Ask a local and they’ll tell you: Steamboat isn’t just a ski resort. It’s a legend on a lift line. A place where the mountain remembers every turn, every wipeout, and every triumph carved into its snow since 1963.
Yes, that’s the year Steamboat Ski Resort officially opened — and no, this wasn’t just some corporate resort dropped into the Rockies with a blueprint and a budget. This was a homegrown movement, powered by cowboy grit and a stubborn love of skiing.
The Mountain That Built a Town
Steamboat’s ski culture actually predates the resort itself. Locals were schussing down Howelsen Hill as early as 1914, and Olympic hopefuls were already emerging from the Yampa Valley’s snowy womb long before tourists ever buckled a rental boot.
But in 1963, something bigger took hold. Mount Werner (named after local Olympian Buddy Werner) became the home of the newly-minted Steamboat Ski Area, and everything changed — not overnight, but turn by turn.
Buddy Werner: The Local Who Became a Legend
Buddy wasn’t just the mountain’s namesake — he was its spirit. Raised in Steamboat Springs, he became one of the first American skiers to truly challenge the European elite. Tragically killed in an avalanche in 1964, he remains the beating heart of this place.
To ski down Mount Werner is to follow in Buddy’s tracks. And yes, if that gave you chills, you’re not alone.
From Barnstorming to Champagne Powder
The early years weren’t glamorous. Lift towers creaked. Powder days meant long hikes. Locals ran rope tows using spare parts and engine blocks. But slowly, word got out.
“Champagne Powder” — a phrase coined here and trademarked by the resort — became Steamboat’s signature. Light, dry, and impossibly soft. If snow could flirt, this is what it would feel like.
By the ‘70s and ‘80s, the mountain exploded in popularity. New lifts, new terrain, and a ski school that became one of the most respected in the world.
What Makes Steamboat Different
Sure, it has terrain parks and après ski. But Steamboat never lost its ranch town roots. The lifties still wear cowboy hats. The signs are hand-painted. The vibe is more “pass the flask” than “pop the champagne.”
And while other resorts became brands, Steamboat stayed a community on a mountain.
Also, somewhere around here is the only lift shack in North America with a signed photo of a moose. True story. Just ask around.
Today’s Steamboat: Still Legendary
Now owned by Alterra Mountain Company, Steamboat continues to evolve — with expanded terrain, faster lifts, and a new era of investments in infrastructure. But the soul? Still intact.
You don’t ride Steamboat to be seen. You ride it to remember. And to be reminded — that the best skiing in the world isn’t always the steepest or the fanciest. Sometimes, it’s just the most honest.
Plan your trip to Steamboat’s historic slopes.
Explore Mount Werner’s terrain, learn about Buddy Werner’s legacy, or get your pass through Steamboat Ski Passes. It’s more than skiing. It’s coming home to snow.