Steamboat Information

Apres-ski

There's a good mix of après ski at Steamboat with a choice of bars and nightspots slopeside or downtown.

Sheraton's Bear River Bar and Grill (tel: +1 970 879 2220; www.starwoodhotels.com) has a lively terrace, while Mahogany Ridge Brewery and Grill (tel: +1 970 879 3773; www.mahoganyridgesteamboat.com), serves fine home-brewed beer (try the Alpenglow). The Old Town Pub (tel: +1 970 879 2101; www.theoldtownpub.com) buzzes, but head to Schmiggity's (tel: +1 970 879 4100; www.schmiggitys.com) for dancing.

Visitors in March and April should make the most of The Rocks the Boat Free Concert series, which brings top bands to the heart of base area.

Eating out

There's no danger of going hungry in Steamboat, with a selection of around 100 bars and restaurants within the resort. Tasty Pacific Rim cuisine and hearty steaks are the main offering, but varied eateries serve up dishes from around the world.

Café Diva (tel: +1 970 871 0508; www.cafediva.com) is one the best gourmet offerings in the resort, serving innovative food with seasonal ingredients. But for an unmissable five-course Italian dinner, book at Four Points Lodge (tel: +1 970 871 5150).

On the mountain Hazie's (tel: +1 970 871 5150) offers top-notch food and sweeping views of the Yampa Valley, while Ore House (tel: +1 970 879 1190; www.orehouse.com) and 8th Street Steakhouse (tel: +1 970 879 3131; www.8thstreetsteakhouse.com) both fit the Western theme with hearty meat dishes.

There are several vegetarian options in Steamboat too, including Rootz (tel: +1 970 871 4510; www.rootzcafe.com) which takes its food choices seriously with dishes like organic rice bowls, paninis and wraps. Most items on the menu are available as vegan options and are also available gluten free.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

Steamboat Springs is a pleasing place in which to wander, with its bookshops, cafés, galleries and various Wild West-themed attractions.

Those who want further on-snow action can try snowmobiling, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horse riding, snowbiking, snow tubing, ice fishing on the Stagecoach Reservoir and ice-climbing on the frozen Fish Creek Falls waterfall.

Horse-drawn sleigh rides are popular with families, but those with more adventurous little ones might want to send them up in the Slingshot Bungee Jump Trampoline (weather permitting) in Gondola Square.

Guided moonlit snowshoe tours on Mt Werner are another opportunity that many guests like to try. The tour departs at 1800 on Friday and Saturday evenings, starting with a ride in the Steamboat Gondola to the top of the mountain. Once on the mountain, participants enjoy a one-hour nature snowshoe hike followed by dinner at Hazie's Restaurant with views out over the Yampa Valley.

Less energetic options include helicopter or balloon flights, a 4-wheel drive trip into the woods, nature walks and photography lessons.

Family fun

Steamboat is great for families. At the slopeside base, children from six months to six years can take their first slides on the white stuff. The 'one hour on-snow' activities begin from age two. Older children (up to the age of 15) can also be taught in their relevant age groups.

Families can have fun tubing or taking part in the dozen or so other family-friendly activities available off the slopes, while boarding teenagers will marvel at the massive Mavericks superpipe.

There are plenty of fun and affordable kid-friendly places to eat in downtown Steamboat Springs, including Johnny B. Good's Diner (tel: +1 970 870 8400; www.johnnybgoodsdiner.com), which serves milkshakes and burgers.

Retail therapy

There is a quaint main street with a range of shops in Steamboat Springs. Don't miss FM Light (tel: +1 970 879 1822; www.fmlight.com), a great old 'Western wear' store. There are many galleries, including Artisans' Market of Steamboat (tel: +1 970 879 7512; www.steamboatartisansmarket.com), a non-profit cooperative of local creatives that sells all manner of things from jewellery and paintings to clothes.

Splashing out

Steamboat is known for its natural hot springs and is perfect for a relaxing soak. Old Town Hot Springs (tel: +1 970 879 1828; www.oldtownhotsprings.org) is family-friendly with a variety of pools and slides, while the rustic open-air Strawberry Park Hot Springs are set amid the mountains (tel: +1 970 879 0342; www.strawberryhotsprings.com).

Hotels

Steamboat has plenty of high-quality slopeside accommodation, from the luxurious to the affordable. Options range from catered chalets and motels to countless apartments and hotels.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap