Barn Village at Steamboat

Champagne Powder in Ski Town USA

An article found on a New Zealand web log: 

Wildlife generally isn't a factor on a mid-winter ski holiday.

But the squirrels were scurrying under the lift line and then a blue-green bird settled in the hand of a man on the chair in front.

My friend put her hand out and another bird briefly settled, obviously used to getting snacks from visitors. We preferred to think they were just saying welcome to Steamboat.

The critters were over the back of the main mountain, a predominantly black area called Morningside Park with ridiculously deep snow and gladed runs.

It's easy to forget the town of more than 10,00 people over the other side. The resort and the town of Steamboat Springs are inseparable - Ski Town USA.

Steamboat is lower than most Colorado destinations, ranging from 2100m to 3220m, meaning altitude sickness is less likely.

But snow fall is a healthy annual average of 8.4m in the area where they coined the term Champagne Powder.

Temperatures are lower than New Zealanders normally experience, lows of around -15degC while wind chill can take that down to -25. Consider an extra layer of clothing and maybe face protection.

The advanced/expert rating covers 44 per cent of the terrain and this is a perfect place to learn, or polish, tree riding skills.

Sunshine Express and Sundown Express lift areas are best for those looking for more gentle slopes to enjoy the forests.

Intermediates will have a great time with blue runs covering 42 percent of the mountain while most of the beginner runs are on the lower areas fanning out from the gondola base.

Here you can find a selection of shops and cafes, plus The Steamboat Grand, as the resort and town start to mix in a jumble of apartment buildings. The real estate also extends up the mountain along the boundaries.

Main street is a 10-minute shuttle ride provided by many of the accommodation centres and the city council. The close proximity allows greater dining options and bars than stand alone resorts.

Try the 8th Street Steakhouse for a cook-it-yourself experience or Asian-inspired dining at the Cottonwood Grill on the banks of Yampa River.

As a working cattle town, tradition is celebrated in January with the Cowboy Downhill ski race and in the February Winter Carnival with the unique shovel race. Contestants sit on long handled shovels and are towed by horses in a street race on the snow.

The winter carnival also has flare runs and ski jumping on Howelsen Hill on the edge of the business district.

The hill is named after Karl Howelsen, a Norwegian who arrived in the town in 1912 and organised the first carnival the following year.

The main street still has many buildings from the 19th century and an original western clothing store, FM Light and Sons, has been trading there since 1905.

Many of their original yellow signs are found on the roads into town, one still offering cowboy hats for $US4.98 ($NZ6.62). Shop prices have moved on.

Exhausted by skiing, eating and shopping? Restoration is available at the Strawberry Park Hot Springs about a 15-minute drive out of town.

The region has about 150 hot springs, the sound of one being the inspiration for the town's name when an oldtimer thought he could hear a riverboat.

If you want a break from skiing and boarding you can have a ride in a hot air balloon while snowmobile tours are available at Rabbit Ears Pass about half an hour's drive from Steamboat.

Bridgestone has been running a winter driving school in the town since 1983 with a variety of vehicles on a track of snow and ice.

It's the only such facility in North America and, while corporations provide most customers, holidaymakers are more than welcome.

With all this activity, it's good to know you can slip back up the hill any time to chat with the birds.