Steamboat's silver medal winning Nordic Combined Ski Team: Brett, Todd, Johnny and Billy

The 2010 Vancouver Olympics will be remembered as one of the most successful ever for Steamboat Springs. Nordic Combined skiers Johnny Spillane, Todd Lodwick,  Billy Demong and Brett Camerota claimed Silver in the team event and a Gold (Demong) and two Silvers (Spillane) in individual events.

Not only was this the single most successful Olympics for Steamboat Springs Olympians, the Nordic Combined team made history for the United States!  Team USA has never climbed upon the Olympic podium in the sport of Nordic Combined. In Vancouver, they claimed silver in all three events and gold for the final individual event.  Billy Demong was honored for these historical achievements by being selected as the US flag bearer at the Closing Ceremonies.

Just as Steamboat showed their support for their 17 athletes at the Olympian Send-off on on February 5, thousands will gather again on April 2 to welcome them home.  The “Hometown Heroes Celebration” is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 2nd in downtown Steamboat Springs and will include a parade as well as other festivities.

The success of these athletes continues to build on Steamboat’s legacy as Ski Town, USA.

Steamboat locals are mountain weather gurus, combining data from NORAD, NASA, The Weather Channel and conversations overheard in slopeside bars to come up with their own unique interpretation of why they might not report for work until after 11:00am on any given day.  One thing is for sure, an epic powder day can change the way you see the world and with this comes a whole new set of rules in the game of life.

“Invoking the powder clause” is a sacred ritual that defines some of the many reasons to live in the mountains.  For some, lucky enough to have an employer who builds in a written or unwritten rule that if it snows 6 inches or more, it’s okay to show up to work late.  This means pure unbridled guilt-free pleasure on an epic powder morning.  You return to work with a smile that will last all week and your employer achieves venerable status (for a few hours at least).  For others, who may not have such a flexible work arrangement, it could mean looking for another job when you get back from the mountain.  That’s a big decision in in the current economic climate - depending on just how deep the snow was that day.

For visitors to Steamboat “invoking the powder clause” means other things, such as late night negotiations with your spouse over who is taking the kids to ski school in the morning so that one of you can experience a champagne powder day.  (”At least once in your lifetime” is the recommended verbiage : delivered from the kneeling position).  Other social graces, such as waiting for your overweight brother-in-law at the end of each glee-filled powder run, are abandoned as the “no friends on a powder day” rule also comes into play, exempting you from being crossed off the Christmas Card list for the next five years.

Whatever your reason to be in Steamboat, if the stars are in alignment and you happen to hit a powder day it is likely to be memorable on all counts.  If you are a true die-hard early-bird you can experience “pressing glass” at the Gondola (pressing your face against the glass doors at the entrance to the Gondola building).  Conversations about where to go first, overheard your first few chairlifts of the day will be your best clue as to where the primo powder-stashes are to be found.  If you don’t get lucky I am here to tell you that on a big powder day there are few mistakes to be made about where to go first.  The biggest mistake would be to not be there.

Epic powder.  It’s a game changer for sure.

July's Balloon Rodeo is spectacular

What is the #1 family ski resort like in the summer? We have a saying, if you haven’t been to Steamboat in the summertime, then you have missed the ‘Boat! As the days grow longer and warmer thoughts turn to the approaching summer. With kids out of school families are realizing what an ideal location Steamboat is for a gathering or reunion.

Top 5 Reasons Steamboat is the ultimate summer family reunion destination:

Steamboat's Alpine Slide (The Howler)

1. Something for everyone: There is no shortage of things to do with many miles of biking and hiking trails, white water rafting, fishing and horseback riding and more all on your doorstep. A variety of festivals, music and sporting events from Grammy-winning performers at the Strings Music Festival to professional bronco-busting cowboys at the PRCA Pro-Rodeo Series. Summer in Steamboat Springs offers activities and events for every age in your family on any given day.

2. Family-friendly: Steamboat Springs is a real town, real community. Ranching families have lived in the Yampa Valley for generations, and young families have moved to town for the quality of life. So naturally families on vacation fit right in with the rest of the community.  Your family will feel at home and at ease from a cheerful breakfast at one of our restaurants to mingling with the locals at a casual free concert in the evening. Steamboat’s friendliness is both world-renowned and addictive.

Fly fishing with the experts

3. Accessible activities: It is amazing how many activities and events you can fill into one day. It’s a simple result of the fact we have so much to do in our area.  Where else can you take an epic mountain bike ride in the morning, relax in natural hot springs in the afternoon and catch and release a 24-inch trout in the evening?

4. Affordable amenities: You can stay in a luxury vacation home for less than the cost per night of staying at a cookie cutter standard hotel. Many of the things you can do in Steamboat are priced with families in mind. Our restaurants cover all tastes and budgets. And with a fully-equipped kitchen and outdoor grill, home-cooked meals in a mountain paradise have a taste all of their own.

Family reunions love Steamboat

5. Variety of lodging: Private homes are ideal for families and family reunions because they offer privacy, flexibility and room for everyone. We have homes for all sizes from our Mountain High Chalet, a perfect retreat for a family of 8 or less, or the Bear Chalets which comfortably accommodates a multi-generation reunion up to 24 in eight bedrooms.

There are many more reasons that bring families back to Steamboat Springs year after year.  Come and find yours.

After skiing or riding do your muscles scream, “serenity now!”? You can relax and recover during your Steamboat ski vacation at our newest luxury amenity: The Spa at One Steamboat Place.

Located at the base of the Steamboat Ski Area, The Spa at One Steamboat Place offers a custom menu of treatments and packages inspired by the natural environment found in the Yampa Valley.

As a guest at One Steamboat Place you can take your ski vacation to a deeper level with one of the specialty massages at The Spa. Your legs get a workout on the slopes so rejuvenate with the “Kick Off Your Boots” massage. It begins with a soothing soak in an aromatic blend of Mountain Pine, Lavender and Rosemary. Next your feet and legs are exfoliated and then enveloped in an invigorating mask, capped off with a full leg and foot massage.

Or start off your day with the “Rise & Shine,” an exhilarating mix of Thai herbal poultices and lengthening stretches to warm up your muscles, and includes the application of mineral rich, antioxidant toner and organic sunscreen.

For those who prefer to indulge in a whole body experience, The Spa’s menu of gourmet treatments will make you salivate.  From the “Alpine Hay Body Wrap with Arnica and Birch Liniment Massage” to the “Toasty Spice Body Peel with Rich Carrot Wrap.”

The Spa also offers several varieties of facials to bring your skin back to life after the sun and wind burn you received on the mountain. Make a date with that special someone and choose from one of three couples’ treatments. Or, take a spa day and spend 3-4 hours treating your body to the pleasure of one the Spa Packages.

Whatever your pleasure, you can enjoy every moment of pampering from the plush robe and slippers, during your treatment, or unwinding in the steam room. Go ahead, sign up, you deserve it!

Steamboat nordic skiers win GOLD AND SILVER!!

History was made today as the US Nordic Combined Team came home with a GOLD and SILVER medal in the Nordic Combined Large Hill event at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Weather created a number of challenges that impacted jumping results in the first portion of the event.  Todd Lodwick, a five-time Olympian from Steamboat Springs, came up short with his jump and had to start 1 minute and 13 seconds back which proved to be an impossible task in a World-Class field.

As his team-mates quickly established their position at the front of the field and dueled with Gruber of Austria for four intense laps of the 2.5km course, Lodwick was able to hold the chasing group at a slower pace providing his team-mates with a crucial advantage.

It has been said more than once since the people of Steamboat turned out in the thousands to send 17 more Olympians to Vancouver that it takes a community to raise an Olympian.  We are especially proud today for the support that we have been able to give these guys and to play a part in their success.  They have worked hard to establish the US a a force to be reckoned with in a sport dominated by European countries.  Until now!!