2010/2011 ski season brings us some big improvements for at Steamboat.  Intrawest has gotten over their near collision with foreclosure and they are on to doing what they do… run ski resorts.

Over the past five years, Intrawest has poured nearly $30 million into on-mountain improvements at Steamboat Springs. The momentum continues as Steamboat prepares for the 2010-11 season. For the 2010-11 season, the beach comes to Steamboat. Visitors can catch some rays at the new Burgess Creek Terrace and Umbrella Bar on the Bear River Bar & Grill Deck located slopeside in the base area adjacent to the Gondola entrance.

Snowmaking pump changes will result in a 27 percent increase in water flow as three 52-horsepower pumps are upgraded to two, 200-horsepower ones, moving the gallons per minute from 3,300 to 4,200. Couple the increased flow with the purchase of 40 high-efficiency, low-energy tower guns, and early season snow production will augment the number of trails available at the beginning of the season. The HKD tower guns, which use 30 percent less energy than conventional guns while producing the same amount of snow, are now strategically located across the mountain on Heavenly Daze, Rudi’s Run, Lightning, Upper Vagabond, Ego, Sitz as well as Stampede, Lil’ Rodeo, Preview, Right-O-Way, See Ya, See Me, Voo Doo, Vogue, Lower Vagabond, Tornado Lane and Buddy’s Run. New pumping capacity will greatly speed up snowmaking production in Mavericks Superpipe. The resort’s system covers nearly 360 acres of top-to-bottom terrain (3,668 vertical feet) and includes a network of more than 600 available hydrants, four pump houses across the mountain, 150 high-efficiency guns and a state-of-the-art digital operating system.

A dramatic change has taken place across the lower mountain as a result of extensive pine beetle mitigation. For the better part of a decade, the resort has been dealing with this epidemic moving from individual tree treatment to mass removal of dead trees. The ski area enjoys a diverse forest in that Steamboat is fortunate that the forest cover on the mountain is comprised primarily of Engelmann Spruce, Subalpine Fir, Lodgepole and Aspen as well as a few Douglas fir. Fifty acres of trees have been removed below Rough Rider Basin and another 30 acres on the Thunderhead Express and Burgess Creek lift lines are currently being removed.

Ranging from small to large, 30 new and refurbished rails/features will pop up this season across the resort’s four progressive terrain parks. Designed with input from pro riders, a variety of small, 8 foot to 12 foot, low-to-the-ground and shaped boxes will provide the opportunity for learning the basics in transitions and kinked sensations. In the medium park, a new 16 foot picnic table and several 24 foot shaped boxes will be unveiled for a variety of down/up and double kinked riding opportunities. A new wall ride, several additional large features, as well as a new entrance in the advance park complete the full spectrum of progression from beginner to advanced.

Last winter, the newly renovated Kids’ Vacation Center opened to rave reviews. The relocation and realignment of the Buckaroo magic carpet lift ensures a better learning environment in the new One Steamboat Place snow area. A magic carpet is a state-of-the-art conveyor lift that has revolutionized kids’ programs by quadrupling the number of runs kids take per hour.

There has been a lot going on at the ski hill over the last summer and the work is now accelerating for the opening day of ski season on November 24th.  The Boat should be looking good for this ski season and and a La Nina weather pattern should bring plenty of snow.

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The Steamboat Springs Art Festival is back for the second edition. This four-day event highlights the amazing arts and culture in the Yampa Valley while featuring nationally-renowned artists.

The weather is still plenty warm here in Steamboat Springs, CO but ski season is never far from our minds.  Thinking about doing some turns down the hills had me wondering when “the boat resort” is going open for ski season.  Well, this year ski season opening day is Wednesday November 24th, 2010.

The 24th is opening day and scholarship day benefiting the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Scholarship Fund.

Scholarship Day marks the first day of the season with revenues from the day’s specially priced ticket benefiting the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Scholarship Fund. Scholarship Day has raised over $525,000 since 1991/92. This fund provides financial support for deserving local children participating in Club programs. The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club is one of the oldest and most recognized ski clubs in the United States and was named, for the unprecedented third time, the United States Ski & Snowboard Association’s Club of the Year (2007, 2004,1999).

This ski season the snow looks to be plentiful.  Last year El Nino is being replaced by a Ls Nina system that should provide plenty of white stuff for this coming ski season.  Here is what our friends at snowforecast.com have to say about the La Nina and snow for the 2010/2011 ski season:

The El Nino SST pattern is now neutral (La Nada), and a La Nina SST pattern will likely take over for the coming fall/ winter, through possibly the season following (through 2012). This usually bodes well for northern Colorado resorts.

So, even with the sun still shining start getting ready to get those boards out of storage and lets start thing of ski season.

Winter Park Resort ski season opening is a week earlier so if you are jonesing head down US 40 for some real early turns.

This is the first entry for the Steamboat Lodging Company blog.  Steamboat Lodging Company is the sister company to Winter Park Lodging Company and Winter Park Lodging by Owner owned and operated by Chris and Sarah Bradford.

The Steamboat Lodging Company website is currently under construction and should be finished in the next few weeks.  Lodging will be available around first of the year 2011.

Hello world and Steamboat here comes Steamboat Lodging Company.