* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches. Locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph. * WHERE...Elkhead and Park Mountains. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to midnight MST Saturday Night. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult.
The slopes at Steamboat Ski Resort are open and spinning this December 19, 2025, with a base snowpack of 14 inches. Steamboat Ski Resort is located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, offering 2,965 acres of skiable terrain with 165 trails.
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While that’s nearly 49% below average for this time of year, the resort remains in action thanks to solid grooming and early-season snowfall. Overnight temps hovered just below freezing at 29°F, preserving snow quality on shaded trails. The 24-hour forecast calls for only a trace of snow (0.04"), but skiers and riders can get excited about the upcoming days: a promising 3.3 inches is expected over the next 72 hours, with another 3 inches following in the 5-day outlook.
Skiers will appreciate the newly opened longest and fastest gondola in North America, cutting down lift times and maximizing mountain time. The resort is buzzing with energy following its earliest opening in history and $15 million in infrastructure upgrades. Family-friendly terrain, new amenities, and even sightings of playful bear cubs scaling lift towers are adding a sense of wonder to the winter scene. Though the snowpack is lean, the anticipation of fresh flakes and improved coverage heading into the weekend is giving Steamboat a promising mid-December vibe. Get those skis waxed—winter is far from over.
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, a 20 percent chance of snow showers after 4pm. increasing clouds, with a high near 37. west wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Steamboat Ski Resort is expected to receive up to 3.3" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Northern Colorado is set to receive the heaviest snowfall in the coming days, with the Tower SNOTEL site near Steamboat Springs forecasting 6 inches over five days and having the deepest snowpack in the state at 31". Nearby, Zirkel and Elk River are also forecasted for 6" with snow depths of 26" and 15", respectively. Steamboat Resort, the closest major ... Read more