous Colorado blue skies, the panoramic views from the Flat tops to Hahn’s Peak were breathtaking.

Across the valley, shrieks of joy from tubers at Saddleback Mountain Ranch rivalled the beaming smiles from sledders all over town. Snow mobilers headed further afield, eager to leave their path on unspoiled powder meadows.

At the end of the day tired limbs flocked to the Old Town Hot Springs, for a soak in the bubbling pools. Others sat by the fire curled up with hot chocolate and postcards to write. Around town, contented guests ventured out for cocktails and dinner recalling tales of a great day had.

Story by local resident & Mom of three:  Suzi Mitchell. March 2012.