Steamboat Springs is the Perfect Place to Make Your Holiday Season Magical
Christmas is around the corner and with Steamboat Springs blanketed in snow, we’re all ready to celebrate!
Winter is the most popular time to visit Steamboat because of its legendary Champagne PowderⓇ snow drawing the attention of any avid skier or snowboarder. But it also beckons to those who feel the pull of the majestic Rookie Mountains and feel more alive being in the presence of such an awe-inspiring landscape.
This is truly a place where families come together and build traditions and legacies. The town has created many unique traditions that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
At The Astrid, we love spending Christmas and New Year’s in Steamboat Springs: Relishing in the thrill of gliding down the slopes at Steamboat Resort, dining at some of the finest restaurants in the state, watching the magic come alive through our children’s and grandchildren’s eyes, and most importantly, cherishing the moments enjoying each others’ company during this special time.
We can’t wait for you to discover some of these Christmas events in Steamboat Springs with your own family.
Holiday Festivities at Steamboat Resort
December 14, 2024, is a very cheerful day at the resort as Santa makes his trek into the heart of Steamboat to visit with guests of all ages. The day doesn’t end there though, there’s a whole lineup of magical activities, entertainment, and of course, delectable holiday treats. The entire day and all activities are free for all to come and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year at Steamboat Resort.
Santa Saddles Up
Don’t miss this uniquely Steamboat holiday tradition!
Where else can you catch a glimpse of Santa riding down a ski hill in a horseback procession? From the Torian Plum Area, down the slopes, and into Steamboat Square, Santa will embark on this festive journey promptly at 1:00 p.m. The ride only lasts a few minutes, so make sure your family is there early to see this grand entrance!
Afterward, there will be an opportunity to share your wishlist with Santa, take photos with his beautiful horses, and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cupcakes.
Holiday Drone Show
Watch the night sky come to life with a mesmerizing display of lights. This event is a wonderful way to create a magical moment The drones will soar through the sky, creating marvelous formations and holiday scenes that your family won’t soon forget.
Holiday Skate Party
Join this enchanting event at Skeeter’s Rink to experience skating beneath the stars with the stunning backdrop of Mt Werner. You’ll be surrounded by twinkling lights and listening to your favorite music as you glide across the ice embracing the holiday season and all it has to offer in Steamboat Springs.
Date: December 14, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Steamboat Stage, 2305 Mt Werner Circle
Price: Free
Event Schedule
1:00 p.m. – Santa’s Grand Horseback Procession
1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Photos with Santa and his Horses
1:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Complimentary Hot Chocolate and Cupcakes
5:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. – Spectacular Holiday Drone Show
6:00 p.m. – Delayed Opening for Night Skiing
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Holiday Skate Party
Holidays in the Rockies
Find your perfect, one-of-a-kind gift for that special someone at this holiday market. Browse unique creations from local artisans, feast on festive food and drink from ChuckWagon Grille Food Truck, and take a ride on the Polar Caboose Experience.
Book a ticket for the Polar Caboose – a historic caboose adorned with holiday decor ready to welcome you and your family for a magical adventure. Enjoy a guided tour of the caboose, decorate a holiday mug, fill it with hot chocolate, and create lasting memories with a fun photo opportunity.
Date: December 14 and 21, 2024 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Deport Art Center, 1001 13th Street
Price: Free Admission, Polar Caboose tickets are $10 – $30
Sunset Happy Hour
Take a scenic ride up Mt Werner on the Steamboat Gondola to the iconic Thunderhead Lodge and indulge in one of the most beloved activities in town. Sip on handcrafted cocktails and local beer, nibble on delectable culinary bites, and watch the gorgeous sunset over the mountain peaks.
Date: Every Thursday, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Thunderhead Lodge
Price: Free for Pass holders and $30 for non-Pass holders
Holiday Balloon Glow
Seeing the grand scale of hot air balloons is a sight to behold during the day, but watching them illuminate the dark, winter night sky is an experience like no other. In the Mountain Village, you’ll stroll between the radiant balloons as they cast a warm glow across the snow-covered slopes.
Date: December 21, 2024, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Steamboat Resort
Price: Free
8 Nights of Shred: Hanukkah Lighting at Steamboat Resort
Celebrate the Festival of Light with Rabbi Kolby Morris-Dahary from The Jewish Community of Steamboat and local teens from the Har Mishpacha’s Teen Youth Group, as they lead guests in song and share the joy of this holiday.
Everyone is welcome to join in the ritual lighting of the Hanukkah menorah, enjoy delicious jelly donuts, and experience this heartwarming celebration.
Date: December 28, 2024, 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Steamboat Stage, 2305 Mt Werner Circle
Price: Free
New Year’s Eve Light Up Snow Cat Parade and Fireworks
This event is a thrilling way to begin your New Year’s celebrations. Watch as five snowcats covered in twinkling lights make their way down the mountain, followed by a synchronized performance by the Steamboat Snow Sports Instructors. Following this daring holiday spectacle, the night sky over Steamboat Resort will be lit up with a dazzling fireworks display to ring in the new year.
Date: December 31, 2024, 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Steamboat Resort
Price: Free
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year in Steamboat Springs
With so many family-friendly activities, Steamboat truly is a place where your whole family can come together time and time again. A place where the beauty of nature is only rivaled by the hospitality of the people.
Spending Christmas in Steamboat Springs will take your family on a journey into true Western culture and traditions: watching Santa descend down the mountainside in a horsedrawn sleigh, experiencing the wonder of the Rockies through breathtaking gondola rides, strolling through the village under the glow of hot air balloons, or carving a turn in the famous Champagne PowderⓇ – you’re guaranteed to begin planning your next vacation before you’ve even left town!
The Astrid is thrilled to be joining the Steamboat Springs family in 2025. We look forward to bringing you elegant and sophisticated designs, state-of-the-art in-home technology, and personalized service you won’t find anywhere else in town.
We can’t wait to welcome you and your family into our community. Let us show you around town, introduce you to the locals, and share stories in the warm glow of the luxurious firepits in our private aprés-ski lounge.
The luxury you’ve been waiting for in Steamboat Springs is coming; we’re breaking ground on this ambitious project in 2025. To find out more, simply provide us with your name and email address. By doing so, you’ll be invited to join our exclusive mailing list. As part of this list, you’ll gain access to insider information, behind-the-scenes content, and a highly personalized email experience reserved only for members of The Astrid community.
