Howelson Hill Ski Area

Howelson Hill Ski Area is one of the most affordable places to ski in Colorado, thanks to its town-owned status and attractive ticket prices and passes. It is also home to the town’s annual Rodeo, where you can watch calf scrambles, team roping and barrel racing.

The hill’s new, state-of-the-art Barrows lift replaces a clunky two-seater and makes the hill easier to access than ever before.

HISTORY

Since 1914, Howelson Hill Ski Area has sent more Olympians to international competition than any other ski area in North America. It is Colorado’s oldest operating ski area and is the largest natural ski jumping complex in North America.

A century of Steamboat Springs locals have come to know the hill as their winter home. The city-owned hill is a place where family memories are made and skiing and jumping are as much a part of the community as snow and cold weather.

Howelson Hill is home to the oldest continuously running ski jumps in the world. Ski jumping is an Olympic sport, but it’s also a great way for families to enjoy the winter outdoors. It’s a great alternative to snowboarding and Alpine skiing, with reasonable lift ticket prices and lots of easy runs to take in the view. In addition to skiing, the area offers a Nordic ski trail and tubing hill. A new triple chairlift opened in 2021, making it easier than ever to head up for a day of sledding.

TRAILS

Despite being smaller than its mighty sister resort in town, Howelson Hill Ski Area offers plenty of skiing and snowboarding options for all skill levels. You’ll find a variety of trails that range from beginner loops at the base around the rodeo grounds to difficult hills on Emerald Mountain. Check out the online trail map for specifics.

The majority of trails at Howelson are intermediate-level runs, though there’s a good share of advanced options as well. The ski area ranks in the bottom half of all North American ski areas when it comes to beginner-friendliness, but it’s still a great place for beginners to work on their skills and learn from the best.

The ski area is also home to one of the largest natural ski jumping complexes in North America. It’s not uncommon to see present and future Olympians working on their freestyle skills here. Howelson Hill is not a part of any nationwide lift ticket systems, so passes like Epic, IKON and Mountain Collective are not valid at this ski hill.

ACTIVITIES

Located in the heart of downtown Steamboat Springs, Howelson Hill offers affordable skiing and snowboarding, the largest natural ski jump complex in North America, and world-class training for athletes. The area is owned by the City of Steamboat Springs and operated by the Winter Sports Club which has produced over 100 Olympians with more than 150 Winter Olympic appearances.

Although not a typical alpine ski area, Howelson Hill does have a series of ski jumps (the longest jump has a vertical of 440 feet), as well as 15 trails ranging in slope and difficulty. It also has nordic and snowshoe trails. Night skiing is available for a reasonable fee.

For those wanting a break from the ski trails, the resort has five A-frame warming huts that are free to use and furnished with Western-themed decor. They are a great place to get out of the sun and warm up. The huts are open from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm.

LODGING

Howelson Hill has an incredibly rich heritage as Colorado’s oldest ski area and home to the largest natural ski jumping complex in North America. It has been the training ground for more than 100 Olympians making over 150 Winter Olympic appearances, 22 members of the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame and 13 members of the National Ski Hall of Fame.

Howelsen Hill’s roots are in ski jumping, but it offers affordable skiing and snowboarding and a unique tubing course that allows you to ride on snow-covered tubes underneath the lights for a small fee. You can also take a lift to watch Olympians train on the ski jumps, cross-country and freestyle terrain, bobsled track and more.

The ski area is located in downtown Steamboat Springs, a ski town that views Howelsen Hill as it does any other community resource—as something to be used for the community good. Within walking distance are world-class lodging, dining, shopping and hot springs, along with a variety of other activities.