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If you ski or snowboard, you don’t need anyone to tell you why you’d want to take off from Denver for a weekend trip in the mountains. Colorado is full of ski towns, of course. Most of them line the I-70 corridor, catering to the throngs of weekend warriors heading out with skis and boards.
If the crowded hotspots aren’t your scene, there are better choices off the main route. In particular, where do you go if you (or members of your family/group) want to get out and have some winter fun, but you (gasp!) don’t snowboard. Maybe you don’t relish the cost of lift tickets or the lines for the lift and crowds on the slopes.
The usual problem is these are destinations for luxury budget travelers (e.g., Aspen, Telluride), and they aren’t handy to Denver. Luckily it’s possible to do a fun and affordable Denver weekend trip if you know where to go.

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Steamboat Springs: Not just a ski town
My favorite goal for a winter weekend getaway (a 3-day if you can get it) from Denver is Steamboat Springs. “The Boat” sits in northwestern Colorado, off the jam-packed i-70 route (at least after the exit near Frisco). Steamboat springs sits in the relatively low-lying Yampa River Valley.
At roughly 6,900 ft of base elevation, the climate is a little warmer and kinder than the higher elevations you’ll see at other ski resorts. This makes it a little more friendly feeling, but because of its situation deep in the Rockies, fluffy snow piles up by the foot on a regular basis.
Steamboat (or “The Boat” as it’s sometimes called) is a wonderful combination of ski town, hot springs, and historic Colorado mountain town. The hotels, slopes, and restaurants certainly can fill up during the winter season, but there is more breathing room than the more obvious ski destinations along I-70.
And the quality of the snow is every bit as good as you’ll find elsewhere, if not better. This is the place where the phrase “champagne powder” was coined and trademarked, after all. It’s no coincidence that this little town is the nursery of more Olympic athletes than anywhere else in the US.
Getting to Steamboat Springs as a Denver weekend trip
The drive for this Denver weekend trip takes about three hours. It is a fairly easy drive compared to some other Colorado winter destinations, and except for the I-70 stretch from Denver to Frisco, has far less traffic. Nevertheless, use sense and caution, especially if you don’t have experience with winter driving in alpine conditions.
Travel tip: At the very least, check the weather before you go.
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that because so many people take these winter jaunts, that it can’t be that bad. It can, in fact, be very dangerous, and people who don’t understand winter driving make it more risky for themselves and everyone else.

Travel tip: Before you leave Denver, search “Rabbit Ears Pass conditions”.
While Rabbit Ears is not as scary as, say, Berthoud Pass, it can get dangerous and is regularly closed in heavy snow conditions.
Now the fun part: What to do in The Boat
Skiing/snowboarding (of course)
For skiers, the choices of where to go and what to do will be pretty obvious. Howelsen Hill is the original, but smaller ski park. It’s great for families. Most skiers and boarders will be better off at the larger Steamboat Ski Resort. The Resort has more space and more ski run options than Howelsen.
Snowshoeing
If you aren’t attracted to the downhill slope action, you’ll end up feeling like an afterthought in most ski towns. Steamboat is different. There are lots of fun options. My two personal favorites are snowshoe trails and a truly amazing hot springs park.

I recommend the Ski Haus to rent your snowshoes. It’s on the main road going into town. You’ll probably see it as you drive in. Dress in layers, including an outer snow layer. Don’t forget to put sunscreen on your face and hands, and wear sunglasses.
Even if you start out completely covered up, you may get warm quickly and find yourself peeling off layers. And the combined high altitude and intense reflection of the sun off the snow can quickly burn eyes and skin. Take snacks and water. You can get dehydrated as easily in winter as in summer.
When you’re equipped and ready for your hike, drive to the little parking lot of the trailhead for the Picnic Trail and fish Creek falls. It goes by the imaginative name of Trailhead #1102. There is a pit toilet here, and a choice of trails. The Overlook Trail is short and level, and a good place to start to get a feel for the snowshoes.
Which trail to pick?
The most invigorating option is the winding trail down to the bottom of Fish Creek Falls.

In spite of the snow cover, you’ll probably see clear tracks to help along your way, since this is a popular route. Look toward the ground if the snow is deep, because you’re probably at least a foot or two off of the actual ground, and the trail signs will appear low down.
The beginning of this trail is flat, and the trail increasingly slopes toward the end. There are no technical sections, so it’s doable for beginners. The views are simply breathtaking. You will wonder how you wandered into this magical holiday-card landscape with frost-laced forests of evergreen trees and the creek running under the snow and the ice, visible in places and hidden under giant rounded mounds of snow in others.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs
To warm up at the end of the day, fans of hot springs can soak in the Old Town Hot Springs, located downtown right in the middle of it all. For a scenic winter treat, however, the real gem is Strawberry Park Hot springs. It is possible to make this drive yourself in winter if you have all wheel drive/4WD with snow tires/chains and are steady and experienced on winter roads. Don’t risk driving otherwise, though.
The vehicle requirements are not only for safety; it’s a Routt county law from November to May. Even if you can drive, parking is limited. Your best bet is to take a shuttle which runs regularly throughout the day and even into the night hours to Strawberry Park. Your shuttle ticket includes entry into the Hot Springs.
These are the hot springs to go to even if you’re not usually a fan of this type of thing. I usually don’t enjoy hot tubs or hot springs myself, but Strawberry Park is the exception. The springs sit in a natural depression in the earth where multiple large pools hold water of varying temperatures.

The park has facilities for changing and using the bathroom. They even offer massages, various types of lodging, and concessions. But it’s important to remember that it’s a rural facility with limited room and resources. To balance the recreation and safety, they do have rules and restrictions, so familiarize yourself with these before you go.
Strawberry Park is completely family friendly during the day, but note that in the grand tradition of hot springs, once the sun goes down, it’s clothing optional. At least when I was there, though, it truly was optional, and for the most part this didn’t turn into a noisy party place but just a place for stargazing through the steam of the springs, surrounded by snow-covered hills.

And the list of activities goes on
Aside from snowshoeing and the hot springs, there are plenty of other fun activities. They range from snowmobiling, dogsledding, and horseback tours to gondola rides and photo tours. During the holiday season, watch the fireworks show every Friday night at the base of the mountain.
Strolling around town can be fun, too. There are lots of dining options and even an art scene. There really is a little something for everyone here. For a small-ish town, Steamboat has an awful lot to offer.
Colorado is a four-season state, not because it has warm winters, but because Coloradans know that snow is for playing in. The beauty of winter in the mountains, and the fun of getting out on just the right winter weekend can make life worth living, even for those who, like me, usually prefer temperate weather.
In Steamboat Springs, even non-skiers find ways to see the sun sparkling on the snow and enjoy moving until your body warms up in the cold, breath clouding up in the cold air. You’ll come back from this Denver weekend trip remembering that life really is beautiful.
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