Facilities in Steamboat

There's plenty to do in Steamboat besides skiing and 'boarding. The Bridgestone Winter Driving School trains visitors to handle their car on icy roads and snow.

If you want to go right off the road you can't beat dogsledding available with Steamboat Sled-Dog Express. An unusual option is attending a medical seminar, whilst most interesting perhaps would be a special ski session attended by Olympic ski champion Billy Kidd.

Hot air balloons take off near the base of the ski area daily providing a bird's-eye view of Steamboat, Balloons Over Steamboat is one of the three companies operating.

For climbers the choice ice, rock or an indoor climbing wall. Ice climbers ascend the famous 230 foot, Fish Creek Falls waterfall; rock climbers challenge several local faces and indoor climbers never face the same course twice. Whether you are just starting or have been a few times, guides provide years of experience and all the equipment and instruction you need. Howelsen Ice Arena is northwest Colorado's leading indoor ice facility.

The fully enclosed community facility next to the Howelsen Hill ski jumping complex provides an indoor, Olympic-size ice rink for ice hockey, figure skating, broomball as well as lessons. The Steamboat Health and Recreation Center offers hot springs swimming pools and a full service health club, as well as a water slide for the kids. Or, take a trip up to the Strawberry Park Hot Springs 10km (six miles) above town for a unique experience in a beautiful outdoor setting. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended or go with a tour company.

You can take a horse or snowcat drawn sleigh ride along with delicious home-style cooking and live entertainment. Winter horseback riding, where you might spot a porcupine or two, is also offered by a number of local ranches.

For a more modern sledding experience, several snowmobile companies offer tours which include breathtaking views of the Continental Divide and the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area. Tubing down the Preview run at the base area of the Steamboat ski area is also available in the evening.

The Tennis Center at Steamboat is one of North America's premier indoor/outdoor public clay court tennis facilities, it features four indoor and six outdoor clay courts, world-class professional instruction, and full service pro shop. For those interested in the area's history a visit to the Tread Of Pioneers Museum gives an insight into the Steamboat past and its people, town and history. The museum features a 1908 Queen Anne style Victorian home with Routt County memorabilia. Winter Fly-Fishing is offered by several companies that usually include transportation, equipment, guides and incredible fishing.