Activities

A Year-Round Resort

Northwest Colorado offers residents far more than luxury homes for sale.  Steamboat Springs is an epicenter of outdoor recreational activities with more State Parks than any other county in Colorado.  For the outdoor enthusiasts, the word paradise comes to mind.

From skiing and fly fishing in the winter, to camping, hiking and golf in the summer, the Yampa Valley is a year-round destination for Colorado activities.  Whatever your desire for fun, Steamboat has plenty of Colorado activities to offer – just look at some of the options below!

Alpine Skiing: With an average of over 330″ of Champagne Powder snow, Steamboat winters are best known for Downhill Skiierskiing or snowboarding through the trees at the Steamboat Ski Resort on Mt. Werner.  The Steamboat ski area boasts more than 3,600 vertical feet from the base to its 10,568-foot summit on close to 3000 skiable acres accessed across 164 trails.  Once you pick your favorite trail, find a Colorado mountain home for sale that connects you to the perfect Après Ski destination – check out the Vanatta Group Collection to find your escape.

Nordic Skiing: Routt County offers 8 Nordic ski areas within a 30-mile radius of Steamboat Springs, in addition to a tremendous amount of backcountry trails within the 520,000 acres of the Routt National Forest. For more information, visit the Steamboat Cross-country Skiing website.

Golf:  Steamboat Springs offers golfers a variety of beautiful golf courses. There are 4 golf courses nestled among the rolling hills of the Yampa Valley; all boasting an incredible ambience for your game.

  • Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club is a Robert Trent Jones II designed golf course with 18-holes along the flanks of Mt. Werner. The course is complete with tumbling streams, dramatic tee shots and roaming wildlife. This course epitomizes the imagery of golf in the Rocky Mountains.
  • Catamount Ranch & Club: Members who have the opportunity to play the majestic Tom Weiskopf signature course will enjoy an extraordinary golf experience.  Catamount Ranch & Club provides golfers with 18 holes of challenging terrain and big picture views.  This is no ordinary course.
  • Haymaker Golf Course is an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Keith Foster, and features a full practice facility, pro shop and the Staxx Bar & Grill. This course is in tip-top shape with wide-open spaces to let your drive take flight through the thin air of Colorado! This is a public course with great rates.
  • Steamboat Golf Club is a 9 hole course on the west side of town.  One of the original golf courses in Steamboat, it offers a relaxed environment and easy walk-on tee times.

A golfer in Steamboat Springs

Biking: Steamboat Springs has long been know as Ski Town USA, and now there is a strong push to label the town Bike Town USA during the summer months. Routt County offers hundreds of miles for both the road and mountain biker.  A variety of local bike shops can orient the trail that meets your interest.  For the mountain bikers, descending through the endless single-track of Steamboat Springs on a mountain bike is a genuine heart-stopper.  Here are a few of our favorite loops:

  • Hot Springs Loop: This trail offers riders an alpine setting with a picturesque finish – take a long soak in the beautiful springs post-ride!
  • Mad Creek: Take in the big canyon views while you edge along this single-track trail. Start climbing from the start at the Mad Creek Trail 1100 off CR129.
  • Mount Werner: If you are hoping to skip the climbing, but are ready to enjoy the rush of downhill mountain biking, head to the Steamboat ski area.  You can ride the gondola to the top and descend in a wide variety of directions. For the climbers, you can earn your turn and ride to the top of Thunderhead Mountain.

Hiking: Northwest Colorado is jam-packed with hiking terrain, and you will be amazed how  many trails are just steps away from the backdoor of your new home in Colorado.  The Vanatta Group’s favorite hiking trail list is below…be sure to pack extra water and food before you head out on your excursion, and don’t forget your camera!

  • Fish Creek Falls: This trail offers easy access from the luxury golf homes in the coveted Sanctuary or from the Fish Creek trail head.  Pick your way through the Aspen trees to enjoy great views of the valley, and take in the mist of one of the greatest waterfalls in Colorado.
  • Rabbit Ears Pass: The Pass is THE place to photograph the Colorado wildflowers. This area also provides access to tons of alpine lakes and diverse trails for every skill level.
  • Devils Causeway: Head to South Routt to for this legendary trail.  Located in the Flat Tops Wilderness, the Devils Causeway gets its name from a tiny rock crossing that drops away hundreds of feet on either side. Not for the faint of heart, this trail is spectacular with it’s alpine setting and big climbs. This hike offers a superior loop hike but be ready for an all day affair.

These are only a scratch on the surface of available trails for the hiker in Steamboat Springs.

Arts & Culture:  Steamboat Springs offers musicians and artists a picturesque stage top showcase their talents.  A new Yampa Avenue in Steamboat Springsaddition to Downtown Steamboat is the Ghost Ranch Saloon, “the world’s first destination saloon”.  With new galleries popping up all over downtown, the artistic connoisseur has never had the variety that Ski Town USA now has to offer.  And don’t miss the now classic event that happens on the first Friday of each month – “the First Friday Artwalk – for a taste of the new artists, the best artists, and the up-and-coming artists throughtout town.  For information on events check out the Steamboat Chamber’s event calendar.

Also, make sure you visit the recently remodeled Chief Theater.  This historic theater has been sold to a local non-profit organization with the hopes that it will create a central location for arts, entertainment, music, history, cultural activities, and more.  There are daily events and shows with bigger and better headliners coming in for performances every month.

Other Fun Summer Activities:

  • The Alpine Slide at Howelsen hill will take your breath away and get your pulse racing.  Ride the chairlift to the top of the mountain and race down the hill on a sled provided to you.  A track, similar to a bobsled track, cuts down the mountain with hair-raising turns and drops.
  • Tubing the Yampa River may be the number one relaxation activity in Steamboat during the summer.  Grab your tube and jump in.  Please respect the Yampa River, don’t litter, follow the tubing guidelines, and have fun.  For a great experience, go with one of the professional tubing companies in Steamboat.