Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding

The Steamboat Springs Ski Area is perhaps best known for its tree skiing and "cruising" terrain -- the latter term referring to wide, groomed runs perfect for intermediate-level skiers. The abundance of cruising terrain has made Steamboat immensely popular with those who ski once or twice a year and who aren't looking to tax their abilities. On a predominantly western exposure -- most ski areas sit on north-facing exposures -- the resort benefits from intense sun, which contributes to the mellow atmosphere. In addition, one of the most extensive lift systems in the region allows skiers to take many runs without having to spend much time waiting in line. The Storm Peak and Sundown high-speed quads, for example, each send you about 2,000 vertical feet in less than seven minutes. Do the math: A day of more than 60,000 vertical feet is entirely within the realm of possibility.

All this is not to suggest, however, that Steamboat is a piece of cake for more-experienced skiers. Pioneer Ridge encompasses advanced and intermediate terrain. Steamboat is renowned as a breeding ground for top mogul skiers, and for good reason. There are numerous mogul runs, but most are not particularly steep. The few with a vertical challenge, such as Chute One, are not especially long. If you're looking for challenging skiing at Steamboat, take on the trees. The ski area has done an admirable job of clearing many gladed areas of such nuisances as saplings, underbrush, and fallen timber, making Steamboat tree skiing much less hazardous than at other areas. The trees are also where advanced skiers -- as well as, in some places, confident intermediates -- can find the best of Steamboat's much-ballyhooed powder. Statistically, Steamboat doesn't report significantly more snowfall than other Colorado resorts, but somehow snow piles up here better than at the others. Ask well-traveled Colorado skiers, and they'll confirm that when it comes to consistently good, deep snow, Steamboat is hard to beat. 2305 Mount Werner Circle. 970/879-6111. www.steamboat.com. Late-Nov.-mid-Apr., daily 8:30-3:30.

The tiny Howelsen Hill Ski Area, in the heart of Steamboat Springs, is the oldest ski area still open in Colorado. Howelsen, with three lifts, 15 trails, one terrain park and a 440-foot vertical drop, is home of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, which boast more than 700 members. The ski area not only has an awesome terrain park, but has night skiing as well. It's the largest ski-jumping complex in America, and a major Olympic training ground. 845 Howelsen Pkwy. 970/879-8499. Nov.-Mar., Mon. 11-6:30, Tues.-Fri. 11-8, Sat. 9-8, Sun. 9-4:30.

Facilities

3,668-foot vertical drop; 2,965 skiable acres; 13% beginner, 56% intermediate, 31% advanced; 1 8-passenger gondola, 4 high-speed quad chairs, 1 quad chair, 6 triple chairs, 6 double chairs, and 7 surface lifts.

Lessons & Programs

>Half-day group lessons begin at $34; all-day lessons are $39. Clinics in moguls, powder, snowboarding, and "hyper-carving" -- made possible by the design of shaped skis -- are available. General information about the ski areas is available through the Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation (970/879-6111). Intensive two- and three-day training camps in racing and advanced skiing are scheduled through the Billy Kidd Center for Performance Skiing (800/299-5017). Programs for kids from 6 months to 15 years of age are given through the Kids' Vacation Center (970/871-5375). Day care is also available.

Snowcat skiing -- where a vehicle delivers you to hard-to-reach slopes -- has been called the poor man's version of helicopter skiing, although at $200 to $300 a day, it's not exactly skiing for the lunch-pail crowd. But snowcat users don't have to worry about landing and can get to places that would be inaccessible by helicopter. Buffalo Pass, northeast of Steamboat, is reputed to be one of the snowiest spots in Colorado, and that's why it's the base for Steamboat Powder Cats (970/879-5188 or 800/288-0543). There's a maximum of 24 skiers per group, so the open-meadow skiing is never crowded.

Lift Tickets

$74. Savings of 5% or less on multiday tickets. Children 12 and under ski free when adults purchase a five-day ski ticket.

Rentals

Equipment packages are available at the gondola base as well as at ski shops in town. Packages (skis, boots, and poles) average about $41 a day, less for multiday rentals. Call Steamboat Central Reservations (970/879-0740 or 800/922-2722) for rental information.