Unlock spectacular travel destinations with your Palmera Vacation Club membership.
Known for being a premier ski location in the United States, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is becoming more and more popular as a year-round destination. Outdoor enthusiasts will agree that there are many activities offered by the mountain landscape in the summer that appeals to groups of many interests and of all ages. Once a quiet ranching town set in the Yampa Valley in Northeast Colorado, it is now a lively community that welcomes visitors looking to hit the slopes or take in the beautiful scenery.
Winter Sports
Home to the most Olympians in the United States, there is no questioning the quality of Steamboat Springs’ ski conditions. Nicknamed, “Ski Town USA” for a reason, this area shines during the winter season. Said to be more affordable and down to earth than other highly-regarded ski resorts, the altitude is significantly lower than other locations at 6,700 ft. above sea level, making it easier to acclimate faster and enjoy more time hitting the slopes.
If you’re only interested in going for the skiing or snowboarding, we recommend buying lift tickets in advance to save some money. The winter season is the busiest, so don’t expect to find extreme deals on resorts or hotels, especially during the holidays. You might find some deals in January, but otherwise plan accordingly. It might be a good idea to book lessons and reserve rental equipment ahead of time as well.
Skiing and snowboarding are not the only Steamboat Springs attractions during the winter season. Snowshoeing, snow tubing, and even snow biking are popular activities that locals and visitors alike look forward to.
Summer Activities
Steamboat Springs is an outdoor paradise pretty much year-round. The valley is as much fun to explore with snow as it is without it. Scenic mountain trails allow for biking, hiking, and backpacking, while horseback riding on one- or multiple-day tours is also a great way to explore the mountainside. Once the sun goes down, set up camp to fully experience Colorado’s stunning landscape under the stars.
If getting out on the water is more your speed, there are plenty of opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and even paddle boarding down the Yampa River or on Stagecoach Reservoir or Steamboat Lake. There are also state parks that offer marinas where you can rent equipment including pontoons and water-ski boats. The Yampa River is also well-known for its fly fishing.
Golf & Tennis
There are three golf courses in Steamboat Springs, two of which have 18-holes, and one of which was designed by Robert Trent Jones II. Each course is set among breathtaking views that can be enjoyed during the warmer months, although snow-capped mountains in the distance might still be seen.
Steamboat Springs offers a year-round tennis club for players wanting to hit the court instead of the slopes. Visiting tennis players enjoy the different selection of courts, from outdoor hydrocourt clay courts and hard courts, to RSS 500 cushioned-indoor hard courts. The Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball Center also welcomes fans of the fastest-growing sport in the world, pickleball.
Best Ways to See the Sights
The Steamboat Gondola is an option for visitors looking for a birds-eye view of the gorgeous Yampa Valley. You don’t need to have your skis or snowboards with you, as there are discounted tickets available for those who just want to go for a ride up Mt. Werner. Each gondola can hold up to eight people and can be enjoyed by all ages.
For a more unique way to see the sights, opt for a flight above the valley by hot air balloon. Various seasoned tour companies allow for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to glide over the Colorado landscape—just hold on tight to those cameras! This activity tends to be best suited for those over the age of 6 years old.
Hot Springs
The namesake and ultimately the reason for the first group of people to gather in the area, the hot springs in and surrounding Steamboat Springs still draw visitors to this day. Tribes such as the Ute and Arapaho visited the area’s mineral springs specifically for their healing properties. Today, visitors can take a dip in either the Old Town Hot Springs or in the Strawberry Park Hot Springs.
Simply put, those who love snow and those who love warm weather will have two completely different ideas of when the best time to visit Steamboat Springs is. Although Steamboat is beautiful year-round, the winter season still attracts the most visitors. That being said, the city will be at its busiest—especially during the holiday season—and deals on accommodations will be harder to find. Expect temperatures in the high 20s to low 40s through the months of December through March. If you happen to visit in February, plan on attending the annual event of the season, the Winter Carnival.
Those who enjoy the great outdoors without having to wear heavy layers will want to plan on visiting Steamboat Springs sometime between June and August. You’ll get beautiful summer weather without dealing with an extremely hot climate, as temperatures spike to the low 80s in July and August. This is also the driest period, so there’s less of a chance for rainy days to ruin your plans.
You really can’t go wrong with wherever your accommodations are located within Steamboat Springs. Obviously, there are resorts and other sites with easier access to ski areas, but the city itself offers complimentary buses that cover popular routes, while many resorts are known to offer their own shuttles. This is a destination where having your own car is not a necessity, because at the very least there are plenty of Ubers and Lyfts available. Steamboat Springs is easy to reach by car and is a few hours’ drive from Denver and Fort Collins, Colorado.
The RCI Exchange has a great selection of resorts in Steamboat Springs. Below you may find only three of the collection on the exchange that we’ve selected at random:
