Family Reunion
It’s always fun to get out of town for a bit. Even when you’re living in a snowboard mecca like Summit County, Colorado. The life of smiling at and directing tourists around as well as avoiding or agrivatedly accepting the crowded lift lines can definitely get old. There are times where you just need to break out, even if you aren’t going too far away.
Steamboat Springs Resort is located about an hour and a half away from my home in Breckenridge, but boy does this place have a whole new look and feel. My parents were flying in from Pennsylvania to get a taste of winter since it eluded the east coast this year and we all decided that Breckenridge was old news, let’s hit up somewhere new. So my brother, sister and myself packed up and set out.
Kelley with ‘pre-slash’
Steamboat is always such a magical place to visit. Right along the Yampa River, no crowds and somehow it always seems to be sunny and gorgeous. The Aspen trees are beautiful against the blue bird skies, wide and open waiting for you to take some great turns through them.
The front side of the mountain has some great views of the Sleeping Giant (they say he’s going to wake up 2020) and the town. Lapping Storm Peak express we got a bunch of fun runs in, but the best side of Steamboat is Morning Side.
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS TRAIL MAP HERE
Morning Side lift takes you up and over to the other side of the resort. One chair lift with no lines to access steeper, deeper tree runs. Steamboat is legendary when you hit it on a powder day in this zone. Not so unfortunately for us, we just got a lot of sunshine, but Morning Side was still a beautiful area and we spent most of our days over there hiking to the inbounds terrain or dropping early for the quick gladed runs.
Hike-to inbounds terrain to Wake Up Call
The Grey Jays are so tame and love seeing shredders taking turns down the slopes. These birds will flutter right over to your hand, shoulder or head, whereever you stash a little piece of granola for them as a treat. These birds seem so much bigger once their weight lands on you. An average of 11 inches, these tweets come to connect with their fellow VNTRbirds.
Leanne is the bird whisperer
Selfie with my new friend
Runs in the family. Bird telling dad he appreciates the treat
When it’s time to head down for the day the Tiki Bar is a great small spot at the bottom of Right-O-Way trail where the locals seem to get together for a beer and some happy hour before heading back into town. We would get a pitcher to share there before heading 100 yards down to Slopeside Bar and Grill for a pizza or two to fill up from the full fun day.
Maybe had too many apres beers
At the end of the trip, and a lot of tumbles, we didn’t want the Boat to have left us bruised and sore so we spent the final morning skipping the slopes and traveled to the Strawberry Hotsprings. This place is completely off the beaten track (literally, if you don’t have 4WD vehicle you will not make it). Only $15 a person to trek in for all day use of these natural springs that have the tubs built right into the rock. Teepees have been added to change in privacy before choosing which pool is the right temperature for you.
Mom and dad relaxing in their own personal pool
Relaxing in each one, including the little personal tubs was the topping to the whole trip. Sunshine grazed our skin and encouraged us to hop in and out of the pools. We even took a dunk in the cold pool to refreshen our senses.
If you’re looking for a new mountain to explore and you’re in the state of Colorado, or willing to make the roadtrip, Steamboat Springs will satisfy your need for shred. I do suggest trying to find lift ticket deals on Liftopia or other such sites since it is around $150 per ticket, per day.
Carl Howelson.. He’s a big deal
-VNTRbirds
Words: Kelley Wren
Photos Contributed by:
Kelley Wren
Leanne Wren
Laura Lee Wren
Scott Schlegel