Jan 1, 2024
Written By: J.Couch
On our last day in Steamboat we wanted to do a one more snowshoe adventure up at Steamboat Ski Resort. It’s one of the best ski resorts in the country, with over 3000 acres of skiable terrain, 165 trails, and 18 lifts. Skiing and snowboarding are not the only activities you can enjoy at Steamboat. You can also take a scenic gondola ride up the mountain and snowshoe, and experience the breathtaking views of the Yampa Valley and the Rocky Mountains. The Steamboat Gondola is an 8-person gondola that operates in both the summer and winter seasons. In winter, it transports skiers and snowboarders from the base of the ski resort up to the Thunderhead Lodge, where you can access more trails and lifts.
That’s what we did on a sunny New Years Day, what better way to start off the new year. We arrived at the ski resort around 10 am, and bought our scenic gondola ticket at the ticket office. The ticket cost $45 for adults, and $35 for kids ages 5 to 12. Kids 4 and under ride for free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
We boarded the gondola with some friends and a few other passengers, and we were soon on our way up the mountain. The ride was smooth and comfortable, and lasted about 10 minutes. As we ascended, we were amazed by the views of the snow-covered slopes, the pine forests, and the valley below. We could see the town of Steamboat Springs, the frozen Yampa River, and the surrounding peaks. It was a clear and sunny day, and the sky was a brilliant blue. I snapped some photos with my phone but forgot my 360 camera this time, and tried to capture the beauty of the scenery.
When we reached the top of the gondola, we got off and walked around the Thunderhead Lodge. There is a restaurant, a bar, a gift shop, and a viewing deck. We could see the skiers and snowboarders zooming down the trails, and the gondola cars going up and down. It was a lively and festive atmosphere, and we felt the excitement of being on the mountain.
From the Thunderhead Lodge there are two main trails for snowshoeing. The Duster trail that heads south to the Rendezvous Lodge and the Chisolm trail that heads up to the Four Points Lodge. The Four Points Lodge has some Yeti chairs that are lined up on the backside of the lodge where you can sit and enjoy the view. We decided to explore the Chisolm trail that takes you up to Four Points Lodge. If we made it we could rest and sit in the Yeti chairs and enjoy the awesome view. Again we brought our snowshoes, a couple others in our group rented some from down in town, but the snow was packed enough that you could walk on it without them.
The trail started out pretty flat but then soon became a lot harder as it slowly switched back and forth up the hillside towards the lodge above. In the summertime this is a maintenance road so it is pretty wide and not steeper than what a vehicle can get up. It led us to a few clearings, where we had a panoramic view of the mountain and the valley below. It was a stunning sight, and I felt a sense of awe and wonder. We would stop often, for a much needed rest and take in the scenery. I felt the sun on my face, and the breeze in my hair. I felt peaceful and happy but wished that I had not forgotten my 360 camera.
We didn’t make it all the way to the lodge above. We spent about an hour on the trail, and then decided to head back down to the Thunderhead lodge. We got to where the trail meets up with the Rainbow run, about a switch back away from the top. One of the others in the group had enough and wanted to head back, he had made it, I think, farther than he thought he would. I was glad to get to where we did and would have liked to go all the way to the top. But it was good just to get out and explore that beautiful ski area. We turned around and headed back down to the Thunderhead Lodge, where we had started. It was a lot easier to head down and was a much needed relief for all of us.
We rode the gondola back down the mountain and started to realize that our time here was coming to an end. Steamboat Springs is a wonderful place to visit, and the gondola is a great way to see it. We had a blast at Steamboat Springs, and we were glad we decided to try the scenic gondola ride and snowshoe at the top. It was a fun and exhausting way to enjoy the mountain, and to see the beauty of Colorado. We highly recommend it to anyone who visits Steamboat Springs, whether you’re a skier, a snowboarder, a snowshoer or just a lover of nature. You won’t regret it!
Thanks for wandering with us,
The Wandering Couchs
