Steamboat Springs, when you’re not skiing – Part Two

In part one of “Steamboat Springs, when you’re not skiing,” I shared a few places I love to grab a drink, and my inspiring experiences at the Strings Music Pavilion. Read it here.

Today, I am sharing a few more of my other favorite off slope activities in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Hot air balloon floating over Steamboat Springs, Colorado. HeidiTown.com
One morning, I awoke in my room at The Inn at Steamboat and opened the curtains to find this floating by my window.

Stay in Steamboat

I’ve had the pleasure of staying at three very nice accommodations near Steamboat Resort, including Trappeur’s Crossing Resort & Spa, a number of years ago, One Steamboat Place last year (read write up here) and most recently The Inn at Steamboat.

The Inn at Steamboat was a delightful experience. My stay at this boutique hotel was during the summer, so I utilized their pool daily. I also enjoyed their expansive breakfast buffet, but the highlight of my stay was waking to find a hot air balloon floating by my hotel window. Only a 5 minute drive from the base of the mountain, I would definitely recommend The Inn at Steamboat for your next Steamboat excursion. Go to InnatSteamboat.com to book a room today.

Soak in Steamboat

After a long day of skiing, or instead of a long day of skiing, soaking in natural hot springs is heavenly. There are two hot springs in Steamboat Springs and they couldn’t be more different. On my last trip I finally checked out  Old Town Hot Springs, located downtown.  

Old Twn Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. HeidiTown.com
Old Town Hot Springs, Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

A family-friendly environment, this is a beautiful, first-rate facility. There are a variety of pools and lots to do for the kiddos. This is a great place for families, but if you wanted to avoid the crowds a staff member recommended visiting in the morning or later in the evening.

Photo from Strawberry Park Hot Springs.
Photo provided by SPHS.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs  are one-of-a-kind. In the winter you have to brave traversing sheets of ice to reach the hot spring pools, but it’s worth it. I’ve visited in both winter and summer and each is a different experience. Steam rises from the pools in winter creating a distinctly Lord of the Rings sort of feeling. Twenty minutes out of town, a visit to Strawberry can be a very romantic if you are traveling with your sweetheart.

Party in the “˜Boat

Steamboat Springs has no lack of festivals to attend during the summer and winter. There’s always something happening making it worth the drive. My favorite winter event is Winter Carnival. I’ve gone to the event a handful of times and it never disappoints.

If you think you’d like to watch a sport that combines horses and skiing and another that combines skiing and fireworks, than Winter Carnival is for you. Occurring annually on the second weekend in February, I highly recommend planning your Steamboat ski trip around this event.

Winter Carnival Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Small kid Skijoring HeidiTown.com
A little girl skijoring down Main Street during Winter Carnival 2011 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

I also enjoy Springalicious at Steamboat Resort. This is a multi-weekend celebration of the end of the ski season, occurring in April. Events like the Cardboard Classic, the Pond Skimming Competition, Bill Kid’s 70th birthday party and a slope side concert series take place.

Our Shotski at Cardboard Classic at Steamboat Resort 2008. HeidiTown.com
Our entry into the 2008 Cardboard Classic – a cardboard shotski. We all represented different shot. We did not win, but boy did we have fun.

In the summer plan your trip around the Yampa River Festival, All Arts Fest or a number of other events that take place in Steamboat during the warm months.

Keep an eye on Steamboat-Chamber.com for all things Steamboat, including events, festivals, trip planning, lodging specials and more.

Link to Part One of this two part blog post.

Some experiences in this post were sponsored by Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association including the stay at The Inn at Steamboat.

3 Comments


  1. Would you believe I’ve never been to Steamboat before?! I feel like need to fix this situation.

    Reply

    1. You absolutely need to remedy that, Catherine! Steamboat Springs is a wonderful Colorado town.

      Thanks for stopping by HeidiTown!

      Reply

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