The Olympic flame flies at Howelsen Hill.

Did you know Steamboat Springs has produced more Olympians than any other town in America? Luckily for us all, many of them continue to call Steamboat home and are often on hand to share a tip or two on the slopes. Next time you are in the ‘Boat seek them out – here’s where to find them.

1. Howelsen Hill – home of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and ongoing training ground for current and future Olympians. On most Sundays expect to find head Nordic coach, Todd Wilson at the base of the jump hill tempting you give ski jumping a try. It’s not as daunting as it sounds – everyone starts on the bump jump. It’s fun, free and strangely addictive.
2. Steamboat Ski Area – ski down Heavenly Daze with Billy Kidd on any given day. Look for the notice at top of the gondola to see if he is skiing that day and meet him at 1 p.m. by the start of Why Not. On Sundays at 1 p.m. improve your mogul skiing on Nelson’s Run with expert tips from Nelson Carmichael. Both activities as free to lift ticket holders. Ladies can sign up for the three-day women’s clinic, which has been offered at Steamboat for 25 years. Ann Battelle and Deb Armstrong lead the line up of instructors. Spaces are still available for March 6-8.
3. Tread of Pioneers Museum – check out the ongoing Ski Town USA exhibit at the museum on the corner of 8^th and Oak Streets. Find out how skiing and boarding has evolved over the last century and check out Olympic memorabilia.

1. Getting here is easy; Direct Flights daily from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis/St Paul, with select days coming in and out from Houston, Ft Worth, Los Angeles, Newark and Seattle.

2. Steamboat’s mountain is a huge playground for all. Ski, snowboard, telemark, freestyle, ski bike, adaptive ski with Steamboat Stars, snowshoe, whatever your preference Steamboat Ski Area awaits everyone from the novice to the expert.

• Permitted Acres: 2,965 acres/1,200 hectares
• Trails: 165 named trails
• Trail Classification: 14% Beginner 42% Intermediate 44% Advanced
• Freeriders have Mavericks Superpipe and Terrain Park plus smaller version Mini-mav to play in all day long.

3. Your epic ski day doesn’t need to end when the sun goes down, try out Steamboat’s Night Skiing. Little ones in tow? No worries, the mountain based Kids Vacation Center (KVC) opens late so you are free to carve your way all evening, knowing junior is in great hands.

4. Try something new with Wednesday jump nights at Howelsen Hill. Open to all from the novice to the Olympian, it’s a local tradition complete with free pizza and cookies served in the old time ski lodge for participants. www.sswsc.org

5.  Miles upon miles of varied terrain awaits the backcountry enthusiast. Enjoy gliding through the forest or make your own lines careering down tree lined slopes on Rabbit Ears or Buffalo Passes.

6. Spend a day in your own snowcat exploring untouched terrain with Steamboat Powdercats. Let knowledgeable guides navigate fresh powder stashes all day long, warming up with a home cooked lunch served in a private cabin in the woods.

7. Take to Steamboat’s national parks, and explore vast snow covered lands on a snowmobile. Rev up your engines and zip all over North Routt or the east side of Rabbit Ears, just two of the Condos in Steamboat team’s personal favorites.

Condo’s own Jake Filler taking his tube for a spin.

8. Whizz down hillsides at either of the Valley’s two tubing hills. Howelsen Hill or Saddleback Ranch both make for an afternoon or evening of hoop hollering happiness.

9. Feel your inner cowboy and take to the saddle at Vista Verde Ranch or Del’s Triangle.  Cross sparkling snow covered fields on horseback, listening to tales of days gone from your ranch guide. Prefer to stay out of the saddle? Step into a horse drawn sled for an afternoon or evening sleigh ride then warm up for hot chocolate or a full homesteader dinner at Saddleback Ranch or Hahns Peak Roadhouse.

10. Kick back after a day on the snow and submerge aching limbs into a pool of warm mineral water. Downtown’s Hot Springs complete with climbing wall or Strawberry Park’s secluded natural pools never fail to leave one rejuvenated ready to take on another day of snow fun, Steamboat style.