Steamboat Resort

Steamboat Resort is the legendary ski mountain above Steamboat Springs in northwest Colorado, the place where the term Champagne Powder was coined for its light, dry snow. With 3,741 acres spread across six peaks, deep aspen glades and a genuine Western cow-town at its base, Steamboat delivers one of the most fun and friendly ski trips in the Rockies.

Steamboat Resort in Steamboat Springs, CO

The resort officially opened on Jan. 12, 1963, and today its lifts climb from a base of 6,900 feet to the 10,568-foot summit of Mount Werner, a vertical rise of 3,668 feet. The terrain covers Mount Werner, Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak, Thunderhead Peak, Christie Peak and Mahogany Ridge, where a 2023 expansion added more than 650 acres of advanced and expert terrain and made Steamboat the second-largest ski resort in Colorado. The mountain averages about 314 inches of snow a year at mid-mountain, and its tree skiing in areas like Shadows and the Sunshine and Storm Peak glades is the stuff of powder-day legend.

Getting up the hill is faster than ever thanks to the 10-passenger Wild Blue Gondola, a two-stage lift that runs from the base through Greenhorn Ranch, a dedicated learning area, to the top of Sunshine Peak. Cruisers love the three-mile Why Not run, freestyle riders head to the Mavericks Superpipe, and the bronze statue of Olympian Buddy Werner keeps watch over the base area. After the lifts close, soak in the natural pools at Strawberry Park Hot Springs or take a winter walk to Fish Creek Falls just outside town.

Photo Gallery

Photo credits: Steamboat springs ski resort by CarTick (CC BY-SA 3.0); Steamboat Springs Ski Resort (8644072249) by Murray Foubister (CC BY-SA 2.0); Steamboat Springs Ski Resort (8644074507) by Murray Foubister (CC BY-SA 2.0); Steamboat Springs Ski Resort…Buddy Werner statue (8645171406) by Murray Foubister (CC BY-SA 2.0); Steamboat Springs Ski Resort (8644072971) by Murray Foubister (CC BY-SA 2.0); Steamboat Springs Ski Resort (8645169336) by Murray Foubister (CC BY-SA 2.0); View down the gondola (5259344494) by William J Sisti (CC BY-SA 2.0); Steamboat DOWN THE HILL (5259349458) by William J Sisti (CC BY-SA 2.0); Mount Werner by Jeffrey Beall (CC BY 4.0). Images via Wikimedia Commons.

News & Events

Steamboat Resort is scheduled to open for the 2026-27 season on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, with lifts starting at 8:30 a.m., weather and snowmaking permitting. Opening day traditions include the countdown and the ringing of the Champagne Powder snow bell. Check the mountain report on steamboat.com for lift and trail updates, and note that Ikon Pass products are valid at Steamboat.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Tree skiing: Explore famous gladed runs on Sunshine and Storm Peak.
  • Wild Blue Gondola: Ride 10-passenger cabins to the top of Sunshine Peak.
  • Mahogany Ridge: Test experts-only cliffs, chutes and glades.
  • Mavericks Superpipe: Watch or ride one of Colorado’s biggest halfpipes.
  • Night skiing: Take evening laps on Christie Peak when offered.

Steamboat plans to open on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, with lifts turning at 8:30 a.m. The date depends on snow and weather, so check steamboat.com before you travel.

Steamboat has 3,741 acres of permitted terrain, 23 lifts, a summit elevation of 10,568 feet and a vertical rise of 3,668 feet. Its longest run, Why Not, is more than three miles long.

Champagne Powder is Steamboat’s trademarked name for its very light, dry snow. The term was coined in Steamboat, which averages about 314 inches of snowfall a year at mid-mountain.

Steamboat is about 160 miles northwest of Denver, roughly a three-hour drive via I-70, Highway 9 and US 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass. Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden also has seasonal nonstop flights.

Steamboat Resort is located at 2305 Mt. Werner Circle, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487. Call 970-879-6111 or visit steamboat.com to plan your visit.

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