Steamboat Spring has earned a notable reputation for many things. One you may not be so familiar with unless you live here, or have four legs and tail, is, Steamboat peoples’ love for dogs. No event shouts out ‘we love Fido,’ like the bi-annual Poochie Paddle. When the town stops to take a breath after the mountain closes, some unusual things happen, no more so, than at the Old Town Hot Springs. Twice a year the pools are drained, cleaned and refilled. The day before the water is emptied, dogs of every shape, size and age can take the plunge. It’s a sight to be seen – or heard. Yelping, howling and mad splashing mask the calls and whistles of owners directing, tossing Frisbees and hauling soggy stragglers from the waters edge. If you are on the fence about bringing the hairiest member of the family on a trip to Steamboat, then just remember – locals call this Dog Town USA, for good reason.

See the ski season out in style with the Steamboat Ski Area’s not to be missed grand finale of wild and wacky events. April 1 marks the official countdown to the mountain closing for another year. Come and join locals for Springalicious, when the attire of the day are tutus and capes, the music at the base area is pumping, the sun is shinning and the snow is forgiving.

Live Music

April 4 – The Motet: Denver based the Motet blends American funk, afrobeat and jazz. Known for their high energy performances, the band has released seven studio albums.

April 12 (Closing Day) –Steel Pulse: Spreading a message of love and justice to all people, this British reggae band plays their grammy award-winning music all over the world. Prepare the end ski season with style.

Events

Cardboard Classic A legendary happening year after year, watch teams race down the hill in their individually designed cardboard contraptions. Using only cardboard, glue, string, duct or masking tape; past creations have included everything from Viking ships to race cars. Saturday, April 11

Splashdown Pond Skimming Competition Dress to impress as you attempt to cross a freezing pond at ski area base. Judging for this annual contest is based on outfit choice, distance skimmed and audible crowd appreciation. Sunday, April 12

Closing Day Anything goes on the last day of the season. Tutus and t-shirts surpass ski suits as the chosen attire of the day. Make the most of your favorite runs before hanging up the ski boots, and rocking out at the final free concert. Sunday, April 12.

Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club annual Winter Carnival is upon us which means a great many things. For spectators it is a weekend long photo opportunity. Snapping perfect pictures in snowy conditions brings endless challenges so we thought we’d share some tips from local pros with our readers.

• Snag a good viewing spot to watch the events. The end of the race line is usually a great place to catch action shots, but try to shoot from different angles.
• Use a faster shutter speed to capture action shots if you have a camera with manual settings.
• People often avoid a flash when out on the snow but it’s a must among some of the town’s most celebrated photographers.
• Try shooting with the sun behind your subject zooming in on their face, to lessen shadows and avoid them squinting.
• For the ultimate night shot at the Carnival fireworks opt for a tripod and long exposures.
• Capture quintessential Steamboat images at the Steamboat Barn (From Pine Grove turn east on Angel’s View Way). Best taken late afternoon or early evening. For the ultimate ski snap, find your way into the Aspens, shooting toward the sun, to capture sunlight filtering through the trees. Perfect on powdery mornings. Feeling energetic? Snow shoe or cross country up Summit Loop 1A on Rabbit Ears Pass where the views go as far as the eye can see, and you’ll travel through your very own snow globe setting to get to the peak.   

Sitting by the window with this morning’s first cup of coffee, I’m struck by Steamboat’s beauty following last night’s heavy snowfall. The sky is still grey, filled and heavy with more snow that continues to fall lightly. The branches in a small grove of Aspen trees are moving like an infant on a trampoline, feeling the weight of their newly adorned winter coat.

This week we will start welcoming visitors back to town, following the bi-annual monthly lull between seasons.  We’ll be caught up once again playing a small part in someone’s vacation, hoping that person leaves with the feeling they’ve spent their time in a very special place.

Today is a reminder of how fortunate we are to call Steamboat home, and how thankful we are to our visitors for making it possible for us to live here. This weekend we talked to the locals who we work with, raise our children alongside, hike, bike or ski with and asked them to share their “thanks” with you, our friends at Condos in Steamboat.

I’m thankful for our wonderfully generous community members. We have a very giving spirit.

Lynna Broyles, Director of Marketing and Development, Steamboat Boys and Girls Club

I’m thankful for all the loyal visitors that come to Steamboat every year to be a part of our town. You provide me with the best job on the mountain!

Leigh Ann McLaughlin, Ski School Instructor.

I’m thankful to live in a community full of wonderful volunteers and organizations that work hard to support one another and meet the needs of the less fortunate. I also am grateful every day for the natural beauty that surrounds us. It is truly awe inspiring.

Lisa Schlichtman, Editor, Steamboat Pilot & Today

I’m thankful for the people in our community for supporting our local businesses.

Savannah Bongiourno, Owner, The Comb Goddess.

I’m thankful for the opening day we are going to have this season, so much snow!

Kelly Bohmer, Owner, All Fixed Steamboat

I’m totally thankful for all our wonderful customers and this community.

Wendy Lyons, Owner, Lyons Drugstore and Soda Fountain

The Big Agnes Team is thankful this winter to share fleece blankets and apparel from BAP at the little red house on Oak Street, Honey Stinger waffles to help get you thru the day, and new puffy coats just in from Big Agnes.

Len Zanni, Big Agnes (who promises he isn’t biased!).

I’m so thankful for all this snow.

Colin Dunlap, Ski Technician, Ski Haus