A return to 'Ski Town USA' after a 12 year hiatus requires some extra special attention. Read on:
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Entering Steamboat after dark, it is startling how widespread the township has become. Spread reasonably flat over a large geographic area, white lights twinkle in every direction, as opposed to resorts that squeeze condos in tight, cheek to cheek at the base of their imposing mountains.
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| Ok, I give it 'Stunning, 5 stars'. |
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| During Earth hour Steamboat would be hard to spot from the air. |
By day, a bizarre thought crept into my mind, as we drove along avenue and avenue of oversized timber condos and hotels, 'if this was London in the 1940-41 Blitz, Germany would have had NO chance' because this is a town that utilises the natural hues of the local environment, blending mass accommodation seamlessly into its surrounds, dark browns, lights browns and greys favoured over bright hues and gawdy decoration in other resorts.
THE RESORT
To tour Steamboat resort by skis is to witness a product that 'sells itself'. There is little need for garish signage or bruhaha, the mountains, trees and broad layout of the runs has a physical effect on the soul. Fresh air and the spirit of the forest seems to reach right in and soothe, the way only nature can. In an instance all seemingly urgent issues of life are forgotten. It is not always this way, but it is in this little part of the world.
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| Blows all your cares away. |
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| Feel the beauty. Especially if you're lacking your own. |
THE STATS
Steamboat is a series of mountain ranges with a summit elevation of 10,568 feet and 2,965 skiable acres. 165 trails are named, the longest being 4.8km (3 miles). Usually, Steamboat is well-regarded for 'champagne powder' found generously in between trees and on piste areas, as well as off-piste. With a casual base elevation of 6,900 feet in the ski-square, rivalling Australia's highest mountain at 7,310 feet, it is little wonder there is drinking fountains available everywhere and altitude sickness tablets sold in ski shops. This is an extremely legal way to get high.
EXCUSE ME? DOES USA HAVE A GFC RIGHT NOW?
Wads of cash, full bars and restaurants, frazzled but efficient waiters? Waitresses adding 20% to the tab coz she correctly guesses Aussies are bad at tipping. Talk of scooping up great value condos and the beer flows on. Is there a Global Financial Crisis somewhere in the world? Not here it seems. I'm not seeing. Queue at the ski shop? Is Colorado singlehandedly propping up their economy? With the help of Australian skiers, of course. Three Aussie kids in a class of 5. Not bad. Finally we can bring our Aussie dollars to the States and match you dollar for dollar (almost).
LAYOUT AND FEEL OF STEAMBOAT
This is a town with a distinct 'downtown', similar to Park City, Utah in it's splendour, grandour and general beauty. Whilst in town it's easy to forget there's a ski resort next door. Whist skiing it's easy to forget there's a downtown. The town of Steamboat was populated with a flood of punters seeking their fortune gold mining around 1907 and it retains that isolated mining town charm, buildings that have beauty in their timber craft, signage and awnings. Downtown there is a smaller club ski field that is steep and substantial enough to draw night skiers and ski team members to train there.
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| Feels like a gold rush to me. |
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| Proud of being proud. |
Bars and restaurants are unashamedly 'All-American', which I really admire. Let's face it, if I wanted a German beer hall I'd go to Cologne. Walls are proudly adorned with American football and ski team memorabilia, signed basket balls and ice hockey outfits. Very educational, actually. I learnt about the American College 'bowls' today. I'm all for promoting sport for healthy hobbies, evidently.
There is a self-confident feel to the ski resort, and not because they've been selling the same style t-shirts since my last visit as a university student 12 years ago. There's a real sense of we've got something great here'. They've got the system down pat, the price is right and a ski destination niche is filled (more on this below). It's like the finals of Miss Universe when the contestant knows she's got it all. Why stress? That's the feel to Steamboat.
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| I bet on some days residents forget there's even a ski resort there. |
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| Slightly spectacular! |
