What’s New at Steamboat this Winter Season

New Restaurants, Retail Shops and Trail Signs Highlight Changes Ahead for Steamboat’s 2018/19 Winter Season

Major changes are abound at Steamboat Ski Resort for the upcoming winter season, with construction projects beginning in early summer to provide new restaurants, retail shops, trail signs, a new location for STARS and more. In addition to on-the-ground changes, Steamboat’s air program added three new nonstop flight markets partnering with JetBlue.  

“This is the first summer and winter we’re seeing Alterra’s investment come to life at Steamboat Ski Resort, and the changes are stunning,” said Rob Perlman, president and chief operating officer of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “Guests will most certainly notice the addition of Timber & Torch in the heart of Gondola Square, but they’ll be surprised to see so many other transformations on and off the mountain. We’re excited to share our upgrades.”

Food & Beverage

Timber & Torch: The base area restaurant and bar experience will be transformed with the complete overhaul of the Bear River into Timber & Torch. The centerpiece restaurant for Gondola Square will feature expanded indoor seating for 290, a new outdoor heated patio, two indoor/outdoor bars, an exterior fireplace and a new outdoor grill. Terrace seating is increased as the Umbrella Bar is removed to provide more space for guests soaking in the sun. Timber & Torch, named for the resort’s legendary trees and Olympian heritage, will feature gastropub inspired food, including an open-face steak sandwich, the T&T Rachel, hand-cut fries, drunken mussels in locally brewed beer, flatbreads and charcuterie boards. In addition to an extensive craft beer lineup, Timber & Torch’s bars will serve signature craft cocktails. Timber & Torch will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner starting winter 2018/19.

Taco Beast: Taking the food truck to new levels, Steamboat announces the Taco Beast, an on-mountain snowcat redefining “slopeside” dining. The Taco Beast will serve four types of trail tacos, the resort’s take on street tacos, esquites (Mexican street corn on the cob) and Mexican-style beer. Guests can find out more information about the Taco Beast including expected locations, dates and times of operations and how to track the Taco Beast online at Steamboat.com/TacoBeast (information coming in winter 2018).

Umbrella Bar & BBQ: The popular Umbrella Bar moves from the base area to Rendezvous Lodge, providing additional indoor/outdoor bar service to guests in the Sunshine Peak area of the mountain. The Umbrella Bar will be open daily from 11 am to 3 pm serving drinks and quick bites throughout the winter season.

Flights

New JetBlue nonstop flights: Steamboat is proud to partner with JetBlue Airlines to offer three new nonstop flights from Boston Logan International (BOS), Ft. Lauderdale- Hollywood International (FLL), and Long Beach (LGB). The Boston and Long Beach flights will operate twice a week, and Ft. Lauderdale will operate once a week from Dec. 15 through March 30 on an A320 aircraft capable of accommodating 150 passengers. In addition to serving skiers and snowboarders in these three markets, JetBlue offers convenient connections from additional destinations across the country.

15 nonstop flight markets: Steamboat’s air program continues to be one of the most robust in the Rocky Mountains with 10 new nonstop markets in the past seven years. With 15 total nonstop markets flying to Ski Town, U.S.A.®, Steamboat is one of the most accessible ski resort destinations in the Rocky Mountains.

On- Mountain Projects

Trail Signs: In an effort to make it easier for guests to navigate the mountain, resort crews undertook the massive job of replacing and relocating all on-mountain signage during the 2018 summer. Guests will notice easier to read signs, more effective sign placement and route finding, and new sign locations spread across the resort’s 2,965 acres. All signs were produced in-house by the resort’s sign shop and took 107 days of production and labor to finalize the project.  Crews cut 60,000 pounds of wood, used 5800 screws, 170 gallons of stain, 15 cases of Gatorade and received 7 stiches to produce the 327 sign bases and 228 new trail signs. True to Steamboat’s western roots, the job required additional horsepower, and horses were used to haul the signs to some remote locations.

EIS Approval: The resort moves one step closer to major on-mountain improvements with the approval of the Environmental Impact Statement specific to Pioneer Ridge and Bashor projects by the US Forest Service in the fall of 2018. This approval sets the foundation for the resort to move forward with planning and funding from Alterra Mountain Company. The two projects are a part of the resort’s approved Master Development Plan but are not yet approved for construction.

Loyalty Programs

Ski Your Pass Off: Bragging rights are part of the skiing and snowboarding experience and Steamboat aims to reward its most loyal powderhounds with the Ski Your Pass Off loyalty program. Tested during the 2017-18 winter season, and welcomed with great fanfare, Ski Your Pass Off rewards guests for the number of days they hit the mountain. As little as 10 days earns skiers and riders a sticker for posterity and $10 towards any Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation restaurant. From there, guests receive rewards at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 days, including stickers touting their additional days and $20 at each benchmark. Guest who ski all 144 days of the season receive additional recognition and rewards at an end of season celebration. There is also an early season “Ski Your Pass Off” incentive; guests who ski or ride 10 days prior to Dec. 31, 2018 will receive a complimentary First Tracks ticket for use anytime during the winter season.

Retail

Steamboat Mercantile: Located in the heart of Gondola Square across from Gondola Joe’s, the resort’s newest retail outlet features Steamboat logo wear including apparel from resort partners such as Marmot and The North Face and gift items. Open daily during the winter season starting at 8 am.

The North Face Store: Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation and The North Face opened a downtown Steamboat Springs retail location in September 2018.  The store, located at 827 Lincoln Avenue, encompasses 1972 square feet of retail and offers a wide range of The North Face products including summer and winter active wear, outerwear, footwear and accessories. The North Face Steamboat store is one of 13 flagship locations across legendary mountain communities and will offer dedicated retail space for TNF clothing and footwear. The store will be managed and operated by Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation staff.

Ski Corral: Below the new Timber & Torch in Gondola Square, Steamboat has redefined overnight ski storage with a permanent Ski Corral facility. Complete with state of the art racking systems, guests will be able to leave their skis and snowboards at the convenient base area location at the end of the day and collect them with ease before loading the Gondola in the morning. In addition to guest overnight storage, a limited number of seasonal storage slots will be available for long-term storage.