Steamboat Springs Planning & Tips

The Art of Smart Timing
Steamboat Springs' peak season is ski season -- generally between Thanksgiving and mid-April. School holidays, such as Christmas break, Martin Luther King Day Weekend, President's Day Weekend and March's spring break, bring many families to the slopes, so prepare for crowds then. Early December and April, just before the lifts close, are quieter.

But Steamboat Springs is a very popular summer destination, as well. Peak summer season is July 4 to Labor Day, so if your kids get out of school in early June, you might be able to avoid crowds then. The "off seasons" are spring and fall, so town is generally quieter, and again, you'll likely find some lodging and restaurant discounts (but fewer special events or kid-friendly festivals).

Annual family-friendly events include the Cowboys' Round Up and 4th of July Celebration, Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park in mid-July, All Arts Festival in August, Wild West Air Fest and Labor Day Weekend, Cowboy Downhill in January and Winter Carnival in February.

The Yampa Valley Regional Airport (Steamboat/Hayden HDN) is 22 miles from Steamboat Springs, where shared shuttles or private car service can take you to your accommodations. You can also fly into Denver (DEN) and rent a car for the 160-mile drive northwest to Steamboat Springs. (Airport shuttles to Steamboat serve DEN, too.)

Getting Around
Accommodations in Steamboat Springs center on downtown (Lincoln Ave. is the main street) and the ski mountain, which is three miles southeast of downtown. A rental car might be convenient for trips to the grocery store if you're staying in condominium lodging and want to cook for yourself, but it's not necessary to have your own transportation. Many properties offer courtesy shuttles around town or to the ski mountain, especially in high season.

The taxi service Go Alpine has serviced the area since 1984. Steamboat Springs Transit offers complimentary bus transportation around town and to and from the ski area. During high season, buses run more often, but generally, they stop at each location every 20 minutes. Lodging companies also offer free shuttle service around town to guests; frequency depends on the season.

Timed parking spots (two to eight hours) are available downtown at no charge, but again, during high season these may be difficult to find.

Off the Radar
If you are driving to Steamboat Springs from Denver International Airport and need a bite to eat along the way, consider a stop at the family-friendly Parshall Inn (the "P.I." to locals) on Highway 40, between Gramby and Kremmling, for the area's best burgers; older kids are entertained with shuffleboard, a pool table and horseshoes.

Visitor's Bureau
Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association
Steamboat Ski Resort