Winter is a time for exploring Steamboat Springs, with activities to suit everyone. It is also a time to get outside and soak in the healing, mineral-rich water of Old Town Hot Springs or Strawberry Park Hot Springs.
You can also head to the Howelsen Hill Ice Complex and try your luck at ice bumper cars or ice skating. Those are both super fun and a must-do activity during your visit to Steamboat Springs!
Winter Carnival
Located at the base of Steamboat Springs Mountain, Winter Carnival is one of Colorado’s oldest annual winter celebrations. It embodies everything that makes Steamboat unique, from the quintessential cowboy heritage to our strong winter sports traditions.
It’s a five-day festival with events that embrace our Western heritage and highlight our love for snow. From kids pulling skis behind horses down a snow-covered street to the Lighted Man at the Night Show Extravaganza, Winter Carnival is the quintessential Steamboat experience!
A community favorite, this event draws thousands of spectators for an exciting light display. Throughout the evening, local athletes showcase their prowess as they are lit by flares and LED lights. The “Lighted Man” then skis down Howelsen Hill shooting fireworks from his pyrotechnic suit and jumpers soar through a fiery hoop off the nordic jumps!
Attendees wear buttons, a tradition that dates back to the beginning of Winter Carnival. These buttons allow participants to attend all events and receive a free lift ticket at Howelsen Hill!
Cowboy Downhill
The annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill is a signature Steamboat event. It started 48 years ago when former Olympian and Director of Skiing, Billy Kidd, and six-time All-Around World Champion Cowboy, Larry Mahan, invited a few Pro Rodeo cowboys up to Steamboat for some downhill fun on the slopes.
Now, over 100 professional rodeo cowboys make their way to The ‘Boat each January and compete in the most unique ski rodeo event in the country. They race down Stampede, wearing chaps and cowboy hats, competing in a dual slalom course. They launch off a big jump, lasso a person, saddle a horse, and sprint to the finish line.
The event is a true celebration of Steamboat’s Western heritage and present-day mountain culture. It’s a family-friendly event that’s free for all to attend and is sponsored by Bud Light. After the event, stick around in Steamboat Square for a free concert featuring Woodie Procell and the Snowy River Band.
Winter Wondergrass Festival
Steamboat Springs is known for its infamous Champagne Powder (r) skiing, and it’s also the home of one of the country’s most acclaimed bluegrass festivals. For more than a decade, Winter WonderGrass has cultivated the relationship between nature, music and community.
With a commitment to sustainable awareness, an authentic community and a healthy lifestyle, the event has created a unique experience for artists, attendees and vendors alike. This 3-day music festival brings together the best of bluegrass and Americana.
Located at the base of Steamboat Ski Resort, the event features an open-air outdoor main stage and three side stages in heated tents. The festival also includes a coffee bar, on-site beer tastings and a lively kids zone.
This year’s lineup features some of the biggest names in roots, folk and bluegrass music. Acts such as Leftover Salmon, Paul Cauthen, Kitchen Dwellers, The Lil Smokies and Neal Francis will take the stage over the course of the weekend.
Snow Tubing
If you’re looking for a fun way to get into the winter spirit, then snow tubing is an excellent option. It’s an exhilarating activity that can be enjoyed by adults and children of all ages.
While many places offer snow tubing throughout the year, it’s best to try it during the winter when there is real, fresh snow. This will help you to maximize the amount of fun and adrenaline that you can have while snow tubing.
Steamboat Springs is home to two amazing snow tubing areas, Howelsen Hill downtown and Saddleback Ranch’s Yee-Haw Hill. Both have state-of-the-art tube-tow lifts to transport you back up to the top after your ride.
If you want to enjoy snow tubing on a bigger scale, then check out the largest snow tubing park in the nation at Camelback Mountain Resort. The park has 42 lanes and even offers night tubing with thousands of LED lights.