Steamboat Springs is largest city and county seat of Routt County, Colorado. As of the 2000 census, Steamboat Springs has a population of approximately 9,800 and host hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. This winter wonderland is internationally known as the winter resort destination with skiing, hot springs and natural beauty. The city’s tourism draws visitors from all over the world, as reflected in the fact that the speed limit signs display the limits in both miles and kilometers per hour.
Originally home to the Yampatikas Utes who used the area for hunting grounds, Steamboat Springs was first visited by European trappers in the early 1800s. These first European visitors named the area for the chugging noise made by the local hot springs. Ranchers were soon to follow and ranching became the primary of the valley, until in the late 1800s a mining boom occurred in the area of Hahns Peak. The town itself was formed in 1884 by James Crawford.
Skiing was the only method of transportation during the harsh Rocky Mountains and soon became a winter pastime which catalyzed development of the town and other communities all over the Rocky Mountains. In 1913, Carl Howelsen, a Norwegian, moved to town and introduced ski jumping. Howelsen built the first jump on namesake Howelsen Hill, now part of the Howelsen Ski Area. Carl Howelsen also founded the annual Winter Carnival which is still held each winter and includes ski racing and jumping, dog sledding, and chariot events down the city's main street.
Steamboat Ski Resort was established by two locals, Jim Temple and John Fetcher. Jim Temple developing the area and Fetcher designed and helped build the resort. In 1963 the resort opened on what was then known as Storm Mountain.
By 1974, The Industrial Company (TIC) was started in Steamboat Springs and has since grown into one of the largest industrial construction companies in the United States with revenues of approximately $2 billion in 2007. The company is one of the largest employers in Routt County and has more than 9,000 employees worldwide.
In 1993, the City Council of Steamboat Springs, Colorado conducted a poll of its residents to choose a new name for the bridge that crossed the Yampa River on Shield Drive. A local radio station found out about the poll and added their favorite call-in suggestion, "James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge", which became the winning name with 7,717 votes. The bridge was officially dedicated in September 1993, and James Brown appeared at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the event.
The Steamboat Springs Parks and Recreation Department strives to ensure that all parks and park facilities receive the maintenance required to leave a positive lasting impression on those who use them. There are over 1,000 acres of park land throughout Steamboat Springs and their parks offer something for everyone. Reservations are available for Howelsen Park facilities; including ball fields, rodeo arena, and the beach/volleyball area, and the Ski Town Sports Complex.
Haymaker Golf Course
Accommodating and challenging golfers of all ability levels from novice to professional, Haymaker Golf Course is a 233 acre, city-owned public golf course features at least four sets of tees per hole, playing from 5,059 to 7,308 yards. This is a core golf course built for golfers with no residential development, no distractions except for the broad vistas of the Yampa Valley and Mount Werner. The course offers good green size with different cupping positions and has a substantial practice area, with a driving range, sand trap, chipping and putting green.
Howelsen Hill Ski Area
Howelsen Hill Ski Area holds a unique place in the history of skiing. It has sent more skiers to international competition than any other area in North America. Howelsen Hill boasts a remarkable heritage. It is the oldest ski area in continuous use in Colorado, and has the largest and most complete natural ski jumping complex in North America. Howelsen has been the training ground for more than 64 Olympians making over 90 Winter Olympic appearances, 15 members of the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame and 6 members of the National Ski Hall of fame.
Howelsen Hill was recently acknowledged as a "Pioneer Ski Resort" by the International Skiing History Association and the Colorado Ski Museum Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. Come experience skiing history in the Yampa Valley!
Yampa River Botanical Park
Free to the public, the Botanic Park is a great place to visit to relax. Park amenities include benches, walkways, a grassy knoll that’s great for picnicking, bird watching, or just relaxing. The gardens attract a wide variety of native birds and butterflies
Hot Spring and Spas
Thanks to its unique location, Steamboat Springs offers a variety of Hot Springs and Spas for your convenience. The Old Town Hot Springs is conveniently located in downtown and offers a full pool experience including a slide for the kids. For those into a more rustic feel, the Strawberry Park Hot Springs is approximately seven miles out of town. Nestled perfectly in a mountain setting, visitors can pick from a variety of different temperature pools while taking in the brisk and rejuvenating Rocky Mountain air. Experience the ultimate in relaxation and enjoy one of the many services that local spas have to offer.
Steamboat Ski Town
Seven thousand feet up in the Colorado Rockies, nestled quietly below one of the largest ski mountains in North America, sits a small ranching community that serves as a constant reminder that the Old West is alive and well. Never far from its ranching roots, Steamboat remains firmly linked to a Western tradition that sets it apart from every other ski resort in the world.
Steamboat is known around the globe simply as Ski Town, U.S.A.® and has produced more winter Olympians than any other town in North America, now a record 69 and counting. Including the 20 Steamboat athletes competing at the 2006 Games, Steamboat's Olympians have represented five different countries, and made 120 Olympic appearances during 16 Winter Games.
And long before people strapped on skis for fun, Steamboat residents in the late 1800s were using ski and snowshoes in their daily lives. You'll be hard pressed to find another resort town that exudes this much history, heritage and character. Come see for yourself why Steamboat continues to hold a special place in the hearts of so many people.
Click here for more information about recreation in Steamboat Springs and Routt County
To learn more about the Parks and Recreations Department, please visit them online at: http://steamboatsprings.net/departments/parks_recreation/.
Steamboat Springs is home to many spectacular attractions that are sure to take your breath away. Come relax in the Old Town Hot Springs or attend one of the many exciting festivals that the town has to offer.
Steamboat Ski Resort
Seven thousand feet up in the Colorado Rockies, nestled quietly below one of the largest ski mountains in North America, sits a small ranching community that serves as a constant reminder that the Old West is alive and well. Never far from its ranching roots, Steamboat remains firmly linked to a Western tradition that sets it apart from every other ski resort in the world.
Yampa River State Park
The Yampa River State Park is located in Yampa Valley west of Steamboat Springs. The Elkhead Reservoir and the Headquarters on the Yampa River offer visitors a wonderful area to enjoy Colorado's outdoors. The Reservoir offers an excellent place for camping and flat-water sports, while Yampa River offers wonderful river recreation with eight public access sites.
Routt County Fairgrounds
Routt County Fairgrounds is located in the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains and is a complete fairgrounds facility boasting an exceptional multi-purpose building/indoor arena, outdoor arena, horse stalls, camping, hall rental, and so much more. Routt County Fairgrounds is home to the best little fair in northwest Colorado.
Old Town Hot Springs
This family-friendly facility is a historic hot spring and recreational facility in the heart of Steamboat Springs. A great spot for recreation and rejuvenation for visitors and locals alike, Old Town Hot Springs has two new 225-foot waterslides, a new 3,000 square foot hot activity pool, refurbished Heart Spring pool and more. Open seven days a week, the Old Town Hot Springs pump approximately 150 gallons of water per minute.
Steamboat Springs Arts
Steamboat Springs Art Council works hard to create and coordinate a wide variety of arts activities that meet the ever-changing needs of the growing community. The Steamboat Springs Art Council manages the Depot as a multi-use facility and works to benefit the arts and community at large. “It is our passion and responsibility to ensure that the arts grow in ways that are meaningful and beneficial to the community.”
Strings in the Mountains
Strings Music Festival is a summer music festival, also presenting a concert series in the winter. Strings Park is located at the corner of Mt. Werner Rd and Pine Grove Rd.
A nationally recognized, award-winning music festival, Strings presents over 85 performances of chamber music, jazz, rock, country, bluegrass, world rhythms, and many other genres every summer. Artists include Grammy winners and nominees, major competition winners and principal players from the most renowned orchestras and international soloists.
Throughout the summer, enjoy chamber music concerts every Wednesday and Saturday evenings, the Different Tempo Series including jazz, country, and bluegrass on Fridays, Youth and Family Concerts every Tuesday, and free Music on the Green performances at the Yampa River Botanic Park every Thursday. With a schedule like this, there’s simply no excuse to miss a Strings Music Festival production.
The intimate 540-seat Pavilion overlooks breathtaking vistas of Mt. Werner, Emerald Mountain and the beautiful Yampa Valley, making it an ideal venue to hear world-class music.