Photo by Gear Crazy

Old Man Winter may be taking his time to make an appearance this year, but it hasn’t stopped Mother Nature from dusting the backcountry around Steamboat Springs in snow. While some anxiously await to make powdery turns at the Steamboat Ski Area, others are headed into the wilderness. The team at Condos in Steamboat cannot stress enough how important it is to be prepared for a backcountry adventure.

• Make yourself familiar with the area, use a map or app to track where you intend to go. Be aware of places to park and any restrictions. Some areas are designated only for foot traffic and others for snowmobiles.
• Never go alone and make sure others know your plans.
• Check the weather and know who to call if you get into trouble or lose visibility.
• Dress in layers, it can be cold when you start up, but it doesn’t take long to get the heart pumping and body temperature rising.
• Equally do not allow yourself to become chilled. Avoid cotton layers, which absorb moisture and will leave you feeling cold and damp.
• Take plenty of energy boosting snacks such as trail mix and have plenty of water. Dehydration is a dangerous thing.
• Take first aid supplies and a survival kit, including a shovel and Personal Locator Beacon, PLB.
• If you are new to the backcountry, consider taking a guide.

Little chef at the MeatSkool

The leaves are changing, the temperatures have dropped, and the idea of a day indoors is a welcome one. Steamboat may be known for its outdoor playground, but there is plenty to explore behind closed doors. We’ve made a list of our favorite ways to spend a rainy day in the ‘Boat.

1. Tread of Pioneers Museum, 800 Oak Street. Step back in time with a tour inside a Queen Anne-style Victorian home built in 1901. Discover how the Ute Indians and early pioneers came to settle in the Yampa Valley and how Steamboat became Ski Town USA.
2. The Crooked Key on 5^th Put your brain to the test and enter an escape room. Decipher codes and look for clues to unlock your way out.
3. Snow Bowl. Test your accuracy on one of 12 lanes at the ever-popular bowling alley on the west side of Steamboat. The full bar serves BBQ food and is a go-to for locals.
4. Bud Werner Memorial Library. Find a comfy chair or snuggle up on a window seat with a book or a magazine. Public-access computers are available for use and kids have access to a play area, which is perfect for stretching out.
5. Take a class at the Old Town Hot Springs in downtown Steamboat. Guests have the option of everything from kickboxing to Pilates.
6. Steamboat is home to thirteen art galleries including the Steamboat Art Museum. Entry is free to all and visitors to the Standard Art Gallery and Wine Bar on Lincoln Avenue can kick back with a refreshment. Find a list of venues and special events at steamboatcreates.org
7. Take a cooking class at MeatSkool run by Laura the Butcher. Classes for all ages are available and there is an option for private events at The MeatBar.
8. Tickle the taste buds on a beer tasting tour of town. Start with the longest running brewery in the ‘Boat at Mahogany Ridge Brewery, then stop by The Barley, Mountain Tap, Storm Peak and Butcherknife Breweries. Sample local made brews and find your favorite stout or hoppy pale ales.
9. Shop until you drop in downtown Steamboat, where local offerings range from Stetsons and boots at F.M. Light to handmade chocolates by Daniella at the Homesteader. Shoppers will find high street favorites including Lululemon and the North Face, along with a whole host of locally owned boutiques and outfitters.
10. Take in a new release movie at Wildhorse 6 on the mountain or check out a live show at the Chief Theater in downtown Steamboat.

By Brian Bonebrake at the Jace Romick Gallery

Yurts at Aurum

What does a gondola, a yurt and a mini Chalet have in common? They are Steamboat’s answer to quirky dining options since the onset of COVID-19. Three local restaurants are offering intimate alternatives to combat limited capacity restrictions. 

Aurum

Reserve one of three heated yurts situated in the grounds of Aurum on the banks of the Yampa River. Each yurt can hold up to eight people at a cost of $115 per adult and $45 for children, 12 and under. Bookings require a minimum of four adults. Guests can enjoy a six-course Chef’s Tasting Menu. 

Sauvage

A relative newcomer to Steamboat’s array of eateries, Sauvage brings a taste of France to the Yampa Valley. Guests have the option to dine, in mini heated chalets set on the patio by the restaurant’s street facade. Three, five and eight-course menus blend French favorites such as vichyssoise, cabineros, caviar and mussels. 

Gondola at Mountain Tap

Mountain Tap 

This is the perfect gondola ride for anyone who is afraid of heights.  Each of the three retired cars has been decked out with a table, electric heaters and blue tooth speakers. They can accommodate up six adults with squeezing space for two children. Food is a family-friendly line up of small plates, snacks and wood-fired pizzas. Adults only get to sample the local brews including favorites like Cliffed Out, Chasing Sunset and Passionate Pedaler. A minimum spend of $100 is expected for weekdays, and $150 on weekends. 

Here’s Five of our Favorites

Are you coming to town and don’t feel like hauling extra luggage back and forward with Christmas gifts? We have the perfect solution – buy a memory.

Foodie Fanatic

MEATSKOOL Cooking Class. 

Ideal for someone who loves to be in the kitchen, and even better for those who would rather avoid the slopes at all costs. MEATSKOOL, run by Laura the Butcher is offering at home classes for food lovers.  Options include: The Art of Charcuterie Boards, Artisanal Sausage Making, Chicken Ballotine or Fried Chicken and Biscuits. Classes include a glass of fizz and plenty of chance to savor the flavors. www.meatskool.com

Family Fun

Dog Sled

Learn to drive your own dog sled across snow-covered pastures or sit back and let someone else do the mushing. Owned and operated by Iditarod musher, Kris Hoffman and his wife Sara, Grizzle-T Dog and Sled Works provide adventures suited to all ages. Sleds can take two people, (or three if you are with children under 80lbs), and a team of Alaskan Huskies will pull you along, beneath the breathtaking backdrop of the snow covered Flat Tops. www.steamboatdogsledding.com

Adrenaline Seeker

Snowmobiling

Pump up adrenaline levels by cruising through the backcountry on Rabbit Ears Pass at speed. Zip over meadows, wind through forest trails and climb to spectacular viewpoints without meeting a soul. Complementary shuttle and equipment provided. www.steamboatsnowmobile.com

Solitude for Skiers

Snowcat Skiing

Experience Steamboat’s legendary powder without the crowds. Spend a day leaving your own lines in untouched snow with Steamboat Powdercats. Climb back uphill in a comfortable heated snowcat with skilled backcountry guides who help you navigate the day’s terrain. Skiing is suited to strong intermediate and advanced levels. www.steamboatpowdercats.com

Taste of the Wild West

Horseback Ride and Sleigh Ride Dinner

Hop on the shuttle to Saddleback Ranch, a family owned and operated 100-year-old ranch located west of town. Step into a horse drawn sleigh and wrap up beneath a wool blanket for a 30-minute sleigh ride beneath the starry sky.  Savor a home-cooked meal at the Double Dollar Lodge, where cowboys will teach you a thing or two about roping. If time permits, you’ll be working off your meal with a Do-Si-Do and a little line dancing. Alternatively, arrive earlier to squeeze in a horseback ride and make it the ultimate taste of the west. www.saddlebackranch.net

As summer air temps hang around the 80’s and 90’s this month, snow is not the first thing on our mind. For the Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation it’s exactly what they are thinking about with less than 100 days until the 20/21 ski season begins. Today they released this winters flight schedule with Southwest flying into Steamboat for the first time. 

“Southwest flying into Steamboat is a game changer. Their passengers are used to a certain level of customer service that we know will be met by the genuine friendly community of Steamboat,” said Rob Perlman, president and COO of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “Steamboat now offers the best variety of airlines to a mountain destination with options that fit every skier and snowboarder’s needs.”

Alaska, American, JetBlue, Southwest and United Airlines provide nonstop access from 14 airports across the U.S. as well as convenient connections from more than 300 airports worldwide. 

Information as of August 2020 and subject to change without notice.  *Daily United ORD will operate Saturdays/Sundays only from 1/11 through 2/14. ** EWR operates Saturdays only from Jan.9-Feb6.

Downtown Steamboat Springs/ Steamboat Ski Resort

On June 1, the lodging ban that was implemented as a safety measure in response to the outbreak of COVID-19, will be lifted. For our team at Condos in Steamboat, it brings a huge sigh of relief. After months of uncertainty, Routt County is now open to visitors.

This summer will be a summer like no other. Like everyone, we’ve had to adapt to a new ‘norm.’ For most of us in Steamboat Springs, we’ve been separated from our neighbors, friends and families. Our activities amounted to walks around the block, or occasionally, a hike in the backcountry as the weather warmed. The pace of life slowed and allowed us to take stock of what is important.

Mindsets vary on how we move forward, but there is one common thread that binds us all. We don’t want to go back to the hustle and bustle of life’s crazy pace.  This summer we won’t have the regular festivals and laundry list of events that keep our wonderful visitors coming in droves. Instead we will have our trails, rivers, lakes, mountains and meadows to play in. Restaurants, shops and galleries will be open in accordance to state laws. 

This is the summer that will be devoid of distractions that keep us from enjoying the simple things. The bare bones of this little ski town are the reason most of us chose to call Steamboat home. It’s the people and the place that keep the curse of this former cow town alive, “Those who leave the Yampa Valley, will always return.”

We hope you will return to us soon.

If you are planning to visit this summer, please pack a mask. Routt County has made it a legal requirement to wear a facemask in public, even though it is not mandated by the state.

Book Before October 10, 2019 For The Biggest Savings On Lift Tickets for the 2019/20 season.

The countdown to make the greatest savings on this winter’s ski trip has begun. Make the most of the lowest prices available on lift tickets and book your accommodation before ticket prices go up on October 10, 2019.

On the fence about what makes sense for you, your family and friends? We’ve put together a few scenarios to help make a decision.

Ski or ride during a regular season bracket between January 20 and February 14, 2020 and pay $101.25 per day, (window price will be $189), that’s an $87 saving per person per day. Or, for four adults skiing/ riding five days in the same time frame, that works out to be a $1755 saving.

If you visit in one of the peak seasons between February 15 and March 29, 2020 you can pay $116.25 for a daily ticket today, or $219 at the window.

Kids Ski Free (ages 6-12) with the purchase of five day or more adult pass.

Restrictions apply all on lift tickets, including a minimum purchase of three days or more, prices alter based on dates, and tickets must accompany an accommodation booking with Condos in Steamboat.

For those who plan to ski or ride at multiple resorts, the best deal is still the IKON pass. The IKON Pass offers unlimited skiing with no restrictions; the IKON base pass offers restricted skiing with blackout dates. Both passes offer access to 41 destinations. Current pricing for an IKON Pass is $1,049 per person (+23 years old); an IKON Base Pass is $749 per person (+23 years old). Both prices go up on October 17.

For more information, to make a booking or chat to us about what makes sense for you, call 1800 820 1886 or visit www.condosinsteamboat.com

Peakaboo by the Steamboat Pilot

Did you know Colorado is home to more than 960 species of wildlife? While that is an exciting prospect to animal and bird lovers who come to visit the state, it can be a challenge for the animals themselves. Knowing how to appreciate and view wildlife safely is paramount to the safety of both humans and animals.

In Steamboat, sightings of black bears, moose and elk have become a frequent occurrence in urban areas. We urge everyone to remember that the wildlife you see is indeed wild and should never be approached. At Condos in Steamboat, we reached out to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for safety tips to share with our guests who are on a mission to seek out the furry and feathered members of our community.

• Time your outing for morning or evening, when wildlife are most active.
• Wear earth-tone clothes, like gray, khaki and olive green. Animals will tolerate you better if you blend into the surroundings.
• Keep your distance, for the safety and comfort of both animals and people. If an animal changes its behavior, stops eating or seems nervous at your presence, it’s time to back away.
• Stay quiet and still. Noise and quick movements mean “danger” to wildlife. They may run or fly off, sometimes leaving their nests or young unprotected. Never chase or harass wildlife.
• Look to the edges of the landscape, (where the forest meets the meadow for example), because many wildlife species spend time along habitat edges.
• Look for movement, shapes, and color contrasts. Motion is the best giveaway. Also, look for parts of an animal such as its head, tail, ear, wing, or antler.
• Use binoculars, a spotting scope, or a telephoto lens for a close-up view.
• Use your car as a viewing blind. Pull safely off the road. Respect others who are viewing the same animals.
• Avoid animals that behave unexpectedly or aggressively. They may be ill, injured, or have young nearby.
• Leave your pets at home. Pets hinder wildlife watching. They can chase, injure or kill wildlife, or be injured or killed themselves.
• Do not feed wild animals. It can change their behavior in ways that can be harmful—both to them and to people. Reserve feeding for ‘backyard’ birds.

Camera

Routt County’s scenery explodes into a backdrop of spectacular reds and golds during fall. Take to the roads and leave plenty time to pull over and take photos. Favorite drives include: The Flat Tops Wilderness Area Scenic Byway from Yampa over Dunkley Pass and Ripple Creek Pass; Elk River Road to Hahns Peak and Steamboat Lake; or Rabbit Ears Pass to Muddy Pass.

Binoculars

Spot an array of wildlife on the hillsides or roaming in the valley floor. It’s a busy time for our resident moose, elk, deer and bears. Keep a safe distance and use binoculars or telephoto lenses to watch them. Never approach a wild animal and make sure dogs remain on a leash.

Keep track of local bird sightings and document your own by using the popular app, ebird.org. For instant identification from a database of 650 North American birds, try merlin.allaboutbirds.org

 Warm Layers

Plan for cooler air temps in the mornings and evenings. Dress like a local and opt for layers. Several of the nations biggest players in outdoor recreation clothing and gear started out right here in Steamboat. Check out sidewalk sales throughout fall where last season’s gear can be a steal. You’ll have to race to the rack to grab anything from Smartwool or Big Agnes.

Taste Buds

It’s not just beer and brats on the menu this season, although you can find both in abundance at Steamboat’s OktoberWest festival on September 14 and 15. Sip local brews and pedal from pub to pub, while raising money for a great cause in the annual Mustache Ride on October 6.

Dine for less during ‘mud season’ when some of the town’s best eateries will be offering specials. Hunting season brings elk to the table in tasty stews and steaks. Homegrown apples, plums and the last harvest of peaches bubble inside cobblers and pies. Get a taste of local flavors at the first ever Yampavore dinner on October 11 at Harwigs Restaurant. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to support the Community Agriculture Alliance.

A Costume

We’re serious here – if you come on Halloween, you will need one. The downtown stroll is one of the community’s most cherished events. For two hours, Lincoln Avenue is closed to traffic and open to ghosts, ghouls and goblins. Join the throng of locals wandering from store to store on a trick or treat quest. Dress up and take part, or kick back with a cocktail and watch from the sidelines. October 31, 5-7 p.m.

Savor a taste of Steamboat Springs every Saturday morning this summer at the downtown Farmers Market. Now in its 14^th year, the homegrown bazaar has become a platform for local farmers and artisan producers to showcase the flavors of the ‘Boat.

From June 9 to September 15, shoppers can pick up weekly groceries in the vibrant open-air setting on Yampa Street. Fresh Palisade peaches; grass-fed beef and bison, homemade cheeses and artisan breads are only some of the vast array of goodies on offer.

Saunter from stall to stall to find handmade goats milk soaps, custom jewelry and artwork, accessories, clothing and furnishings. Refuel at several food trucks, which serve up everything from crepes to curry.

Keep small shoppers happy at activity stations with hula-hoops, corn hole and crafts. Teens love the temporary henna tattoo stall. The wait is typically long, but you can give your name and reduce the time for standing in line.

Live music kicks off at 11 a.m. followed by entertainment from a collection of local performers. Expect anything from an impromptu display of belly dancing to off Broadway musical renditions.

The market runs from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. every Saturday on Yampa Street. Parking is limited downtown, so expect to walk or consider riding the free City bus and get off near 5^th Street. Vendors do not tend to offer shopping bags, so plan to come prepared.

Look out for weekly happenings at www.mainstreetsteamboat.com