If you’re looking for an amazing winter vacation, Steamboat Springs is a great choice. It’s a cute mountain town with plenty of ski activities, great restaurants, and shopping.
You can also enjoy horseback riding at a ranch like Saddleback Ranch, which provides two-hour rides over snowy landscapes. It’s a unique experience and a must do.
Skiing
Steamboat Springs is a top ski destination in the Rocky Mountains, and is known for its Champagne Powder snow. It’s one of the earliest ski resorts to open for the season and it has great snow coverage for the entire year.
Winter is a popular time to visit Steamboat, especially for families. You’ll find plenty of activities for everyone in this fun mountain town.
Another fun way to enjoy the winter is to take a horseback ride. It’s a great way to see the area from a different perspective.
You can also head over to Old Town Hot Springs to soak in the healing waters. It’s a relaxing way to unwind after a long day on the slopes.
Tubing
Tubing is a classic family-friendly winter sport that can be enjoyed by all ages. At Steamboat Springs, snow tube options include Howelsen Hill and Saddleback Ranch.
Howelsen Hill has a 20-foot hill that is groomed periodically, while Saddleback Ranch has a large tubing hill with a tube tow lift system. Both are located about 15 miles outside of town and offer free shuttle transportation.
Another popular option is to ice skate or cross-country ski at the nearby Nordic Center. Other family-friendly winter activities in Steamboat Springs include horse-drawn sleigh rides and dog sledding.
Fat Biking
The wide tires, monster treads and enlarged frames that are all a part of fat bike are bringing a new wave of winter adventure to ski areas and Nordic centers. And, thanks to the lower pressures that these fatties float on snow, they’re easy for people of all skill levels to pick up and enjoy.
The bike can be a great way to explore Steamboat Springs and its trails while also taking in the sights and sounds of our town’s winter scenery. Our local experts can help you choose the right gear and teach you some tips to make your ride fun.
In Steamboat Springs, fat bikes can be rented at Howelsen Hill and Haymaker Nordic Center for an additional fee; both centers have snow-cat-groomed trails for winter biking. In addition, Catamount Lake Club and Ranch has 15 miles of groomed skate and classic trails that are open to fat bikers year-round.
Sleigh Rides
If you’re looking for a unique way to enjoy the winter in Steamboat Springs, try a sleigh ride. These magical horse-drawn rides take you through quiet forest and meadows, and many offer hot chocolate or cookies to keep you warm as well.
Depending on the operator, you can choose from a one-hour tour, an afternoon ride that ends with a delicious meal, or a private dinner tour that takes a romantic path through the night, ending in a cozy tent under the stars.
A sleigh ride is an activity that everyone should experience at least once in their lives! Bring along your family and friends and experience the magic of riding in a sleigh with snow-covered trees and open meadows.
Dog Sledding
Dog sledding is a traditional arctic sport that originated in Alaska and Siberia. Special breeds of dogs were bred to be able to endure long distances on harsh winter terrain.
A musher stands behind a sled and uses a set of lines hooked to harnesses on the dogs. The harnesses fit each dog properly so that they can move easily but still fit close enough to help distribute the load.
The main sled dogs are Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes. They are both highly trained and strong, weighing 18-34 kg.
Typically, a musher has three to four pairs of dogs in his or her team. The first pair is called the “leaders” and are responsible for leading the sled down the trail. The second and third pairs are known as the “point” dogs. They encourage the leaders forward and keep the sled on track.