* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 18 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Elkhead and Park Mountains. * WHEN...From late Friday night through late Saturday night. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible at times. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
Bluebird skies and mild overnight temps greeted skiers this Christmas morning at Steamboat Ski Resort, where the thermometer held a balmy 40.8°F overnight—well above seasonal norms. Steamboat Ski Resort is located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, offering 2,965 acres of skiable terrain with 165 trails.
Wind
Humidity
The current snowpack sits at 14 inches, significantly below average for this time of year, with a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 4.4 inches, underscoring a thinner base. Despite the below-average buildup, groomers have kept primary runs in solid condition, with packed powder on higher elevations and soft corn forming on sun-exposed slopes by mid-afternoon.
Relief is in the forecast: 0.63” of fresh snow is expected within the next 24 hours, with totals climbing to over 6” by Monday. This incoming storm system should help rejuvenate terrain ahead of the New Year rush. Meanwhile, the buzz across the mountain centers around the resort's exciting transformation—Steamboat is set to unveil North America's fastest and longest 10-person gondola next fall, part of a $15-million upgrade fueling anticipation for future seasons. Holiday spirit meets alpine adventure today, as families take advantage of seasonal perks and festivities. Keep an eye out—wildlife sightings, including curious bear cubs and slope-strolling moose, have added a touch of wild wonder to the Steamboat experience this season.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Rabbit Ears.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Steamboat Ski Resort.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Steamboat Ski Resort impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
The Steamboat Ski Resort in Colorado is located in the Rocky Mountains. Some of the pertinent mountain ranges and aspects of the resort include:
1. Park Range: The Steamboat Ski Resort is situated in the Park Range, which is a sub-range of the Rocky Mountains. The Park Range is known for its rugged peaks and stunning alpine scenery.
2. Mount Werner: The main peak at the Steamboat Ski Resort is Mount Werner, which reaches an elevation of 10,568 feet. The resort's ski runs are spread out across the slopes of Mount Werner, offering a variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.
3. Storm Peak: Another prominent peak at the Steamboat Ski Resort is Storm Peak, which reaches an elevation of 10,372 feet. Storm Peak offers challenging terrain for advanced skiers and riders, as well as stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
4. Sunshine Peak: Sunshine Peak is another key aspect of the Steamboat Ski Resort, offering a mix of intermediate and advanced terrain for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy. Sunshine Peak is known for its sunny slopes and scenic views of the Yampa Valley.
Overall, the Steamboat Ski Resort offers a diverse range of terrain and stunning mountain scenery for visitors to enjoy.
The resort boasts a range of runs suitable for all levels of skiing ability, with the best trails for advanced skiers being the challenging chutes of Christmas Tree Bowl and the varied terrain of Shadows. For beginners, the resort offers gentle slopes such as Why Not and Lil' Rodeo. An interesting fact about the resort is that it was the first ski resort in the world to have a dedicated tree skiing area, which is still a popular attraction to this day. For après-ski, the T-Bar offers a lively atmosphere with drinks and live music.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 18 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 33619 per hour |
Base Elevation | 2103 Meters |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Acreage | 2965 Acres |
Established | 1963 |
Run Count | 165 Trails |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, rain showers likely before noon, then rain likely, possibly mixed with snow showers. mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. west southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. chance of precipitation is 70%. new snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Steamboat Ski Resort is expected to receive up to 6.04" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Colorado ski resorts can expect a mix of calm and accumulating snow over the next five days. The heaviest snow is projected in the southern San Juan Mountains and the northwest. Wolf Creek Ski Area, near the Wolf Creek Summit sensor, leads with 12 inches forecasted, along with nearby Upper San Juan and Cumbres Trestle. Telluride should also benefit from ... Read more