Steamboat

First Timers to USA

We decided to take advantage of the Aussie $ and ski in the USA. 

After much asking around and googling we settled on Steamboat. We got a great deal through Travelplan for the Steamboat Grand Hotel.  

Wonderful accommodation, wonderful resort, rotten snow cover! Nevermind, we still had fabulous time and were thrilled with the deal we got for our holiday.   

Would love to go back again.

Steamboat is Mostly Awesome

Stayed in Steamboat over New Years and 1st week on Jan.

It was fantastic despite poorest snow in 40 years ( still better than most resorts ).

Steamboat Grand is a great place to stay EXCEPT when the Texas Musicfest arrived mid 1st week of Jan. Then it becomes Texan drunkfest and I know how good Steamboat usually is, but not when the Texans INVADE and definately don''t stay at the Steamboat Grand because that is "party central" for the drunken Texans ( who can''t ski and don''t even bother to try ).

The ski school at Steamboat is the best anywhere in the world. Kids had a blast in ski school. Loved the town, the restaurants, the hot springs.

All great but my advice, make sure you avoid the Texans.

Steamboat Springs-Family Fun

As a family we have visited Steamboat Springs many times. Its not just a ski resort but a ranching community. We dont require glitz and glamour. As a ski family we do require great skiing, good food and great value. Steamboat also throws in fantastic service and smiles.

We have used Billy Kidd Race Centre that have coaches with international experience. Our children loved skiing with Billy Kidd who must have the most marketable personna at the area.

Accommodation at Trappeurs was good. The free bus service to mountainside and downtown exceptional in winter. Trappeurs is within walking distance to the resort base and eateries. Great Magaritas at La Montana which is a block from Trappeurs. For the children we headed up to The Tugboat. Take the quarters with you for the slot machine games.

We got the best pizza at Slopeside Bar and Grill after a big ski day.

Colorado was lacking in snow when we visited, pretty unusual. Due to great snowmaking Steamboat had the most terrain open. On our second last day champagne powder fell. Just enough for our six year old to be whopping and hollering as she skied through the fresh stuff!! All too soon the evenings hot tubbing-quite a social event, and daytime skiing was over.

Time to fly home and start planning next season. Perhaps we will spend six weeks!!!