Interesting Facts

In 1913, Charlotte Perry and Portia Mansfield opened a performing arts camp in the mountains just outside Steamboat Springs. The Perry-Mansfield camp is still flourishing. In fact, it's the oldest continuously operating performing arts school/camp in the country. Alumni include Dustin Hoffman, Agnes de Mille, Jessica Biel, John Cage, Julie Harris, Joan Van Ark and Lee Horsley.
No car? No worries � Steamboat Springs Transit offers free bus transportation throughout Steamboat Springs.
Steamboat Springs was named by French trappers who thought the hot springs near the Yampa River sounded just like a steamboat.
Ranching has long been an important way of life in this area. In fact, by the early 1900s, Steamboat Springs was the largest exporter of cattle in the western US.
Steamboat Springs is often referred to by its official nickname, Ski Town USA�.
The first homestead in Steamboat Springs was staked in 1875 by one James Crawford.
There are more than 150 mineral springs in the immediate vicinity of Steamboat Springs. The easiest to get to are Heart Springs at the Steamboat Springs Health and Recreation Complex, and Strawberry Park, about seven miles from town. This area was originally inhabited by Yampatika Utes, who enjoyed the numerous geothermal hot springs hundreds of years before the first white settlers arrived.
Howelsen Hill, opened in 1915, has the distinction of being Colorado's oldest ski area in continuous use, as well as being the training ground for more than 50 Olympic athletes. The longest snowboarding halfpipe in the US is located at the Steamboat Springs Ski resort. The resort also boasts over 65 miles of trails; the longest run is over three miles.
Steamboat Springs is the hometown of nearly 70 Olympic athletes, including Shannon Dunn (snowboarding), Alan Alborn (ski jumping), Caroline Lalive (alpine skiing), and Todd Lodwick (Nordic combined).
The elevation of downtown Steamboat is 6695 feet. The surrounding mountains range up to 12,180 feet.