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Start Another Unforgettable Ski Season at Steamboat Resort Opening Day

 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – the snow is falling and the slopes are calling!

As the flakes gently settle on the top of Mt Werner and the snow-covered pine trees begin their position as guides for those venturing into the glades, Ski Town USAⓇ is ready to welcome you once again into this winter wonderland. 

At The Astrid, we know how magical skiing in the famous Champagne PowderⓇ is, because we’re always among the first in line after a fresh snowfall! We adore being in Steamboat Springs and you can usually find us carving a turn on the majestic Rocky Mountain slopes right along with you. 

This ski season, bring your family on a new adventure to the town that offers the best snow and the best community. We promise our Western culture and hospitality will make you feel like part of the family – and that Steamboat Resort will show you just how amazing a day on the slopes can truly be.

Come get ready for Steamboat Resort Opening Day with us!

 

Opening Day Festivities

Mark your calendar for November 23, 2024! 

The Opening Day Celebration begins at 7:30 a.m. with complimentary Powder Day Donuts and Korbel Mimosas. 

Arrive early to get in line. The first 100 skiers will receive an Opening Day T-shirt and Smartwool Socks courtesy of Ohana, Steamboat’s favorite hand-printed apparel store.

The lifts begin running at 8:30 a.m. after the ceremony counting down to the official start of the 2024-25 season and the ringing of the Champagne PowderⓇ Snow Bell. 

Throughout the day, prizes will be hidden on the mountain. Follow Steamboat Resort on Instagram for clues. 

Here is the anticipated schedule for the day:

7:30am – 8:30am – Complimentary Powder Day Donuts and Korbel Mimosas (while supplies last)

8:29am – The countdown to the official start of the 2024-25 season and ringing of the Champagne Powder ® Snow Bell

2:15pm – Donation Presentation to the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club on the Steamboat Stage

2:30pm – Free Concert on the Steamboat Stage featuring Heavy Diamond Ring: Heavy Diamond Ring brings a helping of contemporary indie-folk that goes down easy, augmented by some subtle, snaky guitar work, walls of harmony vocals and Anderson’s attention-grabbing vocal. 

 

Steamboat Springs Snow Forecast

View of Mt Werner covered in snow at Steamboat Resort

For the 2024-25 ski season, a “weak” La Niña is expected to present Steamboat Springs with a slower start to the season as temperatures will still be above average. Once temperatures begin to drop in December to February, we can expect above average snowfall. 

Climatologist Peter Goble anticipates a good amount of snowfall in Steamboat because of the higher elevation our mountains sit at. He also predicts that the mid-winter snowstorms are likely to be Champagne PowderⓇ which is wonderful news for skiiers visiting Steamboat Resort for Christmas. 

As for any weather forecast, nothing can ever be certain and experts suggest looking about 7-10 days ahead of your ski trip.

We recommend keeping an eye on the local weather forecasts: Open Snow Weather Report

 

Skiing at Steamboat Resort 

Champagne PowderⓇ Snow

Steamboat Springs proudly wears the title of Ski Town, USAⓇ and year after year, they prove just how much they own this priviledge. 

The legendary Champagne PowderⓇ is caused by winter storm clouds coming from the Pacific saturated with “super-cooled” pure water. The water attaches to tiny frozen drops when it encounters very cold temperatures. These tiny droplets begin to form stellar dendrites – lace-like snowflakes – which fall when the clouds hit the mountain range in Steamboat Springs. 

Did you know?

Steamboat’s snow has the lowest water content in the United States? Our snow has an average density of just 6%, compared to the 15% in other skiing destinations.

The term Champagne PowderⓇ is said to have first been coined in the 1950s by a local rancher. While he was out skiing, in the area that would become Steamboat Resort, he said that the snow tickled his nose like the bubbles in champagne. 

Now, Steamboat Resort is only place in the world to have this term trademarked, and therefore, is the only place you’ll find genuine Champagne PowderⓇ!

 

Trails and Training Grounds

Winter Trail Map for Steamboat Resort Opening Day and the 2024 season.
Photo courtesy of Steamboat Resort.

Covering 3,741 acres, Steamboat Resort is home to 181 trails and 23 lifts covering the vertical drop of 3,668 feet across a complete mountain range. Comprising of Mount Werner, Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak, Thunderhead Peak, Mahogany Ridge, and Christie Peak. 

Did you know?

Steamboat Resort’s Wild Blue Gondola is the longest and fastest 10-person gondola in North America. 

Steamboat Resort also has three terrain areas: Greenhorn Ranch for beginners and Mahogany Ridge and Fish Creek Canyon for advanced/expert skiers. 

Greenhorn Ranch caters to those just beginning their skiing or snowboarding journey. SnowSports School offers various lessons in this area, using the terrain to allow new skiers and riders to feel the same sensations as they would on a slope. The terrain gives them a chance to learn more naturally and acquire skills faster. 

Mahogany Ridge and Fish Creek Canyon span a vast 650 acres and are now managed inside the ski boundaries of Steamboat Resort. 

With this new expansion, Steamboat Resort is now the second-largest ski resort in Colorado. 

This area is strictly for advanced skiers. It features rock cliffs, chutes, tree glades, and avalanche risk. Although a thrilling expedition, the resort highly recommends the following:

  • Have the Ski Patrol number handy
  • Always go with a buddy
  • Bring avalanche gear
  • Download the Steamboat App to access the “Call Ski Patrol” feature which will send teams your GPS coordinates

Did you know?

With the expansion into this extreme terrain, Steamboat Resort has a new Avalanche Dog Program featuring Daisy, Mudd, and Ty. 

Two members of Steamboat Resort's Ski Patrol sit with their avalanche dogs: Mudd and Daisy.
Photo courtesy of the Steamboat Pilot.

Lift Passes

There are two options for securing a lift pass at Steamboat Resort: Day Lift Tickets or the Ikon Pass. 

Day Lift tickets can be purchased through the resort website and come in single or multi-day passes. The prices for these vary on the day. 

You also have the opportunity to purchase Night Lift Tickets, valid from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. or Afternoon Lift Tickets, valid from 12:15 p.m. – 4 p.m. A Late Afternoon Ticket starting at 3 p.m. can be purchased onsite.

 

The Ikon Pass

If you’re planning to travel to multiple ski destinations this winter, the Ikon Pass might be your best bet. This pass gives you access to Steamboat Resort for the whole ski season (Nov-April) and over 50 skiing locations worldwide.

The Ikon Pass offers unlimited skiing at Steamboat Resort and 16 other locations and up to 7 days at 42 locations. As a pass holder at Steamboat Resort, you will also receive 3 complimentary First Tracks days (boarding the gondola before it opens to the public) and exclusive discounts and perks with hospitality, food, fitness, and clothing companies. 

The Ikon Base Pass allows you unlimited access to 14 destinations and up to 5 days at Steamboat Resort, and there are some blackout dates you will need to abide by. 

The Ikon Session Pass gives you the option to use the pass for up to 4 days, either all at Steamboat Resort or split between multiple destinations. 

 

Other Activities at Steamboat Resort

For those who want to experience some more of what Steamboat Resort has to offer, take a spin around Skeeter’s Ice Rink at the resort base where you can rent skates and enjoy a hot chocolate from Timber & Torch. 

Did you know?

The skating rink is named after local Olympian Skeeter Werner and Mt Werner is named after her brother Buddy. Steamboat Springs has produced more winter Olympians than any other town in the United States. 

There are also many snowshoeing trails around the resort that begin at the top of the Steamboat Gondola. Trek through the snow-covered pines and reward yourself with a well-deserved aprés-ski cocktail or snack at Thunderhead Lodge. 

If you’re looking for some more aprés-ski options, try the Slopeside Grill for a pint of premium local craft beer around a cozy firepit or head to The Range Food & Drink Hall, located conveniently at the resort base for a wide array of options guaranteed to please all the members of your family. 

 

Steamboat Resort Information

We recommend that you keep an eye on these pages to keep up to date with the events, weather, and mountain activity at Steamboat Resort

The Mountain Report will give you a live look at the lift wait times and gondola closures throughout the season. The trails are included in this report to show openings, grooming times, and difficulty levels. You’ll also find the weather for the base, mid-mountain, and summit here. 

Steamboat Resort Mountain Report

The Trail and Base Maps are extremely handy when it comes to planning your runs – and rest times – for your day on the slopes. 

Steamboat Resort Winter Maps

Find all the upcoming events taking place at Steamboat Resort.

Steamboat Resort Events

Steamboat Springs is Your Winter Skiing Haven

With Steamboat Resort Opening Day just around the corner, it’s time to plan your winter vacation to Steamboat Springs. 

With a plethora of trails in all difficulty levels, multiple opportunities for tree skiing, starlit night skiing, and terrain training grounds, Steamboat Resort truly is your one-stop ski destination. 

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.

 

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