Quiet Mountain Lodge Blocks from Steamboat Ski Area
A light and smooth powder that's considered ideal for skiing, Champagne Powder snow is so beloved by Steamboat Springs Ski Area that the resort trademarked the term. With an average of 349 inches of the snow falling on six peaks each year, Steamboat Springs is a natural destination for skiers and snowboarders. Just four blocks from Mount Werner's Gondola Lift and minutes from one of the longest superpipes in North America, the luxurious, family-friendly Inn at Steamboat provides a relaxing home base for those taking advantage of the area's ski-friendly snow. In the hotel's great rooms, a wooden toboggan hangs above an alcove warmed by a massive stone fireplace. The rustic feel extends to the guest rooms, where one finds earthy tones and natural-wood headboards. Mountain air is accessible via the balcony outside of each guest room, and the inn's outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub stay open year-round, ideal for sore skiers coming in from the slopes. In the morning, a continental breakfast with a make-your-own waffle station sates palates while a complimentary shuttle service runs to the slopes near Mount Werner. Steamboat's ski runs vary from beginner-friendly, lower-mountain trails to steep vertical drops that challenge advanced skiers and Sylvester Stallone's stuntmen alike.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Historical Ski Town with Natural Hot Springs
Located just to west of the Routt National Forest, Steamboat Springs' skiing area encompasses six tree-studded peaks: Mount Werner, Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak, Thunderhead Peak, Pioneer Ridge, and Christie Peak. In addition to skiing, the snowy landscape hosts snowshoeing in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area and ice fishing at Steamboat Lake, about 25 miles north of the town. More than 150 natural hot springs bubble throughout Steamboat Springs, heating the snowmelt runoff of the Yampa River and offering the chance to relax in 100-degree mineral water. And throughout the Old West–style town, casual eateries, pubs, and breweries serve up elk-sausage burgers and craft beers.