Going to Steamboat for the 1st time!

[LadyLes]

Seems like quite a few Divas have been to Steamboat before, so I'd love some insight on the 'Boat. My family (dad & his wife & 2 year old, and my 3 20-something siblings) will be meeting me and my husband at Steamboat on the 28th. None of us have ever been there (just driven through in the summer) and we're really excited! We're staying all together in Ski Time Square, and we're all pretty strong skiers (dad's wife doesn't ski though). We're not much into nightlife, but we will be there over New Year's, leaving on the 2nd. I know it'll be crowded, any tips on keeping sane? Also, any good, family-friendly restaurant recommendations? There's one day that we won't be skiing; what should we do? I'd love to hear some Diva stories and tips...pretty much anything about Steamboat!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

It has been a gazillion years since I've been there (more like 20, really), and I hope you get some replies from divas who have been there wayyy more recently. However, when I was there, it was also a busy time (Easter week) -- there is PLENTY of terrain and space, no worries!! Ski Time Sq is right in the thick of it all at the base, as I recall. You'll have a blast! One of the non-skiing things we did, on our arrival day, was hit the actual hot springs and pools in town - they have a water slide, and the water is HOT. It was fun, but climbing continually up those water slide stairs with a hyper little kid first day in the altitude...huff, puff. Anyway, have a wonderful time

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Oh! I LOVE Steamboat! Let me think.....I may be able to come up with something?

What about you other Colorado Divas? Any ideas?

 

[SnowDancer]

LadyLes,

My guy and I have been going to Steamboat for 10+ years, but we always stay in town and usually go around their Winter Carnival in early February. [We booked our 2008 trip in August 2007!] During carnival weekend they always have torchlight parades & fireworks on Howelsen Hill (downtown); would be surprised if they don't have something similar for New Year's.

Check out the Steamboat resort & the Steamboat Chamber of Commerce websites; both have events calendars.

https://www.steamboat-chamber.com/events.calendar.asp
https://www.steamboat.com/events-calendar.aspx

Lincoln Ave is the "main street" downtown, and the activities (shops, restaurants, etc.) are from 3rd Street to 11th-12th. Hop the free shuttle (red or blue line goes downtown), get off @ 7th (in the middle of town) and walk to everything.

MSL is right about the hot springs at the health club on 3rd & Lincoln in town; three different pools @ three different temps - very nice. The terrain is definitely varied enough for all preferences; lots of options. (We like Sunshine Peak -a.k.a. "Wally World"- best).

Seems the restaurants change from year-to-year, but there's a good Steamboat Guide Book you can pick up for free. The Shack or Wynona's are breakfast & lunch only and very good; good BBQ & HUGE drinks (alcoholic or not) at The Smokehouse; Johnny B Goode's is good homestyle diner fare with more flavors of milkshakes you can think of - and you can get that milkshake or a mixed drink at the counter/bar up front. Good Mexican at the Cantina, and Panda by the Wal-Mart has very good Chinese food. The Ore House is a little more adult, but still casual and relaxed.

That's all I can think of for now - go, explore, and enjoy!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Sunshine Peak/"Wally World"....
When I first saw those signs, I thought it was a joke! Great place, remember it well. It's where my then-6 year old discovered tree skiing (with me trying to keep up on 190's - NOT EASILY) and got his first "air" off a little jump - a moment happily preserved on film. Steamboat is awesome - hope I get back there someday.

 

[Lilgeorg]

My family and I spent 5 days there last March and we had a blast. Others have told you about the skiing, I want to tell you that they offer a grocery buying service where you can order groceries on line, pay with a credit card, and they will be delivered and put in the frig on your arrival day. What a deal that was!

Also, the bus system is great. They pick you up just like a limo and will return to get you from town, groceries, or where ever you needed to go. No charge! We did not need a rental car. For more details, send a note to Lola and I am sure she has mor info than I do.

I would go back to Steamboat any day.

 

[LadyLes]

Thanks for the info, Divas! I do love exploring a new ski town and mountain, but I always like having some ideas too! I really want to hit the hot springs-it sounds great! Looks like there will be a fireworks show and torchlight parade on New Year's Eve, so that'll be fun, too.
So, the question is; what does 'Wally World' mean? :D And BTW-it's dumping snow there now-whohoo!!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

It's a reference to the fictional theme park (actually was filmed at Magic Mt in CA) that the Griswold family traveled to in the first "National Lampoon's Vacation" movie.

 

[Lilgeorg]

Wally World as I remember it was a beginners woods ski area. I even could ski the trees there! Lots of fun.

 

[SnowDancer]

Lilgeorg - funny you should say that.

Wally World (Sunshine Peak) has a variety of terrain, mostly intermediate, with options. However, in several places the trees are so widely spaced that absolute beginners with no tree-skiing experience can safely go between a couple of trees here and there and say (tongue in cheek, of course) that they did some tree skiing.

That's what we did - laughing about it and later explaining (confessing?) how very far apart the trees were...

 

[Marigee]

I've been to Steamboat many times - and am going again in January. Last year we stayed at Ski Times Square. There is a great Chinese restaurant right next to the complex. Another good restaurant within walking distance is the Tugboat. It is a long -time Steamboat institution, but this is its last year due to renovation of the base area.

We don't rent a car - the shuttle system is great. Also, we always have groceries delivered. It is nice to have them waiting for you at the condo and not have to spend time grocery shopping that could be spent skiing.
Their web address is:www.grocerycompany.com. There is a quick mart very close to Ski Times Square for convenience items.

Have a great time - Steamboat is getting lots of snow - 20 inches in the last 2 days!

 

[SkiNurse]

Wynona's is my FAVORITE place for breakfast in Steamboat...very similar to the Sunshine Cafe in Silverthorne. As far as other places to eat, it really depends on what you like.

Frequently there is free live music at the bottom of the gondola.

There are times on the mountain that you can ski with Billy Kidd.

There is a hot springs pool in town and the "natural" Strawberry Hot Springs a few miles outside of town...be careful, clothing optional after dark!

On the day you aren't skiing, hike or snowhoe (depending on conditions) to Fish Creek Falls. Many places to rent snowshoes. You can make this hike as short or as long as you like. In fact, the backcountry access gates located in Morningside Park & at the top of Christmas Tree Bowl lead to areas of Fish Creek Falls.

Howelson Hill is the place to be if you are an aspiring, amatuer or professional ski jumper. Fun to watch from a couple of the restraunts along the Yampa River.

Check out Steamboats activities. They usually have a lot going on in the town or on the mountain (most free).

Most of all, enjoy Steamboat not just for the fabulous skiing, but for the wonderful town that it is!