Steamboat Snow, Activities, & Weather Report by the ResortQuest Steamboat Vacation Rentals Team

400 Plus Inches of Snow- Steamboat Powder Morning

2011-03-30T09:35:00.000-06:00

The Steamboat Ski Resort just announced that Steamboat has officially received over 400 inches of snow snow snow! And as soon as we announced that total, Mother Nature decided 400 inches was not enough and gave Steamboat another 9 inches just to top it off!

I spent yesterday morning in all that brand new snow and it was, to put it mildly, soo soo soo much fun! Some of my favorite days in a ski season can occur the last few days the ski resort is open - this morning was one of them. The snow was soft, the snowflakes were perfect and it was perfect with so many runs of perfect untouched snow! This morning was foggy but the sun has already burned through any left over storm clouds and the Steamboat skiers and riders are playing in fresh pow with gorgeous sunshine! Here is what all 400 plus inches of Steamboat powder looked like!

There is still plenty of time to come play in Steamboat's white Spring powder conditions! Springalicious is tasty with discounted lodging, discounted lift tickets- you get 4 days for $100 bucks! and there is plenty of free music, closing weekend events and sunshine and beers! Get to Steamboat for Springalicious spring!

Insider Snow Report: 350" Inches of Snow and Keep It Coming!

2011-03-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

With only about a month left in the 2010/2011 Ski Season, Mother Nature has given Steamboat 350" inches of snow so far this year and we're telling her to keep it coming! Read more about our 350" Inch milestone!

Tony U. is our front desk manager at our Torian Plum property and he made it out for some incredible ski runs yesterday when we received almost a foot of powder by the end of the day yesterday (3/8/2011). Here is his insider tips...

"Yesterday, we woke up with 2 inches of fresh powder that had turned into nearly a foot by the day's end, and then the sun came out! So the 3 o'clock shift change came around, and I grabbed the Helmet Camera from its shelf and hustled up for a couple of late day ski runs on the Steamboat Ski Area. Steamboat is now open with their Spring Hours (read more), which means that upper mountain lifts run later, some as late as 4:15, and Christie Peak Express runs til 4:30!

As I reached the top of the Steamboat Gondola, the upper mountain was still socked in so I did a quick run on Rudi's Run on down to catch the last few chairs on Burgess Creek Lift. As I reached the top of Burgess Creek Lift, the glorious sun beckoned me towards Vagabond, and I followed two old-school locals down the sweet powder stash that frames the top of Upper Concentration over towards old Arrowhead lift line. Not being an expert on the teles yet, I chickened out on the Arrowhead stash and bailed onto Vagabond, which, though skied over, was amazingly good for 4:15pm. Not bad for an after-work break!" - Tony U.

This spring will be gracing us with Epic Spring conditions so make sure you do not miss the Spring Party- its called Springalicious. We're even selling $99 four day lift tickets- seriously its going to be a party! Book now!

Springalicious Spring Skiing at Steamboat Ski Resort 2011

2011-03-03T11:54:00.003-07:00

We've made it through an incredibly snowy, deep, exhilarating winter and the first signs of spring are beginning to show around here in Steamboat Springs! The temperatures are getting a little warmer, the days have been staying lighter longer, the sun has been brilliant- perfect for those long days of skiing. Spring is Springalicious in Steamboat!

Top Reasons Why We Love Spring Skiing?

Glad you asked- other than the warm sunny afternoons perfect for happy hour, getting together with friends and family after some killer runs, live music and apres deals there are also these:

1. Extended Spring Ski Hours! The sun is hanging out a littler longer each day and with that means more minutes to ski the day away. The Spring lift operating hours went into effect February 26th at the Steamboat Ski Resort providing up to an additional 30 minutes to enjoy the slopes. With the extended spring hours, Morningside and Pony Express chairlifts will now close at 3:30pm; Storm Peak Express, Sundown Express and Sunshine Express at 3:45pm; Burgess Creek, South Peak and Thunderhead Express at 4:00pm; and Elkhead at 4:15pm. Check the daily grooming sheet for daily lift status as some lifts may close based on business levels for that day. See a Steamboat Ski Resort Map

2. Springalicious Ski Events: The final ski weeks in April are packed with live music from big names like Los Lonely Boys, Katchafire, and the Wailers- these outdoor free concerts are at the base of the gondola with beer sales, band merchandise tents. Grab your friends and get your groove on off the mountain!

The final week of the Ski Resort's 2010/11 season also hosts unique events like the splashdown pond skim and the cardboard classic. If you are brave enough to face the frigid waters of a barely above freezing pool in the attempts to skim across it and make safe to the other side then this is your sport! Otherwise grab a good spot and get ready for this hilarious event!

3. This is the best one: Springalicious Lodging and $99 4-day lift tickets! Stay with ResortQuest for your spring fling trip and you'll get 20% off 2 + nights and you'll 4 days of lift tickets for only $99 dollars. How awesome is that! Book now and get your spring skiing underway!

Surprise Sleeper Freshies- Steamboat Surprise Powder Part Two

2011-02-17T15:39:00.001-07:00

NOAA.gov satellite images

While there has been some talk recently about this latest Steamboat winter storm, I personally was not expecting much. The jet stream is bringing large amounts of the moisture out of the south west, which typically favors Southern Colorado. Steamboat really gets hit real hard when the jet stream come from the West or North West. Steamboat which is located in Northern Colorado, somehow still seems to get large amounts of snow. This is why Steamboat is the best. And what fell this morning was lots of powder. Read part one of the Powder Surprise!

I met up with 4 other friends this morning at about 11:15 am. I had a 2 hour break to ski. I was quite skeptical of the conditions half expecting what locals call “dust on crust.” These “dust on crust” conditions occur after several days of warm weather melting and freezing the existing snow as the days go by. Then when you get a couple inches this creates a layer of soft snow above a very hard layer. Hence the name “dusts on crust.” It creates inconsistent snow which can get very nerve racking to skiers and riders. But I was presently surprised by the snow that had fallen last night and this morning. About 15 inches fell according to my “ski pole” measurements. No crust allowed. What a treat. Even after hitting the slopes late we had some surprise “freshies.” There was no one on the mountain so we just tore the runs up. Many times we all turned to each other and said “wow, what a surprise powder day.” One of the best days yet. See a Steamboat Ski Map.

Get to Steamboat to get your "best day yet." Don't worry when you book with ResortQuest Steamboat you not only get great lodging deals but you also get the best accommodations in Steamboat!

Will is also part of the expert reservations team at ResortQuest and is happy to help you find the best accommodations for your needs. He is also an avid powder hound and loves the Steamboat Powder. Read part one of the surprise Steamboat powder to get the other view on the conditions!

Surprise Powder Day in Steamboat Springs- Part One

2011-02-17T15:20:00.005-07:00

Not all surprises are good ones but if a surprise involves powder then its going to be a good day!

The 5 am snow report for the Steamboat Ski Resort said that we had received 3” of new snow overnight. I became slightly skeptical of this figure when I went out side to start my car this around 7am and it was covered in at least 4”…in town. Usually if we get that much in town then the Ski Resort is sure to be covered in fluff. I decided today, it looked like it would be a good day to take a ski break. Around 11am, I met a few co-workers at the gondola and headed up. The further up the gondola climbed the more the snow started dumping outside. When we finally reached the top of storm peak we discovered that we had actually received about 7” of fresh powder! See the current weather and snow forecast. Read Surprise Powder Part 2

We started by cutting across Buddy’s run to Chute 1 and down to Flying Z. From there we shot down Drop Out and headed over to the Pony Express chair lift to see if we could find some fresh lines. This ended up being the best decision we could have made. As we charged through the trees and open fields we plowed through pillows of powder up to our waists! We reached the bottom of the hill around 12:30 and headed back to work, totally refreshed from our surprise powder day. See a Ski Trails Map.

Get to Steamboat and you'll always be able to find good snow conditions! Book with ResortQuest Steamboat for great lodging accommodations, free shuttles, concierge services and resort amenities at all our properties. Book your winter stay today!

J.D.wrote part one of our surprise powder day! He is one of our lodging experts at ResortQuest Steamboat. Contact him today to book your perfect unit and get up to date ski conditions! Read Part 2!

Steamboat Ski Resort Hits 300 Inches of Snow Mark for the 2010/2011 Season

2011-02-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

Did everyone get the snow report, the powder alert, the snow memo and the call to all Powder Hounds?
The latest storm that came barrelling through Steamboat not only made the weekend have good powder conditions but Steamboat received over 3 FEET of snow over 4 days that just made everyone giggly for powder! This storm also pushed us over the 300" of snow mark for the 2010-2011 season! That is what a Steamboat Powder Morning is all about!

These are the kind of storms that justifies Steamboat's Champagne Powder® Trademark- its feet and feet of the fluffiest, lightest and softest snow you can imagine. Champagne Powder directly translates to floating. And if you have ever felt this sensation it instantly brings a smile to your face.

According to a press release the Steamboat Ski Resort sent out on 2/8/2011, The resort is reporting a whopping 88-inch base at mid-mountain and 113-inch base at the summit on powder conditions. "The largest summit base ever recorded was during the 1995/96 season when 125 topped the stake. For the month of February, the largest summit base tallied was 124 also in 1995/96. During the last six 400+ snow years, the year-to-date tally as of Feb. 8th was 250.25” in 2008/09; 363” in 2007/08; 327” in 2005/06; 344.25” in 1996/97; 298” in 1995/96 and 226.25” in 1992/93." So needless to say the powder is piling up!

So while the Steamboat Ski Resort is counting the inches and we are taking powder shots, all you need to do is get to Steamboat because the skiing is EPIC.

Book your vacation to Steamboat now and receive great lodging deals for your powder vacation with ResortQuest Steamboat. All of our properties are located within 3 blocks of the ski resort- this means you'll be first in line for powder shots every time!

What To Do In Steamboat Springs When It's TOO Cold

2011-02-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

Experiencing the freezing weather blues? Don't worry Steamboat has tons of activities to do all winter that don't include freezing outside. And being a ResortQuest Steamboat guest you are able to speak to our excellent concierge to set up reservations or to get more information on these activities or ideas.

Snow Bowl is Steamboat's only bowling alley that serves up lane fulls of fun! It's a fabulous way to spend the day. Every kid loves bowling and the bowling at Snow Bowl isn’t going to break the bank. They have a snack bar to keep tummies happy for a couple games of bowling. Grab a free ResortQuest shuttle out to the lanes.

Bud Werner Library: Another great option is the library. Our brand new library caters to kids and adults of all ages. The whole library's brand new kids area and reading nooks make any afternoon of reading fun and exciting. They provide computers packed with games for the kids to play. Visit the Website.

The Pottery Wheel- Are your kids bored with just crayons and paper and ready to write on the condo walls? Take them to the Pottery Wheel and enjoy some quality creative time painting pottery to take home as a souvenir from your ResortQuest Steamboat vacation. Contact our concierge for hours!

Spa Day! And if you are feeling yesterday's day of skiing, you'll need some good massaging from the professionals at the Trappeur's Crossing Day spa! Right in the Trappeur's amenities enjoy this amazing spa without having to leave the resort! Contact the concierge today to get all set for your spa day!

Ice skating is chilly but not freezing in the indoor ice rink at Howelsen. Its a great winter activity and great for days that are too chilly to play outside! When you come back to your condo stop by the front desk and grab some hot cocoa and cookies.

Take A Dip: For most of our ResortQuest Steamboat properties we do have indoor hot tubs and saunas to stay warm. Or get your blood moving at the fitness center. Torian Plum, Bronze Tree, Meadows, and Trappeur’s Crossing all have fitness centers and indoor hot tubs.

Keep warm in Steamboat. Take advantage of our free shuttles, concierge, and front desk staff to keep your cabin fever low and still experience a great time in Steamboat. Book your vacation to Steamboat and save money on your spring ski vacations! See our current deals!

The Paramount Restaurant Brings Ski-In Breakfast to Torian Plum Plaza Steamboat Springs

2011-01-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

Finally, a 'real' breakfast option on the mountain in Torian Plum Plaza located at the base of Steamboat Ski Resort. View the Torian Plum.

Sure, Gondola Joe's has a pre-made breakfast sandwich or a danish to-go with your coffee, but I am talking homemade biscuits with an elk Gravy from Maribou Ranch elk. The Paramount has only been open for a few days and is already making a statement with delicious food made from scratch. Some highlights and recommendations from friends include the breakfast burrito (serves 3-4), banana bread french toast, and the biscuits and gravy.

Along with breakfast, The Paramount serves lunch. Make your own grilled cheese sandwich from a selection of toppings and delicious fresh bread. I had the best Reuben in Steamboat there this weekend. Hours still vary depending on how the Apres Ski works out.
Definitely give them a try!

Stay in the Torian Plum and have the best ski-in ski-out location in Steamboat with all the shops and restaurants in the Torian Plaza right at your front door! See our best ski vacation deals and get to Steamboat!

Steamboat Ski Area Friendly Kids Terrain and Ski School

2011-01-21T13:34:00.002-07:00

Steamboat Springs is known for being the family friendly ski resort but they are also known for their great ski school and the kid friendly terrain that can be found around the ski resort. For all the Steamboat visitors, Steamboat also offers great savings with the Kids Fly Free, Kids Rent Free and Kids Ski Free value programs!

This is my first season teaching my daughter to try harder terrain and ski all over the mountain. She has skied bunny slopes before, but I have always been nervous about her riding the chair lifts. So i enrolled her in the Steamboat Ski School! After just a few lessons she was skiing blue runs.

The ski school really impressed me with how patient and effective they are with the kids. I really have been enjoying teaching her to ski on all sorts of groomers. The first groomer that we did go down is an easy blue called Tomahawk. See a Steamboat Ski Resort Map. It was a great level of blue for her to start on. The trail is wide and open for any new skier. It isn’t too steep, but allows for the beginner to stay in control. My daughter didn’t want to stay on the trail. Instead she kept skiing the sides of the runs where the little jumps are.

I was amazed at how a such a new skier was flying up into the air after hitting a jump and enjoying it- what confidence! It showed me, to my surprise, that even on an easy blue there is an enjoyment for all levels of skiers. We have since ventured all over the mountain to other levels of blues. I enjoy Steamboat skiing because I am able to share the whole mountain with my new skier.

Get your whole family to Steamboat for your winter ski vacation! Steamboat provides ski terrain that all will enjoy! Book your lodging now and receive great lodging deals and when you book you can save on ski rentals, lift tickets!

This blog was written by Favia, one of ResortQuest Steamboat's knowledgeable reservation specialists and ski lover! Contact us today!

Safety First in Steamboat- National Safety Awareness Week

2011-01-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

The commitment to safety is number one again this year for the Steamboat Ski Resort. As National Safety Awareness Week begins tomorrow Jan. 15-23, 2011 the Ski Resort has all kinds of demos, seminars and contests for all ages of skiers and snowboarders to better inform them how to stay safe on the mountain.

“Steamboat’s commitment to safety is one of the key priorities of the resort and allows us to remain in the top tier of ski resorts in North America,” said Chris Diamond, president & chief operating officer of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “National Safety Awareness Week is an opportunity for Steamboat to showcase unique initiatives and programs, while educating every winter enthusiast how to safely enjoy the mountain.”

Steamboat Ski Area will host a variety of safety programs during National Safety Awareness Week, including the following events which will take place primarily over the weekend of Jan. 15-17:

Gondola Square Safety Booths: Patrol, ParkWise staff and the Steamboat Springs Fire Department will be in Gondola Square sharing safety tips, AED demonstrations and more.

Bear the Safety Dog: Get your picture with Bear, Steamboat’s St. Bernard Safety Dog, at the top of the Gondola.

Snow Awareness Seminars: On Saturday and Sunday, January 15 & 16, Steamboat Ski Patrol will host special seminars on snow awareness at Pioneer Ridge Beacon Basin. The seminars are free to the public and meet at the Beacon Basin at the top of Pony Express Chairlift at 1pm both days.

Terrain Park: Staff promoting Smart Style, Steamboat’s ParkWise program as well as handing out safety tips and stickers.

Know the Code Contest: Skiers and Riders will randomly be stopped on the slopes by members of Steamboat’s Patrol. If they know at least three of the seven parts to the Responsibility Code they’ll receive a prize.

Billy Kidd One O’Clock Run: Free clinic by Steamboat’s director of skiing, who will be joined by Patrol during Safety Week. (Jan. 15, 17, 18, 19 & 22)

Free Mountain Tours with Ambassador with SlopeWise & Safety Information from Patrol. (entire week)

FREE Pay to Race: Any guests who can tell the attendant one of the seven topics of the Responsibility Code races free. (entire week)

Grooming Reports, daily snow reports and individual chairlift message boards will feature safety messages throughout the week.

Signage across the mountain promoting safe riding, jibing, slow zones and deep snow/tree wells.

So get to Steamboat to practice your safe on-mountain skills on the Steamboat Ski Resort! Stay with us ResortQuest Steamboat and now only save money but stay in luxury! See our current lodging deals!

The National Ski Areas Association’s National Safety Awareness Week is an annual event highlighting resort safety education efforts across the country while increasing slope safety.

Powder in Steamboat Backcountry Powdercat Adventures- Video of the Week

2011-01-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

For all you ski lovers, powder bums and mountain kids- Here is a light and fluffy video to make you say " I Want To GO!" on this Thursday afternoon-

Check out the Steamboat Powdercats for all your Steamboat Backcountry adventures. While you play in snow know you are coming home to a comfy luxurious vacation rental with ResortQuest Steamboat. View our current deals and book your Steamboat ski vacation now!

Ski Safety Tips from the Steamboat Ski Patrol

2011-01-04T13:01:00.001-07:00

photo: John F. Russell Steamboat Pilot

No one wants their ski vacation to end with an injury while skiing at the Steamboat Ski Resort. So the Steamboat Ski Patrol has put out some 2011 safety tips and reminders for how to ride and ski your best while being in control and not harming yourself or others.

Safety Tips by the Steamboat Ski Patrol

1. Always ski or ride with a buddy- the Steamboat Ski Resort is a large mountain and people can easily get lost or separated from a group. Make sure you set up meeting arrangements in-case anyone gets separated. This is especially important when skiing in the glades or tree areas- be aware of tree wells.

2. Always follow the Responsibility Code – this is the piece of paper you sign before you get your ski pass that says you as a skier or boarder will follow these safety precautions:

Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects. If for some reason you do have a collision stay at the scene. Do not ski away.
People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
Always use devices to prevent runaway equipment. Always use devices to prevent runaway equipment.
Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.

3. Call for Help! Do you know the Ski Patrol help number? Always have this programmed into your cell phone 970-871-5911

4. Wear your Helmet! The National Ski Areas Association encourages the use of helmets, but it cautions skiers and riders against assuming that a helmet can prevent all head injuries on the slopes. You can rent a helmet at any of Steamboat’s local ski rentals shops

5. Ski Patrol is equipped with the best medical technology including 14 automated external defibrillators to aid cardiac patients. Watch the latest 9news story about how Steamboat Ski Patrol saved a woman’s life last week. We love love love our Steamboat Ski Patrol! They are an amazing crew of men and women dedicated to many hours of training and preparation for each ski season along with being the first responders to accidents on the ski area! While we are having fun they are making sure everyone stays safe! Thanks you Steamboat Ski Patrol!

So play it safe and come to Steamboat! You not only will have an amazing fun ski trip but you can also book lodging for up to 40% off! The longer you stay the more you save and you’ll be having a fun and safe ski trip in no time! Book now!

Steamboat Springs Snow Alert- 160 Inches of Snow Mark!

2010-12-21T16:04:00.000-07:00

Let’s talk snow… alot of Snow... Steamboat is getting buried by this latest snow storm that is blanketing the mountain just in time for a perfect white Christmas! And as an early holiday gift, Mother Nature decided to grace us with our newest milestone- 160” inches of snow has fallen early in the 2010-2011 ski season!

Get to Steamboat now to play in the snow- See our lodging deals that will save you over 40%!

photo: Larry Pierce

The Champagne Powder® is flowing! And with the current storm cycle we have been in, the Steamboat Ski Resort is reporting that we’ve received 8” in the past 24hrs. with over 15” in the past 48 hrs. See the weather report! And good news there is so much more powder to come as Steamboat is under a winter storm warning until Thursday Dec. 23, 2010!!!

Don’t miss the powder! Get to Steamboat!- And there are even more and even cheaper options to get to Steamboat as Southwest airlines have announced new cheap flights to Denver! Read the article!

Steamboat Powder Meet Steamboat Powder Cats- Video of the Week

2010-12-17T11:43:00.000-07:00

On this brilliant bluebird sky, super cold day in Steamboat it's time for all those powder hounds to get amped for the next storm! Check out these videos from the Steamboat Powder Cats who host back-country ski tours. Let our concierge help you book the perfect tour with the Powder Cats!

And now please wipe the drool off your chin- don't worry the next storm is on its way! And you should make sure you have lodging with us at ResortQuest Steamboat so you can play all day and have a super comfy condo to return to for your beauty sleep! See our current lodging deals!

Steamboat Local's Appreciation Day! Early Lifts and Perfect Groomers

2010-12-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

The Steamboat Ski Resort has started a Local's Appreciation week that hosts a wide variety of discounts, apres parties and even a day with the Gondola opening early for all season pass holders!

Pressing Glass: So in celebration of the incredible ski season to come, ResortQuest Steamboat staff met up this early Tuesday ski morning (Gondola opened 1/2 hour early at 8am!) with hopes of powder day. Alas there was no new snow but the super soft well groomed runs made for some bombing runs with high speed pursuits and lots of fun!

Snow Report: There is a great base on Steamboat right now (38" inches) with only a few spots that need some extra cover. The snow making machines and mother nature have combined forces to create incredibly soft runs with perfect corduroy and blue bird skies!

We highly suggest getting to Steamboat for the month of December! If you stay with us at ResortQuest you'll receive 40% off for December! Book by the 17th and you'll get your powder too!

Steamboat Powder Video of the Week- So Much Snow!

2010-12-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

I just felt I needed to remind everyone of how much incredible snow Steamboat has! This video is from a couple weeks ago when we surpassed the 100" of snow mark and we are seeing more snow in our immediate future!

Book your powder ski trip to Steamboat now and save a ton of money! See our lodging deals that you won't want to miss out on!

book online now to get the best discounted lodging rates in steamboat

100” Inches of Snow Steamboat’s Epic Early Season Ski Conditions – Come Get Some Powder!

2010-11-30T12:21:00.004-07:00

It’s Official! Steamboat has hit the 100” inches mark of incredible fluffy epic snow! Steamboat is seriously rocking some fabulous early season ski conditions that is making the skiing and riding feel like mid-winter conditions.

“The 2010/11 season is shaping up to be remembered as the best start in more than a decade and already a legendary snow year, and, we’re less than a month into the season,” continued Rob Perlman, senior vice president of sales & marketing for the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “With the snowiest November on record in the books, Mother Nature’s attention is squarely focused on Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A. and powderhounds couldn’t be happier!”

Monday morning (11/29/2010) we awoke to 13” inches of powder that had fallen the afternoon and night before making for some incredible powder! And another 8 inches fell at the summit overnight last night!

Current conditions for Steamboat Ski Resort Report:

9”inches in the last 24hrs
20” inches in the last 48hrs
47” base
And drum-roll please- Steamboat has hit the 100” mark and its not even December!!! A total of 111” of pure white snow has fallen already this year! Will Steamboat hit the 500”? We can all hope and do a few extra powder dances! See the current weather conditions.

So what to do with all this snow? Get to Steamboat to play in it of course! Book your lodging now and get free nights plus cash back to spend on a perfect Steamboat adventure!

Steamboat Pre-Opening Day! Best Conditions in a Decade!

2010-11-23T08:23:00.004-07:00

Steamboat Ski Resort and everyone who is searching for some powder need to look no further! Steamboat is opening tomorrow- Nov. 24th for Scholarship Day with some of the best opening day conditions the mountain has seen in over a decade!
Read more about the terrain openings, running lifts and more!

Get to Steamboat for this opening weekend! You'll receive a FREE night of lodging when you book 3 or more nights and 20% off your lift tickets!

Check out our other great lodging deals that give you cash to spend while in Steamboat!

Steamboat Ski Resort 2010 Best Opening in Years!

2010-11-19T09:18:00.006-07:00

The Steamboat Ski Resort will be opening Nov. 24, 2010 with 5 lifts, 66 trails, 926 acres of top to bottom skiing equaling 3,000 vertical feet and 74 inches of snow!!!

WOW! This opening day or scholarship day is going to mark the best early season conditions in almost a decade said Chris Diamond, president and chief operating officer of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. Scholarship day allows the mountain to open with specially prices $30 lift tickets and $20 lower mountain lift tickets that benefit the Steamboat Winter Sports Club Scholarship Fund!

The resort anticipates opening 5 lifts-Christie Peak Express, Gondola, Storm Peak Express, Burgess Creek and 4 Points. This includes much of the resort’s legendary tree skiing areas including the upper portions of Shadows and Closets, Flying Z, Twilight, Triangle 3 and more. Remember trails and lifts are subject to change without notice as conditions change.

The early season storms have come in strong and left nearly 4 1/2 feet of powder in November so far- Steamboat will be opening with a 38 inch base at mid-mountain and 52-inch base at the summit! These are the largest base amounts ever seen on opening day!

So what are you waiting for- skiing will be epic this year so book your ski vacation lodging now! The earlier you book the more you save and if you buy now we can still order you discounted lift tickets!

Photo credit: Larry Pierce- Steamboat's Billy the Kidd testing out the powder yesterday in Steamboat!

Early Steamboat Powder- Hike if the Lifts Aren't Open!

2010-11-16T15:07:00.005-07:00

ResortQuest Steamboat employee Will Stone, and friends could not wait for the lifts to open in Steamboat(Opening Day is Nov. 25th, 2010)

Its understandable as Steamboat has received 61"of snow over a week of winter storms making it a 32" base! So in the name of powder and a few leg burning hours of hiking they finally got some powder.... See the Current Weather. See a map of the Steamboat Ski Resort.

(Written by Will Stone) "My friends and I took a journey up to the Gondola. We all drove up the Thunderhead lift and started up “Why Not”. This is a nice run to hike because of the gradient. We switched backed and forth till we got to Vagabond. We took a rest and shed some clothing layers even though the snow was already falling- its a steep hike! We had 3 more steep pitches to climb before we got to the top. I was using my skins and everyone else was using snow shoes. We arrived after 2 hours of hiking. The snow was falling hard and we were amped to head down. We started skiing down Heavenly Daze hugging the skiers right where the cat had not passed through. Snow was deep and endless. We then got Ted’s Ridge where we debated for about 3 seconds on where to go next. It was unanimous Ted’s ridge it was. We all surfed down Ted’s-it was awesome. Fresh lines all the way down. We got back to Thunderhead lift and so much snow had fallen since we left that my truck was covered. Wow what a great way to open up the Steamboat Ski Season! And the snow is still falling!"

It's true the snow is still falling and the opening day of Steamboat is going to be an incredible one! Don't miss epic powder in the very beginning of the season so book your lodging now and receive lodging deals for early season and if you are coming later in the season you can get lodging discounts plus cash back to create your perfect Steamboat adventure!

Skiing Tip: Plant your Poles Video with Billy the Kidd

2010-11-16T11:19:00.004-07:00

With all the incredible snow that is falling before the Steamboat Ski Resort Opens (Nov. 25th, 2010) take the chance to catch up on a few skiing tips from Steamboat's own Billy the Kidd! This Steamboat Olympian is a fabulous skier and created this skiing tip video to remind us to plant our poles!

Get to Steamboat this winter to practice planting your poles and you'll save on lodging plus you'll get cash back to spend on the perfect Steamboat adventure! Book online now!

6 Days Straight of Snow in Steamboat Springs

2010-11-15T16:11:00.000-07:00

It's just 10 days till Opening Day in Steamboat and old man winter has blanketed the town and trails in big, fat, fluffy white flakes for the past 6 days.

Steamboat Ski Area was reporting a 2-foot base and 46 inches of total snowfall Sunday, after a weekend of precipitation in Steamboat Springs. Steamboat looks more like mid-season already with 17 inches of snow falling over the weekend. The resort has a 28-inch mid-mountain base and 42-inch base at the summit.

A meteorologist at the Grand Junction office of the National Weather Service said snowfall was expected to pick up again this morning and continue through Tuesday.

“Over the next about 24 to 36 hours, we’re expecting another 6 to 12 inches in the mountains … and in town, maybe in the 2- to 5-inch range over the next 36 hours,” meteorologist Jeff Colton said Sunday afternoon.

“It’s definitely going to keep snowing.”

All weekend the Steamboat locals have been trekking around the surrounding mountains to find their secret stash, whether skinning up the ski area on their skis, hiking up Mt Werner with their board on their back, cross-country skiing on Rabbit Ears Pass, snowmobiling on Buffalo pass, or snowshoeing anywhere and everywhere in between. The verdict is unanimous: it's deep! There's lots of snow and it's the powder that Steamboat is famous for. Opening Day is going to be EPIC!

Get the Freshest Tracks for 33% Off!

Thanksgiving and Opening weekend are all rolled in to one in Steamboat. There's no guilt stuffing your belly with too much turkey after a day carving up the slopes. Book your Steamboat thanksgiving lodging with ResortQuest and save 33% off lodging - plus lift ticket deals!

Steamboat Resort Ranks #14 in 2010 Ski Resort Rankings

2010-10-28T10:22:00.004-06:00

Steamboat Ski Resort has been ranked number #14 out of 30 ski resorts ranked by Ski Magazine for the 2010 ski year! So what is so fabulous about Steamboat?

According to Ski Magazine's readers, "After all, Steamboat continues to endear itself to readers who hail it as the “best all-around resort for families” and “my favorite resort anywhere.” The positive comments tend to be unanimous: “Plenty of terrain for skiers who are not beginners but aren’t the best either. Happy people. Western town that can’t be matched.” Complaints focus on the lack of tough terrain and an unkempt base area—though that is also part of its charm."

Read the full article about what makes Steamboat fabulous!

And make sure you are getting the best savings on your vacation to Steamboat! Book by Nov. 1, 2010 and save up to 30% on your supreme steamboat lodging with us at ResortQuest!

Snowing in Steamboat Oct. 23, 2010

2010-10-23T09:25:00.010-06:00

Last night Steamboat got their first in town snow! It was beautiful to wake up to a snow covered landscape with the remaining fall colors poking through. And it just in time for Halloween- classic mountain Halloween where every costume has to be big enough to fit your winter parka underneath!

Check out the photos and don't forget to book your Steamboat Winter Vacation- see our best winter deal and book by Oct. 30, 2010 to get up to 30% off lodging and 20% off lift tickets!

Get Fit! Strength Training with Ted Ligety for Skiing

2010-10-22T10:05:00.003-06:00

It's important to be in good physical condition when you decide to hit the slopes this winter in Steamboat Springs. Here are some work out tips from pro skier Ted Ligety and Ski Magazine.

Working out to tone those skiing muscles will not only prevent some types of injury but it will also make your day on the Steamboat Ski Resort much more fun- no leg cramps!

While you are physically preparing for winter, have you booked your ski vacation yet? Steamboat is offering up to 30% off your lodging and discounted lift tickets if you book by Oct. 30, 2010- get on it!

Summer in Steamboat Wrap Up 2010

2010-10-13T16:01:00.005-06:00

Steamboat's summers are absolutely amazing and as the summer days have faded into a colorful Fall days we are remembering Summer with a video- enjoy the warm memories while getting ready for winter!

Don't forget to book your lodging and save big on your ski vacation and lift tickets!

Learn more about Steamboat
Learn more about ResortQuest Steamboat
See our Winter Lodging Deals

Warren Miller 2010 Wintervention Tour Coming to Your Town- Steamboat Springs!

2010-09-16T11:10:00.006-06:00

Its finally here! Warren Miller’s 61st Annual film Wintervention has announced tour dates, ticket sales, and lots of mouth watering clips from this year’s brand new film! These guys once again are pushing the boundaries on their ski locations around the world including Antarctica and far reaches of Alaska and more.

Save money with your winter ski vacation by getting the early bird deal with ResortQuest Steamboat that includes luxury lodging and lift ticket deals!

Wintervention is showing in Steamboat Springs at the Steamboat Grand on Oct. 29th and 30th! You can get your tickets at Ski Haus (970.879.0385) or at the Grand the Night of show only- but don’t take your chances- it will be sold out!

Showtimes:

Friday, October 29, 2010 - 7:30pm

Saturday, October 30, 2010 - 6:00pm

Saturday, October 30, 2010 - 9:00pm

The new Warren Miller site launched which is all about Wintervention. Read bios of the amazing athletes like Johnny Moseley, Lindsay Vonn, Lexi DuPont, Andy Maher, Chris Anthony, Chris Davenport and more!

So Where in Colorado is Wintervention showing?

Aspen: Wheeler Opera House- Oct. 22-23 with multiple showings per day
Steamboat Springs: Steamboat Grand- Oct. 29-30 with multiple showings per day
Winter Park: Silver Screen Cinema: October 29th- with multiple showings per day
Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Center- Nov. 5-6 with multiple showings per day
Boulder: Boulder Theatre- November 9-14th with multiple showings per day
Denver: Paramount Theatre November 17-21st with multiple showings per day
Beaver Creek: Vilar Performing Arts Center- Nov. 26-27th with multiple showings day
Edwards: Battle Mountain High School- Nov. 28th one showing only

Make sure your Winter includes an epic ski trip- the earlier you book your ski vacation in Steamboat the better ski vacation deal you’ll score! Check out our lodging deal that includes deluxe accommodations and discounted lift tickets- make sure you get all the powder you could ask for!

It’s Almost Time: Warren Miller’s 61st Annual Wintervention 2010 Film!

2010-09-08T11:17:00.004-06:00

No dates have yet been released for the new 2010 Warren Miller Wintervention film release but expect the unbeatable Warren Miller film to excite and invigorate all! So far the Warren Miller team has assembled footage from all over the world- Alaska, Canada, Antartica, Austria, Southern Utah, Vail, CO, and more. Along with featuring some of the worlds best skiers including Lindsay Vonn, Jonny Moseley, Andy Mahre, Chris Davenport, Stian Hagen, Reggie Crist, Zach Crist, Lexi Dupont, Ash Christensen and more.

Book your "Wintervention" vacation in Steamboat now and receive lodging deals!

Check out the Girdwood, Alaska Teaser Video-

Or the Telluride, CO Teaser Video-

Stay tuned for the Film Release and the location around the country you can watch the new Wintervention.

Book your Wintervention now in Steamboat and receive incredible Early Bird savings on lodging and lift tickets- get your Wintervention on the books! You must book by Oct. 15, 2010 to receive these deals! Book NOW!

New Disc Golf Course Opens in Steamboat: Rita Valentine Park

2010-07-12T08:45:00.005-06:00

ALERT: since this blog was posted the city council put a halt to use of the Rita Valentine disc golf course...get full details and see article in Steamboat Pilot.

Steamboat’s local Disc Golf League is promoting a new disc golf or "Frisbee golf" course called Fox Creek that opened at the Rita Valentine Park.

See the map course!

The Steamboat Springs Parks and Recreation Commission gave initial approval to a disc golf course at the 35-acre park between Anglers Drive and Hill¬top Parkway in July 2009 as part of conceptual designs for the park’s long-term use. Chris Wilson, director of the city’s Parks, Open Space and Recreational Services Department, said plans for the course solidified during two public meetings of the commission and a hole-by-hole walk-through of the 18-hole course.

This is a fun new course and the Steamboat Disc Golf League is in charge of fundraising and getting the initial course set up. Right now there are just bamboo markers and tree markers where official baskets will soon be!

Other courses around Steamboat:

Thunderhead Disc Golf Course:
Thunderhead, located on the Steamboat Ski Resort, will not be set up this year due to tree removal from the Bark Beetle infestation. The Thunderhead course will move to the base area for this summer. Design is not complete as of yet, but it will not be the course that existed 4 years ago. This fall will mark the end of all tree removal on the Thunderhead DGC so it may return for the 2011 season.

CMC Disc Golf Course:
CMC is still in full effect. Located behind the dorms at the CMC campus on the west side of town, the CMC course is better than ever. Please be aware that people playing the “Back 9” or the “3rd 9” should always yield to people playing the normal 9 hole layout.

See more information about Steamboat's Disc Golf League and know that when you stay in Steamboat there are so many summer activities that it will be hard to choose! See other activities around Steamboat! Summer doesn't get any better than this... see ResortQuest's lodging deals and get to play for as long as you want!

SUP: Stand Up Paddle Surfing is Debuting in the Mountain Rivers

2010-06-08T12:45:00.005-06:00

I had only ever seen stand up paddlers (SUP) paddling around the water in the gorgeous beach towns of California and Hawaii and it hadn’t occurred to me that this could be the next whitewater river sport.

However the Teva Mountain Games and C4 Waterman (a sweet company that makes stand up paddling gear) has introduced this sport to Colorado that embraces the essence of surfing with the challenge of paddle sports!

This was the first time the Teva Mountain Games has had this unique competition and it looks fun! It is a wild mix of endurance, core strength, and maybe some crazy mixed in.

And if SUP wasn’t challenging enough check out the two time tandem surfing champs that were “playing around” in the huge flooded Colorado river at Glenwood Springs, CO where the Teva games were held. It was wild at the Games!

So any place in Steamboat with SUP boards? Well it is a newer sport to Colorado but the crew at Boardom Bound have been playing around with them and can take you out on the lake and more. This might be the next sport you will have to master!

ResortQuest’s Runners Flew Through the Marathon Finish

2010-06-08T10:28:00.007-06:00

Congratulations to Maria and Will who successfully finished the 10K run that was part of Sunday's 2010 Steamboat Marathon. The competition was tough with over 375 runners who participated in the 10K!

Maria came smokin’ into the finish line with a time of 53:48 that placed her 61st out of the 375 co-ed runners. Out of the 243 women runners, she placed 19th, and in her age group, she killed them by coming in 5th! Go Maria!

Will Stone came in shortly behind and placed 173 out of the 375 runners. Of the male runners he placed 81st and was 11th in his age group! Go Will!

Over all, the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K race were a huge success with gorgeous weather and lots of healthy runners. And again congrats to Maria and Will who got out there and conquered the 10K while the rest of us were sleeping in…

For more information on the final results of the 10K go to the Steamboat Chamber and see what ResortQuest offered for lodging deals as the official lodging sponsor.

29th Annual Steamboat Marathon is One of Top Ten Most Scenic Marathons

2010-06-04T11:05:00.005-06:00

The Steamboat Marathon this Sunday June 6, 2010 is on the mark and ready to go. The weather is set to be perfect with sunny and partly cloudy conditions with a little wind to help cool off all the runners.

The Marathon race has capped out with 500 runners, the half- marathon is still open with no cap along with the free 10K race. Over 2,000 runner are expected to participate. And we are proud to report that some of ResortQuest’s own, Maria Linna, reservations manager, and Will Stone, homeowner liaison, will be stretching their legs, and getting the blood pumping in the downtown 10K race. photo: steamboat chamber association

Maria said, “I am really excited for the 10k. I started training by doing lots of runs, some 3k, some 5k and did lots of road bike rides. Its great training to have your children in tow behind the bike. Every year I say I will step up and do the half marathon, but not yet, for now I am glad I can get out and do the 10k.”

So come out and cheer on our ResortQuest runners! All races begin at 7:30 am and click here to see maps of the courses and where you can watch. All races finish at the Courthouse lawn.

Some improvements to the marathon is this year we will know Maria and Will’s "true" running times with a new chip timing system which will ensure the runners exact times are captured down to the 10th of a second. No rounding up or down on those times! Maria and Will are going to report back with the Marathon results and with their record breaking best personal times.

Maria and Will and all the other runners will be able to enjoy the gorgeous views of the course. The Steamboat Marathon course has been selected by Runner's World as one of the "10 Most Scenic Marathons" and one of the "Top 10 Destination Marathons in North America."

If you decided to come to Steamboat last minute for the Marathon, ResortQuest is an official lodging sponsor and we are still offering our incredible lodging rates for the Marathon! Check out the lodging deals.

So whether you come out to Steamboat this weekend as a vacationer, a runner, a local or a spectator you will feel the excitement of the Marathon and the Steamboat Community supporting its runners with a hometown feel.

Steamboat Springs Bicycle Commuter Challenge has begun!

2010-06-03T17:57:00.005-06:00

The bike rack out front of the Torian Plum office is over flowing for the first time in ResortQuest Steamboat's history. We are very excited to have 3 teams for the first annual Steamboat Springs Commuter Challenge organized by the Steamboat Chamber.

ResortQuest has also been implementing a number of policies and procedures in the last decade to become an environmentally friendly lodging company and earn the Steamboat Chamber's Gold Certification for sustainability, as well as, a Green Suites certified green lodging company.

Check out our Steamboat Recycling and Sustainable Practices page to see how ResortQuest is doing our part to help keep our beautiful Steamboat environment a healthy and happy place to live.

Sex and the City or Sex and the Country? Girls Night Out with Martinis, Fine Dining and Shopping.

2010-05-27T10:25:00.005-06:00

Ladies of Steamboat, Sex and the City 2 has finally arrived. It’s been released around the country tonight May 27, 2010. So grab a martini, your craziest Carrie Bradshaw inspired outfit and hit the country … Steamboat won’t know what hit ‘em.

Sex and the City has notoriously made men roll their eyes (even though we know they are hot for the lead ladies) and women tune in. Whether you watch it because it is the only decent thing on late night or you are a hard core fan who wishes you were the 5th in the circle of friends, there is a connecting factor for all: Girls just want to have fun!

So what to do in little ol’ Steamboat to celebrate the premier? Gather the up the Ladies of course! We highly recommend taking the Sex and the City mottos to heart this weekend for the Premiere of Sex and the City 2! Ditch the silly boys, put on your favorite heels, grab a cocktail dress, go to dinner with your best gals then off to the movies!

Big City Style: Uptown Restaurants in Steamboat

Bistro C.V. This new age modern restaurant in Steamboat features delicious gourmet dishes and has been reviewed in the NY Times Travel section and more. See their menu. For mud season they are doing great happy hour deals with ½ price apps and a huge wine and drink menu to choose from.
Three Peaks Grill is a contemporary take on the grill type fare of steaks and seafood. Indulge with ahi tuna to petite medallions. See the full menu.
Café Diva is a superb refreshing and delicious on-mountain choice. Every dish packs a surprise of amazing flavor with a unique twist. If you can wait till Tuesday they offer half price appetizers, salads and soups. See menu.

Cosmo Martini Wars: Best Place for a Martinis

Mambo Italiano: Sit at the outside bar in warm afternoon sun and enjoy their Superb Martinis or even better the Mojitos!
Harwigs: Sit at the cute little bar in Harwigs and enjoy a wide range of option for Martinis. They also have an extensive wine menu.
Café Diva: Their bartenders are some of the best! They absolutely know their drinks and are always creating something new. Ask to see if they are making the Blood Orange Martini
Bella’ Wine Bar: Its not Martinis but the wine is not to miss. It is recently new in Steamboat and is a styling wine bar with exposed wood beams and a super modern nice feel.

Beauty is on the inside but the clothing makes the girl:
Can’t celebrate Sex and the City without shopping! Steamboat has unique boutiques that offer a wide arrange of styles. Some of our favorites are:

Over the Moon has amazing unique cute clothing and jewelry and tonight is their ladies night! Get 10% off and get an extra 5% if you bring a friend that has not been before! Go shopping before cocktails!
Talulla has fancy jewelry, inexpensive beautiful bags and really unique skin products, journals, scarfs etc. It will be hard to leave with out finding something you have to have!
Kali’s Boutique has gorgeous designer name brands from traditional looks to outstanding dresses.
7th Street Boutique you can find trending accessories that are on the cheap to moderately priced. Great earrings, sunglasses, scarfs, hats and purses.
Chez Nous is on the pricier side but they have chic casual wear to trending work and night out outfits.

The Metropolitan Wildhorse Stadium on 655 Marketplace Plaza has show times for the Sex and the City 2 at 4:00pm, 5:15pm, 7:15pm and 8:30 pm. Be there or be square. And celebrate your best girlies and the fun town we all love!
If you are coming to Steamboat get the best lodging and accommodations in town when you stay with ResortQuest Steamboat. We will make your vacation a luxurious experience.

When to Teach Your Child To Ski or Snowboard.

2010-05-25T11:28:00.003-06:00

When I was about two years old, I remember stepping into my first pair of skis. Back then the newest technology in kids performance gear was a sweet pair of red plastic skis, a pair of boots that were way too big and my dad equipped with a thick old rope tied around my waist. And it was complete with my private ski hill- our very steep driveway!

Things have changed a bit these days and the starting age for getting kids out skiing and boarding has become younger and younger. And forget about those old plastic skis! Now companies like Volkl, Rossignol, and others make skis tiny enough for the wee beginners starting at 60+ cm. You don’t have to tie your kid up anymore but rather fit them with a great and comfy harness. And if you can’t do all the teaching, Steamboat Ski Resort along with most ski resorts have great lessons designed just for the kids.

Check out this little girl in Mammoth, CA who can’t get enough bunny runs on her Snowboard!

So what about the age thing? There really is not a set age that determines when a child can begin to ski or board. It is highly dependent on the child and your setting. Most say the earlier the better. Ava's mom is all for this philosophy! As soon as they can walk, start to get them familiar with the equipment and the feeling of moving on snow. Not all kids will be born yearning for snow however it will make the learning curve easier if they start out younger!

Check out these resources for determining how to get your child started:

Google Shopping for Kids Ski/Snowboard Gear
Child's Sizing/Fitting Guide
Ski Diva: Moms advice from their experiences
Steamboat Ski Resort Ski School

Steamboat Springs Music Scene

2010-05-21T14:48:00.004-06:00

Steamboat Springs is known for its spectacular location, copious amounts of outdoor activities, world class ski resort, natural hot springs and for its continual supply of live music that is always on the cheap. Whether it is summer, winter or a season in between, the ‘Boat is always rocking. Here is an idea of the music venues Steamboat has for live music.

Most music venues in Steamboat are intimate settings in bars or restaurants.
Mahogany Ridge is a great example of restaurant by evening and concert venue by night. It’s a great place to grab a micro-brew, jam your friends and strangers together on the second level and dance the night away to awesome local or somewhat local (Colorado based) bands
Old Town Pub has a great set up as well with a huge bar area and lots of room to dance to their always different, funky and unique bands they keep coming to Steamboat.

Winter or Summer Free Concerts
Nothing beats seeing a great band with a backdrop of the great outdoors of Steamboat.
During the winter the Steamboat Ski Resort hosts their annual Bud Light Rocks the Boat Free Concert Series. These concerts are based at the bottom of the ski resort in the Gondola Plaza and sunshine or snow you will see famous bands grace the mountain town with killer tunes. Previous year’s performances included Ozomatli, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Donavon Frankeinrieter and more.

The Free Summer Concert Series is a non-profit that keeps the summers light and cheap with their free outdoor concerts set at the base of Howelsen Hill in downtown Steamboat. The locals and visitors alike arrive by the masses to see big headliner bands take the stage in the cool summer afternoons. Big names like Michael Franti, Rusted Root, Susan Tedeschi, the Avett Brothers and more. Grab your bike, put on your walking shoes or take the bus to this venue as parking is not a good option! See the 2010 free summer concert line up.

Ghost Ranch Saloon
The Ghost Ranch has been open now for over a year (see Steamboat Pilot article) and is proving that their swanky music venue is worth the steeper drink prices. The venue is one of the larger venues in steamboat that was catered to making a music specific venue in town. The setup allows for a large bar area with the stage very close by. The stage is set at ground level so you can get up close to the bands playing that night, or you can head up to the second story to watch with a birds eye view. The décor and atmosphere is like stepping into the old Wild West with a ritzy modern twist.

Steamboat Strings
Steamboat Strings brings in a wide range of musical talent to Steamboat with artists like Grammy winners and nominees, major competition winners and principal players from the most renowned orchestras and international soloists. Classical, bluegrass, country, rock and jazz notes fill the air as a nightly events during the summers in Steamboat. This wide range of music delights and entertains with famous musicians playing all summer at the beautiful music pavilion. See the full calendar and performer lineup.

So if you are coming to Steamboat make sure you check out a few or all of the great unique music venues Steamboat has to offer. ResortQuest also offers year round lodging deals and best rates to make your vacation a great value.

Finally! A Steamboat Powder Day...20+ inches! April 7, 2010

2010-04-07T14:26:00.008-06:00

I think yesterday was the first day all season that it actually snowed in Steamboat all day and all night to bring us this, better late then never, double-digit powder day. We had over 20 inches of sweet powder and I think every local in town was out ripping the long awaited powder that, up until this point, seemed to come in small amounts all year long.

They finally opened up Morningside about 10:30 and I got to catch a lift with Seth Warner. He's on his 26th day of 30 resorts in 30 days. Seth gave Steamboat some props by saying, "this is the best snow I've had on the tour so far." Check out his website and blog at http://www.30resorts30days.com/

With the Steamboat ski area closing on Sunday, this storm came just in time! So get up here for some of the best snow ever on closing weekend! With the Springalicious 4-pack for $99 and $99/night lodging at select ResortQuest properties.

Check out the video below of the sweet pow-pow:

Earth Hour is coming! Sat March 27th at 8:30pm.

2010-03-26T11:42:00.002-06:00

Earth Hour is here again and we are ready to show our support by turning off as many lights and work stations in the ResortQuest properties on Saturday night at 8:30 pm. We will be asking all of our guests to participate as well and turn off any unnecessary lights in their condo or townhome they are staying in!

Earth Hour has recruited millions of people around the world along with 4000 cities in 88 countries who have officially switched off the power, to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

This 2010 effort is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet. Earth Hour is to show the world that there can be a solution to the threat of global warming and it is possible through collective action.

Need some reminders of why we need to protect our one and only planet… see the videos below.

Remember that you can continue this energy saving practice on a daily basis, it is not only saving precious energy, lowering your energy footprint but you will also save money and quite a bit of it.
They say that for every household who unplugs appliances like the toaster or hairdryers on a daily basis and turns off lights or the tv when they leave a room, they can save lots of money.

Be part of the effort! Go to Earth Hour and sign up yourself or sign up your business. The best way to help the effort is to spread the word!

Here is an awesome link to a power calculator so you can see what kind of power you are using and how clean it is. Do your part to help change the planet's energy use and our ideas about it.

Activities To Do in Steamboat While the Ski Resort Closes Due to Weather.

2010-03-19T10:45:00.004-06:00

This is actually a very rare and seldom, almost never, event when the Steamboat Ski Resort closes completely due to weather. Today’s cause is due to severe gusting winds that make it unsafe for the lifts to operate. These winds are expected to intensify through out the day so the lifts are on a “wind hold” and will not open until the weather conditions improve.
So what do you do when the Ski Resort is closed? Steamboat isn’t just about the snow: Check out the following activities we recommend and sign up to follow our blog so you will always know what is going on in Steamboat! Our concierge is happy to help you book any of these activities :

A Day Off the Mountain Activities:

Hot Springs –rejuvenate your body so tomorrow with all the new powder from this crazy storm you will be ready to go! Head to the downtown springs at the Old Town Hot Spring rec center or head to the Strawberry Park Hot Springs. It is recommended to go with a tour as the road conditions require 4-Wheel drive and a little bit of courage. Sweet Pea Tours or Hot Springs Adventures will get you to your destination safe, sound and it wont take away your relaxed vibe. Call our concierge.

Pools and Hot Tubs at your ResortQuest Condo- don’t want to fight the wind? Then pamper yourself with all our on-site amenities or call concierge to book a massage at the Trappeur’s Day Spa.

Tubing/Airboading: If you are still dying to get outside then head to Howelsen Hill for some tubing in the afternoon or we can book an airboarding experience you won't forget. Click if you don't know what airboarding is!
Movies: What a great day to watch a new movie than to be cold outside! See local movie listings.

Silver Lining Jewelry: Located right in Torian Plum Plaza, within feet from the Torian condos or a simple drive on the ResortQuest complimentary shuttles, where you will find gorgeous beads and more to make your favorite jewelry. All the staff is ready to help you create your favorite piece of jewelry!

The Potters Wheel: Get the creative juices flowing at this hands on ceramics center where you can create anything from your dads next favorite coffee mug to gorgeous serving platters, picture frames and more. Located downtown on 2780 Acre Lane. Our van drivers will know how to get you there and hours are Tues- Friday 11am – 5:30pm and Sat. and Sun. 12-4pm

Watch DVD's in your condo with Home delivered Pizzas from Soda Creek!

Go Downtown: Jump on the complimentary vans and check out the spring sales starting this weekend. Make sure you buy a good book at Off the Beaten Path or Epilogue and curl up in your over-sized king bed in your condo!

Apres Ski All Day: Hot toddys at Saddles Bar at the Sheraton, wear your boots to be ready to jump on the lifts when they crank up again or just look like you tried to conquer the wind! Or get Margaritas at Cantina, Pizzas and Beers at Slopeside or yummy lunch with TV at the Tugboat!

These are just a few of the alternative skiing options that Steamboat has in store. Contact our concierge for any questions or if you would like to book your windy day adventure!
• Torian Plum Concierge: (970) 870-4287
• Trappeur's Crossing Resort Concierge: (970) 870-4296
• Email: SteamboatConcierge@resortquest.com

Become a follower of our blog and always see what is going on in Steamboat!

Steamboat Ski Conditions are Fantastic for Spring Break

2010-03-16T10:59:00.005-06:00

Yesterday's ski conditions (Mon. 3/15/2010) at Steamboat Ski Resort were fantastic still despite the lower snow totals we have been receiving this year.

The snow was a little icy in the early morning however it pleasantly warmed up to fun soft snow on the top at Storm Peak. As you got down to the lower mountain the snow started to become that fun "mashed potatoes" feel around the Gondola and down Heavenly Daze and Valley View ski runs. Try to stay off some of the more heavily used and popular trails and you will still find awesome snow.

The sunshine is making everyone happy and the spring breakers are having more than a good time with many of the boys sporting their winter white tans- I hope they were wearing sunscreen otherwise it will be a sore, burnt spring break!

Saturday's Free Bud Light Rocks the Boat Concert with the Easy Star All Stars was a great concert filling the air with beats keeping tired skiers still bopping to the music with the band playing for over an hour and a half. This Saturday March 20th the Free Concert is here again with Lyrics Born! Don't miss it- 3pm at the Gondola Square.
So get out and get some Sun! and there is rumor that the snow will be flying again this weekend with a big Northern storm headed our way! Check out the current Steamboat weather report.

Free Concert in Steamboat: Easy Star All Stars, March 13th, 2010!

2010-03-12T10:52:00.003-07:00

The Easy Star All Stars will be “Rockin’ the Boat” for Free this Saturday at 3pm in the Gondola Square. Easy Stars are known for their rocking dub and reggae covers of well known albums like Dubside of the Moon (2003), Radiodread (2006) and their most recent Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band (2009). This band will be rocking in the sweet mountain sunshine this Saturday March 13!

This is just the beginning of Spring Celebrations with the Bud Light Rock the Boat Concert Series bring 4 more awesome concerts to the Steamboat slopes for Free!

Stay with ResortQuest to get perfect spring savings.

International Pancake Day! Steamboat's Best Pancakes Feb. 23.

2010-02-23T12:51:00.004-07:00

Pancakes come in ohh soo many shapes, sizes, and flavors. Some like ‘em hot, covered in fruit toppings, bacon filled, dripping in syrup, the shape of Mickey Mouse or smothered in whip. No matter how you like your flap jacks Steamboat serves up some mighty pancakes to go with your pre-skiing mighty appetite.

Among the locals favorites, Rex’s Bar and Grill came in as a syrupy number one with their unlimited pancakes for only $2.49 when you get them with a meal. “They are served hot off the griddle and the "Crazy Monkey" banana walnut are to die for."

Freshies (595 S. Lincoln Ave) is loved for their fabulous granola pancakes, Creekside Cafe (131 11th St.) for their fluffy cakes that you can get with an amazing cinnamon butter. And don’t miss Winona’s (617 Lincoln Ave.) famous Buttermilk stack of 3 enormous pancakes.

Come to Steamboat and get your fill of Pancakes! You'll be reverted back to the joys of childhood and you can receive incredible lodging deals with our Games Night deal or if you have last minute travel check out our Sunday Specials!

Happy Margarita Day! An insiders guide to Margs in Steamboat Springs, CO

2010-02-22T15:56:00.001-07:00

Happy National Margarita Day to all of my fellow marg lovers! Because I want everyone to enjoy this marvelous day I have asked around the ResortQuest Steamboat offices to see where people get there margs in Steamboat Springs, CO.

Dave, Maria and myself all prefer the Cantina downtown.

“I don’t often drink Margartias. The last one I had was at Cantina. I had their raspberry margarita and loved it. It is a nice alternative to the regular sweet and sour sugary margaritas," said Maria, our Reservations Manager. "It has frozen raspberries blended to the mix and gives nice, fresh kick to the drink.”

Cantina has started doing a great Mexican Mojito which is a Mojito with with tequila instead of rum. Like Maria’s Raspberry Margarita, it is a great, less-sweet and tangy version of a margarita. I can’t decide whether I prefer margarita’s or mojitos, so this is a perfect match made in heaven for when I am being indecisive.

Katy and Will like to stick with the authentic margs at Fiesta Jalisco that are fresh lime juice, tequila and cointreau.

"It's simple. Not too sweet, and it comes it a large martini shaker," said Katy.

Where ever you end up on this nation holiday just remember to have fun. Maybe you will see some of the ResortQuest Steamboat staff out enjoying some margs!

Post written by Madison Proper, ResortQuest Steamboat's Wholesale Reservations Coordinator.

Warm Up Routine for a Powder Run in Steamboat- A Tip From the Ski Bums

2010-02-19T11:20:00.001-07:00

We all have our own routines when getting ready for the Steamboat slopes and for that epic powder day in Steamboat Springs. Some of us inhale a gallon of coffee or couple Red Bulls, some do vigorous stretching, yoga and meditation, some of us start out at work waiting for our break to go ski...

My fellow rider and a co-worker Jeremy has a very unique way of getting himself ready - a headstand, when already on top of the mountain and in full ski gear!

I am not sure if this an idea he got from the Flying Federsen at the Olympic send off party couple weeks ago, but I had the priviledge to witness this routine yesterday.

See for yourself : )

It looks like the powder was "head deep"! If you want to improve your warm up routine then get to Steamboat and also get some incredible deals on your lodging. How do you warm up for those epic powder days?

The Little Skier in the Boat. By Kiki

2010-02-18T10:14:00.000-07:00

One of Steamboat Springs, Colorado's newest locals, Jackson Schutt, recently enjoyed a snowy cross county skiing adventure.

Jackson chose one of numerous cross country skiing options in and around Steamboat Springs. There is a groomed track downtown plus a Nordic ski jumping venue! Many World Cup Nordic Combined and Cross Country events have been held there. Several local ranches groom tracks on their property. Some even offer instruction and rentals. There are trails throughout the surrounding national forests and state parks.

Jackson plans to cross country ski at Rabbit Ears Pass, Catamount, Vista Verde, The Steamboat Touring Center, and Steamboat Lake State Park. If Jackson is able to ski all the Nordic areas he will have covered over 100 kilometers of groomed track in the Yampa Valley. You’re the man Jackson!

(Jackson is Kiki's son. Kiki is the Group Sales Manager for ResortQuest Steamboat. For Group lodging quotes - weddings, reunions, ski clubs, business retreats - Kiki is the local Steamboat expert! Contact Kiki at (866) 634-9616 or email SteamboatGroupSales@ResortQuest.com).

I have the Best Backyard in the World! By Luka.

2010-02-18T10:09:00.002-07:00

How many children can say that this is their backyard, their every day playground?

Pictured, Howelsen Hill in downtown Steamboat Springs on the front and Mt.Werner at the Steamboat Ski Resort on the back.

This is where I learn, train and excel from the tiny magic carpet on Howelsen to the back bowls and hikes of Mt Werner. I am a alpine skier, snowboarder and a tele skier.

In the evenings when my older brother trains with Winter Sports Club, I go tubing on Howelsen with my mom and my friends. The concession stand has the best hot chocolate chip cookies when I need a break. I love my home town.

My name is Luka, I am 3 years old and this is my Steamboat.

(Luka is Maria's son. Maria is the Reservations Manager for ResortQuest Steamboat. For the insider advice on your planning a vacation in Steamboat for your family, contact Maria at (866) 634-9616 or email SteamboatInfo@ResortQuest.com).

Steamboat Native Johnny Spillane Gets the Silver Medal

2010-02-16T16:41:00.001-07:00

It was a great weekend for Steamboat Springs, CO at the Olympics. Sunday afternoon everyone from Steamboat was glued to the TV to see what would happen in the Nordic event. Steamboat locals Johnny Spillane, Todd Lodwick and Billy Demong all put out there best efforts to finally get the USA their first Nordic Combine medal at the Olympics.

With .8 k left in the 10 k race Johnny Spillane took charge of the race and sprinted ahead of the rest of the competitors. As he took off, my friends and I started jumping with joy over the excitement that a Steamboat native may take the podium. Johnny fought them off till the very end however his sprint was just too soon and he was passed by Chappuis who won the Gold medal. For the first time in Nordic Combine history the USA made the podium with a silver medal. Now there is reason to celebrate! Congratulations Johnny!

Come to Steamboat for incredible lodging deals and see first hand where Olympians like Spillane and Lodwick train!

Watch the Olympics on the Big Screen at Gondola Square in Steamboat

2010-02-12T10:23:00.005-07:00

Come together to watch live coverage of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and cheer for our Steamboat Olympians! Check out the action on the jumbo-tron One Steamboat Place has set up for the next two weeks of Olympic Coverage. It's free everyday from 8am-11pm, so you won't miss an Olympic Moment as you live out your Olympic dreams on the Steamboat ski resort.

Get to Steamboat for last minute lodging deal s and you still have a chance to book a trip that will satisfy your want to be an Olympian here in Steamboat on the official training grounds of Steamboat's Olympians! See the Olympic Deal.

Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival 2010

2010-02-11T17:05:00.009-07:00

The 97th annual Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival turned out to be another awesome display of fireworks and long standing traditions. Whether you are a spectator or participant the Steamboat winter carnival is a celebration not to be missed. Here are some photos of ResortQuest employees and their families enjoying the festivities.

Steamboat’s Olympian Send Off Party Will Have 9 Former and Current Olympians in Steamboat

2010-02-05T10:58:00.006-07:00

It is only appropriate that Steamboat throws an awesome party for the Olympians headed to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics! Steamboat has influenced the lives of over 60 Olympians in one way or another and this year the Olympic team boasts 16 athletes that have ties to Steamboat Springs.

Tonight with over 5,000 people expected for the party. expect to see Billy Kidd at Steamboat Ski & Sport in Howelsen Place, Johnny Spillane, Billy Demong and Brett Camerota at Vectra Bank, Ann Battelle at High Mountain Sotheby’s Realty, Todd Lodwick, Taylor Fletcher and Dave Jarrett at Steamboat Smokehouse, and Nelson Carmichael at Off the Beaten Path, 68 Ninth St.

Here is a full list of all the 16 2010 Olympians representing 4 nations with Steamboat ties, says the Steamboat Pilot quoting the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club:

Alpine Snowboard
Tyler Jewell, United States
Michelle Gorgone, United States
Johanna Shaw, Australia
Kimiko Zakreski, Canada
Caroline Calve, Canada
Adam McLeish, Great Britain

Snowboard Cross
Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, United States

Nordic Combined
Todd Lodwick, United States
Johnny Spillane, United States
Billy Demong, United States
Brett Camerota, United States
Taylor Fletcher, United States

Freestyle Moguls
Patrick Deneen, United States
Mike Morse, United States
Ellie Koyander, Great Britain
Jeremy Cota, United States (alternate)

Freestyle Aerials
Ryan St. Onge, United States

Steamboat has a serious reputation for the athletes that live and breathe this mountain air. Come stay with ResortQuest Steamboat and see what this style of living is all about. We have great lodging packages and our Olympic Dreams special will get you out on the training grounds!

A Steamboat Powder Day...

2010-02-04T16:41:00.004-07:00

One minute you're skiing along enjoying the fresh powder on Hot Cakes run in Steamboat and all of a sudden...

Thankfully this landing spot was a soft, light, fluffy, powder pillow. First things first, make sure you can breathe by taking your head out of the snow!

Next would be untangling your skis, poles, arms and legs. Sometimes it is easier to just clip out of your skis to do this. Another good trick is to pack down the snow around you to offer some support.

Then do it all over again!

ResortQuest has a Vacation Treasure Hunt Underway. Win a Ski Vacation for $1 a Day!

2010-01-14T12:13:00.005-07:00

ResortQuest's treasure hunt is for the intrepid value hunters who can successfully navigate the clues to win a chance at a 5+ night vacation for $1 a day at one of ResortQuest’s premier ski destinations: Aspen, Breckenridge, Keystone, Steamboat Springs, CO, Park City, Utah, or Sun Valley, Idaho.

A treasure map icon will be hidden somewhere on the website of one of Resort Quest’s ski destinations. Each Tuesday, at Noon (CST), we will reveal the first clue for the new week's Vacation Treasure Hunt. As the clock ticks down, we will reveal additional clues to help you find the hidden Treasure Map... until that one lucky Treasure Seeker discovers and claims the prize! When you find the Treasure Map, click on the icon to discover which vacation rental is this week's Vacation Treasure, a special toll-free phone number to call, and the secret code you need to claim the Treasure!

Each and every week throughout the 2010 ski season — from January 19 to March 20 — we will hide a new Vacation Treasure Map for you to find. So, if you didn't win this week, don't despair... Check back next Tuesday for the new week's clue, and set out again on your quest. Next week could be your week to discover ResortQuest's Vacation Treasure!

So, next Tuesday, start your search for the treasure map (pictured).

Play ResortQuest’s Vacation Treasure Hunt

Official Contest Rules

Come Play Like an Olympic Athlete in Steamboat, CO

2010-01-13T14:00:00.008-07:00

The 2010 Winter Olympics are only 30 days away and it is rather humbling to realize that our town of Steamboat Springs, CO has produced more Olympic athletes than any other town in the USA! Steamboat is the Mecca of Olympic worthy training grounds and we hosted the U.S. Olympic Trails back in December.

While we watch in great awe of the incredible athletes that set the bar for Olympic performances, it always inspires us small time athletes to get out a try a few moves!

So ResortQuest is offering an incredible lodging package in the spirit of the Olympics! We want you to get to Steamboat during the 2010 Olympics to experience the training grounds first hand. Play like an Olympian during the day and cheer on your favorite athletes by night while getting 30% of your 5+ night stay, and a $200 gift certificate towards your Steamboat Olympic Activity of choice.

Take your vacation to new levels and luge, jump, spin, skate, ski, snowboard, and check your way to playing in Steamboat like the Olympic athletes do. So with the start of the Winter Olympic Games fast approaching get ready for the always exciting and uniting Olympics!

Check out the official Olympic website and play the Vancouver 2010 Official Minigame.

We want your ski vacation to be the best with the ResortQuest vacation specials, luxurious lodging, and amenities and services.

Steamboat Has the Most Skiable Terrain Open in CO

2010-01-01T14:20:00.002-07:00

The Steamboat Ski Resort officially has the most skiable terrain open in Colorado. Steamboat started the 2009-10 season with relatively low snowfall and low base levels reported up until the end of December. That trend reversed with the latest several batches of snow, and Steamboat now boasts more skiable acres open than any other mountain in Colorado.

The 2,692 open acres in Steamboat, of a possible 2,965, barely edges out the 2,689 at Snowmass and easily surpasses the 2,305 at Vail. Breckenridge reported 1,689 acres, Keystone had 749 and Loveland reported 206 acres open.

According to Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp., snow fell 17 days in December, and 96.25 inches of it has fallen this season. By the end of December 2008, the mountain had 140 inches total at mid-mountain, and 166 had fallen by this time in the record-setting 2007-08 season.

Snow is expected to settle in tonight, continuing with a 50 percent chance or better until Sunday with accumulation of 3 to 6 inches in town.

The 2009/2010 ski season is well underway. Just about all my fondest memories of the best skiing days in Steamboat have been in the month of January. A month when the conditions are epic; the powder days are plentiful; and we enjoy wide open ski runs and no lift lines. Bar opening season, and the last week of the season, January is the most affordable time to visit Steamboat Springs. Our Steamboat lodging prices are unbeatable, the deals are plentiful... and allow me to say it again, the snow conditions are excellent!

Still Snowing in Steamboat....Get 50% off last minute lodging!

2009-12-26T09:26:00.006-07:00

It's not to late to get some Steamboat champagne powder as an added holiday gift. ResortQuest Steamboat has 50% off lodging for the rest of the year.

Go USA! Go Steamboat! Congratulations to Johnny Spillane, Hannah Kearney, Patrick Deneen, Lacy Schnoor, and Jeret Peterson on securing your spots to the 2010 olympic games.

It's snowing in Steamboat!

2009-12-23T16:11:00.008-07:00

Hello Snow! After a few missed weather predictions the snow finally showed up and continued to fall as Big Head Todd and the Monsters took the stage at the bottom of the Steamboat Gondola this afternoon. Check our calendar of events for other upcoming concerts in the Bud Light Rocks the Boat Concert Series.
Keep in mind that from Dec. 27th to Dec. 31st the gondola will be opening 15 minutes early.
The Steamboat Ski Area also announced the opening of Moonlight and Lower Valley View today.
Have a Merry White Christmas and a Happy Holiday from all of us at ResortQuest.

Steamboat is opening new terrain for the Holidays!

2009-12-19T11:34:00.008-07:00

The Steamboat Ski Area has announced the opening of Sunshine and South Peak lifts today bringing the ski area's total open terrain to 1,225 acres and 14 of 18 lifts. This includes almost all of the green runs, about half of the blue runs, and about 20% of the more difficult terrain. This is just in time for our holiday guests coming in town this weekend. The next storm looks like it will be coming through Monday and Tuesday, keep your fingers crossed for a big dump!

Steamboat is Opening Storm Peak Express and Thunderhead Express! Wednesday Dec.9, 2009

2009-12-08T17:33:00.005-07:00

That means top-to-bottom terrain on Steamboat Ski Resort!

Grab your gear and get first tracks for the year on some of our most popular trails like Buddy’s Run, Tornado Lane, and Upper Vagabond. The crews have worked hard to get these runs ready and Mother Nature has decided to pitch in as well (with 5 inches on Tuesday at 5pm) and it’s still snowing! The resort is currently reporting an 18-inch base at mid-mountain and 19-inch base at the summit on packed powder conditions. With the additional terrain by Wednesday, the resort expects to offer 408 acres, 35 trails, 6 lifts and nearly 3,500 vertical feet of skiing and riding.Go get some snow!

And if you are trying to get town check out ResortQuest Steamboat for some of the best lodging deals in Steamboat!

Steamboat Snow Predictions for 2009/2010 See Lots of Snow in Our Future.

2009-11-23T10:02:00.005-07:00

Not all winters produce the insane amounts of snow we all crave, however, this season is predicted to be a winter of huge powder dumps for Steamboat! One of the reasons is credited to El Nino himself. These warm ocean currents result in moist wind and by the time they get to Steamboat the clouds are heavy with Champagne Powder™. Though most meterologists are saying it is more of an “off year” for El Nino, the “off-years” is when crazy things happen like enormous snow storms!

Steamboat Ski Resort has also been allowed a head start on making the white fluffy stuff ourselves with early season cold temperatures (perfect for making snow) during November. And today it is snowing! Just mother nature making sure there will be plenty of snow for opening day November 25! So this season don’t miss out on the chance to experience some deep powder and get great lodging deals with ResortQuest. Don’t worry this season will be epic!

Warren Miller's Dynasty coming to Steamboat!

2009-10-23T11:14:00.005-06:00

Celebrating 60 years in adrenaline boosting, awe inspiring, powder junkie ski films. Dynasty combines modern cinematography and state of the art technology with vintage clips from the past 6 decades of Warren Miller footage. Looking forward to another awesome Warren Miller powder tour without having to leave Steamboat, but if you get this Warren I would be happy to be in one of your films. The movie premier is October 29th-30th at The Grand Ballroom and tickets are available for the show at Ski Haus in Steamboat or get them at the door the night of the show.

ONLY 32 days until the lifts start running in Steamboat. Hooray!
Get the best lodging, best service and the best deals at ResortQuest!

Steamboat's Amazing Fall Colors!

2009-10-01T14:41:00.005-06:00

This is one of my favorite times of the year in Steamboat. The colors of the sunsets matching the colors of the landscape, the crowds have all gone away, the trails are perfect, and just around the corner is another white winter.

If this sounds good to you, then join us this weekend as the leaves reach there peak. Along with the magnificent changing of the seasons there are several other events going on including the Tour De Forks, First Friday Art Walk, Teton Gravity Research Movie Premier, and live music playing at the Ghost Ranch Saloon; The Boathouse Pub; and Mahogany Ridge Brewery. If you need great deals on lodging for this weekend got to http://www.resortqueststeamboat.com/

First Snow Flakes to Fall in Steamboat!

2009-09-22T10:56:00.006-06:00

The ResortQuest locals working in the Torian Plum at the Steamboat base area had a welcomed, well most employees liked it, surprise yesterday. With less then 64 days until the ski area opens the excitement caused by the first flakes of the season had me day dreaming about the beautiful champagne fluffies we consistently get in Steamboat. Hope this is another great powder year!

Call 866-731-7575 or visit http://www.resortqueststeamboat.com/special/featuredspecial.html to get you lodging and lift ticket packages by October 15th for the best deals!

OktoberWest and Video of Drew Emmitt Band in Steamboat!

2009-09-21T15:14:00.011-06:00

Steamboat OktoberWest 2009!

OktoberWest got mixed reviews from locals and guests but it was the first year and it will only get better. Next year we can hopefully look forward to more breweries showing up (they were all at the Breckenridge BrewFest), more merchant booths, and a bigger turnout.

Here is a short clip of the Drew Emmitt Band getting their groove on at the festival.

Here is a Video of the kids Bucking Bull Battle!

Steamboat OktoberWest

2009-09-18T15:39:00.005-06:00

Beer, Beer, Beer, and more Beer!

You may already be hooked but just in case you want more then just beer there will be a Pedaling Posse Parade, Suds & Grub beer tasting specials at select restaurants, a Lamb cook-off featuring local chefs, a Bucking Bull Battle, and Pie Eating Contest. If you still are not packing your bags then how about a free concert featuring the Drew Emmitt Band.
http://www.drewemmitt.com/ for more info on the band!

If you are looking for last minute lodging deals for this event you may contact ResortQuest Steamboat at 800-228-2458 or go online to http://www.resortqueststeamboat.com/steamboat-summer-events/oktoberwest.htm

ResortQuest Team Building - Steamboat Ski Area

2009-08-13T16:12:00.013-06:00

ResortQuest Steamboat Employees hit the mountain yesterday afternoon for a sunny filled day of recreating. Between the Digglers and the mountain bikes everyone survived and made it to SlopeSide Grill afterwards for beer, apps, and other entertainment....check out these photos!

Also, a farewell toast to Todd Moore the Torian Plum Property Manager. Good luck at your new job!

Mountain BIking in Steamboat.....Fun for the whole family.

2009-08-06T11:56:00.008-06:00

View from Emerald Mountain to the Steamboat ski area!

The area surrounding Steamboat Springs is loaded with great mountain biking trails. If you are from out of town, Mt. Werner has fun and exciting trails for all abilities. The Torian Plum is a great starting point for the trails on this local ski hill! If you would like instruction, be sure to sign up for a mountain biking clinic with a local pro. Rent a bike and all of your gear from any of the shops in town or at the base of the mountain and they will probably give you some pointers about where to go. There are single tracks, two tracks and dirt roads to choose from. It’s even possible to load your bike up the gondola and enjoy the ride down without the pain of the uphill. Some of our favorite trails include Pete’s Wicked Trail, Creekside, Valley View and Zig Zag. Another great place to ride straight from downtown Steamboat Springs is Emerald mountian. Head up Howelsen Hill and beyond towards the top of Emerald Mountain, where you have several awesome trails to choose from. In another direction, check out Strawberry Park, Copper Ridge, Hot Springs Loop, or Mad Creek. These trails are all interconnected. For more information and other links visit http://www.resortqueststeamboat.com/steamboat-hiking-mountain-biking.htm

Steamboat Summer Events - Wine Festival Coming Up July 30th - Aug 2nd

2009-07-26T15:30:00.006-06:00

Stay at the Torian Plum...Just steps from the festival!

Free Wine Festival Tickets, Free Wine Tasting, and up to 20% off of ResortQuest Steamboat Lodging.

Beautiful Video & Images from the Steamboat Balloon Festival

2009-07-14T17:54:00.012-06:00

This past weekend is definitely one of my all time favorite weekends of the Steamboat summer. I couldn't help wanting to share with you this gorgeous footage of the Steamboat Hot Air Balloon Rodeo which was posted on the Steamboat Pilot. It really captures the majectic beauty of the landscape, dotted with hot air balloons. Click on the image to enjoy!

There are hundreds of photos floating around the web, on twitter and facebook... and oh so many more waiting to be shared with the world on cameras. Some of our Torian Plum owners very kindly shared a few of their gorgeous balloon festival pics with us also:

Hike from Steamboat Gondola to Base Area

2009-06-29T12:18:00.007-06:00

My parents are currently visiting from Australia. On Saturday, we (including my dog, Matilda) went up the Steamboat Ski Area gondola and hiked down to the base area. The hike took everyone about 2-2.5 hours (with lots of photo pauses on the way down). It's a great hike for people coming from lower elevations that may find any significant uphill challenging. The trails are predominantly single-track and weave in and out of the Aspen and pine forests. Steamboat Springs is so incredibly green and bursting with wildflowers right now - and I loved every minute. This is one of my favorite Steamboat hiking trails! Here is my slideshow of photos:

And here are some featured photographs:

Maribou Mountain Bike Trails Grand Tour - Steamboat Town Challenge Tonight!

2009-06-10T11:49:00.020-06:00

Steamboat Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race #1 at Maribou Ranch tonight! We took the Grand Tour last week on the trails and had a blast. The trails cover a variety of excellent xc terrain with phenomenal views. Whether you like pushing the envelope around tight switchbacks and blind corners or just taking a stroll in the country this place has it all.

For information on other Steamboat Springs activities visit: http://www.resortqueststeamboat.com/SummerActivitiesSteamboatSpringsColorado.htm

Epic Snow Storm

2009-04-02T16:25:00.006-06:00

Check-out this Steamboat Skiing video (provided by Steamboat.com)

The snow just keeps on piling up at the Steamboat Ski Area. Snow has fallen lightly all day today, representing a break in the epic snow storms. Another powerful Pacific storm is expected to affect the region beginning Friday. Snow is likely Friday night and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Pack your powder skis and head to Steamboat Springs!

The numbers speak for themselves!

2009-04-01T18:03:00.002-06:00

No Fooling!!!!!
Steamboat Snow Report: 4/1/09 14" in 24 hrs, 21" in 48 hrs and 36" in 72 hrs!

Current Steamboat Weather: Snowing!
Steamboat Weather Forecast: Snow!

Need I say anything more!
I would show you a picture but all you would see is snow.
Stop fooling around, make up any excuse and get to Steamboat to enjoy an epic Spring! Need a place to stay - Check out the great spring lodging deals at ResortQuest Steamboat Vacation Rentals.

Winter storm warning for Steamboat until 6pm Wed. 33" & counting!

2009-03-31T17:17:00.008-06:00

Forget about putting spring wax on your skis because the Steamboat Ski Area is boasting over 33 inches of fresh powder snow in 48 hours. In the past 7 days we have received over 63 inches of new snow. So far this year we have received 368", exceeding our annual snowfall average of around 335".

I can always tell a good powder day by the snow on my car. If I can open my car door slightly and slam it to release ALL the snow on my car, I know it is going to be a very special champagney snow day! And that's just how my day powder started...

With more than 30 feet of snow this winter, Steamboat has reached another snow milestone, recording a four-wire winter, when the snow stacks up past the fourth row of fence wires. Yampa Valley ranchers have traditionally measured the severity of a Routt County winter by how high the snow stacks up against their four fence wires.

Snow is expected through Wednesday afternoon!

(Photo provided by Larry Pierce of the Steamboat Ski Area)

Get your snorkels out! Epic powder skiing in Steamboat Springs

2009-03-30T11:13:00.010-06:00

Powderhounds: rejoice! Golfers: put away your clubs. Mountain bikers: put away your wheels. Winter has returned to Steamboat Springs with a vengeance to deliver one of the best powder days of the season. Personally, today would officially fit snugly in my top 10 ski days ever!

15 inches of text book Champagne Powder® snow fell on the Steamboat Ski Resort overnight, after a warm bluebird day in Steamboat. That's right - the snow all fell after the last chair came to rest yesterday. Better yet, Spring Break for the majority of the country has ended and Steamboat is blissfully quiet. That means there's plenty of freshies to go around!

The 'groomed' runs had well over a foot of light n' fluffy snow ensuring the smoothest skiing imaginable. And the tree skiing... A few turns in Steamboat's tree runs today prove why we are officially renowned for having the best tree skiing. Period.

Can you remember a time when you had a really delicious meal with friends and family? A meal so delicious that everyone is very quite, albeit the occasional "mmm"and expressions of gratitude to the chef? That's what skiing in Steamboat was like today. It was so peaceful and quiet as everyone floated through the powder, with only the occasional "Yeeeee Haaaaaw" to break you away from your mesmerizing turns.

...and it's still snowing!

There's still time to book a Steamboat ski vacation. Take advantage of some of the best lodging and lift deals ever!

Steamboat Springs Back to Winter - 19" in 48 hours

2009-03-27T14:20:00.008-06:00

SNOW REPORT: 9"(24hrs); 19.5"(48hrs); Base:70; Total: 346.25"
CONDITIONS: Powder! Powder! (& some gorgeous groomers)
LIFTS: 15/18
TRAILS: 165/165
TEMP: 25/7

Steamboat Ski Resort has returned to peak winter conditions. Steamboat Springs has been blessed with 9 inches of Champagne Powder snow overnight, 19 inches in the past 48 hours, and even more in the days before that. To top it off, it's Friday and the sun is shining again. A powder day and a bluebird day in one? What more can you wish for in life? Cold temperatures? Well, we have that too and that means the snow is perrrrfect!

After a few weeks of the most glorious sunshine and spring skiing, the
Want more good news? There is a break in the storm cycles for the weekend, so be sure to soak up some rays. I recommend hangin' out at the beach at Slopeside, alongside the Torian Plum. And then gear up for more snow to come throughout next week. See our Weather and Snow report. Put your mountain bikes away again and bring out the powder skis once more!The Team at ResortQuest Steamboat would also like to welcome all competitors to Steamboat for the NASTAR National Championships. Good luck! Check-out this great video about NASTAR in the Steamboat Pilot:

Video: Nastar National Championships, Steamboat 2009

Free Refills in Steamboat!

2009-03-26T13:28:00.005-06:00

Restaurants and fast food chains may be getting rid of free refills due to the current economic situation but here in Steamboat Springs if you went down anyone of the 165 trails at the Steamboat Ski Resort this morning you can be assured of getting a FREE refill this afternoon. It has been dumping snow all day long!

Looks like there will be a break in the weather tomorrow. Can you say Blue Bird Powder Day?

On that note I want to go ahead and dedicate tomorrow to all the locals that have survived Spring Break and ask all Steamboat employers to reward the hard working people with a mental health ski day. Who's with me?

If you are not a Steamboat Springs resident get your butt here ASAP to enjoy the awesome ski conditions and the great last minute lodging specials that ResortQuest Steamboat Vacation Rentals has to offer!

(Photo by Larry Pierce of the Steamboat Ski Resort)

Winter back in Steamboat Springs. Snow in the forecast.

2009-03-23T09:01:00.004-06:00

After a few weeks of the most incredible bluebird days at the Steamboat Ski Resort, Old Man Winter has returned with his full force. I just love seeing all those animated snow clouds on our weather reports!

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Steamboat Springs and surrounding areas until 6 a.m. Tuesday. Between 5 and 10 inches are expected by Tuesday morning. The Ski Area reported 2 inches on Sunday night and it has been snowing consistantly all morning.

A chance of snow will remain in the local forecast through Thursday night. Daytime highs this week will be in the mid- to upper 30s, with overnight lows in the 20s and teens.

The Steamboat ski resort will be closed before you know it and you'll have to pack away those skis until next year. So, what are you waiting for. Booking your Steamboat vacation today!

Springing Back to Blogging about Steamboat!

2009-03-02T17:05:00.007-07:00

SNOW: 0"(24hrs); 0"(48hrs); Base:63; Total: 296"
CONDITIONS: Packed Powder
LIFTS: 18/18
TRAILS: 165/165
TEMP: 51/26
Steamboat Weather & Snow Report

A whole month has slipped past without a word from out team here at ResortQuest about the ski conditions in Steamboat. There are several reasons I could speculate the lapse in posts: it's partly because we have been too busy carving up the powder, the groomers, Shadows, Closets and everything in between at the Steamboat Ski Area...

It's partly because we have been too busy accommodating guests at vacation rentals. Yes! Despite what everyone says, Steamboat Springs is still attracting skiers and riders from all around the country. Seriously, how could you pass up a ski vacation here - the Steamboat flight deals are unbelievable! And you won't come by lodging deals like these again, such as our "Every 3rd Night FREE + a FREE upgrade!"

It's partly because our security settings were recently changed and I have not been able to access my blog for a few weeks... hmm.

Excuses aside, we are back in blogging business and ready to report every snow flake, storm and epic dump on the Steamboat Ski Resort.

Steamboat has had some deliciously warm weather the past week. Fortunately we had great snow in December and January, and a good start to February. We have a solid, deep base. As I leisurely skied the groomers yesterday, I kept thinking about how days like this are some of my favorite days. I will never pass up a powder day. However, sometimes the freedom from extra layers, neck warmers, and the biting cold is blissful. On the chairlift, soak up the sun on your face, and on your back while your fly down the corduroy.

Steamboat Straightalker, Riley Polumbus, puts it nicely today: "The grooming crews did another stellar job last night they rolled both Rolex and Westside! Depending on elevation, the snow is either a carvy packed powder (top of Buddy's) or a soft and malleable spring snow (Eagle's Nest). I'm going to give the bumps a couple more hours to soften up and take a few more cruisers, I heard Valley View was fun and it too was rolled so I better get on it!"

By the way, now you can also follow-us on Twitter - Steamboat Condos.

A Flufftastic 13" in the past 24 hours!

2009-01-29T14:59:00.004-07:00

SNOW: 13"(24hrs); 15"(48hrs); Base:75"-86"; Total: 244"
CONDITIONS: Champagne Powder® Snow!
LIFTS: 16/18
TRAILS: 165/165
TEMP: 24/4

How often do you get to ski up to the lift at 9:30 am on a powder day? Just one of many reasons why I love skiing the boat.
Not to rub it in but we are winning in total snow for Colorado and about 6" short of hitting the 100" mark for January.

Steamboat Ski Resort receives 25 inches in 48 hours!

2009-01-07T12:08:00.006-07:00

SNOW: 16" (24 hrs); 25"(48 hrs); Base: 61"; Total: 175"
CONDITIONS: Champagne Powder® Snow!
LIFTS: 16/18
TRAILS: 165/165
TEMP: 17/14

Yesterday may have been another epic Tuesday in Steamboat Springs, but today is undeniably EPIC Wednesday. 25" in two days! That's a LOT of snow! There's fresh tracks to be found all over the Steamboat Ski Resort. With 16" since yesterday and most of that falling after the mountain closed, there is a lot of snowy territory to cover for even the most ambitious skier or rider. The smooth, buttery snow was absolutely bottomless - just lean back and dig those tails in!

The latest storm pushed the cumulative total for the 2008-09 season to within 6 inches of last year’s record-breaking pace.

Steamboat counted a record 489 inches of snow at mid-mountain last winter and by Jan. 7, 2008, the ski area had seen 181 inches fall at Thunderhead Peak. This year’s cumulative total now stands at 175 inches, ski area spokesman Mike Lane said.

January 2009 is actually ahead of January 2008 as of this morning, according to Lane. The ski area has already seen 35 inches of snow this month compared to 15 inches by Jan. 7, 2008.

This year’s monthly totals include 4.75 inches in October, 35.25 inches in November and an even 100 inches in December. The pattern last winter saw 17 inches fall in October 2007, followed by 23 inches in November and 126 inches in December.

Both years were similar in that the weather was unseasonably mild and dry right up to the hour that snowfall began in earnest in late November.

9 inches in 24 hours; 8 inches after the Steamboat Ski Resort Closed

2009-01-06T10:22:00.002-07:00

SNOW: 9" (24 hrs); 9"(48 hrs); Base: 51"; Total: 159"
CONDITIONS: Champagne Powder® Snow!
LIFTS: 16/18
TRAILS: 165/165
TEMP: 17/14

Yesterday was bitterly cold in Steamboat Springs (by Steamboat standards, not by mid Westerner standards!!). Last night, a storm system collided with the Steamboat Ski Area and these cold temperatures resulting in 9 inches of fresh powder, 8 of which fell after the ski resort closed. This is the real thing - this is the legendary Champagne Powder® snow that Steamboat is famous for! The lightest blow-blow-off-your-glove snow you can imagine; the kind of snow you float through and it falls back in on your tracks, so it seems like you have endless fresh tracks; no snow man can come of this kind of snow...

I can't capture today's flakes on film, but check these out to get a taste:

This another epic Tuesday. Each year it seems like there is one day of the week that catches all of the snow storms. This year, it seems, Tuesday is the chosen day!

Frankly, if you are not here in Steamboat skiing today, you are missing out. Nevermind, there are plenty more powder days ahead. That is the beauty of Steamboat!

8 inches in a few hours! This is why we live in Steamboat Springs!

2009-01-05T11:14:00.012-07:00

SNOW: 0" (24 hrs); 8"(48 hrs); Base: 46"; Total: 150"
CONDITIONS: Packed Powder
LIFTS: 16/18
TRAILS: 165/165
TEMP: 22/10

With so much going on in Steamboat Springs over the past few weeks, I just have not had time to post to our Steamboat Ski Bums blog. That doesn't mean I have forgotten about it! All day Saturday I rehearsed the poetic words that might capture the amazing skiing at the Steamboat Ski Resort. Those words have escaped me now, but let me re-cap.

On Friday evening my husband and I went to see Marley and Me at Wildhorse Stadium Cinemas. We got home late - there was no sign of a winter storm. We went to bed even later - and still no sign of snow.

Like every morning, when our dog woke us up before daylight, we called the ski report. Just 3 inches - well that was a surprise we weren't expecting, but nothing to get too excited about. By 9am, however the ski report reported 11 inches! Yee haw! Now this is why we live in Steamboat.

There were very few people on the resort and each run we hit had little or no tracks. Twister-'cane-'bow (Twister/Hurricane/Rainbow) trees were unbelievable delicious! Not only was it untracked, i couldn't see ANYONE elses tracks. Powder flowed up over my knees as I floated effortlessly through the perfectly spaced trees... One run after another of grins ear-to-ear.

Days like Saturday January 3, 2009 are the reason why we live in Steamboat Springs!

The month ahead is jam-packed with events: The Steamboat Family Snow Festival January 16-18, and just a few days later on January 20 is the hilarious Cowboy Downhill. Check-out the photos! Don't forget about the Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival, the oldest winter carnival west of the Mississippi.

ResortQuest Steamboat Vacation Rentals is having a Super 'Value Season' Sale. Save 30% off 3-4 nights, and 40% off 5+ nights from now until 2/12/2009. If you can't make it by Feb 12, save 30% off 5+ nights 2/13-2/28/2009. Learn more about our Steamboat Springs lodging deals.

Time to taste 19" inches of Steamboat's famous Champagne!

2008-12-23T11:53:00.006-07:00

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Well in Steamboat Springs, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!" It's time to ski our winter wonderland.

The Steamboat Ski Resort reported an epic 19 inches of new snow in 24 hours! Yee haw!! It is officially the best powder day of the 08/09 ski season so far. The conditions are idyllic and will imprint themselves in your memories for everafter.

If you haven't booked your Steamboat Ski Vacation yet --- what more encouragement do you need! 19 inches of fresh powder; 100+ inches so far; and up to 50% off Steamboat lodging. Seriously, it doesn't get better than this!!!

Photos of the Day courtesy of Larry Pierce, Steamboat Ski Resort

Snow predicted at Steamboat Ski Area throughout week

2008-12-15T11:53:00.006-07:00

The Steamboat Pilot Newspaper declares on the front page today "The snow isn’t going to stop any time soon." Weather forecasts across the web show animated snow flake weather icons alongside each day of the week in Steamboat Springs! Bring on the powder!

The National Weather Service predicts snow will continue to fall in Steamboat Springs tonight through Tuesday afternoon, dropping another 6 to 12 inches.

The weather service also predicts more storms for the remainder of the week, with cold temperatures dropping be-low zero in the higher valleys. Whiteout conditions are expected in the upper mountains.

Don't forget! This is the last day to book the 'Free Steamboat Lift Ticket' package for stays opening day to Christmas day. Can't make it for Christmas? Save 50% off December, or up to 30% off the rest of the Steamboat ski season.

3" new snow, new terrain and no lift lines at the Steamboat Ski Resort

2008-12-13T09:45:00.009-07:00

SNOW: 3" (24 hrs); 3"(48 hrs); Base: 29"; Total: 69"
CONDITIONS: Powder/Packed Powder
LIFTS: 9/18
TRAILS: 100/165
TEMP: 36/0

We had great expectations from this last storm, but it only produced about 3 inches. But who's complaining? This is the perfect time of year to get out and ski hard to build up those muscles so when it REALLY snows, we can last more than an hour.

And, as Tom Ross shows us in his Steamboat Pilot photo (above), there are no lift lines at the Steamboat Ski Resort. Truth be told, there are hardly any lift lines at any time of year in Steamboat Springs. In early December, there really is no waiting in line. So, what are you waiting for?

Don't forget, this is the last weekend for Free Steamboat Lift Tickets.

(Snow is expected for the next several days... See Steamboat Weather Forecast)

Storm to bring significant snow to Steamoat Ski Area

2008-12-12T15:43:00.005-07:00

A foot or more of snow is expected on the slopes of Mount Werner and at high elevations in Steamboat Springs this weekend.
This is perfect timing since the Steamboat Ski Resort is doubling the amount of terrain open for this weekend so that nearly 2,000 acres, almost 65% of the mountain will be open. That means there will be 3,668 vertical feet of skiing and riding!
This is the last weekend to take advantage or ResortQuest Steamboat's unbeatable lodging package - SKI FREE IN STEAMBOAT OPENING DAY TO CHRISTMAS DAY - Get FREE Steamboat Lift Tickets.
Tomorrow, the resort expects 104 trails offering 1,896 acres of terrain with 9 of 18 lifts spinning for skiers and boarders. The majority of new terrain opening is in the Sunshine and Priest Creek areas including Tomahawk, Flintlock, Quickdraw, Rendezvous Way, Sunshine Liftline, Rolex, Westside, Broadway, Daybreak and more. In addition, East Face, North St. Pats and Last Chance will open on the north side of the Ski Area on Saturday. However, Moonlight, Lights Out, lower Shadows and lower Priest Creek, Sundown Express liftlines as well as Christmas Tree Bowl and the Chutes will remain closed. The hugely popular mini-terrain park on Lil’ Rodeo will continue to feature rails for those looking for a park play.
In addition to the 5 chairlifts already operating, South Peak, Sundown Express, Elkhead and Sunshine Express will begin spinning on Saturday.
A strong storm system will begin moving through the area today, though the wind, cold and snowfall expected to intensify Saturday, with most of the storm’s accumulation to take place Saturday evening and early Sunday, said meteorologist Norv Larson, of the National Weather Service’s Grand Junction Forecast Office.
Overnight lows are poised to dip as low as 12 degrees Saturday night, with wind gusts up to 25 mph.
The Steamboat Ski Area reported a 26-inch base at mid-mountain Thursday and has recorded 66 inches of total snowfall so far this season.

Adventure Trip Magazine ranks Steamboat Ski Area No. 3 Ski Resort in the World

2008-12-06T16:07:00.008-07:00

SNOW: 0" (24 hrs); 0"(48 hrs); Base: 28"; Total: 62"
CONDITIONS: Packed Powder
LIFTS: 6/18
TRAILS: 67/165
TEMP: 40/21

Adventure Trip Magazine, which bills itself as catering to people “who seek out travel destinations beyond the routine,” aggregated the results of top ski resort listings and placed the Steamboat Ski Area at No. 3 overall!

The article describes their decision making process: "The science behind this is simple. We took all the big “top ski resort” lists across the web and in print and found the resorts that made all or most of these lists. Each resort got 1 point for each time it was mentioned. Resorts got 2 points each time they got a #1 spot. We took the top 10 point earners got our own Top 10 Ski Resorts... Major sources for this article were - Orbitz, Sunset Magazine, Outside Magazine, AskMen.com, Forbes, Epinions."

The results:
#10 Alta, UT USA
#9 Lake Taho, CA USA
#8 Cortina, Italy
#7 Aspen/Snowmass, CO USA
#6 Big Sky, MT USA
#5 Chamonix-Mont Blanc, France
#4 Banff, AB Canada
#3 Steamboat Springs, CO USA
#2 Vail, CO USA
#1 Whistler, BC Canada

Skiing Magazine readers chose Steamboat as the No. 1 spot for tree skiing and ranked it in the top five for powder, top 10 for après scene and top 10 for best resorts in North America. Ski Magazine ranked the Steamboat ski area as the No. 1 family resort in the West and the No. 8 resort in North America.

Steamboat’s No. 8 ranking is a slight improvement compared with the previous two years, when it ranked ninth. This is the third year in a row Steamboat has garnered a top-10 ranking. It was ranked 11th by SKI readers in 2005. Steamboat was sandwiched between Aspen Mountain in seventh and Breckenridge in ninth. Longstanding programs such as “Kids Ski Free” and “Kids Fly Free” made Steamboat SKI’s No. 1 family resort in the West.

SKI typically polls about 6,000 readers each year to get their perceptions of ski areas in 18 categories. They include overall satisfaction, access, après ski, dining, family programs, grooming, lifts, lodging, off-hill activities, on-mountain food, scenery, service, snow terrain/challenge, terrain variety, terrain parks, value and weather.

11 inches of new snow at Steamboat Ski Area in last 48 hours

2008-12-06T15:39:00.006-07:00

SNOW: 0" (24 hrs); 11"(48 hrs); Base: 29"; Total: 62"
CONDITIONS: Packed Powder
LIFTS: 6/18
TRAILS: 67/165
TEMP: 37/19

The snow that powdered the valley’s nose Thursday - over 16 inches of the famous Champagne Powder Snow - ensured that skiers and riders would enjoy fresh fluff when the Steamboat Ski Area gondola opened yesterday morning, and Storm Peak Express today.

This latest dump ensured soft snow conditions for intermediates cruising on Rudi’s Run and Lower Rainbow. Aggressive skiers can begin building moguls on Burgess Creek Liftline and White Out.

The next chance for snow is expected Sunday evening.

Steamboat Ski Resort Opens Gondola This Weekend

2008-12-02T20:58:00.005-07:00

After a few inches of snow this past weekend in Steamboat Springs, and more expected in the next 24 hours, the Steamboat Ski Resort will open the Gondola and 20 more runs for this weekend.

The Steamboat Ski Area will catapult to nearly 800 acres of open terrain including top-to-bottom skiing and riding on Saturday, December 6th. The gondola and Burgess Creek lift are scheduled to open Friday, followed by the Storm Peak Express lift on Saturday.

Final terrain decisions will be made day by day and are weather-dependent, Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. spokesman Mike Lane said Tuesday, but the ski area is poised to open access to more than 20 additional runs this weekend.

Priest Creek terrain off High Noon to Duster will be accessible from the Storm Peak lift.

Terrain and runs expected to open this weekend include: Buddy’s Run; High Noon; Duster; upper Shadows; upper Closet; One O’Clock; Two O’Clock; Three O’Clock; Twilight; lower Rainbow; White Out; Rudi’s Run; Lightning; Blizzard; Ego; Norther; BC Liftline; Arc; So What; Flat Out; Tower; and Skyline.

Forecasts are calling for additional snow and colder temperatures this week.

Experience Steamboat Springs this season with a variety of winter vacation deals like Ski Free at Steamboat, which offers free Steamboat Lift Tickets from Opening Day to Christmas Day when powderhounds book a minimum 3 nights lodging through ResortQuest Steamboat Vacation Rentals. Pick your perfect Steamboat lodging - the exact condo! Our website represents each and every one of our rentals with photos, maps and detailed descriptions. Take the guessing game out of vacation planning!

10 inches of new snow in Steamboat Springs

2008-12-01T10:00:00.007-07:00

SNOW: 5" (24 hrs); 10"(48 hrs); Base: 22"; Total: 45"
CONDITIONS: Packed Powder
LIFTS: 2/18
TRAILS: 7/165
TEMP: 34/20

Unfortunately I have been out of town over the Thanksgiving break and it appears that the Steamboat Ski Resort has received 10inches of new snow. Oh, I missed the first powder day.
Check-out the great photo gallery at the SteamboatPilot.com.
There is a break in Steamboat's weather today, but snow is predicted at least through Wednesday this week.
With all this powdery snow around, it is officially time to come to Steamboat Springs. Plus, the 'Ski Free in Steamboat' package has been extended. Book a 3+ night stay with ResortQuest Steamboat by 12/15/2008, and stay by 12/26/2008 and you'll get FREE STEAMBOAT LIFT TICKETS...!

Steamboat Ski Resort Opening Day, 11/26/08

2008-11-24T21:04:00.009-07:00

The Steamboat Ski Resort opens for the 2008/2009 ski season this Wednesday, November 26, 2008. The first day of the season is known as Scholarship Day on which skiers and riders can purchase specially priced $20 lift tickets which goes to the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club’s (SSWSC) Scholarship Fund. No season passes or value passes will be valid that day. Scholarship Day tickets may be purchased at the Main Steamboat Ticket Office, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are available in advance beginning Monday, November 24th.
For the past 95 years, the SSWSC has been providing opportunities for young athletes to become successful competitors and to achieve their personal goals through participation in winter sports. The Club’s success is one reason Steamboat Springs enjoys the moniker Ski Town, U.S.A.® The SSWSC is one of the oldest and most recognized ski clubs in the United States and was named the United States Ski & Snowboard Association’s Club of the Year three times in the past decade.
Since the 1991, Scholarship Day has raised more than $525,000 for children participating in SSWSC programs. So, come out and take a few turns in Steamboat and help our future Olympians.
(Don't forget about the "Ski Free in Steamboat Lodging & Lift package...")
Although a final decision about open terrain will not be made until tomorrow due to conditions, the resort anticipates the following trails for Wednesday: Preview, Stampede, See Ya, Sitz, Jess’ Cut-Off and Upper Boulevard to name a few. For those looking to get their jib on, a few rails and features are expected to be available on Lil’ Rodeo. The Christie Peak Express and Preview lifts will operate on Scholarship Day. Please note: no beginner or intermediate terrain will be available above the Christie Peak Express mid-station.
Steamboat will celebrate the start of the 2008/09 season with the new Winter White Wednesday Celebration, which includes specials across the resort’s food & beverage, retail and Ski & Snowboard School outlets. In addition, free Steamboat Opening Day lanyards will be handed out to the first 500 people on Christie Peak Express.

As part of Winter White Wednesday, the Bear River Bar & Grill will feature 2-for-1 White Pizzas, $2 Bud & Bud Light 20oz. drafts and $3 White Out drink specials. Worried Men will perform live in concert from 1-4pm at the Bear. Purchase a snowboard or pair of skis on opening day from RideSports or Steamboat Ski & Sport and receive a free one-hour private lesson. In addition, when you spend $300 or $500, receive $100 and $200 respectively off your purchase. In need of a quick tune-up on your technique, the Ski & Snowboard School is offering season pass holders a special buy one ½-day group ski or snowboard clinic and get one free. Gondola Joe’s will kick-off the season with $3 Thanks-A-Latte White Chocolate Lattes on Wednesday. Finally for the cowboys and cowgirls at heart, $5 mechanical bull rides will run throughout the day in the Coca-Cola Gondola Square Adventure Zone. Additional restrictions may apply to the above programs and specials.

Starting Wednesday, November 26th, free parking will be provided in the Knoll Lot (within walking distance) or Meadows Lot (with shuttle service). From Dec. 1-5, the Meadows lot will be closed with free parking available in the Knoll lot. Otherwise, paid parking will be available starting Nov. 26th in both the Gondola Square and Ski Time Square Parking Garages for $15/day. Guests may drop-off and pick-up family & friends at the “Passenger Unloading Zone” on the right at the entrance to Gondola Transit Center or utilize the Ski Time Square drop-off location. However, no unattended vehicles will be permitted in either location. Additionally, the resort will provide a limited number of free 30-minute spaces reserved on the lower level of the Gondola Square Parking Garage for drop-off/pick-up of children in KVC and Ski School programs.
The Meadows parking lot and shuttle service has been redesigned to improve the overall experience, including a new and expanded vehicle parking orientation and designed shuttle stops. Due to expansion permit conditions, shuttles will now go to the light at Pine Grove and make a left, then enter at the main entrance. To improve shuttle access and turn-around times, designated shuttle waiting areas have been established for loading and unloading

FREE Steamboat Lift Tickets from Opening Day to Christmas Day

2008-11-17T20:42:00.006-07:00

ResortQuest Steamboat is unveiling its warmest welcome to the Steamboat Ski Resort yet--FREE lift tickets for the from Opening Day (November 26) through Christmas Day.

Simply book a minimum 3-nights lodging between Opening Day, Wednesday, November 26th, and Thursday, December 25th to secure your FREE Steamboat lift tickets. Tickets are per person, limit 2 people per bedroom and are valid one day less than nights stayed. Lift tickets range from $76 to $91 per day. With 2 tickets per room, per night, you can save big! (Restrictions apply)

ResortQuest's reservationists in Steamboat Springs can also book your entire ski vacation, including Steamboat flights, shuttle transfers, ski rentals and all of your Steamboat Springs activities.

Plus! Have you heard about the flights to Steamboat from $99?

Steamboat Ski Resort Opens in 10 days

2008-11-17T08:51:00.010-07:00

The final countdown to the Steamboat Ski Resort opening day is on! 8 days to go until the unofficial opening day - Winter Sports Club Scholarship Day, Wednesday November 26; and 9 days until the official opening day on Thanksgiving, Thursday November 27.
The town of Steamboat Springs emerged this weekend from a week of drizzle and snow. Although has not stuck to the ground in the valley, people venturing above 9,000 feet are encountering winter-like conditions.
The November snow is in contrast to November 2007, when the Yampa Valley and surrounding mountains remained mild and dry right up to an early Thanksgiving. Of course, Steamboat powderhounds know what happened last winter, when the ski area recorded a record 489 inches of snow.
As of November 20 last year, Steamboat Springs had only recorded a trace of snow. Last week, on Thursday November 13, 2008, U.S. Forest Service personnel had observed an accumulated snow depth of 23 inches on Buffalo Pass, above the town of Steamboat.
The Steamboat Ski Area is reporting a 14-inch base on 27 inches of seasonal snowfall as of last Friday morning. The trend suggests the ski area won’t have to postpone its opening as it did last year.
Nordic skiers have been kicking and gliding for a week on the groomed trails maintained by the Steamboat Springs Nordic Council at Bruce’s Trail on Rabbit Ears Pass. The trails are maintained for early-season skiing only in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and Birgitta Lindgren, of the Steamboat Ski Touring Center.
PHOTO CREDIT: The Steamboat Ski Area reported a 14-inch base and 27 inches of total snowfall as of Friday morning. The winter conditions are in stark contrast to the dry, mild November of 2007. Enlarge photo Larry Pierce/Courtesy

It's Dumping Powder Snow on the Steamboat Ski Resort!

2008-11-05T11:26:00.005-07:00

SNOW: 7" (24 hrs); 7"(48 hrs); Base: n/a"; Total: 11.7"
CONDITIONS: (Steamboat Ski Resort Opens November 27)
LIFTS: 0/18
TRAILS: 0/165
TEMP: 36/11
Let It Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! On the day after America went to the polls to vote Red or Blue, in Steamboat Springs we're focused on our favorite color - White. Today we're seeing our summer-long campaigning start to pay-off (with a little help from Mother Nature) in the form of powder snow falling across the Steamboat Ski Resort. Opening day for Steamboat is just 20 days away. Keep your eye on the snow totals today as we begin piling up the powder!
This snow is just the optimism we needed! It's just one more thing piling on top of all our unbeatable Steamboat Springs travel deals - you can't afford to miss out:

ResortQuest Steamboat's lodging discounts up to 30% off (in addition to reduced rates over select dates, including the Holiday Season 12/19-12/26/08)
Steamboat lift ticket discounts + Kids Ski Free!
ski/snowboard rental deals + Kids Rent Free!
Steamboat Flight Specials from our Flight Desk + Kids Fly Free
and special coupons to ship your luggage or get your groceries delivered...

You deserve a Steamboat Springs vacation!!!

It's Snowing at the Steamboat Ski Resort!

2008-10-22T13:25:00.006-06:00

Today, Steamboat Springs' residents woke up to a winter, white, snow-covered landscape. As I type this afternoon, the flakes gently fall outside my window. Winter has arrived to the Steamboat Ski Resort!

Steamboat Springs has already had three snowfalls this year. I have not posted photos or comments since I felt none were significant enough to 'write home about.' So what makes today different? I have a new Golden Retriever, Matilda. "Tilly" is 5 months old and today was her first experience with snow, ever! So, by my judgement, today is really Steamboat's first official snow fall for the 2008/2009 ski season!

Steamboat has a few weeks to go until opening day, November 27, 2008. But, die-hard skiers and snowboarders are already carving up the Rocky Mountains. Just last week I posted an article to our general blog, http://steamboatvacationrentals.blogspot.com/ about the opening of Loveland and A-Basin ski resorts in Colorado, "The Ski Season is Upon US"

Yesterday, ResortQuest's 72-hour deals newsletter went out to the world. Here is a nice re-cap of the best deals from a few of ResortQuest's ski destinations at WeJustGotBack.com's blog:

Shop ResortQuest's 72-hour blowout and ski the West
Those early-bird ski deals keep rolling in fast and furious. The latest: Ubiquitous vacation rental resource ResortQuest has just announced one of its twice-monthly 72-hour sales and it's a doozy, with half a dozen terrific deals on the table at some of the West's most wishlist-worthy ski resorts. Here's a trio of deals that look especially good for families ...read blog.

Steamboat Ski Resort Opens November 27, 2008 & The Farmers Almanac Predicts Snow!!!

2008-09-12T10:21:00.007-06:00

Old Man Winter is certainly making his presence felt in Steamboat Springs. It has been raining all week; the Aspen leaves are tinged yellow; the bars are home to football fans again; and snow is even falling at the higher elevations.

To be honest, I have so enjoyed the summer, that I have not been excited by the fact that we will be skiing the Steamboat Ski Resort in less than 100 days. But, before posting today, I perused last season's posts and the photos of our big grins in knee-deep powder brought a smile to my face; my feet even ached for my snug ski boots. How could I not be excited? Last season was epic! I can't tell you how many times I woke up to the Steamboat ski reporters shouting "It's another powder day in the 'boat!" I thought I would never ever get to sleep-in again. 500+ inches, the 2007/2008 Steamboat ski season was the snowiest season on record!

So what is the outlook for the 2008/2009 ski season. Each fall, skiers and snowboarders eagerly await The Old Farmer's Almanac predictions for the upcoming winter. The oldest continuously published periodical in the U.S., the Almanac has been using a combination of local folklore and a "super-secret" scientific formula to produce long-range forecasts since 1792.

"Numb's the word," says the 192-year-old Farmers' Almanac, which claims an accuracy rate of 80 to 85 percent for its forecasts that are prepared two years in advance. The almanac's 2009 edition says at least two-thirds of the country can expect colder-than-average temperatures this winter, with only the Far West and Southeast in line for near-normal readings.

Steamboat Springs falls into the Almanac's Intermountain Region: "Winter will be much colder and drier than normal, on average, with snowfall above normal in the north. The coldest temperatures will occur in late December; early, mid-, and late January; and early February. The snowiest periods will be in mid-November, early and mid-December, mid- and late January, and late February. April and May will be cooler than normal, with slightly above-normal precipitation.

A Coloradoan writes on the Almanac website: "I completely agree with your prediction about a colder winter approaching. We have seen the migration of birds much earlier this year here in Denver, Colorado. Eastern blue jays, which normally come through in later September, are here now. Pelicans flying south overhead. My husband and I commented on the unusual migration pattern last week thinking it indicated a colder winter. What plans can we make in Colorado other than to break out the snowboards and skis and get them ready for some great winter fun? Vikki."

Whatever you believe, winter is on its way, and as far as my experience goes, every season I have spend in Steamboat has been amazing. Check-out ResortQuest Steamboat's winter lodging deals - save up to 30% off lodging and get discounted Steamboat lift tickets.

Steamboat Ski Resort 2008 Capital Improvements

2008-07-22T14:10:00.005-06:00

Winter feels like a long way off. I am relishing every opportunity to enjoy everything that Steamboat Springs has to offer in the summer - mountain biking, tubing, the Steamboat Wine Festival (only 1.5 weeks away!), the Brewers Festival (Sept. 22)... just for starters.

Winter feels like a long way, away. But, it's only 3.5 months till the Steamboat Ski Resort's Opening Day on November 27, 2008 to be precise!

Today, The Steamboat Ski Resort today distributed their press release about 2008 resort improvements. "Over the past three seasons, $27+ million in on-mountain improvements have been made to the Steamboat Ski Area, including more than $4 million invested specifically for the upcoming 2008/09 winter season. Steamboat’s on-mountain momentum augments nearly $8 million in completed and planned public revitalization projects sweeping the mountain village (Steamboat Unbridled).

Building upon last year’s record on-mountain capital expenditures, the majority of the 2008/2009 season improvements target continued base area re-grading, enhanced snowmaking, grooming, parking expansion, additional retail outlets, new rental equipment, automated external defibrillators, IT upgrades and master planning.

The truth is, Steamboat is still relishing in the benefits of the new Christie Peak Express high-speed quad that opened last December, as well as the excellent re-grade of the base of the ski area. If I may, let's hark back to Billy Kid's comments about the new lift: “It goes at a thousand feet per minute — you can almost get a speeding ticket it’s so fast, and you probably need goggles going up,” said Billy Kidd, the ski area’s Director of Skiing and a silver medalist at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.

“This lift is unique because it services beginner, intermediate, expert and even Olympian training,” he said. “The fact you can go up and race in the NASTAR finals, you can compete in the World Cup aerials and moguls, you can go up and get in the halfpipe — there is just a variety of skiing you can do on this lift, and you may be riding with some of Steamboat’s Olympians on the way up.”

...so, it's not too early to start thinking about winter. Check-out ResortQuest Steamboat's ski season lodging deals. Don't forget to check-out our Snow Guarantee...