Yampa Valley · Champagne Powder & Hot Springs
Steamboat SpringsColorado
Dry powder, forested hot springs, and a Western downtown extend the trip well beyond the lift village.
Steamboat at a glance
Steamboat Resort, the hot springs, and Old Town
Steamboat Resort rises southeast of town, Strawberry Park sits seven miles up a canyon road, and Lincoln Avenue carries Old Town through the Yampa Valley below them.
A town before the resort
Ranching and rodeo by the Yampa
Long before the resort opened, the Yampa Valley's ranching economy shaped downtown. A museum photograph recalls Pioneer Day relay races in which riders changed saddles and horses between laps.
Today the Steamboat Pro Rodeo brings competition back to the arena in summer. Check the organizer's schedule for dates and tickets. At the Tread of Pioneers Museum on Oak Street, exhibits trace the valley's history beyond the arena.
Skiing in the valley
Howelsen Hill and the mountain beyond
Across the Yampa from downtown, city-owned Howelsen Hill has operated since 1915. Its ski jumps are part of a long local tradition of Nordic skiing and Olympic training, distinct from the larger resort on Mount Werner.
The museum's ski-history exhibit traces Carl Howelsen's influence and the town's Olympic athletes. For skiing today, check Howelsen Hill's conditions or explore the terrain at Steamboat Resort.
Explore the ski guide →
Two ways to soak
Strawberry Park Hot Springs has stone pools in a forested canyon and requires advance reservations. Old Town Hot Springs offers mineral pools on Lincoln Avenue, closer to downtown restaurants and shops. Compare the hot springs →
Fish Creek Falls, ranch rides, and the Yampa
Fish Creek Falls
A 283-foot waterfall just 3 miles from downtown, close enough for cold spray, snowy banks, or a summer trail morning.
Yampa River status
Hot water and low flows can close fishing and all water recreation through town. Check the city's current restrictions before entering the river.
Horseback Riding
Del's Triangle 3 Ranch and Saddleback Ranch run guided horseback rides through meadows, aspen, and working ranch land.
3-Day Steamboat Plan
Three days for skiing or summer trails, a reserved soak, Old Town, and one short scenic stop.
Gondola district or Lincoln Avenue
Mountain-village hotels shorten the walk to the gondola. Old Town stays keep restaurants and the free city bus near the door, while condominiums add kitchens and bedrooms for longer trips.
