Explore Steamboat by Steamboat Pilot & Today

ZEST

DINING GUIDE

W I N T E R 2016 / 2017

WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO AND MORE! INSIDER HINTS

TO SKIING THE MOUNTAIN

TIPS FROM LOCAL OLYMPIANS

WINTER

EVENTS CALENDAR

We are here to keep

you out there.

Eric VErploEg, M.D.

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MicHaEl sisk, M.D.

970.879.6663 | www.orthosb.com | info@orthosb.com 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 280, Steamboat Springs, CO | 595 Russell, Craig, CO Official Physicians of the US Ski Team and the PRCA Pro Rodeo Series PHOTO: noahdavidwetzel.com

Courtesy Kent Vertrees/Steamboat Powdercats

ON THE COVER

Inside Welcome Letter ................................. 6

MUSIC

All things

STEAM BOAT

Sled Town USA The Thrasher family (TJ, Tasha and Tristan) of Steamboat Springs enjoying a sledding outing on a local hill. Photo by John F. Russell

Where do we start with Steamboat’s vibrant music scene? From bars like Schmiggity’s downtown, offering live music almost nightly, to the Chief Theater, Strings Music Pavilion and free concerts on the mountain, the hills around town are very much alive with every type of music under the sun.

STEAMBOAT SKI RESORT

WINTER 2016-17

Ski Area Update .................................8 Calendar of Events ...........................10 Activity Guide!..................................14

ART

“Steamboat’s roots are deeply embedded in arts and culture with festivals, great galleries, a large number of artists and authors living in the area, and more. Steamboat is rich with arts and culture.”

As pretty as its snow-covered mountains are, Steamboat is also one of the state’s premiere arts destinations, letting visitors take in everything from world-class paintings and landscape/wildlife photos to bronzes, jewelry, ceramics, furniture and more in an ever-growing array of galleries and other venues. You can also browse acclaimed international work, from tribal hand-woven rugs to etchings from master printers. Historic downtown boasts an art museum and a dozen galleries, all showcasing Steamboat’s best.

Best of the Boat Results ..................36

ART OPTIONS AT A GLANCE

Kim Keith

executive director, Steamboat Springs Arts Council

ARTWALK One of the best venues to see Steamboat’s wealth of artistic talent is to join the First Friday Art Walk, a tour organized by local gallery owners from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Friday of every month. Nearly 20 galleries, businesses and other venues participate in the event, which showcases local art with drinks, appetizers and live music. First Friday Art Walk maps are available at downtown art galleries and the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association.

Young at Art Creativty Camps These camps offer a full range of creative endeavors for children ages 4 to 18 at the Depot Art Center, from fly tying, dance and world music to printmaking and outdoor theater productions. INFO: steamboatarts.org

Live Western Melodrama Hit the historic Chief Theater every Thursday in February for familyfriendly Live Western Melodrama, where you can boo the villains, cheer the heroes and even sing along.

INFO: steamboatarts.org

Travelling Around Town....................40

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Air Travel ..........................................41

Do us a favor: Just don’t dance in your ski boots.

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SNOW BIKING Don’t feel like you have to hang up your bike wheels just because it’s winter in Ski Town USA. Fat biking around town is gaining momentum, with followers, heeding local restrictions, taking to the groomed trails of Howelsen Hill (steamboatsprings.net), Steamboat Ski Area (steamboat.com), Catamount Ranch & Club (catamountranchclub. com) and more. Catamount will once again offer the Fat Cat Full Moon Snowbike Race Series this winter — a nighttime race series followed by a reception in its lodge. “It’s a great event, and Catamount is an awesome place to ride fat bikes,” says organizer Kevin Kopischke. “The sport is really starting to take off here in the winter.” Legs tired? You can also rent snow bikes at Steamboat Ski Resort for lift-service riding. Stop in and ask for conditions, recommendations and rentals at any of town’s friendly bike shops. For a complete listing of local trails, bike news and more, visit routtcountyriders.org. EXPLORESTEAMBOAT.COM

This year’s music scene at Steamboat Ski Resort is better than ever, with the free Bud Light Rocks the Boat concert series, held at base area’s concert stage Jan. 16; March 11, 18, 25; and April 1, 8, 15 and 16. Also, new this season the Winter Wondergrass (winterwondergrass.com) Feb. 23 to 26, where music and brews collide in an authentic Colorado gathering celebrating bluegrass and craft beer. The event will include its tried-and-true events, as well as a free welcome party, farmto-table dinner, special mid-mountain sessions and music and libation workshops. This year’s line-up includes Leftover Salmon, Railroad Earth, The Infamous Stringdusters, Elephant Revival, The California Honeydrops, Steep Canyon Rangers and more.

STRINGS MUSIC PAVILION Whether you’re after classical music, jazz or rock n’ roll, award-winning music can be found at the Strings Music Pavilion between town and the mountain. From its 1988 beginnings to its current 9,000-square-foot facility at the corner of Mount Werner Road and Pine Grove Road, the organization brings top acts to Steamboat every winter, from Grammy-awardwinning musicians to New York Metropolitan Opera singers and world-class orchestra performers.

“We have great music and an unbelievably supportive community,” says Strings marketing director Cristin Frey. “We owe it all to the support of the community and the people who continue to come to our shows.” INFO: stringsmusicfestival.com

CHIEF THEATER Located in the heart of downtown, the Chief Theater is a performing arts and cultural venue that continues to bolster Steamboat’s arts, culture and entertainment scene. Built in 1926, the theater was recently renovated and has hosted performances by such acts as the Wood Brothers, Uncle Lucius, John McEuen, Tony Furtado, Todd Park Mohr and more. “We’re getting better musical acts all the time,” says Executive Director Scott Parker. “Artists love playing here.” Highlighting this winter’s line-up is the Songwriter Series, including The Herman Clan (Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon and his two sons), Dec. 16; the Pre Music Fest, including a Jan. 5 concert by Cody Canada and the Departed Opening Act Zac Wilkerson; MusicFest 2017, which runs from Jan. 5 to 10; and Winter WonderGrass, Feb. 23 to 26. INFO: chieftheater.com

WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 15

SAVOR THE M O U N TA I N L I F E dining scene with the mountains as a backdrop

PHOTOGRAPHERS

DESIGN TEAM

Steamboat Zest Dining Guide .........48

For advertising information call Bryna Sisk at 970-871-4235

Dining Directory ...............................76

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Publisher Editor in chief Magazine editor Editorial intern Advertising Director Design Team Manager Publication Art Director

Carly Arnold, Amy Hawf, Madelyn Lybarger, Malisa Samsel

Skiing, Riding Steamboat .................46

Back Page with Verne Lundquist .....78

Suzanne Schlicht Lisa Schlichtman Eugene Buchanan Annie Martin Laura Tamucci Afton Pospisilova Darin Bliss

Scott Franz, John F. Russell, Matt Stensland, Joel Reichenberger, Ben Ingersoll, Tom Ross

Celebrate Steamboat’s diverse and rich

Tips from Olympians ........................42

Explore Staff

Delicious food courtesy of Mambo Italiano. Photo by Chris McGaw

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LETTER from the EDITOR

WELCOME TO THE WINTER 2017 ISSUE OF EXPLORE STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE.

If you’re reading this, you probably want to find out what all there is to do in this beautiful town of ours in the wintertime. The obvious activity, and likely reason you’re here, is skiing and riding. Rising more than 3,500 feet above the valley floor, Mount Werner harbors a world-class ski resort, serving up 2,965-acres and 3,668 feet of vertical on 165 named trails (and countless more unnamed runs). Due to the resort’s unique topography, all this is blanketed annually with a seemingly limitless amount of Champagne powder, a term that was coined here in Ski Town USA. But there’s plenty more to do here in this fair hamlet of ours as well, from our equally world-class hot springs — where else can you soak in natural pools after hitting the slopes?— to cross-

LARGE SELECTION OF CRAFT BEER

country skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, sleigh-riding, winter fishing, biking, and more. It’s our goal to put these ideas and more right at your glove-covered fingertips so you’ll want to try them all and never want to leave. There’s plenty to do here that doesn’t get your heart rate up as well, from shopping and strolling our quaint downtown to kicking back with a latte in our award-winning, riverside library. In fact, there’s so much to do that you just might want to reschedule your flight home and hang your hat here a while longer. Just beware the Yampa Valley curse, placed on the valley in 1881 by Ute Indian leader Colorow, in anger over his tribe’s displacement: Those who come here will never be able to leave, and if you ever do you’ll be forced to return.

- Eugene Buch an an

GREAT SELECTION OF WHISKEY & SPIRITS

CONVENIENT LOCATION FULL SERVICE ICE

WONDERFUL WINES Steamboat’s Home Town Liquor Store 2093 Curve Plaza · Steamboat Springs (next to ACE Hardware)

Sun-Wed 10-10, Thurs-Sat 10-11 • 970-879-7355 6 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

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STEAMBOAT SKI AREA UPDATE Steamboat continues to roll out the red carpet for its guests, with resort improvements piling up like its 352 inches of annual snowfall. Last year the resort introduced hands-free, RFID (radio-frequency identification) ticket technology, decreasing lift line time and making purchase and handling easier. All lift tickets and season passes are now available on QuickTraxTM cards embedded with an RFID chip for hands-free, gate-operated lift access. “It moves guests faster and more efficiently, allowing more time for carving up Steamboat’s Champagne powder,” says Intrawest’s Matt Bowers. The resort also increased its night skiing operations to Thursdays through Mondays; unveiled the Steven’s Family Alpine Training and Competition venue, a dedicated race run in partnership with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; and expanded several of its awardwinning restaurants. This year the improvements continue to pile up, including everything from base area enhancements and new chairlifts to additional biking trails, a mountain coaster and more. Following is a peak at what you’ll see this season:

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ELKHEAD CHAIRLIFT

A new Doppelmayr high-speed, detachable quad chairlift replaces the current Elkhead fixed-grip chairlift in Priest Creek, reducing the ride time by more than half (new time: less than three minutes). The increased speed will lessen lines at the popular egress lift, especially at lunchtime and the end of the day. The new lift will also feature a child-friendly restraint system on each chair.

GROOMING/ SNOWMAKING MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES MOUNTAIN COASTER

Steamboat is installing a new year-round mountain coaster, a gravity-driven sled running on a tubular stainless-steel rail system where riders control their speed through a stateof-the-art braking system. Housed near the Christie Peak Express lift, the ride will descend 500 vertical feet over its 3,500-foot track, and rise as much as 40 feet above the ground with dips, waves, turns and 360-degree circles.

NEW MARMOT STORE

The resort has partnered with Marmot on a new 1,800-squarefoot concept store located on the corner of 7th Street and Lincoln Avenue downtown. The store will focus on Marmot outerwear, apparel and accessories.

Two new, 12-ton Prinoth Beasts join Steamboat’s grooming fleet this year, machines providing 40 percent better performance than other groomers. The resort’s 21-machine grooming fleet resurfaces 600 acres nightly. Even with 352 inches of annual snowfall, Steamboat also continues to upgrade its snowmaking system. Over the past eight seasons, the resort has installed 20 miles of snowmaking piping, as well as new pumps and motors to enhance efficiency.

MINI GOLF

The resort is also planning to build an 18-hole mini-golf course for summer 2017, also located near the base of the Christie Peak Express and Preview chairlifts. The multi-level course will incorporate such local landmarks as the iconic Steamboat Barn, Fish Creek Falls, Nordic ski jumps and Rabbit Ears.

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CALENDAR of

EVENTS NOVEMBER 3 — The Noise: The Chief Theater’s 2nd Annual Lip Sync/ Air Band Fundraiser, 6-10pm, Chief Theater, www.chieftheater.com 4 — Mandy Harvey, 7pm; Strings Music Pavillion; www.stringsmusicfestival.com 4 — First Friday Artwalk, self-guided tour featuring new gallery exhibits and refreshments; 970-879-4744, www.exploresteamboat.com 4 — Super Fun Steamboat Show, 8pm, Doors and Bar 7:30pm; Chief Theater; www.chieftheater.com 11 — MSP Presents: Shades of Winter, 7pm; Chief Theater; www.chieftheater.com, www.steamboatfilmfestival.com

Expect to hear some higher voices after the Winter Carnival’s shovel race.

12 — SSWSC Ski and Sport Swap. Free, New Location at Howelsen Hill Lodge; 970-879-0695, www.sswsc.org

23 — Opening/SSWSC Scholarship Day (season passes not valid), Steamboat Ski Area; 970-879-0695, www.sswsc.org, www.steamboat.com

12-24 — 20th Annual Festival of Trees, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tread of Pioneers Museum; 970-879-2214, www.treadofpioneers.org

24 — Routt County United Way Community Thanksgiving Dinner, 1-5pm, Springs Community Center, free; 970-879-5605

17-19 — Warren Miller’s “Here, There & Everywhere”, 7pm (plus 4pm 11/19), Chief Theater; www.sswsc.org 19 — Big Snow Dance (benefitting Friends of the Yampa); 6pm, Sake2U; www.friendsoftheyampa.org

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25 — “Light Up the Night” Holiday Season Kickoff, 6-7pm, Routt County Courthouse (Santa Claus, carols, hot chocolate, cookies and prizes); www.mainstreetsteamboat.com 26 — Tasty Treats on Mainstreet, 10am-6pm, downtown; www.steamboatchamber.com

DECEMBER 2 — First Friday Artwalk. Self-guided tour featuring new gallery exhibits and refreshments; 970-879-4744, www.exploresteamboat.com

10-11 — 14th Annual Steamboat Nordic Camp and Festival (lunches, happy hour, prizes and more); www.thenordiclink.com 12-13 — Billy Kidd Race Camp, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com

3-9 — Crescent Ski Council Race Camp, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com

15 — Night skiing opens, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com

4-8 — AA Race Camp, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com

16-17 — Mascot Stampede, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com

7 — Sven Wiik Nordic Cup Challenge #1 6pm, Howelsen Hill (1K relay 3 laps each/two-person teams); www.steamboatxcski.org 10 — Jessie Burns Presents: A Celtic Christmas 7-9pm, Chief Theater; www.chieftheater.com

18 — Steamboat Holiday Festival, Steamboat Ski Area; followed by torchlight parade, fireworks, night skiing; www.steamboat.com

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19-21 — Holiday Classic, Howelsen Hill; www.sswsc.org 19-21 — Billy Kidd Race Camp, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 22 — Riders In The Sky (Holiday Concert), 7pm, Strings Music Pavilion; www.stringsmusicfestival.com 22— Kids Torchlight Parade, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 23 — Doktor Kaboom! Science of Santa (Holiday Family Show), 5:30pm, Strings Music Pavilion; stringsmusicfestival.com 25 — Steamboat Springs Board of Realtors Annual Community Christmas Dinner, Steamboat Springs Community Center, free; www.steamboatpilot.com/events 30 — Stars at Night Fundraiser: Dining, Dancing and Live Auction; www.sswsc.org

31 — New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks, 6:00pm, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com

JANUARY 2 — New Year’s Relay, Steamboat Ski Touring Center, 10am; 970-879-8180, www.nordicski.net 5-10 — 32nd Annual MusicFest, Texas/Americana bands, free après-ski concerts, evening concerts and special engagements; www.themusicfest.com 6 — First Friday Artwalk. Self-guided tour featuring new gallery exhibits and refreshments; 970-879-4744, www.exploresteamboat.com 6-9 — Music Fest 2017, 7pm-12am, Chief Theater; www.chieftheater.com 9-11 — Billy Kidd Race Camp, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com

The Spring Splashdown Pond Skim is an annual crowd favorite, hands — and heads — down.

Voted Best Steak in the Boat 5 Years Running! Reservations Recommended 970-879-1190 • 1465 Pine Grove Road • Plenty of Parking • Open 5pm Nightly

A Steamboat Tradition

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE FAMOUS STEAKS • FRESH SEAFOOD • PRIME RIB

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WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 11

MARCH 3-7 — 31st Annual Women’s Ski Camp, Steamboat Ski Area (hosted by Steamboat Olympians); www.steamboat.com 3 — Broadway’s Next Hit Musical, 7pm, Strings Music Pavilion; www.stringsmusicfestival.com 3 — First Friday Artwalk. Self-guided tour featuring new gallery exhibits and refreshments; 970-879-4744, www.exploresteamboat.com 4 — Rocks the ‘Boat Free Concert Series, Gondola Square; www.steamboat.com 4 — STARS Mountain Challenge; www.steamboatstars.com Kids competing in town’s annual Winter Carnival, held this year Feb. 8-12.

10-12 — 32nd Annual Women’s Ski Camp, Steamboat Ski Area (hosted by Steamboat Olympians); www.steamboat.com 10-13 — Stars & Stripes Heroes Week, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 10-15 — 12th Annual Stars All Mountain Adaptive Camp, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 10-15 — 28th Annual Steamboat Weather Summit, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 15 — Sven Wiik Nordic Cup Challenge #2 9am, Ski Haus Classic—Catamount Ranch; www.steamboatxcski.com 16 — Rocks the ‘Boat Free Concert Series, Gondola Square; www.steamboat.com 16 — 42nd Annual Cowboy Downhill, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com

FEBRUARY 3 — First Friday Artwalk. Self-guided tour featuring new gallery exhibits and refreshments; 970-879-4744, www.exploresteamboat.com 12 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

Photo by Ben Ingersoll

6-8 — Billy Kidd Race Camp, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 6-8 — 18th Annual Airlines Partner Summit, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 7-9 — 32nd Annual Women’s Ski Camp, Steamboat Ski Area (hosted by Steamboat Olympians); www.steamboat.com 8-12 — 104th Steamboat Winter Carnival; Ski jumping, biathlon, street events, fireworks, Lighted Man, parade and more; 970-879-0695, www.sswsc.org 10 — Soda Pop Slalom/ Vintage Ski Race, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com

14 — Valentine’s Day Torchlight Parade & Fireworks, 5:20pm, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 23 — Kids Torchlight Parade, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 23-26 — WinterWonderGrass, Gondola Square; www.winterwondergrass.com 25-28 — Steamboat Mardi Gras Celebration, Steamboat Ski Area, free concerts, parades, Cajun BBQ; www.steamboat.com 26 — Sven Wiik Nordic Cup Challenge #4 (Steamboat Springs Touring Center); 9am, Catamount Marathon Catamount Ranch; www.steamboatxcski.org

4 — 26th Annual Steamboat Pentathlon, Howelsen Hill; www.steamboatpentathlon.com 11 — Rocks the ‘Boat Free Concert Series, Gondola Square; www.steamboat.com 11-12 — Marsha’s Loop Nordic Race, Rabbit Ears Pass, 10am; 970-879-8180, www.steamboatxcski.com 16 — Kids Torchlight Parade, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 17 — St. Patrick’s Day Torchlight Parade and Fireworks, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 17-20 — Stars of Tomorrow Camp, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 18 — 12th Annual Penguin Plunge, 12 pm; Lake Catamount; www.hfyv.org 18 — Rocks the ‘Boat Free Concert Series, Gondola Square; www.steamboat.com

ONGOING Tubing Steamboat Ride the magic carpet to the top and come screaming down on a snow tube! 845 Howelsen Hill Parkway www.tubingsteamboat.com

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18 — Haken Fest Nordic Festival, Steamboat Ski Touring Center; 879-8180, www.steamboatxcski.org 23 — Kids Torchlight Parade, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 25 — Rocks the ‘Boat Free Concert Series, Gondola Square; www.steamboat.com 25-26 — Snowboard Slash and Burn Banked Slalom, Howelsen Hill; www.sswsc.org

APRIL 1 — Rocks the ‘Boat Free Concert Series, Gondola Square; www.steamboat.com 1 — Cody’s Challenge Randonee Race (and Rocks the ‘Boat Free Concert Series), Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com

1-16 — Springalicious Celebration, Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com

Who needs a chair lift? Ski jouring is one of the most popular events at the annual Winter Carnival.

2 — Sven Wiik Nordic Cup Challenge #5 (Steamboat Springs Touring Center), 10am, Rabbit Ears Marathon/Fat Bike Race; www.steamboatxcski.org 7 — First Friday Artwalk. Self-guided art tour; 970-879-4744, www.exploresteamboat.com 8 — Rocks the ‘Boat Free Concert Series, Gondola Square; www.steamboat.com 15 — 37th Cardboard Classic (and Rocks the ‘Boat Free Concert Series), Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com 16 — 9th Annual Splashdown Pond Skim/Closing Day Celebration (and Rocks the ‘Boat Free Concert Series); Steamboat Ski Area; www.steamboat.com

Future Fortune 500 CEOs and the entrepreneurs who’ll shake up the market.

We help prepare students to make their own meaningful contributions to the world they live in. Our emphasis on experiential learning is just one way we educate, engage, and empower students to stand tall, speak up and start shaping the future. For a tour or more about us, call (970) 879-8081 or visit EmeraldMountainSchool.org Tuition assistance available.

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WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 13

All things

STEAM BOAT

WINTER 2016-17

ART

ART OPTIONS AT A GLANCE

Kim Keith

executive director, Steamboat Springs Arts Council

Live Western Melodrama Hit the historic Chief Theater every Thursday in February for familyfriendly Live Western Melodrama, where you can boo the villains, cheer the heroes and even sing along.

INFO: steamboatarts.org

14 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

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MUSIC

STEAMBOAT SKI RESORT

Do us a favor: Just don’t dance in your ski boots.

This year’s music scene at Steamboat Ski Resort is better than ever, with the free Bud Light Rocks the Boat concert series, held at base area’s concert stage Jan. 16; March 11, 18, 25; and April 1, 8, 15 and 16. Also, new this season is Winter Wondergrass (winterwondergrass.com) Feb. 23 to 26, where music and brews collide in an authentic Colorado gathering celebrating bluegrass and craft beer. The event will include its tried-and-true events, as well as a free welcome party, farmto-table dinner, special mid-mountain sessions and music and libation workshops. This year’s line-up includes Leftover Salmon, Railroad Earth, The Infamous Stringdusters, Elephant Revival, The California Honeydrops, Steep Canyon Rangers and more.

orchestra performers. “We have great music and an unbelievably supportive community,” says Strings marketing director Cristin Frey. “We owe it all to the support of the community and the people who continue to come to our shows.” INFO: stringsmusicfestival.com

WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 15

EVENTS While most resorts offer events designed for out-of-towners, Steamboat’s line-up draws locals and guests year after year for its good, old-fashioned fun. If your vacation coincides with one, fit it into your plans. Following are a few of our favorites: DEC. 16-17: Mascot Stampede DEC. 31: New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks JAN. 5-10: Music Fest at Steamboat JAN. 16: 43rd Annual Cowboy Downhill

FEB. 8-12: Winter Carnival: A unique Steamboat celebration of winter, with the world’s only marching band on skis FEB. 23-26: Winter Wondergrass concert JAN. 16; MARCH 11, 18, 26; APRIL 1, 8, 15, 16: Bud Light Rocks the

Boat concert series: free concerts at the Steamboat Ski Area stage APRIL 15-16: Cardboard Classic and Splashdown Pond Skim: an end-of-season tradition filled with revelry (costumes encouraged)

Kidd, Steamboat’s director of skiing, and six-time all around world rodeo champion Larry Mahan in 1974. This year’s event is slated for Jan. 16.

WINTER CARNIVAL Steamboat’s Ski Town USA nickname was coined by a Chicago newspaper writer after watching the local high school COWBOY marching band perform on skis during the Winter Carnival. The DOWNHILL ski band tradition continues Steamboat’s beloved Cowboy to this day, as does the wellDownhill recently celebrated deserved nickname. The band’s its 40th anniversary, and annual performance comes in it’s still going as strong and early February every year durslaphappy as ever. The annual ing Winter Carnival, a perfect event entices some of the best blend of Steamboat’s Western rodeo athletes in the world to roots and ski town lifestyle. trade their cowboy boots for ski Originally organized by Carl boots and race head to head in Howelsen, a Norwegian who a dual-slalom race at the botintroduced locals to skiing and tom of Steamboat Ski Area. The ski jumping in the early 1900s, fun-filled event also features the carnival started in 1914 as a cowboys lassoing a ski hostess mid-winter celebration to help and saddling a horse, as well locals break up the monotony as racing in the grand finale, of winter. It continues to be winner-take-all, Le Mans-style one of the town’s most popular Stampede. The event starts events for locals and visitors. with public festivities and live If you’re here Feb. 8 to 12 this music in Gondola Square, with year, head down to Lincoln Avthe race on Headwall and an enue for the parade and street awards ceremony following events and to Howelsen Hill for at Bear River Bar & Grill. The more festivities. Visit sswsc.org event was founded by Billy for more information. 16 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

FAMILY FUN Rare is a town more family friendly than Steamboat in the wintertime. From skiing to sledding and tubing, TV and iPhones will be the last things on your children’s minds after a visit to the Yampa Valley. The biggest problem? Fitting it all in after your time on the slopes.

TUBING

HOWELSEN HILL

Sometimes it’s fun to careen downhill without the control. For that, it doesn’t get any better than renting tubes downtown at Howelsen Hill (970-879-0695, sswsc.org), with proceeds benefitting the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Ride up the Magic Carpet and tube to your heart’s content near the base of the Nordic jumps, before retiring to the Howelsen lodge for hot chocolate and warm cookies. Fifteen miles out of town, careen down Saddleback Ranch’s Yee-Haw Tubing Hill (970-879-3711, saddlebackranch.com), complete with a state-of-the-art tube-tow lift system, and warm up in the Longhorn Warming Lodge with a hot drink from the concession stand. They even offer transport to and from the transit center on Mount Werner Circle. To sled on your own, BYOS to the hill in front of the church just west of town in Steamboat II, or head to Blackmere Drive on Emerald Mountain.

Named in honor of Carl Howelsen, a Norwegian who settled in Steamboat in the early 1900s and introduced its residents to skiing and ski jumping, city-owned Howelsen Hill is the oldest, continually operating ski hill in Colorado. It offers a chairlift, poma and magic carpet for the kids; a winter tubing operation; a complete array of sanctioned Nordic jumps (the largest, most complete natural ski-jumping complex in North America); and miles and miles of groomed cross country skiing trails. It’s also home to the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, a nonprofit program that trains hundreds of children and teens each year in competitive skiing and snowboarding. To date, the club has helped 89 athletes make Olympic appearances, more than any other town in North America. INFO: 970-879-4300

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FAMILY FUN

DOG SLEDDING Combine sledding and dogs and you have the perfect family winter adventure — especially when you get to drive your own team. The Yampa Valley offers one of the best places to run your own dog team in the country. Trips are offered through two outfitters in town — Grizzle-T Kennels and Snow Buddy Dog Sled Tours — either west of town or south of town near Stagecoach Reservoir and in the Flat Tops mountains. Many of the dogs you’ll drive — most of them Alaskan or Siberian huskies, built for distance — have competed in the Iditarod. Learn how to drive your own team, settling into the perfect trotting speed of 8 to 10 mph, or sit in the sled and enjoy the ride. Kids can also learn to drive a team, with an adult behind them for safety. Two hints: If a rabbit crosses the trail, hold on; and prepare to ride the brake on the return ride home. Grizzle T: 970-870-1782, steamboatdogsledding.com; Snow Buddy: 970- 291-1114, snowbuddydogsledtours.com.

CANDYLAND

EXCEL GYMNASTICS

KIDS’ ADVENTURE CLUB

Reward your kids with a visit to Fuzzywig’s Candy Factory at 845 Lincoln Ave., where gummy worms, fudge and more can help entice your brood to continue their outdoor adventures, or Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop at 601 Lincoln Ave. downtown in the Alpenglow building.

For tots and teens who like to tumble, Excel Gymnastics off Shield Drive at the west end of town offers a full array of gymnastics classes for kids and hosts open gyms for the public (oftentimes at night, making it double as a great babysitter) where anyone can flip, tumble, jump and spin to their heart’s content. The gym is equipped with uneven bars, rings, balance beams, trampolines and the ever-popular foam pit.

For a little me time, let Steamboat Ski Area take care of your kids. The Kids’ Vacation Center lets your kids have as much fun as you will. Mini-Campers (3- and 4-year-olds) are provided with fun activities including short hikes, arts and crafts, outdoor games and water sports; Yampa Campers (5-year-olds) add Strings in the Mountain concerts, kayaking, tennis and more; Routt Scouts (2nd- and 3rd-graders) take field trips to Steamboat Lake, the Craig Wave Pool, Stagecoach Reservoir, Alpine slide and more; and Pioneers (4th-graders through 12-year-olds) enjoy kayaking, mountain biking, team-building activities and more.

INFO: 970-879-3467; 879-egos.com

INFO: steamboat.com

Visit the Tread of Pioneers Museum

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FOOD & WINE

Mountain Tap Brewery Wining and dining is as big a part of most ski vacations as schussing on the slopes. Steamboat has an array of options for both, guaranteed to appease your palate and pocketbook.

DINING Steamboat offers too many great restaurants to list, all geared toward refueling those lost carbs you burned up from a day outside. On the mountain, choose from such favorites as Slopeside Grill and its homemade pizzas or fancier fare at the Truffle Pig. Mid-town, try Irish vittles and a pint of Guinness at McKnights Irish Pub and Loft or a perfectly cooked steak at the Ore House at the Pine Grove or Three Peaks Grill. Then set your sights downtown, where the options are as endless as the views from Mount Werner. From having breakfast or lunch next to Soda Creek or the Yampa River to an array of restaurants and bars lining historic Lincoln Avenue or newly revamped Yampa Street along the river, dining options exist for every taste under the sun. Wherever you go, be assured of friendly service, a great meal and options as varied as Steamboat’s terrain EXPLORESTEAMBOAT.COM

(visit the Steamboat Zest section in this issue for more information).

WINE If Steamboat’s dining options are varied and vast, so are its wine offerings. Release your inner sommelier by participating in a variety of wine tastings offered across town, as well as at local restaurants priding themselves on their wines (many offer specials and samplings). Favorites include Harwigs L’apogee and The Laundry off Lincoln Avenue, Aurum Food and Wine and E3 Chophouse on Yampa Street, and Cafe Diva and Truffle Pig on the mountain. To take in some art with your wine, try the First Friday Art Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. downtown on the first Friday of every month, where local galleries showcase their art with wine, appetizers and live music. Also, check Central Park Liquor (970-879-3428, www. cplsteamboat.com) for wine tasting spe-

cials throughout the winter from its wineries of the month. And make plans to attend the annual Steamboat Wine Festival (steamboatwinefestival.com) in August, featuring wineries from across the country.

This past summer, new beer house Mountain Tap Brewery opened its doors downtown along Yampa Street at 910 Yampa St. Coowned by Rich Tucciarone, former head brewer at Denver’s Breckenridge Brewery and vice president of Hawaii’s Kona Brewing Co., the brewery offers handcrafted pizza and homemade beers, which, on warmer spring days, can be enjoyed from a patio across the street from the river. INFO: mountaintapbrewery.com

Storm Peak Brewing Co. Storm Peak Brewing Co. at 1744 Lincoln Ave. makes its beer in a 2,000-square-foot facility with tap room and bar up front. Everything it makes — from crisp Golden Ale to darker Black Ale and seasonal styles in between — is sold on premises. “We’re focused on tap room sales and creating an atmosphere where people can enjoy our product,” says co-founder Wyatt Patterson. The brewery recently added two new fermenters and a brite tank, enabling it to store up to 42 barrels at a time. “We’re proud to call Steamboat home and love sharing our passion for beer.” INFO: stormpeakbrewing.com

APRES Kick your legs up by the fire with a beer, wine or cocktail in hand after a hard day on the slopes. Après options abound in Steamboat, letting you ski straight into your favorite libation, munchies, live music and more (and hot chocolate for the kiddos). Options include Slopeside Grill, just off the Right-O-Way trail at the base of the ski area; the T-bar in the old patrol headquarters below the Christie lift; Truffle Pig in the new One Steamboat Place; and the new Umbrella Bar at the Bear River Bar and Grill deck in Gondola Square. A slew of choices also exist downtown, all with happy hour specials especially for skiers and riders.

Butcherknife Brewing Co. Butcherknife Brewing Co. operates a 4,000-squarefoot brewery with tap room — complete with tasting room and patio — at 2875 Elk River Road. It produces 60 kegs every 20 days, and its beer can be found in bars throughout town (hint: try the Best of the Boat-winning Amputator). It prides itself on its recipes, attention to detail and good ol’ Steamboat water. “It’s the best water in Colorado, straight from the Continental Divide” says co-founder Nate Johansing, who earned his master’s degree in brewing from Munich’s Siebel Institute of Technology and Doemens Academy. “It’s the perfect place to stop after your day’s adventure.” INFO: butcherknifebrewing.com

Mahogany Ridge Brewery Mahogany Ridge at 435 Lincoln Ave. offers homemade microbrews in the heart of downtown. It offers seven handcrafted beers on tap, including its famous Alpenglow, Uncle Daryl’s Dunkleweizen and a variety of light, wheat, brown ale, IPA and other recipes. “We’re a brew pub versus a microbrewery,” says owner Charlie Noble, touting its taster sampler. “Brewing is where my passion is, and all our offerings are great.” Mahogany’s happy hour is also a local favorite, letting you sample a taster tray of eight, fourounce beers alongside the best and most affordable tapas menu in town. INFO: mohaganyridgesteamboat.com

WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 19

OTHER ACTIVITIES

If you’re looking for a break from the slopes, plenty of other options exist to keep you more than busy in Ski Town USA.

TENNIS

HOT AIR BALLOON For the best bird’s-eye view of the Yampa Valley you can get, take an early morning ride on a hot air balloon. Wild West Balloon Adventures (970-879-7219; wildwestballooning.com) offers balloon tours all winter long, complete with a Champagne toast afterward. Setting out in the early morning, the tours let you soar across the Yampa Valley, taking in breathtaking views of town and the mountain, including Mount Werner and its ski trails. That little ski jump you did on Mount Werner will never feel the same.

20 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

The Tennis Center at Steamboat Springs (970879-8400; steamboat10s. net) offers six cushioned indoor hard courts near the base of the ski area, adjacent to the Meadows Parking Lot, to keep your lobs, serves and ground strokes going all winter long. Work out on your own with a ball machine, knock the ball around with a friend for fun or take a lesson from a seasoned pro.

YOGA Work out your kinks from the bumps at a variety of yoga and Pilates studios across town. Open to everyone from seasoned yogis to barely-touch-your-

toes newbies, Steamboat offers nearly 20 such studios in town to help work out your kinks from the slopes. Favorites include Old Town Hot Springs (970-879-1828, oldtownhotsprings.org), the Yoga Center of Steamboat (970-870-1522, yogacenterofsteamboat.com) or Steamboat Pilates Yoga & Fitness (970-879-6788, steamboatpilatesandfitness.com). Each center offers classes for all levels while exploring different yoga styles so can stay limber, stretched and strong during your summer visit.

RIDE THE GONDOLA Even if you’re not a skier or snowboarder, riding the gondola is a great way

to take in awe-inspiring views of the Yampa Valley and beyond. The gondola whisks you 2,000 vertical feet to the 9,000-foothigh top of Thunderhead Lodge. From there, you can take in the views while enjoying a great meal or drink inside the lodge. Thunderhead Lodge’s Western BBQs continue to be a big hit for families, and its popular sunset happy hours provide the best cocktail perch in town. “It’s one of my favorite activities in Steamboat and offers a breathtaking view of the valley and town,” says the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association’s Kara Stoller. INFO: steamboat.com

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ICE SKATE Howelsen Hill Ice Arena (970-879-4300; steamboatsprings.net/ice) features an Olympic size sheet of ice where you can unleash your inner Apolo Ohno or Dorothy Hamill. It also hosts an array of adult and youth drop-in and stick-and-puck hockey sessions. For the kids, the rink also offers its super fun bumper cars on ice, where your children can drive into Dad, as well as Rock On Ice, where kids can skate to music under a disco ball. Your visit might also coincide with a home hockey game by Steamboat’s new Junior Hockey Team, the Wranglers (rmjhl.co/ steamboatwranglers), or a local figure skating performance.

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BRIDGESTONE WINTER DRIVING SCHOOL Learn how to drive your car on snow at the Bridgestone Winter Driving School (winterdrive. com), the only driving school of its kind in North America. The school’s 77-acre facility includes three state-of-the-art ice and snow-covered tracks coated with more than 250,000 gallons of water to simulate winter driving conditions. They feature banked and off-cambered corners, elevation changes and more to suit a variety of levels. Taught by driving professionals, including former racers, courses begin with classroom instruction and video demonstrations before taking to the track. Programs include the introductory First Gear half-day class and popular

Second Gear full-day course. Private one-onone training is also offered upon completion.

STEAMBOAT POWDERCATS Snowcat skiing outfitter Steamboat Powdercats (steamboatpowdercats. com) has operated out of Steamboat for more than 30 years, guiding up to 36 guests per day in the pristine backcountry powder of nearby Buffalo Pass, home of Colorado’s deepest annual snowpack. Tens of thousands of guests have used its snowcats and guides to access some of the best powder in the country, including such celebrities as Warren Miller, Martina Navratilova, Klaus Obermeyer and Seth Mor-

rison. Several film and clothing companies have also included Steamboat Powdercats in their movies and commercials. “Steamboat always has great snow, and this is one the best ways to experience it,” says manager Kent Vertrees.

HIKING Just because you’re in Ski Town USA, doesn’t mean you have to always have skis on your feet. Even in winter, a variety of hiking options exist to let you stretch your legs. Favorites include 283foot Fish Creek Falls, just a three-mile drive from downtown where an easy 1/4-mile walk up the road to the trailhead and another 1/4-mile to the bridge takes you to the base of the falls. (You can also ice climb it with

a guide; steamboatclimbing.com). Another popular, multi-use trail is Spring Creek, leading from the heart of downtown up a snowcovered dirt road to a picnic shelter and along a creek for another mile. (The trailhead starts at the intersection of East Maple Street and Amethyst Drive.) A final hiking favorite is Blackmere Drive on the backside of Emerald Mountain, which runs two miles from its gate at the top of Routt Street to the Emerald Mountain Quarry, providing a prime overlook of town (from downtown, head west on U.S. Highway 40, turn left onto 13th Street, left onto Gilpin Street, left onto Saratoga Avenue and right onto Routt Street).

WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 21

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HISTORY Steamboat’s roots date much farther back than the ski slopes on Mount Werner. From Ute Indians living in the valley even before early settlers arrived, the area is as rife in history as it is in winter and summer outdoor activities.

MUSEUM For a glimpse into Steamboat’s colorful past, visit the Tread of Pioneers Museum at Eighth and Oak streets downtown, which will have you feeling like a fourth-generation local in no time. Utes, pioneers, a flying Norwegian who brought ski jumping to town and even the Lighted Man’s original suit are all on display, as is a tribute to the history of skiing in Steamboat Springs. INFO: treadofpioneers.org

WALK OF OLYMPIANS Start on the corner of Fifth and Yampa streets for a tour featuring 18-squareinch bronze plaques inlaid into brick pavers downtown, all honoring local Olympians. Also find tributes to local Olympians on the second floor of Thunderhead Lodge at the top of the gondola and upstairs at Howelsen Lodge. “The community really embraces our Olympians here,” says former Olympian Todd Wilson, now the Nordic director for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. “There aren’t many towns with such a proud Olympic heritage.”

Steamboat Springs Timeline 1776 Spanish explorers Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante explore northwestern Colorado, camping on the White River 65 miles southwest of Steamboat Springs. 1820s Steamboat Springs name originates when three French Trappers, traveling along Yampa River, hear a “chug chug” sound. 1839 Thomas Jefferson Farnham expedition passes through area 1843, 1845 John C. Fremont expeditions travel through current-day Routt County. 1855 Sir George Gore forges wagon road over Gore Pass; ventures near Steamboat Springs. 1862 Gold discovered at Hahns Peak. 1866 First settlement established at Hahns Peak.

1932 Steamboat Springs sends first skier to the Olympics. 1947 Associated Press calls Steamboat Springs “Ski Town USA.”

THANK YOU STEAMBOAT FOR VOTING US

BEST OF THE BOAT

1958 Storm Mountain ski area founder James Temple gets permission to use phrase “Champagne Powder,” coined by Kremmling rancher Joe McElroy. 1961 First Poma lift opens at Storm Mountain Ski Area. 1875 Region’s first permanent settler, James Crawford, brings his family to the area, living among the Ute Indians. Builds first “bath house” at hot springs. 1879 Last Native American uprising in U.S. history occurs at White River Indian Agency, spawning two-year-long confrontation. 1881 Northwestern Colorado Utes relocated to Utah reservation. Ute leader reportedly places a curse on Yampa Valley, saying those who come will never be able to leave. 1884 Crawford organizes Steamboat Springs Townsite Company. 1885 James Hoyle brings printing press to town; Steamboat Pilot begins publication (has appeared weekly ever since). Late 1800s Legendary cowboys and outlaws pass through town, including Butch Cassidy, Kit Carson and Jeff Bridger.

1900 Town of Steamboat Springs officially incorporates. 1908 Namesake springs cease to “chug” when railroad bed gets laid above it. 1909 First passenger train arrives to replace stage lines; official rodeo grounds built (in earlier days, spectators formed a circle). 1912 Strawberries marketed throughout country from Strawberry Park. 1913 Town ships more cattle that anywhere else in U.S.; Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp established in Strawberry Park, now the oldest performing arts center in the nation. 1913 Norwegian and Barnum and Bailey Circus star Carl Howelsen (the “Flying Norseman”) arrives and introduces ski jumping. 1914 Winter Carnival established 1915 Howelsen Hill opens (oldest continuously running ski area in Colorado).

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1964 Ski area renamed Mount Werner after death of local Olympic skier Buddy Werner. 1965 Local Sherman Poppen invents snowboard predecessor by joining two 36-inch skis and calling it the “Snurfer.” 1970 Billy Kidd, first U.S. men’s skier to win an Olympic medal in skiing, moves to town. 1973 Mountain Village, at the base of the ski area, annexed to town, doubling its size. 1992 Local Nelson Carmichael wins Olympic bronze medal in moguls. 2010 Local Nordic combined skiers Johnny Spillane, Todd Lodwick and Billy DeMong bring home six Olympic medals from Vancouver Games.

BOARD CERTIFIED

Bryan C. Bomberg, MD

www.drbryanbomberg.com

FELLOWSHIP TRAINED US SKI TEAM PHYSICIANS

Alexander K. Meininger, MD dralex@steamboatortho.com

Servicing Routt, Moffat & Grand Counties Patrick B. Johnston, DO

www.drpatrickjohnston.com

2013 Steamboat Ski Area celebrates its 50th anniversary; Winter Carnival, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, and Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp celebrate 100th anniversaries.

www.SteamboatOrtho.com • (970) 879-4612 • (877) 404-4612 940 Central Park Dr. Suite 109, Steamboat Springs, CO

WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 23

WESTERN

Steamboat was a ranching town way before it ever became a world-class ski resort. This is illustrated in the summer’s wide-open cattle ranches and weekly rodeo to the genuine western hospitality you feel the moment you arrive.

PASSIONATE - PERSONALIZED - COMMUNITY

Who says you can’t take a nice horseback ride in winter? Enjoy a taste of Steamboat’s authentic western heritage by taking a horseback ride with the entire family. Saddle up at Del’s Triangle 3 Ranch, which offers family-friendly rides on snow-laden trails 18 miles north of Steamboat near Clark (970-879-3495, steamboathorses.com); or Saddleback Ranch (970-879-3711, saddlebackranch.net) just a few miles west of town. For lessons, try the CR Summit Riding Club for English and Western clinics just 15 minutes west of downtown (970-879-6201, crsummit.com).

871-5150, steamboat.com). There’s plenty of other horse-pulled adventure around town as well. Saddleback Ranch (970-879-3711, saddlebackranch.com), an 8,000-acre, fourth-generation, familyowned ranch just out of town, offers two options, bells jingling from Belgium horses on each one. A 40-minute dinner ride takes you to the Double Dollar Lodge for hot chocolate, a home-cooked meal (try the New York strip) and oldfashioned entertainment (such as learning how to calf rope). A shorter ride circles to and from the ranch’s Longhorn Lodge. Elk River Guest Ranch offers a horse-drawn sleigh ride with Belgium draft horses to a candlelit teepee dinner, complete with a shuttle to and from town (970-879-6220, elkriverguestranch.com). Hahns Peak Roadhouse (970-879-4404, hahnspeakroadhouse.com) offers a similar sleigh ride to and from their lodge on Routt County Road 129, beneath snow-capped Farwell Mountain and Hahns Peak.

SLEIGH RIDES

F.M. LIGHT AND SONS

Dash through the snow on a winter sleigh ride in Steamboat with friends and family, either under a twinkling starlight sky or catching snowflakes on your tongue. At the resort, ride a sleigh behind a snowcat at the top of the gondola to dinner at Ragnar’s for a five-course Scandinavian meal, hinting at Steamboat’s early Norwegian culture (Fridays, Saturdays and holidays); take a regular snowcat ride to Four Points Lodge for a succulent, multi-course meal; or go for a horse-drawn sleigh ride before or after dinner at Haymaker Golf Course (970-

For a true taste of Steamboat’s western heritage, visit F.M. Light and Sons in the heart of downtown (look for the fake horse outside). Now in its fifth generation of family management and ownership, the store was founded in Steamboat Springs in 1905 and still offers the most authentic ranch and cowboy apparel and footwear in town. “Our longevity is not only a celebration about our family’s history but also a celebration of Steamboat Springs and the many ranching families who still make their homes here,” says the family’s Ty Lockhart.

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WINTER FISHING FLY FISHING Put down your ski poles for a day and pick up your fishing pole. For many anglers, winter fishing is their favorite time of year to cast a line. “A lot of people have more fun during winter then they do on summer trips,” says Mike Morton of Steamboat Flyfisher. One of the more popular locations involes taking a snowmobile to the Stagecoach Reservoir tailwaters. “When the town stretch is frozen, there are still about five miles of fishable water nearby,” says Morton, advocating nymphs and blue wing olives when it’s sunny. “There’s nothing like catching a nice brown while watching fresh snowflakes dissolve.” For fly-fishermen, finding open, moving water is the main challenge. Luckily, the Yampa tailwaters yield open water and bug life throughout the winter. While the vehicle access gate through Stagecoach State Park remains closed until April 1, you can access the area via cross country skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles on Routt County Road 18 off of EXPLORESTEAMBOAT.COM

“I love fishing the Yampa River. It has a ton of public access to great water, with a lot of fish in the 24-inch range.” Johnny Spillane

co-owner, Steamboat Flyfisher

Colorado Highway 131. Bonus: limited accessibility keeps angler pressure down. For guided options, try Straightline Sports, Bucking Rainbow or Steamboat Flyfisher.

Ice fishing The state record pike was pulled out of Stagecoach Reservoir in the winter so don’t overlook ice fishing as another great wintertime outing. Local outfitters offer guided ice fishing trips, or you can give it a go on your own, provided you don’t mind a little auger-drilling. Top local options include Steamboat Lake, Stagecoach Reservoir and Elkhead Reservoir. “Steamboat has some great ice fishing that often gets overlooked,” says Steamboat Flyfisher’s Mike Morton. “Between that and fly-fishing options, there’s no reason to hang up your rod come winter.” WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 25

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DOWNTOWN

“Historic downtown Steamboat is the heart of our community. It’s where we work, play, shop, eat and celebrate. Home to everything from the Old Town Hot Springs to the rodeo and Howelsen Hill, it hosts concerts, art and wine strolls, the Farmers Market and more. It’s truly a great experience.”

Steamboat Springs offers one of the most quintessential downtowns a mountain town Floating isFloating clinicallyis proven to reduce ease muscle clinically provenpain, to reduce pain, tension, can offer. Lined with shops, speed recovery, improvetension, sleep and focusrecovery, and aid improve in deep relaxation. restaurants, bars, storefronts ease muscle speed focus andcome aidfeel in what deepfloating relaxation. and more, historic Lincoln Self caresleep is the and best healthcare, can do for you. Avenue has been town’s heart Selfproven care is the best healthcare, Floating is clinically to reduce pain, ease muscle tension, and soul since the city was come feel what floating can do for you. peed recovery, improve sleep and focus and aid in deep relaxation.incorporated in 1900, and remains so today, just a block Self care is the best healthcare, come feel what floating can do for you. away from the Yampa River. Throw in a backdrop of Mount Werner to the east and Sleeping Giant to the west, and it’s hard to script a better city epicenter. It’s getting even more energetic now, with Steamboat’s Lisa Popovich City Council recently approvmanager, MainStreet Steamboat Springs Visit neptunefloatspa.com for more information. ing the biggest investment Book online or call 970-819- 8622 in the downtown corridor in Be Here... Be Well years — a $10.3 million project constructing new walkways, public restrooms and other infrastructure on Yampa Street. Voters also recently approved spending another $1 million for other improvements, including the building Visit neptunefloatspa.com for more information. of a new riverside park at Sixth and Yampa streets. Book online or call 970-819- 8622 “Downtown is experiencing a huge rejuvenation, with Be Here... Be Well Yampa Street leading the charge,” says Lisa Popovich of MainStreet Steamboat Springs. “When construction is 26 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

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LIBRARY complete, there will be a beautiful new promenade, making the street more bike and pedestrian friendly, creating a great restaurant corridor right next to the river. It’s becoming pretty vibrant.” Restaurants and bars along the riverfront road include E3 Chophouse, Sake2U, Scratch, Carl’s Tavern, Sweet Pea Market and Restaurant, Sunpie’s Bistro and Aurum Food and Wine, with Mountain Tap Brewery recently revitalizing Yampa’s west end by opening at 910 Yampa Ave. Add in the Yampa River, rodeo grounds and Howelsen Hill all nearby, and all the ingredients are in place for a true pedestrian-friendly wining, dining and cultural hub in the heart of downtown. “It’s a truly unique section of downtown,” says Popovich.

Located at 13th Street and Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Springs’ 33,000-square-foot Bud Werner Memorial Library is a true showcase, receiving a silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. It includes dedicated spaces for children and teenagers, a coffee shop, large community and conference rooms, various artwork, a Library Hall for presentations and more. With a collection of more than 88,000 titles, the library also has 30 public computers, audio books downloadable to MP3 players, self check-out counters (with fines payable by credit card), an electronic wand book-stocking system, free wireless, access to the library’s database subscriptions and additional cutting-edge features. But its main attribute could well be its downtown location, let-

ting you watch and listen to the Yampa River course by as you simply sit back and relax or make your reading selection.

SHOPPING Steamboat’s historic shopping district combines the nostalgia of old-time storefronts with boutique shops, galleries and more. Downtown you’ll find such venerable establishments as F.M. Light & Sons, as well as other favorites like All That, a new Marmot store operated by Steamboat Ski Resort, and Off the Beaten Path bookstore, all sharing that little taste of Steamboat you can take home. If you’re staying on the mountain, take the free city bus to Fifth Street and begin your journey by passing the historic Routt County Courthouse before entering the heart of the downtown area where restaurants, bars and shops await.

Offering scenic horseback rides in a wilderness type environment. Reservations requested.

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Offering scenic horseback rides AN 3 GL TGRLIE ’SN LA E I in a wilderness E R type environment. Hourly horseback rides available

33 3

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Reservations requested. RANch RANch 970-879-3495

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WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 27

NORDIC SKIING

St The or C e w or ith ner a Dru He g ar t!

Want a serene change from the slopes? Steamboat’s four Nordic centers offer more than 120 kilometers of groomed trails for classic cross country and skate skiing, as well as snow-shoeing, all within 30 minutes of downtown. Close-to-town options requiring passes include the Steamboat Ski Touring Center, Catamount Ranch & Club and Howelsen Hill (note: bring your own equipment for Howelsen). Thirty minutes north of town are groomed trails at Steamboat Lake State Park and Vista Verde Guest Ranch. There are also free trails west of town in the Steamboat II and Silver Spur subdivisions, as well as classic trails on the West Summit of Rabbit Ears Pass (nine trails ranging from 1.6 to 7 miles) and heading north from the Dry Lake Campground trailhead on Buffalo Pass. For an in-town option, take the family cross country skiing up Spring Creek just past the high school off Amethyst Drive. If you’re going non-groomed, carry the proper equipment, be aware of changing weather conditions and let someone know where you’re going.

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HOWELSEN HILL

LAKE CATAMOUNT

STEAMBOAT SKI TOURING CENTER

STEAMBOAT LAKE

You’ll likely share the trail with an Olympian at Howelsen Hill. Located in the heart of downtown, its 21 kilometers of trails are maintained by the city and Steamboat Springs Nordic Council and are often part of the Nordic Combined World Cup cross-country circuit. From late December through March the trails (20 percent beginner, 20 percent expert, 60 percent intermediate) are groomed three times weekly. In general, they’re a bit steeper than other trails in the area. Note: skiers must have their own equipment. Cost: $14/day.

The Catamount Nordic Center off Colorado Highway 131 offers 30 kilometers of groomed trails, characterized by flat, easy-rolling terrain and wide open views of Lake Catamount, Mt. Baldy and Pleasant Valley. For dog lovers, the area also offers 10 kilometers of dog-friendly trails (cost: $2/ dog, maximum two dogs/ person). All dogs must be on a leash, and no dogs are allowed Friday through Sunday. The trails are open daily, with the Club House restaurant open Wednesday through Sunday. The center also offers lessons, including a new four-week clinic on Fridays. Rentals $17/ day. Cost: $18/day.

At the Steamboat Ski Touring Center, nearly 14 kilometers of groomed Nordic trails wind through aspen groves along Fish Creek, offering some of the most scenic and accessible Nordic skiing in the valley. The trails are rated novice to advanced and are groomed for both classic and skate skiing. The center also offers 10 kilometers of forested snowshoe trails, as well as a full-service rental and retail store carrying the latest in cross-country ski and snowshoe equipment. It also offers daily lessons taught by area experts. Refuel at the “Picnic Basket” with hearty homemade soups, breads, hot drinks and more. Cost: $18/day ($16 late arrival after 1 p.m.); rentals $13.

The Steamboat Lake State Park Touring Center is 25 miles north of Steamboat Springs on Routt County Road 129. The area usually opens by Christmas, with trails groomed by the Steamboat Lake Snow Club. Dogs are allowed but must be on a sixfoot leash. The center features 15 kilometers of groomed beginner and intermediate trails, with grooming twice per week. There are no services available so bring your own gear; meals are available at the Clark Store Deli, Glen Eden, Hahn’s Peak Cafe and Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse nearby. You can also rent trailside cabins from the marina (970-879-7019). Cost: $7 per vehicle (passes available at the park visitor center or self-service station).

INFO:

INFO: parks.state.co.us/parks/steamboatlake 970-879-3922

970-879-4300

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INFO: steamboatsprings.net

INTO WEST

INFO: catamountranchclub.com

970-871-6667

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steamboatnordiccenter.com INTO W EST 970-879-8180

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INTO WEST

I N T E R I O R D E S I G N , H O M E F U R N I S H I N G S , C LO T H I N G , B O O T & J E W E L R Y B O U T I Q U E

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steamboat springs, co WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 29

HOT SPRINGS

SPAS AND SOAKING

Soothe your weary muscles in natural hot springs after a day of outdoor adventures. Steamboat Springs earned its named from early pioneers for the “chugging” sound of its springs, and you can experience them yourself in the area’s natural pools. The Old Town Hot Springs at Third Street and Lincoln Avenue (970-8791828, www.oldtownhotsprings.org) provides the most convenient option, complete with waterfalls, a pool-plunging climbing wall and a pair of 230-foot water slides for the kids. For a more rustic setting, Strawberry Park Hot Springs (970-879-0342, www.strawberryhotsprings.com) seven miles out of town lets you change in a teepee and experience the healing powers of the hot springs just as the Utes once did. A variety of different temperature pools, complete with shoulder-caressing waterfalls, reside beside a creek you can plunge into to cool off. Just heed the sunset curfew with your kids; clothing is optional after dark.

Want a nice, relaxing break from the slopes? Reward yourself with a little pampering at one of Steamboat’s many spas, or soak in Steamboat’s two world-class hot springs, either downtown or nestled by a creek seven miles out Strawberry Park Road. After all, isn’t it time for a little Me Time?

F a m il y F u n C e n te r

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Canvas and Wine Step-By-Step Instructions as you paint and enjoy a glass of wine. Take your masterpiece home with you! • All materials provided. • Individuals & groups are welcome. • Kids classes available. For more information call: 970-871-7904 Reservations recommended. www.splatzpainting.com

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FITNESS CLUBS

MASSAGE

If Steamboat’s wintertime outdoor activities aren’t enough to tire you out, try a local fitness center. Steamboat offers an array of gyms and fitness centers to fit any exercise need. Old Town Hot Springs (970-879-1828; steamboathotsprings.org) downtown is equipped with a full fitness center and offers more than 30 fitness classes per week. It also has a complete weight room and cardiovascular area, as well as customized fitness programs put together by personal trainers. Other options include Crossfit classes at Fusion Fit (steamboatcrossfit. com); Anytime Fitness’s 24-hour gym (anytimefitness.com); personal trainers at Peak Fitness (peakfitnesssteamboat. com); Manic Training (manictraining. com) and other indoor exercise facilities.

Pamper yourself with a massage or spa treatment. A host of salons, day spas and massage studios can soothe what ails you, from dry skin to your spine. Top spas to visit include Rocky Mountain Day Spa (970-871-6111), Waterside Day Spa (970-875-0271), Life Essentials Day Spa (970-871-9543) and The Old Town Hot Springs (970879-1828). Wherever you go, enjoy an endless collection of massage services, including deep tissue, reflexology, sports therapy, Swedish and more. Local providers also offer nail services, facials, skin care and other body treatments, all meant to relax and rejuvenate your body after your summer outing in Steamboat.

“The Old Town Hot Springs are the heart of the community and the reason Steamboat is here.” Shannon Lukens local radio personality

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- PROPERTY MANAGEMENT -

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32 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

SNOWMOBILING Strapping on skis or a snowboard isn’t the only way to enjoy Steamboat’s trademark SNOWMOBILE Champagne powder. SnowOUTFITTERS mobilers also take the region’s Elkhorn Outfitters meadows and hills to get their 970-824-7392 winter thrill in the outdoors. www.elkhornoutfitters.com Thanks to rolling terrain, vast tracts of public land and Rocky Mountain Rentals world-class snowfall, Steam970-627-9673 www.snowmobile-central.com boat offers some of the best snowmobiling in the country, Saddleback Ranch drawing sledders from across 970-879-3711, the nation. While some peowww.saddlebackranch.net ple come here to glide on the slopes of Mount Werner, othHahns Peak Roadhouse 970-879-4404 ers come to ride. www.hahnspeakroadhouse.com “It’s truly world-class,” says Jason Stanhope, manager of Steamboat snowmobile retailer SteamSnowmobile Tours boat Powersports. “It has ev980-879-6500 www.steamboatsnowmobile.com erything snowmobilers look for in a great destination — abundant snowfall and wide open terrain.” The snowy mountains of the Park Range attract thousands of snowmobilers each winter, from novices taking part in commercial tours to some of the sport’s most elite and dedicated riders (pro snowmobiler Chris Brown of Slednecks fame calls the area home). In fact, don’t be surprised to share Rabbit Ears Pass or North Routt with the likes of Bret Rasmussen or other pro riders. For rookies, outfitters across the valley offer the chance to experience everything from open meadows and diverse down-valley terrain west of Steamboat to the timbered, alpine terrain of the high country near Steamboat. Various snowmobile organizations have also banded together in recent years to groom a vast network of trails in the region. Routt Powder Riders (www.routtpowderriders.com) grooms more than 100 miles of trails on Rabbit Ears and Buffalo passes; Steamboat Lake Snow Club grooms the area around Steamboat Lake, north of Col-

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Snowmo Beta

umbine to the Wyoming border; the Northwest Colorado Snowmobile Club maintains more than 100 miles of groomed trails in the Black Mountain and California Park areas of the Elkhead Mountain Range north of Craig; and the White River Snowmobile Club marks, grooms and maintains nearly 200 miles of snowmobile trails in eastern Rio Blanco County. The only caveat: respect key non-motorized areas such as the west summit of Rabbit Ears Pass and the Soda Creek drainage north of Dry Lake Campground on Buffalo Pass. Snowmobiles also are prohibited in all wilderness areas.

Maps of the trail systems, highlighting winter range game closures and motorized boundaries, are available at the U.S. Forest Service office (925 Weiss Drive, 970-870-2299), as are free season pass permits for the Buffalo Pass Backcountry Winter Recreation Area (dayuse permits are also available at the Dry Lake Campground trailhead). Snowmobiles operating on public lands in Colorado must be registered or permitted by Colorado State Parks. Out-of-state residents must purchase a $25 Colorado Non-Resident OHV permit. Resident registration is required annually (available from OHV dealers and Colorado State Parks locations). Nonresident permits are available online, at State Parks offices or anywhere Colorado hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

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SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING There’s a reason the term “Champagne powder” was coined in Steamboat Springs in 1958 by Kremmling rancher Joe McElroy: the ski area gets some of the most and best powder not only in the state, but the entire country. “It’s truly what distinguishes Steamboat from most other resorts,” says local Olympian Nelson Carmichael. “Steamboat gets some of the best snow in the country, plain and simple.” The reason is its unique topography. As the first barrier that storms encounter as they move across the deserts of northern Utah and Colorado, the resort’s Park Mountain range traps snowfall like early settlers did small game. And it’s some of the lightest, driest snowfall you’ll find anywhere. Snowfall totals have surpassed 400 inches during nearly half of past 10 winters, including 433 in 2011 year, jump-started by a record-setting 90 inches in November. The record winter of 2007-08 saw 489 inches of snow, including three consecutive months of 100-plus inches. And in 2012, the resort set a single-day mid-mountain snowfall record of 27 inches. All that means you’re likely to get a powder day during your stay. There’s also plenty of space to track it up. The resort’s 2,965 skiable acres make it one of the largest ski areas in the state, and its world-class tree skiing in places like Closets and Shadows maintain powder stashes for days after a storm. Add 3,668 feet of vertical and 165 named trails (not to mention the 34 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

Courtesy Kent Vertrees/Steamboat Powdercats

Kids’ Vacation Center countless glades), and Snowfall totals offers a variety of kids you get a resort for skihave surpassed programs as well and is ers of all abilities, with 400 inches just one rea son Steam14 percent of its runs for during nearly boat has been named beginners, 42 percent half of the past the No. 1 Family Refor intermediates and 44 10 winters, sort in the West by SKI percent for advanced. including 433 in magazine. The mountain offers 2011 year, jumpOn-mountain faciliworld-class terrain for started by a ties include the Four carvers and freestylers as record-setting Points Lodge, as well as powderhounds. A 90 inches in well as Thunderhead fleet of 23 grooming maNovember. Lodge at the top of chines — including a new The record the gondola and RenBison Sherpa winch, the winter of 2007dezvous Lodge off the first of its kind in Colora08 saw 489 Sundown and Sundo — corduroy more than inches of snow, shine lifts. For a quick 600 acres nightly. For including three bite, try the newly expark riders, its four terconsecutive panded Gondola Joe’s rain parks, highlighted months of 100at the base. by Mavericks Superpipe plus inches. Fine dining can be — a 500-foot-long halffound at Hazie’s and pipe with 18-foot walls Ragnar’s. For apres, a and 22-foot transitions — provide fun for the whole freeride family. variety of bars and restaurants line the To maximize your visit, arrive early. slopes at the resort’s base, including Lifts open between 8:30 and 9 a.m., the outside deck and Umbrella Bar with the gondola taking its first passen- at the Bear River Grill, the ice bar at gers at 8:30 a.m. (if it’s a powder day, try Slopeside and the T-Bar just uphill. the resort’s First Tracks program, which The ski area also hosts the Bud Light gets you up ahead of the pack). For les- Rocks the ‘Boat concert series, featursons, Steamboat’s award-winning ski ing free music in gondola square, as and snowboard school includes six well as the Steamboat MusicFest and Olympian instructors, as well as the new Ski Jam and, new this year, WonderFLAIK GPS system, which lets you Grass. Other special events take place monitor your kids’ whereabouts and re- throughout the season. live it on the computer back home. The INFO: steamboat.com EXPLORESTEAMBOAT.COM

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WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 35

T S E B T A O B E H T F O

WANT TO KNOW WHO LOCALS THINK HAVE THE BEST BURGERS, BURRITOS AND MARGARITAS IN TOWN? HOW ABOUT PIZZA, HAPPY HOUR AND THE MUSIC SCENE?

Of course you do. These answers and more (including coveted best craft beer) can be found in the following pages, listing the results of Steamboat Living magazine’s annual Best of the Boat contest. This year’s sixth running of the event saw nearly 5,000 voters cast 98,331 votes in 132 categories to express their opinions about all things Steamboat, from best cocktail, burger and ribs to bar, Mexican food and wings. Overall categories included Shopping, Dining, Food Specialties, Home & Garden, Business & Community and Professionals, whose final tallies bestowed Best Of accolades on everything from best place to get a massage after a day on the mountain to best breakfast spot to kick your day off. Go ahead and visit any of the podium-placers on the list — and tell them you heard about it in Best of the Boat!

36 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

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SHOPPING BEST ART GALLERY 1ST Artisans Market of Steamboat 2ND Wild Horse Gallery 3 RD Steamboat Art Museum BEST BIKE SHOP 1ST Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare 2ND Backdoor Sports 3 RD Orange Peel Bicycle Service BEST CANDY/SWEETS STORE 1ST Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory 2ND Cupcake Mini Bar 3 RD Lyon’s Corner Drug & Soda Fountain BEST CONSIGNMENT STORE 1ST Annie’s Home Consignments 2ND Deja Vu Boutique 3 RD Plan B BEST FLORAL SHOP 1ST The Tall Tulip 2ND Alpine Floral & Atrium 3 RD City Market BEST GIFT SHOP 1ST All That 2ND Lyon’s Corner Drug & Soda Fountain 3 RD Steamboat Art Company BEST JEWELRY STORE 1ST Steamboat Art Company 2ND The Silver Lining 3 RD Jewelry and Fossil Shop of Steamboat BEST KIDS’ GIFT STORE 1ST All That 2ND In Celebration of Kids 3 RD Dragonflies BEST LIQUOR STORE 1ST Central Park Liquor 2ND 7th Street Liquor 3 RD Arctic Liquors

BEST SHOE STORE 1ST Steamboat Shoe Market 2ND Deja Vu Boutique 3 RD Ski Haus

BEST GOLF COURSE 1ST Catamount Ranch & Club 2ND Haymaker Golf Course 3 RD Steamboat Golf Club

BEST SKI SHOP 1ST Ski Haus 2ND Backdoor Sports 3 RD Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare

BEST GUEST RANCH 1ST Bar Lazy L Ranch 2ND Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse 2ND Home Ranch 3 RD Saddle Mountain Ranch

BEST SNOWBOARD SHOP 1ST Christy Sports 2ND Powder Tools 3 RD Ski Haus BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE 1ST Backdoor Sports 2ND Ski Haus 3 RD BAP! BEST THRIFT STORE 1ST Bargain Barn 2ND Rummagers 3 RD Twice as Nice Shoppe BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE 1ST All That 2ND Chrysalis 3 RD Deja Vu Boutique

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP 1ST Downtown Conoco 2ND Doc’s Auto Clinic 3 RD Yampa Valley Tire Pros BEST BANK 1ST Yampa Valley Bank 2ND Alpine Bank 3 RD Wells Fargo BEST COMPUTER REPAIR 1ST All Fixed Steamboat 2ND Ski Town Computing 3 RD Northwest Data Services

BEST MARIJUANA STORE 1ST Rocky Mountain Remedies 2ND Golden Leaf 3 RD Natural Choice

BEST DAYCARE 1ST City of Steamboat Springs’ Afterschool Action/School Days Off 2ND Holy Name Preschool 3 RD Discovery Learning Center

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE 1ST Allen’s Clothing 2ND URBANE 3 RD Ski Haus

BEST FISHING OUTFITTER 1ST Bucking Rainbow 2ND Steamboat Flyfisher 3 RD Yampa Valley Anglers

BEST PET STORE 1ST Paws ‘N Claws 2ND Elk River Pet & Ranch 3 RD Steamboat Ace Hardware

BEST FITNESS CENTER/GYM 1ST Old Town Hot Springs 2ND Align Steamboat 3 RD Anytime Fitness

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BEST HORSEBACK OUTFITTER 1ST Colorado’s High Lonesome Outfitter & Guides 2ND Steamboat Lake Outfitters 3 RD Del’s Triangle 3 Ranch BEST INDOOR MUSIC VENUE 1ST Aurum Food & Wine 2ND Strings Music Pavilion 3 RD Schmiggity’s BEST INSURANCE AGENCY 1ST Alpine Insurance 2ND State Farm - Debbie Aragon 3 RD Willow Creek Associates BEST KID’S PROGRAM 1ST Steamboat Springs Art Council’s Young at Art 2ND Boys and Girls Club of Steamboat Springs 3 RD Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club BEST NAIL SALON 1ST Bee Bop Hair Shop 2ND Steamboat Nails 3 RD Exclusive Nails BEST OUTDOOR ACTIVITY COMPANY (SUMMER) 1ST Bucking Rainbow 2ND Steamboat Flyfisher 3 RD Steamboat Paddleboard Adventures BEST OUTDOOR ACTIVITY COMPANY (WINTER) 1ST Bucking Rainbow 2ND Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. 3 RD Steamboat Powdercats BEST PET GROOMER 1ST Powder Hounds Grooming Salon 2ND Weaver’s Waggin’ Wash 3 RD Tail Blazers BEST PET KENNEL 1ST Red Rover Resort 2ND Rocky Mountain Pet Resort 3 RD RK Pet Ranch

BEST PHARMACY 1ST Lyon’s Corner Drug & Soda Fountain 2ND Bonfiglio Drug 3 RD Walmart BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE 1ST Align Steamboat 2ND Johnson & Johnson Physical Therapy 3 RD SportsMed at Yampa Valley Medical Center BEST PLACE FOR A HAIRCUT 1ST 10th Street Barbershop 2ND Comb Goddess 3 RD Brio Salon BEST PRINTING SHOP 1ST Crown Prints 2ND PostNet of Steamboat Springs 3 RD Northwest Graphics BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY 1ST All Weather Services 2ND Retreatia 3 RD Central Park Management BEST RADIO STATION 1ST 100.5 “The River” 2ND KBCR “Big Country Radio” 3 RD KFMU 104.1 BEST SNOW REMOVAL SERVICE 1ST A & M Services 2ND Native Excavating 3 RD All Weather Services BEST SPA 1ST Life Essentials Day Spa 2ND A Most Kneaded Massage 3 RD Rocky Mountain Day Spa, Boutique & Salon BEST TOWING SERVICE 1ST Affordable Towing 2ND American Towing & Road Service 3 RD Rocky Mountain Towing BEST VETERINARY OFFICE 1ST Flying Horse Veterinary 2ND Steamboat Veterinary Hospital 3 RD Pet Kare Clinic BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO 1ST Pure Pilates 2ND Steamboat Pilates and Fitness 3 RD Yoga Lila

WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 37

professionals BEST ACUPUNCTURIST 1ST Frank Cutler, Healing Path Acupuncture 2ND Betsy Smith, 5 Element Acupuncture 3 RD Kelley McDaneld, Yampa Valley Acupuncture and Chinese Herb

BEST FITNESS INSTRUCTOR 1ST Brady Worster 2ND Rebecca Williams 3 RD Becky Heath

BEST ELECTRICIAN 1ST Jed Gibson, Central Electric 2ND Geoff Coon, Coon Custom Electric 3 RD Don Kuntz, Current Electric

BEST HAIR STYLIST 1ST Brooke Engeseth, Hair on Earth 1ST Kaitlyn Wetzel, Comb Goddess 2ND Alicia Ellison 3 RD Savannah Bongiorno, Comb Goddess

BEST FLOORING STORE 1ST Carpets Plus 2ND The Carpet Shoppe 3 RD Affordable Flooring Warehouse

BEST ATTORNEY 1ST Jason Lacy, Steamboat Lawyers Group BEST LOCAL ARTIST 1ST Lance Whitner 2ND Geoff Petis, Petis Law RD 3 Kris Hammond, Cantafio Hammond 2ND Greg Block 3 RD Sandy Graves BEST BIKE MECHANIC BEST LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER 1ST Chris Johns, Wheels Bike Shop 1ST Danielle Zimmerer 2ND Brock Webster, Orange Peel 2ND Noah Wetzel Bicycle Service RD 3 RD Hilary Spillane 3 Nick “Rossi” Resignolo, Steamboat Bike Shop BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST 3 RD Sean Brenker, Steamboat Ski 1ST Pam Peretz, Life Essentials Day Spa and Bike Kare 2ND Ericka Strodtman, Steamboat Massage Group BEST CAR SALESPERSON 3 RD Erica Olson, Heartfire Massage 1ST Stacy Rogers, Cook Subaru 1ST Steve Dunklin, Cook Subaru 2ND Ian “Wolf” Woelfel, Cook Subaru BEST PEDIATRICIAN 1ST Dr. Sheila Fountain, Pediatrics 3 RD David Wren, Cook Subaru RD of Steamboat Springs 3 Ian Landy, Steamboat Motors 3 RD John Centner, Steamboat Motors 2ND Dr. Steven Ross, Sleeping Bear Pediatrics 3 RD Dr. Dana Fitzgerald, Pediatrics BEST CHIROPRACTOR of Steamboat Springs 1ST Dr. Tim Rinn, Rinn Chiropractic Center 2ND Dr. Von Wilson, Backsmith Chiropractic BEST PERSONAL TRAINER 3 RD Dr. Dave Criste, Steamboat 1ST Brady Wooster Holistic Health 2ND Rebecca Williams 3 RD Becky Heath BEST DENTIST ST 1 Dr. Sunny Owens, Sunshine Dentistry BEST SKI/SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR 2ND Dr. Andy Jorgensen, 1ST Chip Shevlin Pine Grove Dental 2ND Abi Slingsby 2ND Dr. Gary Fresques, Steamboat 3 RD Kathy Sackett Dental Center 3 RD Dr. Jeffrey Piaskowy, BEST SURGEON Avant Garde Dental 1ST Dr. Eric Verploeg 2ND Dr. Brian Bomberg BEST DOCTOR 3 RD Dr. Allen Belshaw 1ST Dr. Kevin Borgerding, Yampa 3 RD Dr. Alex Meininger Valley Medical Associates ND 2 Dr. Lambert Orton, Yampa Valley 3 RD Dr. Mark Hermacinski Medical Associates BEST YOGA INSTRUCTOR 3 RD Dr. Phaedra Fegley, Steamboat 1ST Ally Johnson Springs Family Medicine 2ND Cristen Malia 3 RD Jasmine Holthausen BEST EYE DOCTOR ST 1 Dr. Lewis Cutter, Mountain Eyewinks 2ND Dr. Mark Helm, Helm Eye Center 3 RD Dr. Natalie Hansen, Eyecare Specialties

Home & Garden

BEST FISHING GUIDE 1ST Johnny Spillane 2ND Keith Hale 3 RD Rob Burden

38 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

BEST ARCHITECT 1ST Joe Patrick Robbins 2ND Brandt Vanderbosch 3 RD Gerber Berend Design Build

BEST FURNITURE STORE 1ST Annie’s Home Consignments 2ND MOXIE Home Consign and Design 3 RD Into The West BEST GENERAL CONTRACTOR/ HOME BUILDER (COMPANY) 1ST Fox Construction 1ST Gerber Berend Design Build 2ND Soda Mountain Construction 3 RD Fair & Square Construction BEST HOME SUPPLY STORE 1ST Steamboat Ace Hardware 2ND Alpine Lumber 3 RD Steamboat Lumber BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER 1ST Michele McCarthy 2ND Rumor Designs 3 RD Susie Wilkinson 3 RD Valerie Stafford

BEST ROOFING COMPANY 1ST High Point Roofing 1ST Revelation Roofing 2ND Berlet Roofing 3 RD Tin Man Roofing BEST STONE SUPPLY COMPANY 1ST Hale’s Landscaping 2ND Steamboat Stone Supply 3 RD Stone Source Masonry Supplies BEST TITLE COMPANY 1ST Land Title Guarantee Company 2ND Heritage Title Company 3 RD Title Company the Rockies

FOOD SPECIALTIES BEST ASIAN FOOD 1ST Noodles & More 2ND YAMA 3 RD Sake2U BEST BBQ 1ST 8th Street Steakhouse 2ND Double Z Bar & Bar-B-Q 3 RD Moe’s Original Bar B Que BEST BURRITO 1ST Azteca Taqueria 2ND Taco Cabo 3 RD Fiesta Jalisco

BEST LANDSCAPING SERVICE 1ST Gecko Landscaping 2ND Kinnikinnik Lawn & Garden 3 RD Natures Design of Steamboat Springs BEST COCKTAIL 1ST Fiery Margarita, Laundry 2ND Kentucky Falls, Laundry BEST MORTGAGE BROKER 1ST Kathryn Pedersen, Fidelity Mortgage 3 RD Hurricane, Sunpie’s Bistro 2ND Josh Kagan, Cornerstone BEST DESSERT Home Lending 1ST Cafe Diva 3 RD Whitney Fortna, Yampa Valley 2ND Ciao Gelato Bank Mortgage 3 RD Ore House at the Pine Grove BEST NURSERY/GARDENING SUPPLIER BEST HAMBURGER 1ST Windermere Garden Center 1ST Back Door Grill 2ND Gecko Landscaping RD 2ND 8th Street Steakhouse Steamboat Ace Hardware 3 3 RD Big House Burgers BEST PAINTER 1ST Kyle Lawton, Lawton Painting Co. BEST HOT DOG 1ST Dairy Queen 2ND Sloop Painting 3 RD Mark Cejer, Good People Painting 2ND Hungry Dog 3 RD The Tap House Sports Grill BEST PLUMBER BEST ICE CREAM/FROZEN YOGURT 1ST Clay Custer, Perfect Slope 2ND Jeanie Durham, Professional Plumbing 1ST Ciao Gelato 2ND Big House Burgers 2ND Tabor Plumbing 3 RD Joe Clynes, Alpenglow Plumbing 3 RD Lyon’s Corner Drug & Soda Fountain and Heating BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT 1ST Jon Wade, The Steamboat Group 2ND Matt Eidt, Colorado Group Realty 3 RD Charlie Dresen, Steamboat Sotheby’s International Realty

BEST ITALIAN FOOD 1ST Mazzola’s Majestic Italian Diner 2ND Mambo Italiano 3 RD Beau Jo’s Mountain Bistro

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BEST LOCALLY BREWED BEER 1ST Amputator, Butcherknife Brewing Co. 2ND Hefeweizen, Butcherknife Brewing Co. 3 RD Mountain Macaroon, Mountain Tap Brewery BEST MEXICAN FOOD 1ST Fiesta Jalisco 2ND Azteca Taqueria 3 RD Salt & Lime BEST PIZZA 1ST Beau Jo’s Mountain Bistro 2ND Blue Sage Pizza 3 RD Brooklyn’s Pizzeria BEST RIBS 1ST 8th Street Steakhouse 2ND Double Z Bar & Bar-B-Q 3 RD Moe’s Original Bar B Que BEST SANDWICH 1ST Backcountry Delicatessen 2ND Aurum Food & Wine 3 RD Cruisers Sub Shop BEST STEAK 1ST 8th Street Steakhouse 2ND Ore House at the Pine Grove 3 RD E3 Chophouse BEST SUSHI 1ST 720 Fusion Fresh 2ND Sake2U 3 RD YAMA

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BEST VEGETARIAN 1ST ROOTZ 2ND Freshies 3 RD Cafe Diva

BEST BREAKFAST SPOT 1ST Creekside Cafe & Grill 2ND Freshies 3 RD Winona’s

BEST FOOD TRUCK 1ST Skull Creek Greek 2ND Y Not Wagon 3 RD Embers Wood Fired Pizza

BEST WINGS 1ST Aurum Food & Wine 2ND Carl’s Tavern 3 RD The Tap House Sports Grill

BEST BREWERY 1ST Butcherknife Brewing Company 2ND Storm Peak Brewing Co. 3 RD Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill

BEST HAPPY HOUR 1ST Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill 2ND E3 Chophouse 3 RD Aurum Food & Wine

dining

BEST CATERING SERVICE 1ST Drunken Onion 2ND Rex’s Events and Catering 3 RD Marnos Custom Catering

BEST LUNCH SPOT 1ST Freshies 2ND Creekside Cafe & Grill 3 RD Backcountry Delicatessen

BEST APRÈS 1ST Slopeside Grill 2ND T Bar 3 RD Truffle Pig BEST BAKERY 1ST Mountain Brew 2ND Smell That Bread 3 RD Winona’s

BEST COFFEE SHOP 1ST MountainBrew 2ND Starbucks (Sundance Plaza) 3 RD The Ristretto

BEST BAR 1ST Carl’s Tavern 2ND Sunpie’s Bistro 3 RD Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill

BEST FAMILY DINING 1ST Rex’s American Grill 2ND Ore House at the Pine Grove 3 RD Carl’s Tavern

BEST BARTENDER 1ST Dick “Gooch” Shine, Sunpie’s Bistro 2ND Jack Doyle, Harwigs & L’apogee 3 RD Jesse Myers, The Tap House Sports Grill

BEST FINE DINING 1ST Cafe Diva 2ND Harwigs & L’apogee 3 RD E3 Chophouse

BEST OUTDOOR DINING 1ST Aurum Food & Wine 2ND E3 Chophouse 3 RD Sweet Pea Restaurant & Market BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE GAME 1ST Carl’s Tavern 2ND The Tap House Sports Grill 3 RD Dude and Dan’s BEST SERVER 1ST Daryl Newcomb, Cafe Diva 2ND Betsy Northrup, Creekside Cafe & Grill 2ND Gaye Hadden, Cafe Diva 3 RD Andrea Hukriede, Creekside Cafe & Grill 3 RD David Leszczynski, E3 Chophouse 3 RD Megan Patras, Carl’s Tavern

WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 39

TRAVELING AROUND TOWN Getting around town is now easier than ever, with free city buses, a 24-7 taxi service, Uber and ample parking from town to the mountain. The lay-out is simple, consisting of two main areas — Old Town, which is the downtown area along Lincoln Avenue, and the mountain village at the base of Steamboat Ski Area (including the surrounding developments). It’s easy to navigate, down to a world-class bike path for stretching your legs after a day on the slopes.

TAXI AND LIMOUSINE SERVICE CITY BUS SYSTEM

With extended service in winter, Steamboat Springs’ free bus system runs all year between the mountain and town. Catch it at the gondola transit center and Ski Times Square on the mountain and ride it all the way to the west side of town. You can stop at Central Park Plaza for shopping, use it for dining out, and take it to the Old Town Hot Springs downtown. All buses are wheelchair accessible and include exterior ski carriers. INFO: steamboatsprings.net

970-879-3717

LODGING SHUTTLES

Staying in a local lodge? Most of Steamboat’s lodging properties offer a free shuttle service for guests. Inquire at the front desk of your specific property to see what services are included with your stay.

USEFUL NUMBERS AND WEBSITES Event information and business directory exploresteamboat.com Includes Steamboat’s most complete events calendar and online business directory. Looking for pizza delivery? Simply type “pizza” into the search box and let Explore do the work for you. General ski area information steamboat.com 970-879-6111 Call the ski area’s main line for information on lift tickets, ski school programs, the Kids’ Vacation Center, events and more. 40 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

Don’t want to drive or take the bus? Go Alpine is Steamboat’s taxi and limousine service, offering transportation all day and night all winter long. The standard rate is $3 per person plus $2 per mile (children under 2 ride free). Go Alpine and Storm Mountain Express also offer shuttle service to and from Yampa Valley Regional Airport and Denver International Airport. INFO: goalpine.com

970-879-2800

YAMPA RIVER CORE TRAIL

The Yampa River Core Trail is the city’s seven-mile-long concrete bike path that parallels the river. The trail is cleared of snow throughout the winter, and it’s a great place to stretch your legs and enjoy a peaceful walk or snowshoe.

For pertinent information on the fly, keep these numbers and websites plugged into your smartphone

Ski conditions: 970-879-7300 Call this number whenever a storm rolls through. The Steamboat Ski Area’s official snow and ski conditions update line is updated several times throughout the day.

Yampa Valley Medical Center yvmc.org 970-879-1322 Steamboat Springs’ hospital and primary health care services campus.

Ski patrol 970-871-5911 The Steamboat Ski Area ski patrol is the primary resource if you or a friend or family member are injured or lost while on the mountain.

Local news, sports and weather steamboatpilot.com Steamboat’s daily source of news, sports, weather and event information. Pick up a copy of Steamboat Today at local newsstands, or log on to Steamboatpilot.com to keep up with what’s happening when and where.

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l e v a r T r i A Getting to Steamboat is a lot easier than it was in the old stagecoach days. Steamboat’s winter flight program for the 2016/17 season features expanded nonstop air service from 12 major cities with flights into Steamboat/Hayden Airport (HDN), adding five new markets in the past four years. Major cities with direct, nonstop access to Steamboat during the winter season include Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Newark, Seattle, Washington-Dulles, Atlanta, Dallas/

Ft. Worth, Houston and Denver. United Airlines flies into the Steamboat/Hayden airport with the most frequency. Nonstop service from LAX to Steamboat will fly daily; Newark and Washington-Dulles now have Sunday flights; and Chicago upgrades to daily service for parts of the season. Delta rounds out the increased capacity with a Saturday flight, and Alaska Airlines will expand its Seattle flights to four days a week with a new Tuesday de-

DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM 12 MAJOR AIRPORTS; NEW NONSTOP ADDED TO/FROM SAN DIEGO

parture, as well as adding a twiceweekly flight to/from San Diego on Wednesdays and Saturdays from December 17 to March 25. Steamboat’s air program will also maintain nonstop flights from top markets Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Houston and San Francisco. More nonstop access is also now available from Dallas, with American Airlines increasing its holiday travel to 25 days during the 2016/17 winter, now flying from December 15, 2016 to January 8, 2017, in addition to its regularly scheduled daily and weekend flights. The flight service to Steamboat comes on key U.S. carriers Alaska, American, Delta United Airlines.

In the summer, United also offers daily direct service to/from Houston, as well as two flights daily to/ from Denver; and American Airlines offers daily flights to/from Dallas from June 2 to Aug. 22. The 2016/17 winter flight schedule provides convenient connections from more than 300 airports nationwide and worldwide, keeping Steamboat one of the most easily accessed resorts in the Rocky Mountains. “With expanded service from key markets across the U.S., Steamboat continues to offer a variety of convenient options to get to Ski Town USA,” says Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp president Rob Perlman.

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CHRIS PUCKETT

Giant Slalom, 1992 (and four-time National Champion) “If I only have an hour or so, I want to make it count. I’ll head straight up to the top and ski down through the Shadows with as few stops as I can. Then I’ll head back up Sundown Express for one more trip down Two O’clock trees, again with as few stops as possible to get a good leg burn. I have to remind myself to watch out for the catwalk crossings, especially in flat light. Then it’s back up the Elkhead lift to rip one fast run down Heavenly Daze and See Me. There’s nothing like ending the session making GS arcs down a big, wide trail to send you home with a smile. Those few runs usually do it for me when I’m in a hurry.”

42 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

TIPS FROM OLYMPIANS

Want to ski the mountain like an Olympian? Heed these tips from a few of Steamboat’s locals who have been to the Big Show. JOHNNY SPILLANE

Nordic Combined, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 (three silvers) “Having lived and skied in Steamboat all my life, I know the mountain like the back of my hand. My favorite days are when it’s nasty weather and you seek shelter in the trees. Steamboat has some of the best tree skiing in the world, with no shortage of powder stashes. With a little effort you can find great snow almost every day. I love Christmas Tree Bowl and the Gates, but the whole mountain offers great snow if you’re willing to explore. It’s also hard to beat a bluebird day tearing down groomers. If you want to get your legs burning, try a top to bottom run down Vagabond.”

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ERIN SIMMONS-NEMEC

Snowboard Cross, 2006 (Canada); 9-time XGames athlete (three-time silver medalist) “Steamboat’s combination of elevation, geography, climate and geology make getting powder turns pretty basic. If you truly want to experience Steamboat’s Champagne Powder, get here early. If the forecast calls for snow, try a movie instead of the bar, or one cocktail instead of three. Eat a big dinner and get your Zs. Set your alarm clock to be in the gondola line by 7:30 a.m. Locals call it ‘pressing glass’ and I call it a good decision. You’ll be glad as you carve up untracked. And it doesn’t stop there — ask your friendly ski patrol to let you know when they might be done with avalanche control on the upper mountain runs, and plan for those rope drops. Even if there’s no new snow, get up early anyway; our snow stays cold and dry long after the last storm. Even first tracks on fresh corduroy are worth it.”

burn to Shadows, before heading off to the Chutes, assuming patrol gets them open.”

CHAD FLEISCHER

Super GS/Downhill Combined, 1994, 1998 “On a powder day I head to the gondola at 8 a.m. and get in line with the rest of the powder hounds. Once at top I let all the diehards head down to line-up at Storm Peak while I ski Four Points for a run or two. Then I hang out at the top waiting for them to drop the rope to the Sundown lift. This way, I’m usually one of the first chairs to arrive at the top of Shadows. Then I’ll ski three or four non-stoppers from Side44 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

BOBBY ALDIGHIERI

Moguls, 1992; Head Coach Canadian Freestyle Ski Team, 2006-2014 “I love skiing the mountain with good friends. They don’t have to be ripping skiers — all they need is a good attitude, regardless of the conditions, and find the best in every run. Pressing glass is great, as I’m programed to be up early. I

love taking my first warm-up run or two down Vagabond, making big GS turns from top to bottom. The grooming is always impeccable and you can open it up with no one on the trail. Then it’s off to Storm Peak for a run down the face. From there, I head to Tornado or Nelson’s Run; the moguls aren’t super big and if your friends don’t want to ski bumps there’s some variety. At the cat track it’s hard not to head across Rainbow Saddle to White Out. It’s a classic and is usually soft and reasonable even for old guys like me. The left side is a bit more rhythmical and the right offers more space. I also like hitting Chutes 1, 2 and 3 and Gate D off the Morning Side lift. Then, for a last cruiser, I like maching down Upper and Lower Rainbow en route to the T-Bar for an après beer and gourmet Panini.”

NELSON CARMICHAEL Moguls, 1988, 1992 (bronze)

“I still like to ski bumps—fluffy, slushy and almost anything in between. If it’s not a powder day, I’ll take a quick warm-up on Rudi’s to Four Points. Depending on the snow, I’ll then head toward Twister, Tornado or Cyclone. I can stay warmer that way instead of going right up to Storm Peak. I’ll then lap Four Points again, checking out what I missed, or even hit Nelson’s to reminisce when it was Four Points lift line. Next, I head up Storm Peak and EXPLORESTEAMBOAT.COM

hit skier’s right under it, which keeps nice snow. Then I’ll dart into Typhoon to the Bar U E lift. Up top again, I’ll cut across to Sideburn and then dump onto Sunset and over to White Out — as nonstop as possible. If there’s some fresh, I’ll also slide over to Pony Express and check out Royal Flush, which has a great steep section, as well as Longhorn and WJW, which also used to be a lift line. Then it’s skier’s right on Drop Out and over to Burgess Creek, where I’ll ski the lift line before cutting through to White Out again. For the last run, I’ll hit Oops (nice, big bumps) and then ski back onto Heavenly Daze before dropping into Vertigo. I finish the session through Rabbit Ears Terrain Park.”

BILLY KIDD

Slalom, 1964 (silver); Gold, 1970 World Championships “I like to start my day on Buddy’s Run, which reminds me of skiing in the Olympics with Buddy Werner and Jimmie Heuga. I touch his bronze sculpture before starting down, out of respect and for good luck. The best days are when I have to bend down to touch the top of his helmet. If it’s a powder day, I head for the trees in Shadows. It reminds me of skiing there with Robin Olds, the legendary fighter pilot who loved deep powder and tight trees; he was the first person I ever saw use a snorkel skiing. He had no fear of the trees; he’d say, “Nobody’s shooting missiles at me!” On cold days I like Sunshine Bowl. It faces south so you have sun on your back on the lift and in your face on the way down. I also like making big GS turns EXPLORESTEAMBOAT.COM

down Rolex when it’s groomed. I made the first turns down this trail with Jean-Claude Killy and Rolex president Roland Puton. Then I do my 1 p.m. free clinic on Heavenly Daze. I love helping people ski better. Even if they don’t make it to the Olympics, if I can give them more confidence then it’s a Heavenly Day. Finally, to see how much slower I am since my racing days, I take a run down the NASTAR course at Bashor. My handicap tells me how I’m skiing compared to current and future Olympians. At the end of the day I like Heavenly Daze and See Me. They face west, have afternoon sun and good visibility.”

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DEB ARMSTRONG

Giant Slalom, 1984 (gold), 1988 “If it’s a powder day, I like to ride up for First Tracks and then while everyone else is racing over to Sundown, I take my time and go inside to get some water. Then, while everyone else goes to the other side, I head the opposite way and get freshies down to Four Points. I can get three or four runs there when I’m not battling anyone. It’s counterintuitive. You hurry to get up to the top of the gondola and then you wait 10 minutes or so, but it works. If it’s a groomer day, I love the lower front side of the mountain, especially Vertigo. It has a long fall line, isn’t skied much, is often cut-up and soft, and doesn’t have firm moguls. I like to link big GS turns all the way down. If I’m with the kids, I head to Tomahawk first thing and just tuck it. No one else is back there then. You have a window of maybe one run before people get there.”

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FIRST TRACKS

First Tracks is the best way to ensure fresh tracks on the mountain. It lets you board the gondola before everyone else, between 8 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., and gives you special access to untracked terrain from the Sundown Express, Sunshine and South Peak lifts. Bonus: it’s for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders only. Cost is $39 extra per day, or $210 for a 6-day, transferable pass. Yee-haw!

to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 15 to Feb. 20 (nightly Dec. 25 to Jan. 4), and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays Feb. 23 to March 27. Cost: $37 for adults ($25 with 7-day advance purchase), $27 ($15) for teens, and $17 ($10) for kids. Bonus: If you fly into Hayden, show your boarding pass at the ticket window for free night skiing the evening you arrive.

NIGHT SKIING

Like fresh cord? Try night skiing Thursday through Monday nights on the Christie Peak Express lift. It’s like First Tracks, but for fresh corduroy. Steamboat’s groomers manicure each run to perfection every evening, meaning that when the lift re-opens at 5:30 p.m. you get fresh corduroy. And if it’s snowing, you’ll get nighttime freshies. Five trails are open for night skiing — including Sitz, See Me/See Ya, Vogue, Stampede and Lil’ Rodeo — offering 1,100 vertical feet of terrain under state-of-the-art UltraTech™ Lighting. Bonus: it’s a great precursor to a beverage at the base afterward. Hours: 5:30 46 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

While you won’t find this kid-friendly “secret passage” on any maps, for youngsters with a decent snowplow it’s as mesmerizing as any lion, witch or wardrobe. Head due north into the trees from the teepee on the right side of the trail between Upper and Lower Vagabond, then hang on for the ride as it follows the old mountain

across the mountain, all with commanding views of the valley. One is located at the hairpin turn on Broadway, sporting awesome views of the Flat Tops; another can be found on the straightaway to the left between the top of the Burgess Creek lift and the gondola; and a third exists to skier’s left about a third of the way down upper Vagabond.

INSIDER TIPS

PRESS GLASS

Forsake First Tracks and you can still maximize freshies by “pressing glass” with the masses at the base of the gondola. The term refers to pressing your cheeks up to the window while waiting for the gondola to open. “It’s become quite the ritual among the diehards,” says one glasspressing local. “It carries with it some pretty big bragging rights.”

NARNIA TRAIL

SKIING , RIDING

STEAM

BOAT

PONY EXPRESS WARMING YURT

For an old-fashioned break from the elements, bop into the warming yurt at the top of the Pony Express lift. You won’t find meal service or a bar, but it’s a convenient escape from the elements at the top of the lift, meaning no lost time getting warm. Plus, it’s the perfect place to to break out that sandwich you’ve been carrying in your pocket all day.

bike uptrack through a series of quick switchback turns, whoop-dedoo’s and straight-aways down to BC Skiway far below. From there, you can hit the Thunderhead lift so your kids can lap it again. Just beware the final steep plunge onto the catwalk.

PICNIC WITH A VIEW Not the lodge type? Bring your own fare to one of several outdoor picnic tables scattered

HIKE TO THE WEATHER STATION

(if Morningside’s closed) If the gates are open up top but the Morningside lift isn’t, shoulder your skis and boot pack to the top of Mount Werner from the top of Storm Peak Express. It only takes 10-15 minutes if you’re in decent shape (quicker, oftentimes, than skiing down to

and riding Morningside). Plus, it makes you feel better about all those nachos and beers afterward.

SKI THE BEETLE KILL

While the pine beetle might have whalloped the local lodgepole tree population, the resort’s eradication efforts have opened up great new glades yet to be found on maps. Classic spots include the north-facing slopes on the lower mountain dropping from the top of lower Vagabond (look for the teepee) and the Why Not catwalk down to BC Skiway; a new glade to skier’s right of Vogue and dropping north to Short Cut; and a gladed area to skier’s right of Surprise below the FlatOut catwalk, taking you to the bottom of the Burgess Creek lift (it’s also a great way to access Storm Peak Express from the top of the gondola).

EARLY SEASON HINT

Every early season is different in Ski Town USA, depending on what’s open, meaning you’ll never ski or ride the mountain the same way twice. Here’s an age-old trick for skiers to maximize powder if Upper Closets and Shadows are open but not Lower. Since the pole/skate out on the Duster catwalk to Rainbow Saddle is a pain for snowboarders, not many venture there, lessening the tracks. And if you’re wobbling between taking your skis or board out, opt for your skis just for accessing that terrain. EXPLORESTEAMBOAT.COM

BEAT THE LINES: RIDE SINGLES, BE SLY

If you’re skiing or riding by yourself, take the singles lines. They’re usually faster, whether you’re riding the gondola or a quad. Two other ways to avoid the gondola bottleneck is to ride up Christie Peak Express to Thunderhead; or convince a friend or loved one (or lodge shuttle driver) to drive up Burgess Creek Road and drop you off at the Thunderhead lift (note: no parking).

BUY A MUG/ MEDALLION

If you’re a regular visitor, consider buying a mug at the T-bar or medallion at Slopesisde. It will get you discounts on drinks and help you feel like a local.

the 4 Point Lodge, or sleigh ride behind a snowcat to Ragnar’s for a five-course Scandinavian meal. You can also take a horse-drawn sleigh ride before or after dinner at Haymaker Golf Course.

BASHOR BOWL CHUCKWAGON

Hit the Chuckwagon at the bottom of Bashor Bowl for beers and snacks on a great spring day. You’ll avoid the crowds while the kids lap the terrain park.

To ski like a local? Scheme like a local.

GONDOLA HAPPY HOUR RIDE BAR U-E

Who says you have to ride high speed quads all day? Pay homage to the past on the Bar U E lift to get some quiet time during storms and

scout out terrain often overlooked by the masses. Plus, it lets you partake in that age-old pastime of holding up your hand and yelling “Single!”

SNOWCAT OR SLEIGH RIDE TO DINNER For a break from the usual dining routine, snowcat to a multicourse dinner from the top of the gondola to

Come spring, one of the best rituals on the mountain is riding the gondola up at sunset to live music and a sunset happy hour at Thunderhead Lodge. You won’t find a better view of the Yampa Valley.

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Delicious food courtesy of Mambo Italiano. Photo by Chris McGaw

SAVOR THE M O U N TA I N L I F E Celebrate Steamboatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse and rich dining scene with the mountains as a backdrop

Photography by Chris McGaw 50

CARL’S TAVERN One of Steamboat’s most popular restaurants and bars, Carl’s Tavern is named after Carl Howelsen, the “flying” Norwegian who brought skiing to Steamboat. Its comforting fare flies out of the kitchen just as Howelsen did off the ski jumps he built just a stone’s throw away.

The atmosphere keeps visitors coming back as well. Voted “Best Bar” in the boat for five years running, its large, circular bar lets patrons socialize and watch the day’s games on 15 HD TVs, with beer and food specials served all day. Large windows keep the atmosphere open and airy, as does “The Antler Room,” an adjoining 880-square-foot space that includes booths, private seating for up to 40 guests and even more HDTVs. With plenty of space for private and semi-private dining, Carl’s is a great place for large parties from 20 to 200.

Owned and operated by Collin Kelley, the focus is on fresh, every step of the way. A 2004 graduate of Johnson and Wales University’s School of Culinary Arts in Denver, Collin’s background includes chef stints at Denver’s Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Throw in a great daily happy and Del Frisco’s Double Eagle hour from 4 to 6 p.m., featuring Steakhouse. It all shows in $2 oysters, half price orders of mouth-watering meals designed to replenish those lost carbs from “The Business” and the “Sticky the day’s adventure. “It’s all about Chicken,” 50-cent wings, $2 PBRs creating really good comfort food,” and $3 draft beers, $2 off all wines by-the-glass, $3 domestic he says, touting everything from bottles and $5 premium well homemade, 15-hour braised pot drinks, as well as 200+ types of roast to buttermilk fried chicken whiskey from around the world marinated for two days. “We and a full array of draft beers, and make everything from scratch— you have a place Carl himself the way it should be.” would be happy to call home.

7th & Yampa streets 970.761.2060 CarlsTavern.com

AURUM The tagline for Aurum, located at 811 Yampa St., is “A new element in dining.” It’s all that and more, especially this winter with a completely redesigned menu, bar and cozy upstairs seating and new private event space. Owner Phil Armstrong describes the atmosphere — including its namesake gold motif — as fun and energetic, with a serious emphasis on food and service.

reduction; tube-only calamari, flash fried and tossed with arugula and lemon parsley vinaigrette; and its ever popular signature steak for two. A “local’s hour” menu served from 4:30 to 6 p.m. nightly gets the apres scene going with great value small plates and deals on local beers, wine and cocktails. Don’t miss sampling a signature drink from the bar program highlighting some of Colorado’s best craft spirits.

Aurum prides itself on everything from live acoustic music to its fine dining menu Above all, it’s the restaurant’s served in Steamboat’s best relationship with its customers riverfront atmosphere. The that keeps people coming “Wine” in Aurum Food & Wine is back. “We’re continuing to highlighted by the restaurant’s redefine our dining experience very own vineyard showcased and reinvest in our space,” says in just a few of the extensive Armstrong, adding that most by-the-glass offerings. The full of his staff has been there wine list features an impressive since the restaurant’s inception. collection, including interesting “We’re committed to be here for selections at every price point. the long term and want to keep giving people something new to Headed by executive chef come back to.” Patrick Funk, who has cooked at some of Colorado’s top restaurants, the menu includes such favorites as nightly fish and wild game specials to more casual fare. Top sellers include its Jumbo Lump crab cake, served with Cajun whole grain mustard sauce and grilled lemon; curried cauliflower, featuring tempura batter cauliflower with shishito peppers, golden raisins, pine nuts and a sweet & sour

811 Yampa St. 970.879.9500 AurumSteamboat.com 52

Photography by Jim Steinberg

E3 CHOPHOUSE E3 Chophouse, one of Steamboat’s premier dining experiences, is nestled beautifully in the heart of downtown on the Yampa River. With over-sized glass garage doors opening to the banks of the river, E3 is a stunning place to enjoy meals created from the best seasonal, all-natural ingredients and offers diners a true “ranch to table” experience. E3 offers a superb culinary approach to the traditional steakhouse concept. E3 steaks are sourced from E3-certified cattle. The sixthgeneration, family-owned E3 Ranch in Fort Scott, Kansas, believes in raising its cattle humanely, giving them room to roam and allowing them to grow in an all-natural environment. It also keeps them free of hormones, steroids and antibiotics to provide its customers with the healthiest and most tender beef possible.E3-certified steaks and chops are cut daily in-house and

cooked on a top-fire char-broiler, delivering flavorful and succulent specialty steak entrees. E3 also prides itself on supporting local ranches, offering Colorado rack of lamb and bonein pork chops. It also features a jet fresh catch daily, and a large selection of appetizers, side dishes, house-baked breads, desserts, sauces and dressings all made from scratch. For lighter fare, enjoy E3’s bar menu or its ever popular Happy Hour during après. Favorites include its lobster mac and cheese, truffle fries and gourmet E3 ground steak burger served on a housemade bun. Dinner reservations can be made online at e3chophouse. com or on Open Table. Chef Chris Lotz, raised in Steamboat Springs, was classically trained at the Art Institute of New York City and brings cuisine that is visually enticing and soul satisfying.

701 Yampa St. 970.879.7167 E3Chophouse.com 54

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WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 55

CUGINO’S Located at 41 8th Street just off Yampa Street, Cugino’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant prides itself on being “Not the only pizza and Italian restaurant in town, just the best.” Serving Steamboat for nearly 30 years and one of the most welcoming and energetic restaurants in town, Cugino’s focuses on affordable, Italian cuisine and pizza in a family friendly atmosphere void of pretension. With meals prepared by new owner and chef John Gamradt, who has trained under some of the best chefs in New York City, its sauces and pastas are all made from scratch, with its pizzas, strombolis and calzones baked in a brick-lined oven.

homemade lasagna. For pizzas, try such favorites as the truffle veggie pizza. For midday meals, try a variety of sandwiches and wraps like the Philly steak Cugino’s Special, Meatball or Eggplant Parmesan, as well as house-made pastas, including tagliatelle bolognese and Ricotta ravioli. Enjoy it all in a family-friendly atmosphere where you can cozy up to the fireplace on a snowy day. It’s also a great place for a casual drink, with a full selection of beer, Italian wines and specialty drinks. It also has two great happy hours, from 3 to 6 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. with 30% off the bar menu and 30% off the entire bar.

Choose from such pastas as the seafood-filled Godfather, Eggplant Florentine or

41 8th St. 970.879.5805 CuginosSteamboat.com 56

Photography by Chris McGaw

STEAMBOAT SMOKEHOUSE Whether you’re craving ribs, brisket, pork or chicken, Steamboat Smokehouse barbecue marries old-fashioned, lowheat, slow cooking with hickory and oak hardwoods (no artificial gas or electric heat) to concoct meats that melt in your mouth (large cuts typically cook for 12-15 hours). Start things off with fried okra and cheese curds before moving on to wings smothered with proprietary Smokehouse BBQ or Desert Rub. For meats, choose from Pulled Pork, Chopped Brisket, Kielbasa, Nan’s Famous Baby Back Ribs and more, as well as such speciality sandwiches as Rudy’s Run Chicken Tender, Heavenly Daze French Dip, Sleeping 58

Giant BLT and The Boatload, featuring sliced brisket, pulled pork, and Kielbasa or Jalapeño Sausage. Town’s best BBQ house also offers an array of salads, including the Smokehouse Garden or Spring Creek, with mixed greens, candied walnuts, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, blue cheese crumbles, carrots, cucumbers, grape tomatoes and red onions. Best yet, you can enjoy all this in the comfort of your own home, condo or hotel room with takeout and delivery options, and a complete catering service for larger parties. Steamboat Smokehouse, where meat can’t be beat.

912 Lincoln Ave. 970.879.RIBS (7427) SteamboatSmokehouse.com

MAMBO ITALIANO Mambo Italiano, located in the heart of Steamboat Springs, offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience year round. Featuring Italian-inspired rustic cuisine, a fresh new menu, awardwinning wine list, a helpful staff and lively atmosphere, Mambo’s is “always delicious, always fun, and always a great choice.” Mambo’s provides a full range of menu selections from old family recipes and chef-inspired specials to extensive gluten-free and seasonal options.

The Steamboat Pilot & Today calls Mambo’s “one of Steamboat Springs’ most established Italian restaurants” and Mambo’s has been voted “Best in the Boat” for several consecutive years.

Photography by Chris McGaw

Mambo’s has been an institution in Steamboat Springs since 2007 and has been a favorite of locals and tourists alike. It boasts the best happy hour in town and locally sourced and seasonally inspired dishes ranging from small plates such as chiliglazed octopus, roasted beets with ricotta and pistachios to a new focus on fresh house-made pastas and locally sourced proteins and produce. Come and see why locals voted Mambo’s “Best of the Boat.”

Mambo’s is open daily with Happy Hour from 4-5:30 with half price specialty cocktails, $3 drafts and half price pizza (dine-in only). Find Mambo’s on Facebook and Instagram

521 Lincoln Ave. 970.870.0500 Mambos.com

8TH STREET STEAKHOUSE Dining doesn’t get any more fun for the whole family than cooking your own steak at the 8th Street Steakhouse, winner of 2016’s Best of the Boat contest for Steak, Ribs and BBQ. With help from their experienced staff, you’ll have your steak cooked to perfection and seasoned just how you like it. Perfect for a romantic dinner for two, a group of skiing buddies or the entire family, Steamboat’s most fun-filled restaurant offers something for everyone. As your steak sizzles on the grill, add some homemade teriyaki or dash of a complete spice array to customize it exactly how you like it (and don’t forget your Texas toast). Offering the best steaks and seafood around, cook a primegrade New York strip, baconwrapped filet mignon, juicy bone-in ribeye, Colorado buffalo or Kobe sirloin over two, 20-foot lava rock grills. Or sit back and relax as their chef perfects your tender baby-back ribs or Alaskan King Crab Legs. Also choose from such mouthwatering side dishes as stuffed mushrooms, fresh steamed

asparagus, roasted Brussels sprouts, twice-baked potatoes and hand-cut truffle fries. Finish it all off with their famous 8th Street Tater for dessert. For libations, enjoy a local craft beer, specialty cocktail or choose from its award-winning wine list. And don’t miss its $5 steak burger (8-oz.) during happy hour from 4:30-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-close; or Mussel & Martini Madness every Thursday (Fresh mussels for $5 per pound and 20 flavors of $3 martinis). 8th Street Steakhouse also provides a great Western ambience with cozy, candlelit booths, and a second grill, butcher shop and salad bar upstairs for larger groups or private events. There are even authentic saddle seats for the kids. Planning a party or group gathering? Its grill-your-own atmosphere makes for great socializing, with five flat-screen TVs for sports fans in the bar. So put 8th Street Steakhouse on your list of must-do’s while in Steamboat — it may be the only thing in town that creates more memories than the slopes.

50 Eighth Street 970-879-3131 8thstreetsteakhouse.com 60

Photography by Chris McGaw

CREEKSIDE CAFE The Creekside Café, a quaint downtown eatery located on the banks of Soda Creek, has consistently won Steamboat’s Best Breakfast category, for good reason. Located in the historic Soda Creek building, this longtime locals’ breakfast establishment lets you take in Steamboat’s past as you ready for your day (Carl Howelsen, Steamboat’s father of skiing, laid the bricks for the building himself). But its homemade goodness tops all, from fresh baked bread and granola to handcrafted salad dressings and sauces. Owners Jason and Kelly Landers have been building The Creekside together for more than 15 years. Their success is founded on great service and high-quality, local ingredients. Unique and traditional breakfast items are served all day, including shredded corned beef hash, gigantic breakfast burritos, French toast with cinnamon apples, oatmeal pancakes, croissant breakfast sandwiches and more — all complemented with Naked Brand orange juice, Italian

coffee, mimosas or awardwinning Bloody Mary’s. It also serves nine types of eggs benedict, smothered in homemade Hollandaise. Try the New Yorker with capers, smoked salmon and grilled tomatoes, or the Traditional featuring Meeker, Colo., ham. For Southwest flair, try their huevos rancheros, chili rellenos, huevos eggs benedict and the gigantic breakfast burrito — topped with their famous secret recipe green chili. For lunch, try everything from the Country Fried Steak and Creeksteak sandwich to a variety of grass-fed, hormone-free, all-natural Yampa Valley beef burgers. Try the Bacon Burger with 40 percent smoked bacon or Express Burger with double quarter pounders and special sauce, all on homemade sesame buns. Whether you come for benedicts, burritos, sandwiches or more, Kelly, Jason and the entire Creekside staff work hard to provide you with the best dining experience possible in the heart of downtown.

131 11th St. 970-879-4925 creekside-cafe.com

Photography by Chris McGaw

FIESTA JALISCO With six restaurants in Colorado, including its mainstay in Steamboat at 445 Anglers Dr., Fiesta Jalisco’s success owes itself to its original family recipes and great food, service and atmosphere. Inside, you’ll find “real Mexican” cuisine, passed down from decades-old family recipes. Every menu item is made fresh daily from scratch, from appetizers to entrees.

peppers, served with rice and warm tortillas. Small and large combo plates feature everything from enchiladas and burritos to tostadas and rellenos, or choose from carnes (meat), pollo (chicken) or mariscos (seafood). It also offers salads, vegetarian meals, children’s choices, American dishes and more.

Start out with Fiesta Jalisco nachos or a cocktail campechana appetizer, with shrimp and octopus, and then jump into such favorites as flame-broiled Carne Asada, served with salsa and guacamole on a warmed tortilla, and Arroz con Pollo, featuring tender sliced chicken breast and fresh mushrooms, onions and green

As far as atmosphere, the restaurant features wooden booths and a bar hand-carved in Mexico, as well as colorful Mexican tile work. Paintings and sculptures by Mexican artists adorn the walls, augmenting an ambiance of authentic Mexican music, including mariachi bands.

www.FiestaJalisco.net

445 Anglers Dr 970.871.6999 FiestaJalisco.net

VAQUEROS Fiesta Jalisco’s authentic Mexican food and atmosphere is now also available downtown, at Vaqueros Restaurant and Taqueria at 730 Lincoln Ave. The restaurant enjoys Fiesta Jalisco’s same original family recipes, combined with great service and atmosphere. “We brought the same theme downtown,” says owner Mario Rodriguez. Vaqueros adds such new items as meat- and cheese-stuffed empanadas topped with sour cream and tomatillo sauce; shrimp ceviche; and tacos made from tripe and beef tongue. Everything is made fresh daily from scratch, from enchilada plates and rellenos to

Photography by Chris McGaw

www.VaquerosMexican.net

homemade specialty soups and chicken and carne asada offerings, which you can wash down with original margaritas that you can refill yourself from an oversized pourer. It also offers homemade salads, children’s meals, daily specials and more. Inside you’ll find an authentic Mexican vaquero, or cowboy, atmosphere, making you feel right at home in Steamboat. Mexican cowboy artwork adorns the walls, as do lariats and other ranch items. “It brings the feel of Fiesta Jalisco downtown,” Rodriguez says.

730 Lincoln Ave. 970.879.7570 VaquerosMexican.net

THE TAP HOUSE Celebrating 20 years as Steamboat’s Family Sports Grill, The Tap House is under new ownership! Gary and Lydia, from Texas, are hoping to bring a touch of their southern flair to the sports bar by adding 14 new house-made dishes to the menu including the must-try chicken fried bacon! “Our family has been coming to Steamboat for over 10 years and coming to The Tap House was always part of our trips,” Lydia said. “We wanted to stay true to The Tap House roots and just spruce things up a bit to excite the locals and out of town visitors.” One thing that hasn’t changed is the six-time Best of the Boat award-winning wings. Locals and visitors alike agree that

The Tap House has the biggest, meatiest wings in town with an impressive variety of 16 house-made wing sauces. With a new focus on bringing fresh food to families and fans alike, other new menu items include a fresh spinach salad tossed in a creamy house-made maple vinaigrette and the Cuban Reuben sandwich that marries slow-roasted pork with a housemade corn beef between two pressed ciabatta slices. The most noticeable difference to the updated menu? The dessert options have doubled! With options that range from a sundae topped with house-made bacon brittle to a mountain of right-out-of-the-oven

monkey bread you’ll always find yourself saving room for dessert. “We encourage everyone to stop by and check us out,” Gary said. “With room for large groups, separate bar seating, and 50+ TVs, you’ll always have the best seat in the house and the best value in town.”

729 Lincoln Ave. 970.879.2431 TheTapHouse.com @TheTapHouseCO

THE EGG & I Wake Up To Wonderful! With more than a decade-long history as one of Steamboat’s favorite breakfast spots, The Egg & I is conveniently located in Sundance at Fish Creek, halfway between town and the mountain. The eatery was established in 2004 by locals Bradley and Courtney Moline and its winning formula has made it a local favorite ever since.

California Avocado Toast with its thick-cut whole grain toast topped with fresh avocado, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, lemon and Maldon sea salt. Cappuccinos, lattes and other specialty coffee drinks wash it all down, as do fresh juices from their juice bar like the refreshing Kale Cooler made with Kale, Fuji apples, cucumber and lemon.

For lunch comes such creative sandwiches as the Bacon, While its menu accommodates Avocado Chicken, Chicken Apple every taste under the sun, its Walnut and Arizona Turkey, as award-winning Eggs Benedict well as traditional favorites like top the list, coming in an array the Classic Club and Reuben. of themes, from the ham, bacon, It also carries a complete array asparagus, and house-roasted of succulent salads and crimini mushrooms Hiker’s homemade soups. Benedict to the homemade grilled Crab Cake Benedict. Other The Egg & I’s large capacity and favorites include a variety of relaxing patio makes it perfect omelettes, specialty waffles and for family gatherings, business whole wheat pancakes, as well as meetings and more, complete Skillets, including the ham-, baconwith a free private meeting room and hollandaise-filled Cambridge with Wi-Fi and customizable and seasoned steak strips, menus. Catering is also available. roasted peppers, onions and crimini mushrooms of the Texas “We serve our entire menu all Skillet. The Egg & I also caters day long, along with our creative to those looking for non-egg seasonal specials,” says Moline. dishes and other healthier options “We have something for everyone with favorites like the Vera Cruz in the family.” Chicken & Avocado Omelette, an egg-white omelette filled with white meat chicken, green chilies, house-roasted tomatoes and onions topped with fresh avocado and Jack and Cheddar cheese. A new favorite to the menu is the

325 Anglers Dr . 970.871.4633 TheEggandIRestaurants.com

Photography by Chris McGaw

DOUBLE Z Ask locals about Double Z Bar and Bar BQ and their mouths are sure to water at the thought of their juicy ribs and golden brown French fries. But Double Z — which won town’s Best Ribs category for five years in a row — has more to offer than just the savory dishes that have made them a go-to in Steamboat for the past 25 years. Their menu offers everything from hickorysmoked meats stacked on sandwiches and presented on cool green salads to half-pound burgers, all smothered in their delicious signature sauces. 70

Credit its secret sauce, smoking and slow-basting for its finger-licking fare. “People love our sauce,” says co-owner Dave “DK” Kane, whose staff will prepare up to 80 pounds of pork ribs and 30 pounds of beef ribs on any given day. “We’ve been doing it the same way for years.” Double Z provides a family friendly atmosphere and offers a complete kids menu with such favorites as corn dogs and “chicken lips.” For the adults, a full bar boasts a daily happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. All of Double Z’s delectable dishes can be enjoyed inside or out, and

it’s conveniently located next to the bike path, making it accessible to those on foot and wheels. All of it offerings are also available for take-out or delivery, bringing their authentic barbecue to the comfort of your home.

1124 Yampa St 970-879-0849 doublezbbq.com

BACK DOOR GRILL For some of the best burgers, salads, and sandwiches in the ‘Boat, head to Back Door Grill at 825 Oak St. Serving up all-natural Colorado beef burgers, natural bison burgers and natural chicken all served on handmade non-GMO breads and available dinein or take out, Steamboat’s newest burger joint is the work of Brandi and David Eliason, who bring years of expertise to every succulent bite. Its edgy burgers are what set it apart. Choose from classics like the double bacon cheeseburger or new school

options like the Mahalo with pineapple, Teriyaki and Swiss cheese. The Twilight Zone with cheddar, bacon, creamy Sriracha and peanut butter (yes, peanut butter) is very popular with the locals. For sides, try the Philly Cheese or Portabello Fries as well as salads and soups, all non-GMO and natural. With two full bars six beers on tap and two floors there’s something for everyone at the BDG! “If we won’t feed it to our kids we won’t feed it to you,” says David. Back Door Grill: “Where the locals eat!”

825 Oak St 970-871-7888 backdoorburgergrill.com

Photography by Chris McGaw

LA FIESTA The home of great, authentic Mexican “comida,” La Fiesta Grill and Cantina is a classic-style Mexican restaurant offering true family dining and Mexican culture through a fresh spin on traditional Mexican fare. Chef Edgar Ruiz and Fausto Felix, who graduated from Le Cordon Blue Collage of Culinary Arts, hail from Mexico’s Pacific Coast of Culican, bringing a focus on costal and central Mexican food, inspired by family gatherings for special occasions. All the meals — including dishes dating to the ancient Maya (try its Cochinita Pibil, wrapped in banana leaves, or 26-ingredient mole)—combine such old-world flavors as chipotle, cilantro and distinct cheeses, with beautiful presentations and fresh ingredients with an authenticity everyone will enjoy. Choose from a variety of fajitas — including skirt steak, grilled chicken, jumbo shrimp, and

chipotle chicken — as well as taco platters (including $2 tacos), salads and Healthy Choice items, including Spinach Enchiladas with pico de gallo smothered in tomato sauce. It also offers vegan, vegetarian, gluten- and dairy-free options. Other favorites include the Shrimp Cabo Wabo, simmered in chipotle and cabo wabo tequila sauce; Chicken Mole, topped with sweet red chili sauce; and Chile Rellenos, stuffed with cheese, egg-battered and panfried with black beans, corn pico and ranchero sauce. Seafood specialties include shell fish, fish and shrimp cured in lime juice and topped with salsas. From the cantina come a variety of margaritas, including cucumber, spicy mango, avocado, grapefruit, and jalapeno infused, and more than 50 tequilas to bring more fiesta to your dining experience.

Central Park Plaza 970.879.6393 LafiestaColorado.com

Photography by Chris McGaw

SCRATCH Scratch has an inventive twist on rustic mountain fare. Scratch combines a variety of eclectic cuisines with menu items such as Grilled Prime Rib, Sockeye Salmon and Lobster Corndogs. Their menu highlights in-house-made flatbreads, and daily crocks of soup, such as Chef’s Truffled Potato or the Bison Short Rib Chili. And don’t forget Scratch’s house-made desserts, or hand-shaken craft cocktails.

Scratch’s chilled Colorado craft beers on tap, in bottles and cans, are a great way to relax after a long day out on the town or after hitting the slopes. Stop by with family and friends and let Scratch’s knowledgeable and accomplished staff serve you in a place that’ll go easy on your paycheck and feel as comfortable as home.

700 Yampa St. 970.761.2586 ScratchEatery.com

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● Learn to drive well on ice and you will have the ability to excel on any surface

● We are open 7 days a week during the winter season

● We offer programs for beginners to seasoned professional race drivers

Book today for the experience of a lifetime!

DINING DIRECTORY 8th Street Steakhouse 50 Eighth St. 970-879-3131 8thstreetsteakhouse.com STEAKHOUSE

Aurum Food & Wine

811 Yampa St., 970-879-9500 aurumsteamboat.com AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY

Azteca Taqueria

116 Ninth St., 970-870-9980 aztecataqueria.com MEXICAN

Backcountry Delicatessen 635 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-3617 backcountry-deli.com DELI

Back Door Grill

825 Oak St., 970-871-7888 backdoorburgergrill.com AMERICAN

The BARley

635 Lincoln Ave., 970-761-2195 thebarleycolorado.com PUB

Bear River Bar & Grill 2305 Mount Werner Circle, 970-871-5165 steamboat.com AMERICAN

Beau Jo’s Mountain Bistro 704 Lincoln Ave., 970-870-6401 beaujos.com PIZZA

Big House Burgers & Bottlecap Bar 2093 Curve Plaza, 970-870-8500 bighouseburgers.com AMERICAN

Blue Sage Pizza

685 Marketplace Plaza, 970-870-8600 bluesagepizza.com PIZZA

Breezeway Cafe

2200 Village Inn Court, 970-879-2220 sheratonsteamboat.com CAFE

Brooklynn’s Pizzeria

57 10th Ave., 970-871-1000 brooklynnspizzeria.com PIZZA

Butcherknife Brewing Co.

2875 Elk River Road, 970-879-BEER butcherknifebrewing.com BREWERY

76 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

The Cabin Restaurant & Lounge

2300 Mount Werner Circle, 970-871-5550 steamboatgrand.com/the-cabin AMERICAN

Cafe Diva

1855 Ski Time Square Drive, 970-871-0508, cafediva.com AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY

Cantina of Steamboat

818 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-0826 steamboatcantina.com MEXICAN

Carl’s Tavern

700 Yampa St., 970-761-2060 carlstavern.com AMERICAN

Catamount Ranch Lakehouse Grille

30215 Waters Edge Trail, 970-871-9229 catamountranchclub.com BAR AND GRILL

Chelsea’s White Dragon 2300 Mount Werner Circle, 970-879-7211 ASIAN

Ciao Gelato

912 Lincoln Ave. 970-233-0080, ciaogelatosteamboat.com GELATO AND PIZZA

Clark Store

54175 Routt County Road 129, Clark, 970-879-3849, clarkstore.com DELI

Colorado Bagel Co. & Deli 1815 Central Park Plaza, 970-870-9657 DELI

Colorado High 5

635 Lincoln Ave., 970-871-0005 coloradohigh5.com PIZZA

Creekside Cafe

131 11th St., 970-879-4925 creekside-cafe.com AMERICAN

Cruisers Sub Shop

685 Marketplace Plaza, 970-879-1747, cruiserssubshop.com DELI

Cugino’s Pizzeria

& Italian Restaurant 41 Eighth St., 970-879-5805 cuginosrestaurant.com ITALIAN

Double Diamonds Bar

Harwigs

Double Z Bar & Bar BQ

Haymaker Clubhouse & Grill

The Drunken Onion Get & Go Kitchen

Hazie’s

2306 Mount Werner Circle, 970-761-2662, doublediamondsbar.com BAR AND GRILL 1124 Yampa St., 970-879-0849 doublezbbq.com BARBECUE

685 Marketplace Plaza, 970-879-8423, drunkenonion.com TAKE-OUT, CATERING, CAFE

Dude & Dan’s

1106 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-1577, dudeanddans.com BAR/AMERICAN

E3 Chophouse

911 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-1919 harwigs.com AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY 34855 E. U.S. Highway 40, 970-879-1265, steamboat.com AMERICAN 2305 Mount Werner Circle, 970-871-5150, steamboat.com AMERICAN

Hungry Dog

635 Lincoln Ave., 970-819-2224 hungrydogofsteamboat.com AMERICAN

Iron Waffle & Coffee Co.

701 Yampa St., 970-879-7167 e3chophouse.com STEAKHOUSE

2500 Village Dr., 970-367-5716 steamboatmountainvillage.com/theiron-waffle/ BREAKFAST

The Egg & I

Johnny B. Good’s Diner

Fiesta Jalisco

JOOSE

Four Points Lodge

La Fiesta Grill & Cantina

325 Anglers Drive, 970-871-4633 theeggandirestaurants.com AMERICAN 455 Anglers Drive,970-871-6999 fiestajalisco.net MEXICAN On mountain/Steamboat ski resort 970-871-5150, steamboat.com AMERICAN

Freshies

595 S. Lincoln Ave., 970-879-8099 freshiessteamboat.com AMERICAN

Geano’s Caffe

2305 Mount Werner Circle, 970-871-5150, steamboat.com CAFE

Gondola Joe’s

2305 Mt. Werner Circle, 970-871-5168, steamboat.com

Gondola Pub & Grill

2305 Mount Werner Circle, 970-879-4448, gondolapubandgrill.com PUB

Grand Café

2300 Mount Werner Circle, 970-871-5500, steamboatgrand.com CAFE

Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse

60880 Routt County Road 129, Clark, 970-879-4404, hahnspeakroadhouse.com BAR AND GRILL

738 Lincoln Ave., 970-870-8400 johnnybgoodsdiner.com AMERICAN 2754 Downhill Drive, Unit C, 970-846-5063, jbjoose.com HEALTH FOOD AND DELI 1755 Central Park Plaza, 970-879-6393 lafiestagrillandcantina.com MEXICAN

Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails

127 11th St., 970-870-0681 thelaundryrestaurant.com AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY

Lil’ House Country Biscuits & Coffee

2093 Curve Plaza, 970-870-8507 lilhousebiscuits.com AMERICAN

Low Country Kitchen

435 Lincoln Ave., 970-761-2693 lowrestaurant.com AMERICAN

Lyons Soda Fountain

840 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-1114 lyonsofsteamboat.com SODA FOUNTAIN

Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill

435 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-3773 mahoganyridgesteamboat.com PUB

EXPLORESTEAMBOAT.COM

Mambo Italiano

521 Lincoln Ave., 970-870-0500 mambos.com ITALIAN

Mazzola’s Italian Diner

917 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-2405 mazzolas.com ITALIAN

McKnights Irish Pub & Loft

690 Marketplace Plaza, 970-879-7881 mcknightsirishpub.com PUB

Milk Run Donut Cafe

941 Lincoln Ave., 970-761-2023 milkrundonutcafe.com CAFE

The Pit on 5th BBQ

425 Lincoln Ave. 970-761-2164, thepit-on5th.com

Ragnar’s

Steamboat ski resort/Rendezvous Lodge 970-871-5150, steamboat.com SCANDINAVIAN

Red Bowl World Curry Haus

Sevens Mountain Grill

2200 Village Inn Court, 970-879-2220 sheratonsteamboatresort.com AMERICAN

The Shack Cafe

740 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-9975 AMERICAN

1117 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-7169 redbowlsteamboat.com ASIAN

Sharon’s

Rex’s American Grill & Bar

Skull Creek Greek

3190 S. Lincoln Ave., 970-870-0438 rexsgrill.com AMERICAN

2851 Riverside Plaza, 970-761-2467 AMERICAN

Sweet Pea Restaurant

729 Yampa St., 970-879-1221 sweetpeamarketandrestaurant.com AMERICAN

Table 79 Food Bar

345 Lincoln Ave, table79steamboat.com NEW AMERICAN

Tacos del Barco

644 Lincoln Ave., 970-871-7930 MEXICAN

635 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-1339 skullcreekgreek.com MEDITERRANEAN

Taco Cabo

1755 Lincoln Ave., 970-846-2307 MEXICAN

Moe’s Original Bar B Que

The Ristretto Coffee Lounge

Slopeside Grill

The T-Bar

MountainBrew

ROOTZ Cafe

Snowbird Restaurant and Lounge

The Tap House Sports Grill

The Rusted Porch

Soda Creek Pizza

Three Peaks Grill

720 Fusion Fresh

Spoke & Spur

Thunderhead Lodge

Saddleback Ranch Sleighride Dinner

Steamboat Brau Haus

Truffle Pig

1898 Kamar Plaza, 970-879-1615 moesoriginalbbq.com BARBECUE 427 Oak St., 970-879-7846 mountainbrewsteamboat.com CAFE AND BAKERY

The Mountain Comfort Food & Spirits

2500 Village Dr. #102, 970-879-5800 eatatthemountain.com SOUTHWESTERN/TEX MEX

Mountain Tap Brewery

910 Yampa St., 970-879-6646 mountaintapbrewery.com BREWERY/PIZZA

Murphy’s Tavern

54737 Routt County Road 129, Clark, 970-879-6046 murphystavern.com PUB

Noodle’s and More Saigon Cafe

635 Lincoln Ave., 970-870-1544 ASIAN

Off the Beaten Path Bookstore

68 Ninth St., 970-879-6830 steamboatbooks.com CAFE

Old Town Pub & Restaurant 600 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-2101 theoldtownpub.com PUB

O’Neils Tavern & Grill

737 Lincoln Avenue, Unit 1 970-879-6380, oneilstavernandgrill.com

Ore House at the Pine Grove 1465 Pine Grove Road, 970-879-1190, orehouse.com STEAKHOUSE

The Paramount

1855 Ski Time Square, 970-879-1170 theparamountcolorado.com AMERICAN

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635 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-3393 theristretto.com CAFE 737 Lincoln Ave., 970-871-4510 rootzcafe.com HEALTH FOOD 690 Marketplace Plaza, 970-879-1455, therustedporch.com AMERICAN 720 Lincoln Ave., 970-761-2592 720fusionfresh.com ASIAN

37350 Routt County Road 179, 970-879-3711, saddlebackranch.net AMERICAN

Saddles

2200 Village Inn Court, 970-879-2220 sheratonsteamboatresort.com AMERICAN

Sake2U

609 Yampa St., 970-870-1019 SUSHI, ASIAN AND AMERICAN

Salt & Lime

628 Lincoln Ave., 970-871-6277 suckalime.com MEXICAN

Sambi Canton

941 Lincoln Ave., 970-870-9988 sambicanton.com ASIAN

Schmiggity’s

821 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-4100 schmiggitys.com LIVE MUSIC AND DANCE BAR

Scratch Downtown Eatery & Bar

700 Yampa Street, 970-761-2586 scratcheatery.com

1855 Ski Time Square Drive, 970-879-2916, slopesidegrill.com PUB

2304 Après Ski Way, 970-879-1730 theptarmigan.com AMERICAN 1585 Mid Valley Drive, 970-871-1111 sodacreekpizza.com PIZZA 21495 U.S. Highway 40, Milner, 970-871-1415 BAR AND GRILL 2500 Village Drive, 970-541-0189, steamboatbrauhaus.com

Steamboat Coffee Roasters 1744 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-3100 steamboatcoffee.com CAFE

Steamboat Meat & Seafood Co.

1030 Yampa St., 970-879-3504 steamboatseafood.com DELI

Steamboat Smokehouse

912 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-7427 steamboatsmokehouse.com BARBECUE

Stoker

Thunderhead Lodge 970-871-5150, steamboat.com BAR

Storm Peak Brewing Co.

1744 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-1999 stormpeakbrewing.com BREWERY

Sumatera

1106 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-2929 ASIAN

Sunpie’s Bistro

735 Yampa St., 970-870-3360 CAJUN AMERICAN

2045 Ski Time Square Dr., 970-879-6652, tbarsteamboat.com BAR

729 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-2431 thetaphouse.com PUB 2165 Pine Grove Road, 970-879-3399, threepeaksgrill.com AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY 2305 Mount Werner Circle, 970-879-6111, steamboat.com BAR AND GRILL 2250 Après Ski Way, 970-879-7470 trufflepigrestaurant.com AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY

Umbrella Bar

2305 Mount Werner Circle, 970-879-6111, steamboat.com BAR

Vaqueros Mexican

Restaurant & Taqueria 730 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-7570 vaquerosmexican.net MEXICAN

VFW – Post 4264

924 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-9959 www.vfw.org BAR

Wild Plum Market

2525 Village Drive, 970-879-1981 www.wildplumgrocer.com DELI

Winona’s

617 Lincoln Ave., 970-879-2483 www.winonassteamboat.com AMERICAN

Yama

1110 Yampa Avenue, 970-761-2087 www.yamasteamboat.com ASIAN

WINTER 2016-17 EXPLORE | 77

WHO CALLS STEAMBOAT HOME

Verne

Lundquist Who calls Steamboat home? Everyone from ranchers and Olympians to families and everyday locals enjoying everything our community has to offer. We even have our token celebrities, who settle here for the same reason everyone else does — Steamboat’s great small-town community and access to the outdoors, including the world-renowned slopes of Steamboat Ski Resort. Here’s a little more information about token local Verne Lundquist, whose voice you might recognize. You’ll have to excuse longtime local Verne Lundquist if he’s a hair busy; it’s college football season, and he’s in full swing calling plays for the SEC games on CBS. Lundquist began his career as the radio voice for the Dallas Cowboys before working for ABC Sports and CBS. Inducted into the National Sportscasters Association’s Hall of Fame in 2007, he’s called everything from Jack Nicholas sinking a must-make shot to the Super Bowl, and even the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan dispute during the 1994 Olympics, the highest-rated Olympic broadcast of all time.

78 | EXPLORE WINTER 2016-17

Photo by John F. Russell

While the award-winning sportscaster might have a cameo in “Happy Gilmore,” he’s never happier than when he’s at home in Steamboat, where he’s lived with his wife, Nancy, since 1984. “I learned to ski here in 1971 and fell in love with the place,” he says. “Then I played in a golf tournament here in 1975, which was my first experience here in summer. I vowed then to move to Steamboat.” After marrying Nancy in 1982, they made the move from Dallas, where he was calling NFL games with Terry Bradshaw. “So, we’re almost locals,” says Vernquist, who, with Nancy, won town’s Philanthropist of the Year award in 2012. “I was first attracted by the area’s beauty, but then I fell in love with the people here. I love that we’re a vibrant ranching community that’s also home to a world class ski resort and countless Olympians, who are our real celebrities.” At 77, Lundquist is showing Olympian-resilience himself on the mic. Listen for such tell-tale phrases as “How, do you DO!” or “Oh My Goodness!” on big hit plays this season, and look for him to return to his beloved Yampa Valley and the ski slopes of Steamboat once the year’s final touchdown is scored.

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STEAMBOATSPRINGS.NET/SKI 970.879.8499 | 845 HOWELSEN PARKWAY ALPINE SKIING AND NORDIC CENTER LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN STEAMBOAT

10S.COM 970.879.8400 | 2500 PINE GROVE ROAD OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 7 DAYS A WEEK! LOCATED AT THE BASE OF MT. WERNER

DAILY PUBLIC SKATE BUMPER CARS ON ICE SKATE RENTALS INDOOR FACILITY HEATED LOBBY

STEAMBOATSPRINGS.NET/ICE 970.871.7033 | 285 HOWELSEN PARKWAY LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS NEXT TO THE RODEO GROUNDS

YOUR REAL ESTATE SUCCESS BEGINS WITH EXPERT ADVICE.

“

Doug is an experienced professional who is not only highly respected by clients but also his colleagues. He offered good advice through the entire process of listing and selling our home. A good

”

listener and negotiator with

high standards and integrity. — MIKE & DIANE

AS A 30+ YEAR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL, I WOULD APPRECIATE PUTTING MY MARKET KNOWLEDGE, PERSONAL C ARE & KEEN NEGOTIATION SKILLS TO WORK FOR YOU!

56 NINTH STREET

DOUG LABOR A BR , A BR M, CEBA , CRS, E- PRO, G RI, RRP C:

970.846.0661

D L A B O R @ B U Y S T E A M B O AT. C O M

970.870.8885

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