April 2012 Blog Posts (17)

Thank you for sharing the season with us in Ski Town USA.  Despite the unusual weather, everyone here hopes you enjoyed the mountain and have plenty of fun memories. Here are a few of our favorite memories from the past winter.

As we look ahead to next winter, Steamboat has much to celebrate as numerous milestones lie on the horizon. Not only…

Well, well... another season in the books.  And what a season it was.  I can't help but feel a little nostalgic on closing day and this year is no different.  There's always so much anticipation in November for the season to start and in what feels like a blink of an eye, it all comes to a close.…

We just returned home from a week (April 7 - April 14) in Steamboat. We were really worried about the lack of snow and warm temperatures, but we were able to ski everyday and hit the hot springs, horseback riding, hiking, rafting and even suntanning by the pool. It was a great time in Steamboat - so glad that we didn't cancel.

  On the eve of closing day, Mother Nature has decided to give us one last dusting. We've received over 4" of snow in the past 24 hours and the weekend outlook is calling for a winter storm warning. We are expected to receive between 5-12" by the end of the day on Sunday. It's shaping up to be one last powder day in Steamboat, so don't hang up the skis just yet and come out and join me for run last run. The skiing is great and this weekend's festivities will be a blast. …

Friday the 13th is off to a great start here in Steamboat. With a couple of inches blanketed atop fresh corduroy, it had one skier yelling, "holy cow, this is awesome!" and others hootin' and hollerin'. Just by smiles and laughter of the skiers and riders enjoying the fresh snow this morning, one would have thought it was a mid-winter powder day.

It was a spectacular ride up the gondola this morning with views of a layer of snow covering all the new…

Last night, the first spring thunderstorm of the year soaked the Yampa Valley and rejuvenated the trees and grass.  To enhance the conditions on Upper Mountain, the grooming crew re-groomed the runs after the storm, which caused a short delay in opening Upper Mountain this morning. 

While I wait to ski Upper Mountain, I take a couple of laps on Preview, a beginner run at the base.  The snow on Preview is perfectly slushy, almost like mashed potatoes, by 9:00 a.m.  I dig in my edges…

I can hardly believe my luck this morning to have soft snow. It may already be obvious that I really love spring skiing, but the timing required to take advantage of the softest snow usually conflicts with the Straight Talker's early schedule. Today things worked in my favor and my first run down Lightning was an edge hard and arc giant turns kind of run.…

I'll be the first to admit it. I'm loving the conditions we have on the mountain right now. It's been awhile since we've seen a spring like this and it probably won't happen for quite some  time. Now yes, I'll also admit, it would be nice to have a little more snow going into closing week, but not many people can say they've been skiing while it's 75 degrees out. There is still a little for everyone up there. The groomers run are holding their own and the bump runs like White Out and BC lift…

I was feeling a bit guilty this morning that I was headed to the mountain to ski instead of going to church.  But no matter what your religious affiliations are you simply can't deny that spring skiing on a day such as this is just heavenly. I decided to ski with a buddy this morning. His name is Sinbad (a.k.a. Sir Hops-A-Lot). Don't ask me how he got his name. That's just how he introduced himself to me this morning.  I quickly discovered that he's quite the camera hog and loves the…

  After two unseasonably wind fill days, Mother Nature has calmed thing down a bit and has blessed us with a cloudless bluebird sky morning. As we roll into the final week of skiing, the conditions are holding strong. With still close to 30% of the terrain open, the mountain crew has done a wonderful job battling the elements and keeping us skiing and riding for another few days. With temperatures expected into the 50's by this afternoon, it's shaping up to be another wonderful day in…

I'll admit that as I walked toward the Gondola this morning, I was a bit disheartened looking at the condition of the runs on Lower Mountain.  After a quick Gondola ride to the top, I could now see the skiable terrain on Upper Mountain, which is hidden from the base area.  I am reminded of the old adage, "Don't judge a book by its cover."  More than 50 well-covered runs are open for skiers and snowboarders to savor the final days of the winter season.

I am impressed by the…

We are having yet another beautiful, blue sky, spring day here in Steamboat.

The groomers did a great job performing their magic on the snow that had softened during the day yesterday. My warm-up run down Rudi's and Lightning got me ready for more. Next I took a brisk jaunt down Skyline and Lower Rainbow.…

Remember the 90's TV show Northern Exposure? Well today, let it be your guiding ethos for finding the best snow on the mountain.

Despite the recent closures on the south and west facing sections of the mountain, there is still…

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO-April 2, 2012-A special Outdoor Easter Sunrise Service will be held on the new Steamboat Stage in Gondola Square on Easter Sunday, April 8^th at 7:30 am. 

The standing outdoor service will take place for the first time on the new Steamboat Stage, located in the heart of Gondola Square, from 7:30 to 8:00 am. Tim Selby from the United Methodist Church of Steamboat Springs will oversee this non-denominational service celebrating Easter. In…

Well, it is April and Winter has come back.  I have to say it was very peaceful atop Mt. Werner this morning with a light snow falling.  There is frost back on the trees and lots of fluffy white coming out of the sky.  Due to warm weather conditions over the past few weeks expect to see some closures today on the Mountain.  The Sundown side including Sunshine Bowl is closed as well as lower mountain.  The open terrain is easily accessible via the Gondola at the start and end of your day.…

With today being the day of trickery nationwide, I had grand plans of writing a spoof report today.  Something along the lines of 'Unexpected Dump Leaves 3-Feet of Fresh Powder on Mt. Werner.'  Or better yet, how about 'Ski Area Frisbee Golf Tickets Now On Sale.' 

No, no... this is after all the Straight Talk Snow Report so let me give it to you straight.  With spring skiing nearing an end, slope conditions can best be described as variable.…