The one disadvantage about skiing in Steamboat is its remoteness from other resorts. Vail, Beaver Creek, the Summit County resorts, Winter Park and Loveland are all within driving distance but each is at least an hour's drive or more away in good road conditions. The drive to Steamboat is particularly entertaining at night, when numerous small creatures provide an obstacle course. Driving across Rabbit Ears Pass in a blizzard is something else, as well.
Fortunately, Steamboat has enough to offer to keep you interested for at least a week, more if one of it's legendary powder dumps occurs.
The Skiing is spread over three peaks and gives quite a European feeling of travelling around the mountain. There are few silly, extreme runs, which hardly anyone skis, but some of the single black diamond runs are testing once they become mogulled. Runs such as Vortex, Tornado and Twister can be exciting given the right conditions and Rolex and Westside are black diamonds which aren't too demanding. The home run, Heavenly Daze, can be trying when icy and full of homebound skiers but is a delight if skied early in the day.
Tree skiing is a particularly exciting feature at Steamboat. It's also one of the few US resorts to have on-slope lodgings, there being a village at the base of the slopes, in addition to the town of Steamboat Springs.
Either accommodation centre is a good place to stay, as the super-efficient bus service provides an excellent connection between the two.
Eating out is superb, there being a huge variety of restaurants of all standards.I can fully reccomend a night on the mountain at Hazie's; it's well worth the extra expense. For a taste of Switzerland, try the Alpine Bistro (make sure you finish with a chocolate fondue). Local micro-breweries offer some excellent beers and eating opportunities.
There's plenty to do other than skiing - we tried a ride in a hot-air balloon, for example. You can visit the springs, go riding or snowmobiling, even have yourself a stetson made at one of the genuine Western outfitters.
Fortunately, Steamboat has enough to offer to keep you interested for at least a week, more if one of it's legendary powder dumps occurs.
The Skiing is spread over three peaks and gives quite a European feeling of travelling around the mountain. There are few silly, extreme runs, which hardly anyone skis, but some of the single black diamond runs are testing once they become mogulled. Runs such as Vortex, Tornado and Twister can be exciting given the right conditions and Rolex and Westside are black diamonds which aren't too demanding. The home run, Heavenly Daze, can be trying when icy and full of homebound skiers but is a delight if skied early in the day.
Tree skiing is a particularly exciting feature at Steamboat. It's also one of the few US resorts to have on-slope lodgings, there being a village at the base of the slopes, in addition to the town of Steamboat Springs.
Either accommodation centre is a good place to stay, as the super-efficient bus service provides an excellent connection between the two.
Eating out is superb, there being a huge variety of restaurants of all standards.I can fully reccomend a night on the mountain at Hazie's; it's well worth the extra expense. For a taste of Switzerland, try the Alpine Bistro (make sure you finish with a chocolate fondue). Local micro-breweries offer some excellent beers and eating opportunities.
There's plenty to do other than skiing - we tried a ride in a hot-air balloon, for example. You can visit the springs, go riding or snowmobiling, even have yourself a stetson made at one of the genuine Western outfitters.
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