Steamboat Resort is in the midst of a very hectic offseason. The second phase of the Wild Blue Gondola is nearing completion, a snowmaking expansion is happening around Sunshine Peak, and they’re adding a new terrain pod.

The terrain expansion, which consists of advanced and expert terrain, will try to change the narrative that Steamboat isn’t challenging enough for hard-core skiers and riders. The 355-acre terrain pod will be serviced by a new high-speed detachable quad.

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve learned more about this expansion. Steamboat’s trail map revealed the new runs and glades. In a video posted yesterday, Steamboat dove into the new terrain, explaining how to access it, how the Fish Creek Canyon section of the pod will add extreme terrain, and how to get out of Fish Creek. It’s going to be interesting to see what these new runs and glades are like when they open this winter.

Image/Video Credits: Steamboat Resort

Steamboat’s Full Steam Ahead projects have transformed the ski resort. These additions have included a new gondola, a beginner learning center, The Range Food & Drink Hall, a new arrival area, an ice skating rink, and more. This offseason, they’re adding a new high-speed quad that will service an advanced/expert terrain pod, improving their snowmaking, and building a second leg to the Wild Blue Gondola

The first phase of the Wild Blue Gondola opened during the 2022-23 season. This connected the base area to the Greenhorn Ranch Learning Center. This summer, Steamboat is constructing the second stage of the gondola, which connects to the summit.

The final product will be the longest & fastest ten-person gondola in North America. The total distance is 3.16 miles, and riders from the base area to the top of Sunshine Peak in 13 minutes. A cool feature of the gondola is that it will be able to operate as two independent lifts during inclement weather, meaning that the lower section can operate on windier days while the upper section remains closed. Another cool fact is that the highest point of the gondola is 136 feet tall, which is when it crosses Rainbow Saddle.

This week, Steamboat Resort gave a video update on Section II of the Wild Blue Gondola. So far, it looks like they’ve installed the lift towers and top terminal. The second section of the gondola is expected to open during the 2023-24 season.

Image/Video Credits: Steamboat Resort

Steamboat Resort is in the midst of a major capital improvement campaign. As part of Full Steam Ahead, Steamboat has added a new gondola, a learning center, The Range Food & Drink Hall, a new arrival area, an ice skating rink, and more.

This offseason, a second stage of the gondola is being built to the summit, a new advanced and experts terrain pod is being sculpted, which will be serviced by a new high-speed quad chairlift, and a snowmaking expansion will be coming to the Sundown and Sunshine terrain pods. The next major project could be a gondola that connects a key parking lot to the base area.

Steamboat Pilot & Today reports that talks have been ongoing between the Alterra Mountain Company, which owns Steamboat, and the Steamboat Springs City Council, to figure out the financing for a gondola that would help reduce congestion.

In order for this to happen, Alterra will need to create at least one metropolitan district on its land around the ski resort. This district helps create around $30 million in tax revenue, which would help pay for the gondola. In order for this to happen, Alterra’s metropolitan district would have to be approved by the voters of Steamboat Springs, which could happen this fall. They face a deadline this month to finalize this plan. If they pass through all these hurdles, construction could begin in May 2024.

Rob Pearlman, who is the President and COO of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp., described why they need this gondola:

“We have a world-class resort, we’ve made significant improvements, and now it’s time to address the underwhelming arrival experience, to address many of the factors associated with what is outlined in the Mountain Area Master Plan in terms of safety, in terms of pedestrian and vehicle interaction, in terms of looking to the future and building that capacity.”

If built, the gondola would be located nearby the existing Wildhorse Gondola. This lift is available to the public, but its primary function is to service the homeowners at Wildhorse Meadows. In addition, the gondola’s base terminal isn’t located directly in the Meadows parking lot. This new gondola would service those at the Meadows parking lot and would be more convenient than the existing pulse gondola.

To further prove their seriousness about this project, Alterra just hired Micheal Ann Marchand to be the director of development for Steamboat Resort. Steamboat Pilot & Today reported that this is a new position, which proves Alterra wants to continue to build up Steamboat past this Full Steam Ahead project. Micheal Ann was on the board of directors for the  Yampa Valley Housing Authority and the Steamboat Springs Chamber, so she clearly cares about the success of the Steamboat Springs community.

We’ll keep you posted on Unofficial Networks about this and other projects at Steamboat.

Image Credits: Steamboat Resort

A young bull moose jumped off of a parking garage in Steamboat on Sunday, June 18, sparking a search for those involved in the incident from Colorado Parks & Wildlife.

According to the Steamboat Pilot & Today, the moose jumped two stories to its death near Steamboat Resort. Witnesses told police that the animal may have been blocked from exiting the structure, as around 10 individuals were crowding it while trying to take pictures.

“A lack of proper behavior, for whatever reason, ends up being bad for the animals. I’ll tell you that usually when there is a wildlife-type instance, it is because somebody made a choice that they didn’t have to make that wound up with something bad happening.” – CPW District Wildlife Manager David Rehak Suma

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is seeking information relating to those possibly involved in the incident. They request that anyone with videos or any other evidence report it through Operation Game Thief at 1-877-COLO-OGT or game.thief@state.co.us.

“We hope that people will be more compassionate to the plight of the wildlife knowing the winter that we’ve had. We always want people to be vigilant, we always want people to keep their space, but we hope that in a year like this people will be more compassionate and recognize that these are stressed-out animals and life is hard for them. The more that we encroach on them, the harder the life gets.” – David Rehak Suma

Please give wildlife the necessary space. Keep at least 25 yards away from moose, and make sure you know how to act when you see or experience nature.

Image Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife – Steamboat Springs via YouTube

Back in March, Steamboat Resort dealt with a shitty situation. The Steamboat Pilot & Today reports that sanitary sewer flow traveled from a blocked sewer pipe onto one of the ski trails. Starting at around 2 p.m. on March 17th, between 5,000 and 10,000 gallons of sewage went under the lower portion of the Vagabond trail and traveled downhill. Some of it came out of a manhole on the trail, which was how it was detected.

Only 5 by 15 feet of soil and snow were visually impacted. A bypass was created on March 19th, the Vagabond trail reopened around 48 hours after it closed, and they blocked off the affected area.

Aaron Voos, a public affairs specialist with the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, described what they’re looking at currently:

“At that time and since that time we’ve been working with them to make sure they are dealing with it within the terms of their permits that they have to operate on Forest (Service Land). There still is a lot of evaluation and assessment that is ongoing and needs to happen…It’ll probably take a while to see what the severity of the impact actually was.”

A resort investigation found that no sewage got into surface waters, which is good news. As mentioned above though, the full proportion of the damage won’t be known until all the snow melts. Steamboat hasn’t been fined for the incident due to the lack of impact on the surface and the resort’s history of compliance.

This begs the question: Is shredding sewage snow still better than skiing frozen granular in New England? Seems like it may be better to use rock skis in those kinds of circumstances.

Image Credits: Steamboat Resort

It’s always fun to learn about the people who made ski resorts what they are today, whether as a founder, an employee, or simply someone who’s been skiing there since the beginning. Loris “Bugs” Werner is certainly one of those character, born in Steamboat Springs in 1941 (22 years before Steamboat Resort was founded). Werner has also participated in two Winter Olympics for two separate disciplines, the 1964 Austria Olympics as a ski jumping alternative and the 1968 Olympics in France in alpine skiing. If his seniority at the resort doesn’t make him a legend, his Olympic participation certainly does.

“Loris “Bugs” Werner was born in Steamboat Springs in 1941, where true to local custom, he began walking and skiing at the same time. As the third and youngest member of the Werner family of Olympians, Loris recounts that they were “a tight-knit family, heavy on love and light on money,” working together to each pull their share to support their love of skiing.”

Image Credit: Steamboat Resort via YouTube

Are you planning a ski trip to Colorado? This video from YouTuber ShangRei Garrett gives you the five best ski resorts to check out if you’re an advanced skier. His picks included Wolf Creek, Winter Park, Copper Mountain, Steamboat Resort, and Vail. I got to check out Copper Mountain & Winter Park earlier this year, and there is a plethora of excellent advanced terrain at both.

The video from ShangRei Garrett is below.

Image/Video Credits: Steamboat Resort, Ian Wood, ShangRei Garrett

Steamboat Resort‘s mid mountain snow report officially lists over 400″ of snowfall this season, with more than 500″ of snow gracing the resort’s peak. As of Friday, March 24, Steamboat boasts an 88″ base.

According to the Steamboat Pilot & Today, only 9 seasons have reached the 400″ mark since since 1980/81 (including this year). In 2010/11, Steamboat reached 433″ by the time the lifts stopped spinning. In 2007/08, the resort recorded its deepest season since 80/81, hitting a remarkable 489″.

Steamboat is set to close for the season on April 16, but more snow is likely to come before then.

“As of today, we’ve surpassed the 400” mark at mid-mountain and the 500” mark at the summit. This is one of the snowiest winters on record at the summit and where the base has hovered at around 100” or above for over two months straight. See you on the mountain this spring!”

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Image Credit: Steamboat Resort via Facebook

After receiving a remarkable snow total of 340″ to date, Steamboat Resort in northern Colorado has announced a six day extension to the ski and snowboard season. According to The Steamboat Pilot, the resort, which generally remains open until April 10th, will now remain open until April 16th.

“There’s no doubt it’s been a phenomenal winter in Steamboat. The resort leads Colorado in snow and, with back to back 100 inch months (December and January), has one of the deepest bases in a quarter century. Thanks to the love from Mother Nature and the dedication of our incredible staff, Steamboat Ski Resort has decided to extend our ski and ride season through April 16 — an extra week.” – Steamboat communications director Loryn Duke

According to The Denver Post, Steamboat’s season was last extended by a week in 1993, and the last time the season was extended by even a single day was in 2007. Steamboat’s mid-mountain base is currently 6 feet, sitting only behind Wolf Creek for the deepest mid-mountain base in Colorado (Wolf Creek has a 7′ 7″ mid-mountain base).

“Details on what will be available the extra week are still being determined, but guests can expect most lifts and many restaurants to be open. Updates will be available on the website and app.” – Loryn Duke

According to their own weather report, Steamboat is expected to receive around 14 inches of snow over the next few days, adding to their massive season total.

It's been a season full of SNOW and we're not ready to call it quits. We're extending our season through April 16 pic.twitter.com/UbnAmgYYZl

— #SteamboatResort (@skisteamboat) February 19, 2023

Image Credit: Steamboat Resort via Facebook