What do three Steamboat Springs boys with a passion for skiing do in their final year of High School when the snow keeps falling? They graduate early, get in a van and chase the powder of course. That’s exactly what Jack Vanderbeek (JV), Nick Simon and Mathew White decided to do – and they’ve just rolled out of town.

The trio has been ski racing their whole lives, and over recent years, they’ve developed a passion for big mountain competitions. They’ve entered six competitions between now and the end of March, taking them from the Sangre de Christo Mountains in New Mexico to the Columbia Mountains in British Columbia.

In order to minimize costs, they are living out of a 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon, owned by JV’s dad. The vehicle has been refitted with a 2.5 liter Subaru engine and insulated walls.

Armed with a video camera, they are planning to make a documentary of their travels shooting what they believe will be “some of the best skiing in the western half of North America.”

The trio will be carving turns on locally produced Harvest Skis using Grass Sticks poles – both companies agreed to sponsor the boys, or Van Clan, as they’ve been dubbed.

Keep up to date following the Van Clan on www.vanclanblog.blogspot.com

The air is cooler, the crowds are gone and the sun continues to shine. It’s early fall and one of our favorite times of the year here in Steamboat Springs. We thought we’d share five great reasons to head for the mountains and share our Indian summer.

1. Hiking through Aspen groves as their quaking leaves turn from green to gold.  Three Island Lake in the Zirkel Wilderness is number one on our locals list for combining scenery, mixed terrain and the sound of water from the streams that meander by. After Clark turn right onto Seedhouse Road, past Seedhouse Campground on NFSR 443 and continue approximately 3 miles to trailhead on left side of road. Turn right at intersection of trail #1163 and follow to lake in Mount Zirkel Wilderness.
2. Biking trails starting only one block from town will keep even the seasoned adrenaline seeker fueled for a day. Emerald Mountain offers 24 miles of designated recreational space will trails clearly marked for all biking abilities. Downtown a trail map on www.steamboatsprings.net. If riding your wheels over dirt isn’t your thing, then make sure you swing through town for the 9^th Annual Mustache Ride in aid of the Humane Society. Hop on and off your cruiser bike through downtown Steamboat from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Mustaches are not optional). http://www.ssmustacheride.com
3. Fishing close to town at Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area at any time of day in fall will not disappoint. Only a couple miles south of town off CR14, two miles of public access waters with large cut banks and deep holes is home to some big trout.
4. Explore the Yampa Valley behind the wheel with a scenic drive or two. Pass fields of gold travelling past Routt County ranchlands out towards Clark and Columbine, making sure to stop in at the Clark store for a morning coffee or afternoon tea. Take a picnic and head up Rabbit Ears pass where the valley below will unfold like an autumnal tapestry on your descent back to town.
5. Fall shopping and dinning deals abound during fall in the valley. Grab a bargain on last year’s ski and board gear; pick up shoes at a steal or home décor for a snip. Kick back with half price cocktails and plates all over town. By favorite our own favorite is Café Diva on the mountain, where Sunday night is date night for $30 a person. The food is sublime and you’ll eat like a king for a third of the price.  

Reading on Ranches with BookTrails

Planning your summer vacation and wondering how to make your trip appeal to everyone in the family? We have a solution – summer camp. Steamboat has a whole host of exciting options for kids this summer and you don’t need to be local to take part.

We thought we’d share a couple weeklong favorites that never fail to please year after year. The best part of all, kids have fun, they do things they’d only be able to do here, and you are free to explore Steamboat without any resistance from the junior crew. You have your evenings together and everyone’s happy.

BookTrails
Steamboat’s first ever literacy learning camp was founded in 2012 by environmental educator and self professed bookworm, Emily Krall. Reading on Ranches is a collection of weeklong adventures that allow kids up to 6th grade to literally bring stories and characters alive. Students have the opportunity for multisensory learning by mixing reading with hands on activities all taking place outdoors. Each camp is themed and activities correlate to the chosen title or series. Campers could be reliving the days of homesteading, exploring the waterways of the Yampa Valley, learning wilderness survival types, writing in hieroglyphics or playing quidditch in a field. Student to teacher ratio is 3:1 and readers of every level are encouraged to join the fun. This summer camps include: Little House on the Prairie, Hatchet Camp, Wolves Mini Camp, Harry Potter Camp, American Girl Doll, Camp Half Blood, Spirit Animals, Spy Camp, Magic Tree House, Native American Legends, Tomb Raiders, Camp Splash I and II.
For more information or to register go to www.steamboatbooktrails.org

Yampatika
There is no better way to explore the natural world around us than through the guiding eyes of Yampatika. Four themed camps are offered to kids ages 5 -14, with an overnight camp out option for older participants. The Blue Planet is all about water and weather. Explore forests and plants on the Evergreen Scene camp. Delve into history on Wild, Wild, West camp learning about mammals, birds, livestock, mining and pioneers. Or cover geology, mountains and soil ecology on Landform to Landfill camps. Great adult day guided hiking options too. For more information or to register go to www.yampatika.org

Packing List

BookTrails is all about empowering kids to be themselves.

Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, good shoes for hiking, backpack and lunch bag, water bottle, rain jacket and a big smile. Pre-made lunches can be ordered and picked up around town from Backcountry Provisions and Cruisers. Our own local favorite snack for happy campers is Honey Stingers mini waffles and chews available in most food stores and from BAP at the little red house on Oak Street.

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.

The 2012/13 season is a year of milestones for Steamboat. Gazing out the window as the snow falls on November 10th, maybe it will be a year of records too?

We certainly will have lots to celebrate. Fifty years ago on January 12, the Mt Werner ski area officially opened taking in just over $13 on the first day with a temperature of –25 degrees F. Fast forward half a century, winter sports fans have 2,965 acres of terrain to explore and an uphill lift capacity of 41,465 folks per hour. Not bad for an old time ranching town! To commemorate how far we’ve come, a spectacular ice castle will be dominating the base area providing a magical backdrop to this years’ party atmosphere. During the month of January a smorgasbord of events awaits, from fireworks and free concerts to the Bud Light Cowboy Downhill grand finale. With its turquoise glow, turrets and throne, the ice castle will remain until April (weather permitting), making the perfect backdrop for a souvenir snap or two.

The mountain is not the only local star with a birthday. Director of skiing and Olympic Silver Medallist Billy Kidd will be 70 on April 13. A legend in the Valley, it is sure to be a day of additional fun on the hill. Steamboat’s unique winter sports club boasts 79 Olympians to date. With so many top class athletes in town, it is not hard to source some expert tips on the mountain. Keep an eye out for clinics and classes run by some of the nations champions through www.steamboat.com

Across town, one hundred years ago in February the first winter carnival was held. Created to alleviate cabin fever during the long Colorado winter, Steamboat’s much loved tradition was voted in National Geographic’s top 10 winter carnivals in the world. Not bad for a population of 12,356 folk. From February 6 –10 2013, Howelson Hill will come alive with fireworks, competitions and a lighted man led torchlight parade. Main street, Lincoln Avenue will play host to contests and parades from crazy to the ridiculous including Soda Pop Slaloms and the High School Band on skis.

It’s not just skiers who are celebrating this winter. Our incredible Strings in the Mountains Music festival is 25 years old. From contemporary to classic, over 70 concerts take place a year in the newly built strings “tent”. If you’re joining us for Christmas, then take a peek on www.stringsmusicfestival.com and pick up tickets for Michael Kaeshammer or Peter and the Wolf Puppet production.

As 2013 continues we will have even more to celebrate, but for now keep an eye on that snowfall and make sure to pack your party hat for this years Steamboat vacation.

until the Mountain officially opens we are going to run a few other numbers by you, while we wait. So to start us off 10 facts and stats you might like to know about Steamboat’s ski area…….

1963 – on January 12, the ski area was officially opened

165 trails to explore for the novice to the expert.

3,000 skiable acres of cruisers, meadows, trees, bowls and terrain parks.

6,900 ft – ski area base elevation

3 miles and counting – Why Not?- Steamboat’s longest ski run

331 inches is the average snowfall

59 frost-free days (so true we even have a book to prove it, 59 days, 39 degrees F at 6,770 Feet – Meeting the Challenge of Gardening in the Yampa Valley).

19,668 pillows to lay your head are available within the valley.

3 miles between the ski area shopping zone and downtown, a free bus service joins the two.

79 Olympians with links to Steamboat – there are several around to lend a hand each winter on the mountain between guiding and clinics, so keep you eyes open and you might just snag a couple great tips.