Accessible Adventures in Steamboat Springs
Vacations in Steamboat Springs are all about embracing everything this remarkable mountain town has to offer. From reconnecting with nature, exploring new cuisines, or indulging in luxury shopping, there’s something for everyone here. And we mean everyone!
What sets Steamboat Springs apart from other destinations across Colorado is the town’s commitment to accessibility, making it a wonderful choice for adventurers with disabilities. From adaptive outdoor sports programs, to accessible cultural attractions, Steamboat offers a wide range of activities tailored to every individual’s needs.
Whether you’re seeking the thrill of skiing down powdery slopes with adaptive equipment, or relaxing in the great outdoors, Steamboat Springs welcomes everyone to explore this charming mountain town. We’ve curated a list of some of the best accessible activities in Steamboat Springs, to help you plan your next adventure!
Accessible Trails in Steamboat Springs
There are a number of trails throughout Steamboat that ensure that people with disabilities can enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery safely and comfortably.
- Fish Creek Falls, Overlook Trail: This paved trail takes adventurers to the beautiful overlook of Fish Creek Falls. Along the way, you can enjoy a number of educational panels, and beautiful wildflowers in the spring. This trail is likely accessible for visitors using wheelchairs or mobility equipment due to the smooth surfaces, broad trail width, and gentle slopes.
- Yampa River, Botanic Garden Loop: This charming trail is mostly paved with concrete, with some areas of packed gravel. The slope grade is less than 3% with wide paths, making it navigable for most trail goers using wheelchairs or mobility equipment. For a scenic rest-point, take a seat on one of the benches in the Botanic Garden section of the route.
- Yampa Core Trail, Rotary Park South to Trail End: Enjoy the tranquility of the Yampa river on this gentle trail. The slope grade is less than 3%, with wide paths paved with concrete or asphalt, perfect for those using wheelchairs or mobility equipment. There are a few bridges along the trail, equipped with handrails for a safe exploration experience.
Accessible Escape Room in Steamboat Springs
Escape rooms are a fantastic group vacation activity where people of all ages and abilities can work together, problem-solve, and bond in an immersive setting. The Crooked Key provides an ADA-accessible escape room experience so that everyone can enjoy this memorable activity!
The entrance to The Crooked Key is at ground level, with all common areas being ADA-accessible, including the restroom. A number of different game options are available, with ‘Trouble at the Old West Saloon’ being 100% ADA-compliant. All other games on site can be adapted for various mobility and accessibility needs, and the team will be delighted to discuss with you your individual specifications in advance. Service animals are welcome here too, guaranteeing an enjoyable experience for people of all needs and abilities.
Accessible Cultural Experiences in Steamboat Springs
Steamboat’s rich history, vibrant ranching culture, and world-renowned ski scene means that the local area is packed with intriguing historical sites. It wouldn’t be a trip to Steamboat Springs without taking the chance to learn more about the town’s unique culture, so we recommend visiting these two accessible places of cultural significance:
- Steamboat Art Museum: This remarkable gallery space displays exhibitions of artwork by artists whose work explores the culture and heritage of the West. The collections, building, programs, and services aim to be accessible to all audiences. Programs particularly tailored to people with disabilities occur on a regular basis, and the entire museum is accessible to people who use wheelchairs or mobility equipment. The accessible entrances are located at the main door, 807 Lincoln Ave.
- Bud Werner Memorial Library: As Steamboat’s cultural and community hub, there’s always something exciting happening at the Bud Werner Memorial Library! Family events, book clubs, film festivals and more draw in visitors from all around. The purpose-built elevator helps everyone access the different library floors, and a number of the private reservable rooms are ADA accessible.
Accessible Rodeo Spectating in Steamboat Springs
A vacation to Steamboat Springs wouldn’t be complete without an evening at Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo at the Romick Rodeo Arena. Every Friday and Saturday night from July through August, skillful professionals engage in bareback riding, team roping, and steer wrestling. This display of Western ranching talent is particularly popular to enjoy as part of the town’s Fourth of July celebrations.
The arena offers a comfortable accessible seating area, between Sponsor VIP seating and the large covered grandstand. The accessible seating is accessed via a convenient ramp, perfect for those using wheelchairs or mobility equipment. Accessible parking spots are located close to the front gate, and the front gate staff will be delighted to offer any further assistance that you and your companions may need.
Accessible Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs
Old Town Hot Springs is known for its natural hot spring pools (that are toasty warm in all seasons), incredible fitness and massage facilities, and array of classes from lifeguard certifications to cooking!
This beautiful location can be enjoyed by everybody, all year round. ADA accessible parking is located in the lot directly next to the building, providing a convenient and safe parking location should you need it. The building provides ample locker rooms and restrooms that are wheelchair accessible, and the swimming facilities feature two pool lifts which are expertly operated by the team to help guests with physical disabilities safely access the water.
The purpose-built elevator ensures that everyone is able to access the gym, which features a selection of impressive ADA-accessible workout equipment. If there’s one place to put on your Steamboat bucket list… this is it!
Accessible Outdoor Sports in Steamboat Springs
The Steamboat Ski resort welcomes everyone to enjoy the beauty of the mountain through exhilarating outdoor sports, in every season. The recent multi-million dollar resort expansion has led to a number of innovations in accessibility.
- The Wild Blue Gondola makes accessing the mountain easy for people of all ages and abilities. This remarkable new gondola is made up of spacious cabins that people using wheelchairs and other mobility equipment can easily and comfortably use. Service animals are also welcome in the gondola cabins, as each cabin is fully enclosed. Experienced gondola operators are able to slow down the speed of your cabin to help you smoothly get on or disembark.
- Steamboat Ski Resort features a number of other ski lift systems, which are equipped to accommodate sit-skis, outriggers and other adaptive ski devices. The friendly chairlift operators can slow down or stop the chairlift upon request at both the bottom and top of the lift, to ensure your comfort and safety.
- Accessing the resort is a simple and enjoyable process, thanks to the ADA parking located close to the base area. If you don’t have your own vehicle, The City of Steamboat Springs offers a paratransit transportation service named Access The ‘Boat. For those who are unable to independently use SST bus service, or other fixed route service due to a disability or health related condition, this service is completely free.
- There are three ADA accessible restrooms in the Steamboat base area. One is located creekside underneath the Steamboat Stage in Steamboat Square. The second is located behind Gondola Pub and Grill and Giggle Gulch candy shop on the second level on the plaza. The third restroom is located in Steamboat Sports Sheraton, which is located inside the creekside level of the Sheraton hotel.
- For those hoping to engage in outdoor sports suited to their exact needs, the Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports team (STARS) offer a number of exciting programs. This remarkable non-profit organization offers year-round adaptive sports programs that promote independence, self-esteem, and a healthy lifestyle for children, youth, and adults with cognitive and/or physical disabilities, injured Veterans, and their families. Programs include adaptive horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, fly fishing, rafting, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, swimming, disc golf, and more!
Your Accessible Vacation Home in Steamboat Springs
Here at The Astrid, we’re proud to be part of a community that is committed to helping everyone, no matter their age or ability, enjoy the slopeside lifestyle. The beauty of this enchanting town, and its breathtaking natural surroundings, compel vacationers to return year after year. Even, season after season!
We exist to help you and your family lay down roots in Steamboat Springs, giving you your very own mountainside oasis that you can return to whenever your heart desires. We’re passionate about ensuring all your requirements for a luxurious, comfortable, and convenient vacation in Steamboat Springs are met. This includes making The Astrid accessible for people of all abilities.
Setting a new standard for luxury vacation homes in Colorado by building our residential community one unit at a time. By building in this way, you can request the exact accessibility requirements for you and your family to be included in your private unit. When we say personalized, we mean it.
We’re breaking ground on this pioneering new project in Summer 2024, and we invite you to join us in this exciting journey. To join our community, 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.
