Press Release 8-12-2010

10 Feet Of Champagne Powder® Snow Propels Steamboat Close To 100% Open
With more than 10 feet of Champagne Powder snow blanketing the slopes this season, Steamboat will open three chairlifts and additional terrain this Friday, December 10th, providing guests an ideal early holiday gift and bringing the mountain close to 100% open several weeks before the popular holiday period.

“As Steamboat enters the start of the second week of December, the resort is looking more like mid-February than early December,” said Chris Diamond, president and chief operating officer. “Champagne Powder snow always tops the holiday wish list for Steamboat powderhounds and both Mother Nature and Kris Kringle are delivering it in abundance this season.”

Starting Friday, December 10th, the Priest Creek area including the Sundown Express, Elkhead and South Peak chairlifts will swing into operation providing access to this popular terrain as the resort moves closer to 100% open with 2,661 acres (90% of terrain), 144 trails and 11 lifts. New trails include: Moonlight, Lights Out, lower Shadows, Sundown liftline, lower Three O’Clock, Day Break, lower High Noon, Rolex, West Side, Broadway, Tomahawk, Flintlock, Quickdraw, Spur, Huffman’s and Sunshine liftline to name a few.  In the coming weeks, Sunshine Express, Morningside Park, Bar-UE and Pony Express (Pioneer Ridge currently open as hike-to) chairlifts will open for the season on Dec. 15th, Dec. 18th, Dec. 22nd and Dec. 24th, respectively.

This month, snow has fallen 7 out of the first 8 days and the resort is reporting a 41-inch base at mid-mountain and 58-inch base at the summit on powder/packed powder conditions.  Steamboat surpassed the 100-inch milestone over a week ago due in large part to the snowiest November on record, which saw 90 inches of light, fluffy and super-dry signature Champagne Powder snow pile up at mid-mountain. So far this season at mid-mountain, Steamboat has enjoyed 21”of snow in October, 90” in November and 11” in December for a combined total of 122” (10.17 feet).

Steamboat is serving up heaps of Champagne Powder snow and package values almost as deep! Ski Free at Steamboat offers free skiing through Dec. 17th when guests book a minimum 3 nights lodging through Steamboat Central Reservations®. With the Champagne Powder package, powderhounds receive 20% off lodging, lifts, rentals and receive two complimentary glasses of bubbly when booked by Jan. 31, 2011.With the powder piling up quickly, you have to act just as fast! Call toll-free (800) 922-2722 or visit steamboat.com.

The resort will kick off its Season Pass Holder Appreciate Celebration with a week-long program full of special deals and discounts everyday from December 13 through December 19, 2010. Check out steamboat.com/passholders for all the details and to share in the festivities. That same week, the resort’s First Tracks program, now entering its 10th season, will start on Wednesday, Dec. 15th. 

This season the First Tracks program will see modifications including a new unguided single day option for $29; a six-pass element for $149; and the traditional guided program for $59. All three options now include a $5 breakfast voucher valid at Gondola Joe’s, Stoker, Thunderhead Red’s and Geano’s until 10:30am. In addition to increased flexibility, the First Tracks program now features the popular intermediate family terrain in the Sunshine area as well as the Sunshine Express and South Peak chairlifts.

“With the addition of the Sunshine Bowl terrain, the First Tracks program will be more appealing especially to families and intermediate skiers and riders,” said Jim Schneider, vice president of skier services. “Even with the new trails, First Tacks will continue to focus on the terrain south of the Sundown Express lift, just as it has over the past decade.”