Steamboat Springs has a good range of winter activities if you’re looking for a break from skiing or snowboarding at the ski resort.
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Steamboat Springs has the word “springs” in it for good reason, so it seems apt to have a soak in the thermal hot springs. The best option, particularly if you have your own wheels, is the Strawberry Park Hot Springs. These thermal springs are located in a natural setting, and you may even see some elk loitering around the hills. There are various pools with differing temperatures and the water is said to aid with various ailments and potentially even make you look gorgeous!
A visit to the Strawberry Park hot springs is a great activity after skiing or snowboarding, to soak any weary muscles. The hot springs are open during the day and into the evening, but keep in mind that at night it seems that wearing your bathers is optional!
It’s a little bit of a drive to get out to the Strawberry Park Hot Springs. The drive takes about 15 minutes and the last part of the road is unpaved and only suitable for a 4WD vehicle or a car with chains. Otherwise there are two private shuttle companies that can provide transport to and from the hot springs;
Sweet Pea Tours and
Hot Springs Adventures.
The other option for a soak is the Old Town Hot Springs in downtown Steamboat. This is very family friendly and in addition to the mineral hot pools, there is a swimming pool and waterslide.
Steamboat Cat Skiing
I’m a bit biased because I love skiing gorgeous powder, but a must do in Steamboat Springs is a day out
snowcat skiing with
Steamboat Powdercats. This is the best cat skiing I’ve done in the USA. One great aspect of their operation is that they run three groups for different ability levels – intermediate, advanced and expert. Ahhh….lovely Steamboat powder.
Other Snow Things to Do in Steamboat Springs
For a slightly different pace, Steamboat offers a large number of groomed cross-country trails (120km). There are also lots of opportunities for snow shoeing, and a couple of companies offer guided backcountry snowshoe tours.
Family Activities Steamboat
Snow tubing is sure to give the children (or big kids) a bit of a hoot. Tubing at Howelson Hill in town is one option, or
Saddleback Ranch has an amazing tubing hill called Yee-Haw!! They’ll pick you up at your accommodation and drive you out to the ranch which is about 45 minutes from Steamboat. This is incredibly popular so it’s worth putting in a reservation.
In the Mountain Village in Gondola Square is the Coca-Cola Adventure Zone. This little area provides family oriented activities including a slingshot bungee jump and a mechanical bull.
Horse drawn sleigh rides are a popular family activity. There are a few local ranches that provide sleigh rides followed by a special dinner in a teepee or cosy lodge.
Ice skating is available at the Howelsen Ice Arena.
Adventure Activities
Steamboat Springs offers a huge range of winter activities for those with an adventurous spirit. Options include ice driving school, ice climbing, dog sledding, winter fly fishing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. There are also a couple of companies that offer hot air ballooning, a very picturesque way to spend the morning.
Steamboat is synonymous with horses and amazingly it’s still possible to go horseback riding when the snow is deep. Saddleback Ranch offers a winter horseback tour (along with other activities), and they have a complimentary shuttle service to get there.
Relaxation
If you’re truly fatigued from all the other things to do in Steamboat Springs, it could be time for some complete R&R. Steamboat has a few day spas and massage services. The Grand Spa in the Steamboat Grand is one example, offering relaxing massages, facials and body treatments.