Steamboat Magazine Ski Edition 2023-2024

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | cov_1

CONSIDERING A MOVE TO STEAMBOAT? DOUG WILL SEARCH LOW & HIGH TO FIND THE RIGHT PROPERTY FOR YOU.

Clients appreciate his extensive market insight, hard work and per sonal care to educate them on the market, while locating and negotiating their Steamboat home and protecting their interests throughout the entire process .

We worked with Doug over a period of several years in the Steamboat area and can gladly say that he is the best real estate professional we have had the pleasure to work with. He combines a depth of knowledge of the market with great negotiating skills and an extensive network of resources. He went the extra mile to help us find the right property and went even further to close the deal!

— MARK & REBECCA

DOUG LABOR A BR , A BRM, CEBA , CRS, E- PRO, G RI, RRP C:

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D L A B O R @ B U Y S T E A M B O AT. C O M cov_2 | ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMBOATMAGAZINE.COM

Colorado's

TOPHER STRAUS

www.TopherStraus.com I @CreativeTopher

"Steamboat"

45" x 90" Original 36" x 72" Special Edition of 10 30" x 60" Limited Edition of 40

Artist Topher Straus merges cutting-edge technology with an artist's eye for form and color. His transformative paintings are beautifully sublimated onto high gloss polymer-coated aluminum. The result is a unique, luminous image that allows light to reflect off the metal, intensifying the rich palette of his extraordinary paintings, instantly enhancing your space.

His art, celebrated and collected globally, beautifully intertwines his profound love for the outdoors and nature with his passion for technology.

Ashville, NC

Momentum Gallery

Crested Butte, CO

Aspen, CO

Breckenridge, CO

Kennebunk, ME

Park City, UT

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Telluride, CO

Winter Park, CO

Slate Gray Gallery

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Breckenridge Gallery

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Vail, CO

Vail International

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STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 1

the dead south

the infamous stringdusters

molly tuttle & golden highway daniel donato's cosmic country

kitchen dwelers clay street unit

paul cauthen

sierra ferrell

andy frasco & the u.n. sam grisman project

lindsay lou

aj lee & blue summit

special thursday show by dan tyminski mountain grass unit pickin' on the dead

shadowgrass

the runaway grooms

madeline hawthorne

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winterwonderwomen

east nash grass

armchair boogie

the deer creek sharpshooters

the fretliners

kind hearted strangers

riverwondergrass all-stars

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 3

Aspen 970.925.8579

Crested Butte 970.349.5023

Denver 303.399.4564

Steamboat Springs 970.879.9222

Telluride 970.728.3359

Vail 970.949.5500

interior landscapes that delight the senses

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Contents Visitors’ Guide VG 2

Welcome Letter

ARYEH COPA

VG 16 SKI New on the Mountain This Season VG 17 Don’t Miss These 5 Resort Runs VG 19 Howelsen Hill VG 22

Eric Becker skis the sidecountry, now newly opened terrain in Mahogany Ridge. Story on page 70.

48 | Four to Watch

62 | Get Out

54 | Ride On

70 | On the Mountain, Off the Piste

Keep an eye on these up and coming Winter Sports Club athletes – by Suzy Magill Inside Steamboat’s snowboard scene – by Eugene Buchanan

DEPARTMENTS 14 Publisher’s Note 18 Letters 22 Contributors Lyla Baker, Dan Greeson, Jennie Lay 26 Genuine Steamboat Photos from last winter’s record-breaking season 34 Gear Grass Sticks changes the rules for ski poles – by Casey Hopkins 37 In the News Brown Ranch Howelsen Ice Pavilion

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Renewal for your ski town roots – by Jennie Lay

VG 26 PLAY Outdoors Indoors

VG 27 VG 29

VG 34 REVIVE City of Art Soaking up Steamboat Spas

VG 35 VG 38 VG 39

VG 42 SHOP & DINE Après Season

VG 43

Warm Up Winter

VG 44

New on the Menu

VG 45

DIRECTORY VG 47 Flight Map VG 47 Activities VG 48 Calendar Winter Highlights 2023-24 VG 53 Dining VG 54 Lodging VG 55 Real Estate VG 56 Outdoors VG 58 Services VG 60 Where to Worship VG 61 Shopping VG 62 City Map

The Mahogany Ridge expansion – by Deborah Olsen

41 People Giulia Costantini brings down the house – by Lyla Baker From Howelsen Hill to Chamonix: Jett Seymour – by Dan Greeson 44 Art Where the West is wild – by Deborah Olsen 76 Media Early winter reading goals – by Jennie Lay 79 Crossword Puzzle Gliding Downhill – by Victor Fleming 80 Why Stop at the Last Page?

The last page is only the beginning: continue the journey with Ski Town Media’s online offerings

Josh Burton skis the Steamboat sidecountry.

Photograph by Aryeh Copa.

We are here to keep

you out there

ANDREAS SAUERBREY, MD | ALEXANDER K. MEININGER, MD | PATRICK JOHNSTON, DO ADAM WILSON, MD | ALEJANDRO MIRANDA, MD | WILLIAM HOWARTH, MD DARIN ALLRED, MD | BRIAN SIEGEL, MD | J. ALEX SIELATYCKI, MD | TYSON SLOAN, DO

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STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 7

We have found the best places on earth.

Esperanza

Casali Di Casole The Rocks Club

Cabo San Lucas

Tuscany

Scottsdale

Timbers Kiawah

Rancho Valencia

Dancing Bear

South Carolina Southern California

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Timbers Jupiter

Timbers Kaua'i

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The Residences The Orchard at The Sebastian At Kapalua Bay Caneros Inn Vail Hawaii

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Todd Allsberry | (970) 846-4897 | tallsberry@onesteamboatplace.com | Sales Executive | Timbers Real Estate Company

8 | ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMBOATMAGAZINE.COM

STEAMBOAT OWNERSHIP

made effortless

Penthouse 711

Penthouse 711 4 BD | 4.5 BA | 3,889 SQ FT | $8,000,000 Penthouse 711 has expansive up mountain views from large vaulted windows in the living room as well as from the deck. Three of the bedrooms enjoy plaza views high above the base area improvements.

A dual sided fireplace in the Owners Suite allows you to cozy up to enjoy the fire in the adjoining sitting room, the perfect place to unwind after a day of mountain fun. Penthouse 711 has approximately 300 additional square feet of living space including a sitting room, media room, and entrance foyer closet that has not yet been replated. The media room is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a movie, or allow the kids to enjoy video games. This Penthouse comes with the furnishings and an incredible art collection, meaning you can move in and enjoy the mountain lifestyle immediately.

Contact Todd Allsberry | 970.846.4897 | tallsberry@onesteamboatplace.com | www.onesteamboatplace.com

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 9

Ski 2023-24 – Volume 45, Number 4 PUBLISHER Deborah Olsen EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sophie Dingle SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR John Sherwood ART DIRECTOR Melissa VanArsdale DIGITAL DIRECTOR Trey Mullen MEDIA EDITOR Jennie Lay OFFICE MANAGER/STAFF WRITER Casey Hopkins INTERNS Lyla Baker Elainna Hemming PROOFREADER Sandy Jacobs CONTRIBUTORS Eugene Buchanan Victor Fleming Dan Greeson Jennie Lay Suzy Magill PHOTOGRAPHERS Aryeh Copa

Steamboat Magazine is published by Ski Town Media, Inc. The Mountain 2024 edition will be published in January 2024. For advertising rates and subscription information contact info@SkiTownMedia.com. Steamboat Magazine, P.O. Box 880616, Steamboat Springs, CO 80488.

Phone: 970-871-9413. Subscribe: www.SteamboatMagazine.com Single copy mailed first-class $9.50. No portion of the contents of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. © 2024 Ski Town Media, Inc. All rights reserved – ISSN 2164-4055.

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CUSTOM HOMES

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CARING COMPREHENSIVE PROGRESSIVE

Noelle | Jenny | Donna

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EST. 1998

What makes you smile? TM

James WW McCreight DDS, Wendy M McCreight DDS | 970.879.4703 | www.steamboatdentistry.com STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 13

Publisher’s Note

Editorial Advisory Board Steamboat Resort

Amy Charity SBT GRVL

Rory Clow Western Centers, Inc.

Samantha Coyne Donnel Steamboat Mountain School

Scott Engelman Carl’s Tavern and Truffle Pig

Sarah Floyd Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

Betse Grassby Steamboat Art Museum

Jennifer Grathwohl Steamboat Symphony Orchestra

Larry Mashaw The Resort Group

Lisa Popovich MainStreet Steamboat

Lindsey Reznicek Yampa Valley Medical Center

Ray Selbe Selbe Farms

Susan Stempel The Stempel Group

14 | ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMBOATMAGAZINE.COM

DEBORAH OLSEN

Katie Brown

Moose with her two calves.

It’s a Wild Life

T

he moose’s eyes appraised me with an intense look, one that I returned with a stupefied stare after I came around a corner and found myself face-to-face with her in our yard last fall. Behind her, two calves chomped on willow trees, oblivious to my dinnertime intrusion.

Fortunately, Mama Moose paused for a few seconds herself, giving me time for a slow, cautious retreat. I think she was the same moose who had settled into our front yard for a couple days last spring. Then she had moved on, leaving droplets of blood behind her. A wildlife specialist who came to check on her said the blood was from winter ticks, which burst when she rolled in the snow. The bigger issue was that she was pregnant. I followed her tracks to a neighbor’s pond, where she rested until her babies were born a few days later.

In Routt County, we live side-by-side with moose, mountain lions, coyotes, foxes, bears, racoons, skunks, marmots, porcupines, rabbits, deer, elk and pronghorn, to name a few of the wild animals of Northwest Colorado.

While we struggle to drag our top-heavy bearproof garbage cans to the curve, and barricade our vegetables inside a plant penitentiary to discourage our foraging friends, we wouldn’t trade our experience with wildlife for a Parisian shopping spree.

Each encounter with wildlife is emotional, even surreal. If you live here, you know the feeling.

I struggle to find the right words and often wish I could experience these thrilling moments through an artist’s eyes.

This ski season, we have a chance to do just that when the Steamboat Art Museum hosts “Wild West: Wildlife Masters Past and Present.” As president of SAM’s board, I have watched this exhibit take shape for the last 18 months, and it is exquisite. That a small town like Steamboat could stage an exhibition of this magnitude is a tribute to the community, SAM’s staff and the art world for recognizing what a special place this is.

We are pleased to share a small sample of this collection by the preeminent wildlife artists of the West in the Ski edition of Steamboat Magazine. As always, we have put together a collection of work that we hope our readers will savor.

Enjoy,

14 | ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMBOATMAGAZINE.COM

KELLY STONE A R C H I T ECTS ARCHITECTURE | INTERIORS | FURNISHINGS

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STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 17

Letters lifts in the U.S. at that time. For over a century, the ski hill has served as the home for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, a nationally known training program.

11 | HARWIG’S SADDLERY | 911 LINCOLN AVE. (HARWIG’S & L’APOGÉE)

Built in 1901, this was originally a meat market. In 1916 it became Harwig’s Saddlery and Western Wear, which was run by the Harwig family until 1984. The historic cowboy sign over the storefront was painted in the 1950s or 1960s by noted Western artist Merrill Mahaffey.

15 The cowboy is now on display inside, safe from the elements, in the restaurant’s vestibule where he welcomes restaurant patrons.

12 | THE OLD PILOT BUILDING | 1009 LINCOLN AVE.

James Hoyle began Northwest Colorado’s first newspaper, The Steamboat Pilot, on July 31, 1885. This brick and stone building was constructed in the fall of 1909 for the newspaper printing office, which occupied the building until 1999.

13 | STEAMBOAT LAUNDRY BUILDING | 11TH AND OAK ST. (THE LAUNDRY RESTAURANT & CREEKSIDE CAFÉ) ● ●

Built over a 13-year period starting in 1906, this two-story brick and river-rock structure was constructed for the Steamboat Laundry, Dry Cleaning and Pressing business, which it served as until the late 1970s.

14 | CARVER POWER PLANT | TENTH STREET BETWEEN LINCOLN AVE. AND OAK ST. (CENTENNIAL HALL) ● ●

Originally built as a wood building in 1901, this coal-fired power plant made Steamboat Springs the first town in Northwest Colorado to provide its residents with electricity. The steam, a by-product of the system used to create electricity, was used to heat nearby schools and residences. The building continued to serve as a power plant until the 1950s. In the late 1990s, the City of Steamboat Springs purchased and rehabilitated the structure for public use as the historic portion of Centennial Hall.

15 | LORENZ BUILDING | 928 LINCOLN AVE.

This brick building was built in 1903. In 1912, it became the courthouse when the county seat relocated from Hahn’s Peak. After 1921, the courtroom occupied the second floor, while the clerk, treasurer and jail shared the ground floor. When the present-day courthouse was completed in 1923, the building became the site of a dance hall called the Social Benefit Association.

16 | HUGUS BUILDING/THIESEN MALL | 912 LINCOLN AVE. (STEAMBOAT SMOKEHOUSE)

Built in 1899, this was the site of J.W. Hugus & Co., one of the nation’s first general store chains. The original brick storefront is hidden under the contemporary façade.

17 | MAXWELL/SQUIRE BUILDING | 840 LINCOLN AVE. (LYON DRUG STORE) ● ●

Construction of the building was financed by town investor, J.P. Maxwell. The building was constructed with local pressed brick from Trogler’s brickyard, and completed with local stone trim and plate glass. From 1909 to 1962, the post office occupied the ground floor.

In 1909, Chamberlain-Grey Drug Store took over ownership. Now, over 100 years later, the building is still home to a locally owned drug store/pharmacy.

The Ford Model T was in production from 1908 to 1927. Some 15 million were made. The engine was combined with the transmission, they shared the same oil, and put out 20 horsepower. There’s no way a 20hp motor could pull two sleds up and down H.H., at least not at the walking pace they traveled. The beginnings of the boat tow is said to have begun in the early ‘30s with just a single sled used to haul Extended Tour building materials up to the ski jump takeoffs.

By then there’d have been much better choices in junked car engines than Model T engines. One possibility would be a Ford Model A engine. Or maybe not. The Model A was made from 1928 to 1931 with over 4 million produced. Its engine had twice the power of the ‘T’ engine. In 1937 the boat tow was reconfigured with two sleds that reached the top of Howelsen Hill and its winch powered by an electric motor. It would serve in this manner till 1970.

So here’s my suggestion; upgrade Ford Model T to Model A. Or just leave it as is.

18 | F.M. LIGHT & SONS | 830 LINCOLN AVE.

The F.M. Light family moved from Hicksville, Ohio to Steamboat in 1905. Soon after their arrival, they purchased the lot, erected the building and secured enough merchandise to open this clothing store.

Light family members traveled throughout Northwest Colorado and Southern Wyoming displaying their merchandise and taking orders from ranchers for Western wear, hats, boots, saddles and equipment. The retail store is still owned by family members.

19 | THE FURLONG BUILDING | 810 LINCOLN AVE. (BUSHWACKER’S)

COURTESY OF TREAD OF PIONEERS MUSEUM

Carver Power Plant I wish to call attention to an error in the S.S. Visitors Guide, page VG49 in the Vol. 45, No. 2 of Steamboat Magazine. Under item 14, Carver Power Plant, it’s stated that the plant served until the 1950s. It was actually shut down in 1926 when the McGregor power plant came on line. This was a coal-fired installation and got its coal from the Osage open-pit mine, now the landfill west of Milner. The foundation of the plant can be seen on the right as you drive up to the landfill, or Home Resource Center (“Milner Mall”). The McGregor plant was rendered obsolete by the Hayden Station in the mid-‘60s. Refer to the 2010 edition of The Historical Guide to Routt County, page 120.

The second item, VG48, #10, Howelsen Hill concerns the Ford Model T engine used to power the boat tow. This seems to have now become carved in stone and might be left as is if you think it makes a better story. This is an example of an event that doesn’t achieve historical interest until after the fact by which time certain details have become lost or forgotten. Here’re the facts as far as I can piece them together.

This building was started in 1919 and finished in July of 1920 using stone from the Emerald Mountain quarry to frame the windows. Norwegian ski jumper Carl Howelsen completed the brickwork and masonry.

20 | THE ROUTT COUNTY NATIONAL BANK BUILDING | 802 LINCOLN AVE. (WILD HORSE GALLERY) ● ●

Built in 1919 with stonework by Carl Howelsen, this building is a unique landmark of two different periods. The Lincoln Avenue façade shows the rehabilitated 1919 exterior, and the Eighth Street side displays the changes from the 1940s.

A. AND B. CRAWFORD HOUSES | 1238 AND 1184 CRAWFORD AVE. ● ● Crawford homes are private residences so please respect private property.

The second and third houses built by the founding family of Steamboat Springs, the Crawfords, are still standing. The second home, at 1238 Crawford Ave. (on 12th Street), was built in 1886 from native lumber from the Suttle Mill. The bay window was added later to accommodate their daughter’s wedding reception. The large stone house at 1184 Crawford Ave. ● ● was built in 1894 of stone from the Emerald Mountain quarry. The family occupied this house until Mrs. Crawford’s death in 1939. Crawford’s descendants purchased the house in 2004 and carefully restored it.

C. HISTORIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUILDING | 1201 LINCOLN AVE. (YAMPA VALLEY LAND TRUST) ● Located along Soda Creek next to the library, this small 1960 structure is one of Czechoslovakian-born architect Eugene Sternberg’s two midcentury modern “Usonian style” buildings in downtown Steamboat Springs (listed on the National Historic Register). The building’s nearly flat inverted pitch roof gives the visual impression of a butterfly in flight, so that locally, the building is known as the “Butterfly Building.”

D. THE DEPOT | 1001 13TH ST. ● ● ● Designed by famous Denver architect Frank E. Edbrooke, the railroad Depot was fully financed by the citizens and businesses of the town in order to entice the railroad line through Steamboat Springs.

Construction for the building began shortly before the first passenger train arrived on January 6, 1909 and was operational by August of that year. Passenger service was discontinued in 1968, and eventually the Depot became home to Steamboat Creates and the Eleanor Bliss Center for the Arts.

● Listed on the Routt County Register of Historic Properties ● Listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties ● Listed on the National Register of Historic Places ● Listed on the Steamboat Springs Register of Historic Places

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS VISITORS’ GUIDE | SUMMER 2023 | VG 49

Very truly yours, – Bill Fetcher

To Send Letters to the Editor: Email: Sophie@SkiTownMedia.com; U.S. mail: P.O. Box 880616, Steamboat Springs, CO 80488

Steamboat Springs, Colorado | 970.879.5667 Please visit us in person at Central Park Plaza or online W W W. D A V I D C H A S E F U R N I T U R E . C O M 18 | ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMBOATMAGAZINE.COM

DISCOVER UPLAND PRESERVE THE FINAL 13 HOMESITES RELEASED

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HOMESITE 47

HOMESITE 48

HOMESITE 49

HOMESITE 50

HOMESITE 51

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HOMESITE 53

HOMESITE 54

HOMESITE 56

HOMESITE 57

HOMESITE 63

The Upland Preserve at Alpine Mountain Ranch & Club features a stunning collection of homesites that enjoy unmatched panoramic views of the South Valley and are accessed through a set of distinguished monument pillars. Many of the 5-acre homesites border National Forest and feature commanding views of the ski area and unmistakable Flat Tops mountains and wilderness area.

All Upland Preserve homesites enjoy bright sunlight, convenient access to hiking trails, and are teeming with majestic wildlife.

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STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 21

Abby Jensen Photography

Contributors Lyla Baker

is a sophomore at Steamboat Springs High School.

Passionate about writing since she was a child, she has had the honor of being recognized in both local and national writing competitions. For this issue, she interviewed Giulia Costantini, a young singer who works with the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra. “I love listening to people’s stories,” Lyla says. “Giulia’s story is especially fascinating because she’s so young and she’s already accomplished all of these great things.

It inspires me to keep working toward my own goals in life.” Read Lyla’s story on page 41.

Dan Greeson

is the former editor of Steamboat Magazine.

These days, he’s based in Denver, working in marketing and communications. Dan says, “I’m thrilled to be back in the pages of Steamboat Magazine – I’m always eager to keep contributing to the magazine and staying up-to-date with the current happenings in Steamboat.” Dan’s story, on page 42, spotlights Steamboat’s very own Alpine skier Jett Seymour. “Chatting with him about his rigorous preparation for the upcoming season was inspiring,” says Dan. “I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s able to achieve this ski season.”

Jennie Lay

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

–Albert Einstein Images available for purchase

Gallery: Pine Moon Fine Art 117 9th St., Steamboat Springs, Colorado 970-879-2787 • www.jensen-photography.com

22 | ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMBOATMAGAZINE.COM

is a writer and editor whose independent reporting has covered energy, the environment, land and wildlife conservation, arts and culture, and far-flung travel, including a bucket-list Alps ski adventure for this issue’s essay on page 62. Her work appears in High Country News, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Yoga Journal, 5280, NPR and elsewhere. In the Steamboat tradition of multi-tasking employment, Jennie is the Literary Sojourn festival director and she curates cultural programming at Bud Werner Library.

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Luxury Home in The Sanctuary | $3,625,000 | #1633449 This 4,361 Sq. Ft., furnished, 4BD/6BA home with a large den in The Sanctuary exudes gracious mountain living with spectacular ski area views, generously sized rooms, 4 gas fireplaces, a wine cellar, 2 patios, and a large deck for entertaining.

Two North Routt Lots | $249,000 | #8155042 | #7104480 - PENDING Your favorite outdoor activities are all within 15 minutes from these 5.46 and 5.99 acre parcels off of 129 and Aspen Court. The two lots can be purchased together for a total of 11.45 acres. NO HOA!!

1/4 Share, 13 weeks/year, Amenities All Year! | $195,000 | #9741334 This 2BD, 1318 Sq. Ft. Silver Bullet condo at the Steamboat Grand allows for maximum usage flexibility due to the lock-off hotel room that may be rented independently from the main living area and bedroom.

Bo and Sue Stempel Elise Hendricks Broker Associates/Partners 970.819.0981 TheStempelGroup@thegroupinc.com

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STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 25

Genuine Steamboat

Shots from

the Best Winter Ever Over 400 inches of snow made last winter one to remember in Steamboat Springs.

Steamboat Magazine invited the community to share their photos of time spent on the mountain enjoying sunrises and sunsets, fresh powder, groomed corduroy and most of all, epic ski days. These are their pictures and their stories.

26 | ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMBOATMAGAZINE.COM

Photo by Elisa Maines Timing is everything.

Ethan Maines, 14, sprays his mother, Elisa Maines, on his way down Heavenly Daze. Elisa says, “Ethan is a Nordic Combined athlete with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. When he’s not training on the Nordic jumps or skate ski trails, you’ll find him seeking out powder stashes. He also really enjoys big mountain skiing. This was a beautiful blue bird day and he was taking huge carving turns….he thought it would be funny to spray me on his way by!”

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 27

Genuine Steamboat

Photo by Justin Reiter The first rule of thumb is to set the subject in the left or right third of the frame.

Rules are meant to be broken.

Jason Aronson on Buff Pass.

28 | ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMBOATMAGAZINE.COM

Photo by Matt Irvin Groomer job perks: Sunset backdrop and a freshly groomed run.

Taken by groomer Matt Irvin at the beginning of February. Matt says, “This is a sunset picture from Storm Peak that I took while I was grooming. It’s not a deep powder action shot but it represents the pristine corduroy that we provide every day and the many beautiful sunsets that we get to enjoy.”

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 29

Genuine Steamboat

Photo by Zac Hale Out of this world.

30 | ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMBOATMAGAZINE.COM

Zac Hale is secretive about disclosing his backcountry trip itinerary to anyone besides his close friends. For Steamboat Magazine readers, he made an exception. He told us he was hiking back from Middle Fork when he noticed that the sunset was going to be spectacular. “I started pushing myself to get close to Last Chance where the view opens up enough to get a decent pic,” Zac says. At 6:03 p.m., he was still outside the ski area boundary when he took this shot. “I tend to feel that moments are sent to me from the heavens above by a close family member who passed on a few years ago.”

The

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M AGNI FICENT HOME ON FISH CREEK

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A truly grand, well-crafted home on Fish Creek.

5 BD/9 BA, exquisite details, 2 primary suites, carriage house, amazing yard & private beach.

Overlooking the 7th fairway at Catamount Ranch, this legacy estate offers 6 BD, views, water feature & ponds, theater & wine cellar.

Stunning lake views from this impressive mtn contemporary home on 38+ ac. 4,225 sf, quality construction, main lvl primary, privacy & ponds.

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Panoramic ski area & south valley views from this recently remodeled, 4,000+ SF home in the coveted Storm Mtn Reserve neighborhood.

SF home in a quiet neighborhood. Open floor plan, private decks with hot tub. Close to the base area. STR approved. 5 BD, 6 BA, 3,463 SF.

Located in the most private part of the Catamount Cabin enclave is this 3BD / 3.5 BA cabin complete with deck and lakefront views.

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Fully renovated and in a prime location, this home offers breathtaking views of the ski area while being surrounded by open space.

Bright 4BD, 3BA, 3,134SF home with vaulted ceilings, 2-car garage, 2 family rooms, primary suite, 2 fireplaces, huge deck & great mtn views.

Lot 10 is a 6.48 AC lot with infrastructure in place for an easy build and plans available.

Boasts incredible views of the entire valley.

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Built by Amaron Folkstead with incredible interior finishes, multiple living areas, and a covered deck with a great view of the ski area.

Top-floor Chadwick Flats, all on one level and Penthouse-style with pristine high-end finishes. Walking distance to the Ski Area base.

Exquisite property in Yellow Jacket offering 6,929 square feet, 15 acres, exceptional views, wood beam accents, and ample living space.

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Stunning home with high ceilings, attached oversized 2 car garage, and a spacious deck with impressive views of the mountain.

Stunning home in Elk River Valley with views, a masterful stick-built design, caretaker suite, and outdoor living space on 35 acres.

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Flat, easy building site, 360° views, in Steamboat School District. The perfect setting for outdoor recreation and only 10 miles to Steamboat.

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9 70 . 879.STEAMBOAT 810 0 | SMAGAZINE T E A M B O AT S I R . C O M | SKI 2023-24 | 33

COURTESY OF GRASS STICKS

Gear

(Grass) Sticking it to the Status Quo: Building a Sustainable Ski Pole That Lasts

| BY CASEY HOPKINS here are a few things Steamboat Springs is known for: Champagne Powder®, Strawberry Park Hot Springs, Fish Creek Falls, world-class recreation – just to name a few – but if you take a look at any mountain ski rack during ski season, you’ll likely see a number of bamboo ski poles with colorful handles and baskets. They’re Grass Sticks, a pioneering ski pole (as well as paddles and plungers) company that’s a favorite of locals and visitors alike, and they’re based right here in Steamboat.

After moving to town in 2010, Andrew Beckler worked typical ‘starter’ mountain town gigs as a ski instructor, raft guide and bartender, giving him the freedom to ski 100+ days a season. Normally made of aluminum, graphite, fiberglass or composite material, ski poles have a tendency to bend and break over time, especially if you’re hitting the steeps as often as Andrew does. After getting fed up with constantly having to restock his sticks, he decided to introduce the world to a new type of pole – he just wasn’t sure what kind yet.

“In 2014 I had the idea to quit the ski school job and try to make ski poles that people cared about; something different,” Andrew says. At first he attempted to find some kind of bi-product from a local manufacturer to build his new pole, but in the end, bamboo seemed to be the obvious choice. By the spring of 2015, Andrew had a product that he was happy to take to market. “It makes a perfect pole,” Andrew says. “It’s light, it’s strong and it’s relatively renewable compared to everything else.”

As the company points out, traditional carbon fiber and aluminum ski poles are mined from the earth,

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COURTESY OF GRASS STICKS

T

industrially manufactured and mass produced, placing a burden on the environment through the amount of energy that it takes to create the poles. But bamboo, per acre harvested, produces three times as much lumber as trees, absorbs more CO2 and produces more oxygen than any other plant.

The bamboo that Andrew uses is sourced from India and grows up to 30 or 40 feet in about four years. Andrew uses the thinner sections of the bamboo for the ski poles, and portions of the thicker, bottom sections for his paddles. After placing an order a year ahead of time, each batch of bamboo is harvested, gets a quality check, then gets dried and cured before it’s shipped to Steamboat where it’s finally put together and sent to one of Grass Sticks’ many loyal customers.

While Grass Sticks continues to grow (pun intended) from its humble beginnings as a small ski pole manufacturer to a business whose product is used worldwide by amateurs and professionals alike, remaining a local, independent shop is just as important to Andrew as it was almost a decade ago.

“I definitely want to keep Grass Sticks in Steamboat,” Andrew says. “Obviously we believe in our product and I love our product. I ski with it every day. That’s where it came from, my passion for the sport. We get to live the lifestyle of a ski-bum and river-rat then build products that we’re passionate about and get to use everyday. That goes for me, that goes for all my employees and that’s why we’re here.”

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DEBORAH OLSEN

In the News

Brown Ranch, on the west side of Steamboat Springs sits on a hillside overlooking downtown.

But Can You Afford to Live Here?

I

n early November, voters approved the use of 75% of a tax on short-term housing rentals to fund the Brown Ranch workforce housing project on the west side of Steamboat Springs.

The Yampa Valley Housing Authority purchased the ranch in 2021 for $24 million, using funds provided by an anonymous donor. The 534-acre parcel of land is adjacent to the city limits, inside the designated growth area.

Essentially, no infrastructure is in place on Brown Ranch.

The housing authority must find solutions for providing key elements such as water, sewer, roads and snowplowing before annexation could occur.

The current plan is to create four distinct, local, workforce neighborhoods on the ranch. The first neighborhood would have approximately 480 units; ground is slated to be broken in 2026.

“Only Routt County workers and retirees would be eligible to live on the ranch.”

Target date for completion of the full project is 2040, by which time it would comprise 2,264 homes, plus open space, trails, a school site, food market, daycare center, youth services and a community center. Only Routt County workers and retirees would be eligible to live on the ranch. The housing authority plans to use proceeds from the short-term lodging tax, plus numerous grants, to maintain affordability.

The development has been contentious in the community, due in large part to the project’s density, cost and strain on resources.

For more information, visit yvha.org.

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 37

In the News

COURTESY HOWELSEN ICE ARENA

Make the HIP Happen

Howelsen Ice Arena hosts competitive curling leagues, is home to the Stampede Youth Hockey, and showcases figure skating performances.

H

ip, hip hooray: the Howelsen Ice Pavilion (HIP, for short) is the highly anticipated Howelsen Ice Arena expansion project.

“The current arena is over capacity for the needs of our Steamboat community,” says Kerry Shea, fundraising chair for the project and president of the board of the Youth Hockey Association. “From introductory youth hockey and figure skating programs to adult recreational leagues, there is no available ice time and every program has long wait lists with growing demands.”

The completion of the project will provide the Yampa Valley with a second ice rink. This one will be a covered, open-air, multi-use facility with an NHL-sized

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rink, a practice rink, locker rooms and a dryland training area.

While the HIP will directly impact winter sports-related user groups of ice hockey, figure skating, curling, bumper cars and public skate, it will also provide year-round opportunities for all community members offering another venue in which to participate in activities like soccer, baseball, lacrosse, city programs, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, the arts and special events.

The fundraising committee, which consists of representatives from the Steamboat Springs Youth Hockey Association, Steamboat Skating Club, Steamboat Curling Club and the Ice Rink Advisory Committee, is aiming to raise $6 million by early 2024 in order to have the new facility up and running by 2025.

“Our goal is community-based programming for today and future generations,” Kerry says. “This expanded facility will provide an opportunity to reduce travel, expand local programming and increase accessibility for our community throughout the year.”

For more information, visit www.howelsenicepavilion.com.

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COURTESY GIULIA COSTANTINI

People

Giulia Costantini (left) sings with the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra last winter.

Bringing Down the House | BY LYLA BAKER

G

iulia Costantini hadn’t had any time to practice with the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra as she stood in front of the mic at the “Finding Christmas” concert. The symphony’s lead singer had called in sick, unable to sing the deep notes of the power-belt “Let It Go” from the Disney movie “Frozen.” Giulia stepped in to sing it in her place.

“I grew up with “Frozen” and had sung “Let It Go” in an elementary school talent show way back when,” Giulia recalls.

Now, she had 30 minutes before opening, and she was frantically running through the familiar childhood song over and over.

Finally, it was time to sing. As she performed, Ernest Richardson, the conductor of the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra, recalls a sense of awe – not only at Giulia’s voice, but also at her courage.

“She didn’t have a chance to rehearse,” Ernest says, “but she went out there and sang that song. And she brought down the house.”

This was only a small moment in Giulia’s impressive singing career. Although she was born in Houston, Texas, Giulia has close ties to Steamboat Springs. She and her family moved to town when she was 8 years old. They have since moved back to Houston but they visit frequently, and Steamboat is close to their hearts.

Giulia was young when she realized her passion for music and started taking singing lessons at ten years old.

At a concert in her parent’s home, Giulia first met Ernest.

“I’d heard that she was a good singer,” Ernest recalls.

“I was curious where she was in her development. I asked her

father if he thought she’d be willing to sing for us. She really impressed me, so I started working with her based on that first performance.”

Soon after, Giulia was introduced to the world of orchestra.

“I enjoyed it so much,” she says of her work with Ernest and the symphony. “All of the musicians really want to be there, and they’re also excited,” she explains. “It’s an energy that you can’t replicate in a different sort of setting. The orchestra is really friendly, and I think that’s what makes it so special to me.”

Giulia is currently attending Rice University in Houston, where she’s double-majoring in business and psychology.

While many people are surprised to hear she’s not studying music, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I think because I have this sort of luxury of separating what I’m studying with what truly makes me happy, I can let it be just that – rather than applying a degree towards it,” she muses.

“Instead, the passion is there because it’s something I truly love to do. It’s definitely not something I’m leaving behind. It’s still very much a part of my life.”

Giulia’s singing career is not contained in Steamboat; back in Houston, she is the lead cantor at her local church, where she sings every Sunday.

Giulia will return to the stage of Strings Music Pavilion this December to relive her “Let It Go” moment at the “Finding Christmas” show.

“I treasure “Finding Christmas” because of the community.

Everyone, from the musicians to the audience members, is filled with joy that is very palpable,” Giulia says. “It is quite possibly the highlight of my year.”

See “Finding Christmas” on Friday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2, at 2 and 7 p.m. Get tickets at www.stringsmusicfestival.com.

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 41

COURTESY OF JETT SEYMOUR

People

At the US Nationals Slalom in Sun Valley, Idaho, Jett Seymour successfully defended his national title from the year prior.

From Howelsen Hill to Chamonix Jett Seymour’s journey as an elite Alpine skier

| BY DAN GREESON

O

n a crisp day in Chamonix, France, with the crowd buzzing and the sunshine reflecting off the icy slopes, Jett Seymour experienced a quiet moment of clarity. As he stood at the starting gate, the skier felt an overwhelming sense of belonging wash over him, reinforcing the notion that he was exactly where he was meant to be.

This pre-race serenity was a harbinger of what was to come: a seventh-place finish that served as a milestone in his burgeoning career. The up-and-coming Alpine skier hopes to continue this success into the 2023-24 ski season.

Jett grew up in Steamboat Springs and attended the University of Denver, where he raced both GS and slalom. He began focusing purely on slalom in 2020 when he earned a World Cup spot in the discipline. His seventh-place finish in Chamonix was his best result on the 2023 World Cup tour. This achievement marked a significant milestone, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest level.

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“Before that, I’d struggled with putting down a complete run,” Jett says. “It was awesome to realize that I not only belong, but can compete at that level.”

In addition to his top-7 finish in Chamonix, Jett’s last season included high finishes at Europa cups, and a win at U.S. Nationals, helping to cement his place as a contender on the Alpine skiing scene.

Jett emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process and having fun, which he believes contributes to his success. But he’s also been open about how difficult the mental side of the sport can be.

“The atmosphere of my training is always kept very light and fun and not too serious,” Jett says. “Which for me is really good because once I start to get serious, it’s hard for me to relax and back out of it.”

Hailing from a close-knit family, Jett’s love for skiing was nurtured during family ski trips. Jett highlights the vital role his

COURTESY OF JETT SEYMOUR

family plays awesome memories.” in managing Looking ahead, Jett is his emotional dedicated to becoming well-being. a regular podium “My parents contender in the never pushed very World Cup slalom and hard,” he says. “They enhancing his never were putting slalom skills. pressure on me to “I think through become a skier. the next few years, he They were always can reach a really high very supportive, level and I can see him but also very levelplacing high at the headed and mellow World Cup,” says Matic Jett celebrates in Sun Valley with his father John, brother Trey, and mother Blair. about the whole Skube, Jett’s coach. thing. They just “We’re here to bring wanted to make sure I was having fun. The reason I’m still able him in on the top of the world. And I can’t see any reason that he to do it is because of how I was raised. I really am thankful that can’t be one of the best slalom skiers in the future.” they didn’t push too hard, because the odds of being burnt out Jett Seymour’s journey is a testament to determination, love definitely would go up.” for the sport, and the unwavering support of his family. As he Jett’s preference for night skiing harkens back to Steamboat, continues to evolve as a ski racer, the skiing world eagerly awaits training under the lights of Howelsen Hill after school. his future achievements on the slopes, whether they’re under the “When I think of growing up skiing, that’s what I think of: lights of Howelsen Hill or Chamonix. racing and training under the lights in Steamboat, which is probably my favorite place to race,” Jett says. “To race under the Steamboat Magazine has written about Jett before; read more about his journey to the top on www.SteamboatMagazine.com. lights, I think it’s the most alive I feel. It brings up some pretty

more @

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 43

Art

Greg Beecham | “Beware of the Stranger” | oil on linen, 8 x 24

Where the West is Wild | BY DEBORAH OLSEN

M

ountain lions, moose, bear, elk, deer, bison, coyotes, foxes – even the rare wolf. Routt County residents live side-byside with wildlife. And that life can, in fact, be wild.

“Wild West: Wildlife Masters Past and Present,” Steamboat Art Museum’s winter exhibit, reflects the natural beauty, power and vulnerability of the animals whose presence is synonymous with the American West.

A renaissance is occurring today in the world of wildlife art, with artists taking the genre in new directions, at the same time as interest in the classic form is being renewed. “It’s wonderful,” says Tim Newton, publisher of Western Art and Architecture magazine and guest curator for the SAM exhibit.

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The symbiotic relationship between Steamboat and wildlife has not gone unnoticed by Tim. “We’re right where we should be,” he says.

The story starts with legendary artists like Carl Rungius, Lanford Monroe, Bob Kuhn, Anna Hyatt Huntington and Herbert Dunton, all of whom are represented in the exhibit.

Rungius was an avid sportsman who spent time in the wilderness and painted animals in their natural environment, a novel concept for artists in the early 20th century.

At roughly the same time, “Buck” Dunton was painting the landscapes and animals of the Southwest. A founding member of the Taos Society of Artists, Buck’s work is represented in the

Carl Rungius | “Out of the Canyon” | oil on canvas, 28 x 36

“The quality is going to be as good as it could ever be,” Tim says.

“In my life, the key word is quality. That’s been my focus: to try and choose the artists. Of course, we can’t have every one of the greats, but we will have a representative slice of the best of the best.”

SAM exhibit through an etching from the guest curator’s personal collection. The famous black-and-white etching of a mother bear and her two cubs depicts a scene familiar to Steamboat.

Following in the footsteps of Buck and Carl, Bob Kuhn has been referred to as the “greatest wildlife painter of our time.” Until his death in 2007, Bob was a mentor to a host of artists; without him, the art form would not be what it is today, as declared by the National Museum of Wildlife Art in its recognition of him.

Two women join the grouping of legends in the SAM exhibit: Lanford Monroe and Anna Hyatt Huntington. Anna was a contemporary of Carl and Buck; her monumental sculptures of

animal life earned her national renown. Lanford’s work is more recent and reflects her times, with an impressionistic approach to painting.

From this timeless foundation, the “Wild West” moves forward, including the work of internationally renowned wildlife artists, from Thomas Quinn to Tucker Smith. Greg Beecham, Jim Morgan, Dan Smith, Amy Ringholz and Jill Soukup are among the painters with works in the exhibit. They are joined by prominent sculptors like Walter Matia, Tony Hochstettler and T.D. Kelsey.

“The quality is going to be as good as it could ever be,” Tim says. “In my life, the key word is quality. That’s been my focus: to STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 45

try and choose the artists. Of course, we can’t have every one of the greats, but we will have a representative slice of the best of the best.”

Two local artists met Tim’s exacting standards: bronze sculptors Curtis Zabel and Sandy Graves. Curtis, whose picturesque ranch is on the outskirts of Steamboat Springs, is known internationally for his authentic depiction of wildlife and horses.

“I want my sculpture to look alive, to be convincing in its movement. I like to put in bits of humor, which I find even in the sad parts of life,” he says.

Sandy, whose wildlife sculpture tends to be much more abstract, is gaining a national reputation for her individual style, which emphasizes negative space.

Like the two local artists, the overall exhibit depicts wildlife art ranging from realism to romanticism, from impressionistic to abstract. It is as wild as it is Western.

“Wild West: Wildlife Masters Past and Present” opens Friday, Dec. 1, and is on display through Saturday, April 13. For more information, visit www.steamboatartmuseum.org.

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STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 47

4 Stars

to Watch

| BY SUZY MAGILL

F

rom Howelsen Hill to Norway, Canada and Chile, these are the names you’ll be

hearing this year as these four stars of the slopes chase titles, ambitions and dreams.

48 | ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMBOATMAGAZINE.COM

Peyton competes in his first World Cup in Deer Valley, Utah last season.

has skied since he could walk.

“When did I first start skiing? I was probably one,” Peyton laughs. “I’ve stuck to it ever since. There’s this freedom it makes me feel. The creativity of it – you can do whatever you want. There are no boundaries.

No rules.”

Peyton moved to Steamboat to train with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club’s freestyle team for mogul skiing in fall 2022.

Last winter, Peyton was invited to compete at the U.S. Selections Event in Winter Park in January. At the event, he placed seventh in singles and second in duals, qualifying for the NorAm Cup and the Deer Valley World Cup. The NorAm Cup, one of the six Continental Cups for skiing, serves as a stepping stone to the World Cup circuit. Last season, the cup series included two North American events at Deer Valley and Killington, and two Canadian events at Apex and Val St. Comê.

Throughout the NorAm competitions, Peyton says, his results and skiing were consistent, but the World Cup was next level.

“It was pretty shocking,” he says.

“The skill gap between NorAms and the World Cup is huge.”

At Deer Valley, Peyton crashed during a run and didn’t achieve the results he had hoped for, but that didn’t detract from his experience.

“Competing with the people you look up to, under the lights with my team cheering me on? It’s pretty sweet,” Peyton says.

At a high level of competition however, Peyton often worries about letting the people around him down.

“There’s this idea that you should do well, and when you don’t, it’s hard,” Peyton explains. “You have to not put pressure on yourself and know that there’s no pressure to do well. People just want to see you thrive.”

Throughout last season, Peyton faced challenges: overcoming a fear of new tricks and learning how to relieve pressure from himself, but this season, he faces a different type of battle. At the close of last season, coming off of a gold medal at Junior Nationals, Peyton tore his ACL and needed surgery to repair it.

This season, the focus will be on physical therapy, team workouts, and a return to easy skiing in December, holding off on any competition until the 2024-25 season.

“I’m not rushing back into things. Skiing is going to be a big part of my life for a very long time,” Peyton says.

“When I come back to competitions next winter, it’s going to be at 110 percent.”

COURTESY OF PEYTON BILLEISEN

Peyton Billeisen

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE MAGAZINE || SKI SKI 2023-24 2023-24 || 49 49 STEAMBOAT

COURTESY OF GIGI BOYD

Gigi Boyd

Gigi races at Copper Mountain in 2021.

got a late start when she began competing in boardercross (more technically known as “snowboard cross”) at age 10.

“When I was a little kid, I would watch my brother’s snowboard competitions, but I didn’t love the jumps and rails he did,” Gigi explains. “I always gravitated towards boardercross instead.”

Gigi’s parents made her wait, cautious of the risk presented by four people going down an extremely technical course all at once. When she got on a course at Ski Cooper in Leadville for the first time in fourth grade, she was hooked.

The courses for boardercross are highly engineered for competitions; they consist of berms, or steep banks built up around a turn, sets of rollers, sharp drops and steep jumps.

The first two people across the finish line advance.

“It’s an adrenaline rush,” Gigi says. “You’re ripping down a course with three other people going over rollers, berms and jumps. I love that rush of snowboarding next to people. There’s nothing else like it.”

Because of the nature of the sport, odds are constantly changing.

“If you fall or someone falls in front of you or there’s a pile up, it just is what it is,” Gigi explains. “You never know who’s gonna win, so it’s constantly exciting. You could be the worst and still win because of good luck or be the best and not win because of bad luck.”

Gigi is one of only four boardercross athletes with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, where they train on a course at Howelsen Hill. Because boardercross is a niche sport, the racers often know each other, but Gigi tries to treat it the same as racing someone she doesn’t know.

“I try my best to separate racing me from normal me,” she explains.

Last season Gigi followed the NorAm boardercross cups across the continent, and her results in these competitions qualified her to compete for Team USA at the Junior World Championships in Italy.

“There were so many talented people there,” Gigi remembers. “The girl who got second place had just come off of a World Cup win. It was crazy insane to even be in the same competition as kids at that level.”

Upon her return from Junior Worlds, Gigi drove directly from the airport to Copper Mountain for U.S. Nationals. In the aftermath of canceled and delayed flights and in the wake of her first international competition, Gigi did the unthinkable – she won U.S. Nationals at only 16 years old.

That was just the beginning. “I want to try to make it to Junior Worlds again and hopefully to the Youth Olympic Games in South Korea,” Gigi says. “I’m on the list for it, but not at the top. I’m hoping I’ll get there this season.”

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Like many Steamboat Springs’ kids, Alexa Brabec spent Wednesday nights at Howelsen Hill, ripping down the inrun of the “Bump Jump” on her downhill skis.

“When I was about 10 years old, I wanted to take the next step and try jump skis,” Alexa says. “I found out there’s nothing like ski jumping. The feeling of the air is unmatched by anything.”

A few years later, she decided that she wanted to compete in Nordic combined, a sport that mixes the technical and high-flying sport of ski jumping with the high-endurance sport of cross-country skiing.

Last year, while also balancing AP classes and college applications, Alexa competed in Europe and North America with USA Nordic. She raced and jumped from Junior Worlds in Canada to World Championships in Slovenia to the Jumpin’ and Jammin’ competition in Steamboat.

“I really enjoy traveling. Skiing allows me to travel to so many different countries and experience so much,” Alexa says. “I hope to continue that after I finish skiing.”

Just three months after graduating from Steamboat Springs High School in May, Alexa moved – on her own – to Lillehammer, Norway.

USA Nordic has partnered with the Norwegian National Team for Nordic combined training, allowing Alexa to train in Norway with Norwegian coaches.

From Lillehammer, she will compete in World Cups and Continental Cups throughout the season.

The women’s Nordic Combined 2023-24 World Cup season starts on Friday, Dec. 1, in Lillehammer with a 5-kilometer skate ski race and a 98-meter jump.

But even as Alexa works towards her World Cup season in a foreign country, she laments the lack of gender equality in her sport.

“The lack of equality between men and women’s Nordic combined has been a huge challenge, especially with events,” Alexa explains. “You’re looking forward to a season, and then venues aren’t willing to host women. We have so many fewer events and opportunities to compete.”

Last year, women’s Nordic combined was again barred from competing in the Olympics in 2026, but Alexa continues to look forward.

“I’m focused on the now. Hopefully, one day, women will compete at the Olympic level,” she says. “It’s hard to hear we can’t, but for now, I’m looking forward to competing this season and taking all skiing has to offer.”

COURTESY OF ALEXA BRABEC

Alexa Brabec

Alexa Brabec competes in a Continental Cup race in Rena, Norway. She finished in sixth place.

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 51

COURTESY OF ROMAN ELVIDGE

This winter, Roman will travel on the NorAm circuit for Alpine skiing.

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Roman Elvidge At just 17 years old, Roman Elvidge’s top performances last season qualified him for the D Team of the US Alpine Ski Team. He spent last summer at the Olympic Center of Excellence in Park City, Utah, living with two teammates and training six days a week with Team USA. “It was more intensive than any training I’ve done,” he explains. “I have so many more resources now, and it’s game-changing.”

To qualify for the D team, Roman had to achieve a top-30 result in a NorAm Continental Cup race and rank in the top 500 in the world for one of his events (either downhill, slalom, giant slalom or super G; alpine skiing events that vary based on the distance between gates and the slope of the run).

Last school year, as a junior at Steamboat Springs High School and during his seventh season with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Roman managed to meet these criteria while balancing AP classes and high academic performance with a string of skiing-related absences. This year, he opted to move school entirely online through Yampa Valley High School, which allowed him to begin his season this fall in Chile, where he trained for three weeks in the Andes mountains with the D Team.

In the winter, Roman will travel with the same group of eight other athletes and two coaches across the United States and Canada on the NorAm circuit for Alpine.

“Most of the year, I’ll be chasing NorAm,” Roman explains. “It’s high-level skiing, but it’s also domestic, so it’s a good way to gain competition experience while mostly staying in the US.” However, the heart of Alpine racing is found in Europe, so for one month this winter, Roman and the rest of the D team will train and travel through Europe in order to gain familiarity with racing there.

Even while skiing across continents, from North America to South America to Europe, Roman will continue to find his home base in the Yampa Valley, training with the SSWSC Alpine FIS team whenever he is home in Steamboat.

“My team in Steamboat is still one of the most important things to me,” Roman says. “We have a way of supporting each other and lifting each other up. We put our role as a teammate above being competitors.”

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Ride On Inside Steamboat’s Snowboard Scene | BY EUGENE BUCHANAN

With unstable snow conditions on Buffalo Pass, Kurtis and his crew were forced to tone down their plan and build a jump in a low angle zone with decent snow to make the best of an otherwise dangerous snowpack.

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COURTESY OF KURTIS JACKSON

H

ead out on a powder day in Steamboat Springs and you’re just about as likely to share a chair and the slopes with a snowboarder as you are a skier. Yep, Ski Town USA is slowly but surely sharing its moniker with snowboarding, thanks to its boardfriendly terrain, snowfall and riderfriendly culture.

But in such a ski-centric town, it didn’t start out that way. Even though the resort first allowed snowboarding way back in 1987 – with longtime local and surfer-turned-snowboarder Dave Winters riding the first chair, and the resort hiring Tom Barr as its first snowboard instructor two years later – it’s been an uphill battle for those sliding downhill on boards.

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 55

“Steamboat’s always been more ski focused, with snowboarding as a kind of the annoying little brother – but now they’re both grown adults.”

– Kurtis Jackson, Powder Tools

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The problem is that skiing, both Nordic and Alpine, is so ingrained here that it’s been hard for snowboarding to get its softer boot in the door. “Ironically, Steamboat has a sort of sneaky history when it comes to snowboard grace,” says Chad Oliver, 35, a World Cup halfpipe and slopestyle competitor who was born and raised in Steamboat. “The resort never doubledowned on promoting snowboarding. It’s always had such a culture of Nordic and Alpine racing that snowboarding was hard to take hold. The sport had to earn its stripes.”

Two or three generations of riders changed all that, he adds.

“There were two or three rounds of athletes who were able to put snowboarding in the limelight here,” he says, rattling off pioneer riders like Justin Reiter, Spencer Tamblyn, Robbie Dapper, Grant Glenn, Kurtis Jackson and more (not including himself). “Then things got real when riders like Matt Ladley and Taylor and Arielle Gold took it to the next level and were comfortable at the top. That did a lot for the street cred of snowboarding here.”

Indeed, the Golds are arguably the posterchilds of the snowboarding movement in Steamboat. Born and raised here and now in her second year of veterinary school at Colorado State University, Arielle, 27, is a two-time U.S. Olympian (Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018) and a bronze medalist in halfpipe; she put Steamboat on the snowboard stage by winning the 2013 World Championship in halfpipe at 16 – the second-youngest world champion ever. Brother Taylor, 29, is also a two-time

COURTESY OF KURTIS JACKSON

Kurtis Jackson at the top of the ridge near Soda Mountain on Buffalo Pass. “One of my favorite lines to get the blood flowing,” Kurtis says. “This day lined up nicely with cold temps, good snow and sunshine.”

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COURTESY OF CHAD OLIVER

Chad Oliver launches off of a boulder in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness burn zone.

Olympian in halfpipe, in Sochi and Beijing, and is now living in Breckenridge, focused on filmmaking.

“Steamboat has a super cool, almost sneaky snowboard culture,” Chad says. “There are other places where the culture is loud and obvious, but in Steamboat it’s more subdued and everyone’s super passionate about it. And the snowboard shop Powder Tools is a big part of fostering that.”

Dave Winters’ two sons, Bill and Cody, have also made names for themselves riding, with Cody spending three years on the U.S. team and now eyeing a spot at the 2026 Olympics in Italy. Seven-year U.S. Halfpipe Team member and current Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club freestyle snowboard coach Maddy Schaffrick, who has placed as high as second on the coveted Dew Tour, has also helped cement Steamboat’s stripes when it comes to snowboarding. Even former pro rider and commentator Luke “the Dingo” Trembath spent time riding in Routt County.

“The snowboard scene here is hard to define because we have so many different types of riders,” says Maddy. “But the shared love of the sport allows a great respect between all of them, no matter their background or personality. There are the “old dogs” who have been snowboarding since its inception, young kids and locals who are just learning, and visitors who come from all over to ride. Alpine riders come to train with Thedo Remmelink, one of the sport’s pioneers, and 58 | ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMBOATMAGAZINE.COM

“Ironically, Steamboat has a sort of sneaky history when it comes to snowboard grace.”

– Chad Oliver, World Cup halfpipe and slopestyle competitor

young freestyle jibbers and powder hunters call Powder Tools a second home. The best part is there’s a large overlap between everyone, and snowboarding is what brings us together.”

And the mountain, she says, fosters all these different types of riding. “It offers something for everyone – bunny hills for beginners, cliffs for advanced riders, and trees, cruisy groomers, terrain parks and a pipe in between,” she says, adding that where she rides depends on the weather: “If it’s snowed, I’ll go where the powder takes me; if not, you’ll probably find me lapping Rabbit Ears Park or in the pipe.”

Indeed, it’s the mountain and its riders that have put Steamboat on the snowboarding map. “A lot of really strong riders came out of this valley, at a time when it wasn’t known or marketed as a snowboard culture,” says Chad. “The resort never really recognized the potential its terrain has for freestyle features, so the snowboard team had to prove itself. But the culture now is really strong.”

Another thing that helped was hosting the 2021 Visa Big Air Contest at the Park Smalley Freestyle Complex, the year’s only big air event of the four snowboard qualifiers for slopestyle and big air athletes. “That was huge for Steamboat’s snowboarding scene,” says Chad. “It drew a lot of big air riders here and showed we have the capability to provide features for the sport’s best. It also showed that the resort can get it done if they want to.”

Kurtis Jackson, 39, who grew up competing in U.S. Grand Prix and Triple Crown events (now the Dew Tour) and has worked at Powder Tools since 2008, credits slope maintenance workers Corey Peterson and Jake Ingle for helping the resort get on the snowboard competition map (Jake used to cut halfpipes for U.S. Grand Prix events). “They both spearheaded the Big Air event and have gotten the resort to say yes to a lot of things that have helped grow snowboarding here,” he says.

“Resorts like Breckenridge and Copper Mountain have always made the big features and produced big events, but Steamboat is now offering more than it ever has and is way more openminded to snowboarding.”

Kurtis, who always marvels at how many riders come through Powder Tools’ doors, also credits everything from Steamboat’s terrain to Colorado Mountain College for the boom in boarders. “The snow is so consistent here that you can always find someplace to ride,” he says. “It’s a great mountain for progression, with a lot of different riding options. I debated moving to Mt. Baker, Jackson or Tahoe, but decided to stay here because of that. There’s something here no matter what level rider you are.”

“And having CMC here brings in more young people and a younger snowboard culture every year,” he adds. “The audience for it is much wider than it used to be, with a lot more different types of riding.”

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COURTESY OF CHAD OLIVER

While the resort doesn’t track actual user days, one barometer is its snowsports school, whose percentages are split roughly 70 percent skiing to 30 percent snowboarding, says resort spokesperson Maren Franciosi. “And a lot of people do both, choosing skis for groomer days and their snowboards for powder,” she says.

Indeed, bucking the stigma of baggy pants and counter-culture, snowboarding has hit its stride in Steamboat, with its followers traipsing the resort in search of powder, tree shots, grinds, airs, slashes and more – helping our well-rounded mountains become, well, more well-rounded.

“Steamboat’s always been more ski focused, with snowboarding as a kind of the annoying little brother,” says Kurtis. “But now they’re both grown adults and snowboarding is bigger here than it’s ever been. Look at the Olympians we’ve produced… for a long time it’s been primarily Nordic and Alpine athletes, but now snowboarding’s numbers have started to grow. I’m super proud of where snowboarding is in Steamboat.”

Chad Oliver rides the Continental Divide.

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Get Out

Renewal for your ski town roots | STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JENNIE LAY

On piste in Chamonix.

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S

nowcapped mountains are big medicine for those of us who live deep in the grind of

a real-life ski town existence. Let’s be honest: Some days, winter traffic on streets, sidewalks and slopes feels bananas. But then you snap on your skis. Your eyeballs make a 360-degree sweep from the top of Storm Peak. And your Rocky Mountain high is restored.

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First stop: Geneva “Do not forget the awe. And when we inevitably slip, there’s one surefire remedy for ill-placed ski season angst: Clean out the tip jar; cash in the miles; and take your own ski vacation.”

Full-timers in paradisiacal mountain places like Steamboat Springs can get infected by moments of numbness to the magic that inoculates visitors with love at first sight. For every local who has experienced the Yampa Valley curse, the mythos that once you land here you’re always destined to return, this is an important reminder: Do not forget the awe. And when we inevitably slip, there’s one surefire remedy for ill-placed ski season angst: Clean out the tip jar; cash in the miles; and take your own ski vacation.

Last winter I learned that sometimes we all need to take a hot minute to stop and feast our eyes on an alternate summit in order to wake up and remember what landed us in this lifestyle in the first place. And so, in the middle of my 31st winter in Steamboat, reveling in some of the most continuously epic snow days I’d ever experienced, my husband (mid-39th season) and I boarded a plane with skis and IKON passes for 2023’s drought-suffering Alps.

“What are you doing here?” Euro bums inquired with horror. We laughed, and we considered the times we’d scoffed at tourists in our hometown for venturing out in highly imperfect conditions. We were tourists now. We were all in.

Found allllll the tasty hot beverages for a cold winter day at adorable indie Pages & Sips bookstore in Old Town Geneva. #cozy #chocolate #caffeine #matcha #chai #booklust #mmmmmm

Euro Escape Tip

Planning an itinerary Considering the travel time, plan on at least a week and don’t try to ski everywhere. Schedule yourself with time to stop and sink into the local culture of the distinctly different resorts. Three weeks felt perfect for as much terrain as we covered (Geneva-Chamonix-Zermatt-St. MoritzZurich) and left me dreaming about a future return – especially during a bigger snow year when offpiste skiing is more widely safe and available with local guides. The Alps feature glacier skiing, and those crevasses are no joke.

Giant chess board in the Parc des Bastions near Old Town Geneva.

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Second stop: Chamonix ‘Find the funky après, milk the half-board breakfast, and navigate a whole different style of glacial piste. Turns out, the language of ski works everywhere.”

The thing is, France, Switzerland and Italy consistently reminded us that our passion for skiing is about so much more than snowpack.

We turned giddy with adventure on fancy trams, egg-like gondolas, rope tows, Pomas, funiculars, buses, trains and plain old chair lifts.

We learned to jostle in the lineups, squeeze in public transport, savor languorous lunches, find the funky après, milk the half-board breakfast, and navigate a whole different style of glacial piste. Turns out, the language of ski works everywhere.

Each day, we were amped anew to ski hard and fast in the sunshine.

On vacation, there wasn’t a hint of complaint when there was nary a pow morning to be had.

Not that we wouldn’t die to go back and do it all again after a massive dump. We would. We will. But ski culture on and off the mountain is as fun as it gets and dipping into someone else’s ski scene is cause for outright jubilant celebration, no matter how many flakes are flying.

In Chamonix, Zermatt, Cervinia and St. Moritz, we fell in love with historic villages at the foot of ancient ice floes and communities that play with winter a little differently than we do in Steamboat. Maybe it’s

Gaping at Mont Blanc and stepping out for a vertical adrenaline surge atop the Aiguille du Midi. Also, Swiss cable cars are crazy! #chamonix #peakadrenaline

Euro Escape Tip

Ski passes With the full IKON pass, you get seven days with no blackouts in the Chamonix Mont Blanc Valley in France. That includes the five ski areas: Grands Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flegere and Le Brevent. Ski or ride seven days with no blackouts at Zermatt Matterhorn in Switzerland, and schuss over to Breuil-Cervinia in Italy for an easy $50 add-on at any ticket window. St. Moritz isn’t on the IKON, but lift tickets cost about $45/ day through your local hotel.

Bonus: When in Chamonix, do not second-guess the cost of adding the Aiguille du Midi cable car to your IKON pass – you will regret missing an epic experience.

Tram to Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix.

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Third stop: Zermatt “It takes serious persistence to live in a Colorado resort town, and we talked shop with enough European ski town brethren to know that it’s a lot of work to live in theirs, too.” the remarkable landscape and the rich food. It became impossible to peel our eyes off the majesty of Mont Blanc, Aiguille du Midi or the Matterhorn. We ate crepes off the street and slabs of Läderach chocolate for dinner. Swiss cheeses proved irresistible in every molten format, and stately cities romanced us at both ends of the journey.

It takes serious persistence to live in a Colorado resort town, and we talked shop with enough European ski town brethren to know that it’s a lot of work to live in theirs, too. Play time is precious, and we all tend to protect our personal spaces in the wild. Which is why I admire those French, Swiss and Italian ski bums for every generous tip to hit a wacky hut, pack a picnic for the ride, eat pizza in front of the palace, watch for the street dancers, or make sure to hang a hard right so you can peer deep into the steel blue seracs. Their offhand suggestions were windows into the small entitlements that many living near ski slopes start to take for granted – the proverbial “my life is your vacation.” Still, their generosity gifted us with magical vacation moments that made our experience, and my love for skiing bigger and better.

Did a winter vacation in the Alps really make me a better ski bum?

Common sense says we should have cashed in those airline miles

Am I dreaming? Fondue crepe for dinner, then back in line for a Toblerone crepe for dessert. Devoured on a main drag bench, i.e. a catwalk for fancy ski fashion. #posh #zermatt #stefaniescreperie #yum

Euro Escape Tip

Packing for train travel Pairing a roller ski bag and individual boot backpacks (which you can pack tight and carry on the plane, too) makes train-schlepping easy. The Db snow bags we used both held a lot of stuff and kept it super organized. We packed into a single Db ski bag, two individual Db boot backpacks and one roller suitcase for all the ski and après gear for two people for three weeks. Even those two-minute Swiss train transitions were smooth and simple.

The Matterhorn looms large over everything in Zermatt.

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Euro Escape Tip

Getting around Trains may be the most exciting part of skiing in Europe. We rode the rails everywhere, starting in Geneva and ending in Zurich – we saved considerable cash by buying a flexible Swiss Rail travel pass in advance. And that pass even allowed us a glorious, slow and scenic day on the historic Glacier Express between Zermatt and St. Moritz. (Pro tip: Skip the multi-course meal and B.Y.O. picnic on the train).

Bonus: In big cities, Swiss hotels generally include local transport passes during your stay – a great perk when you want to cruise across the lake or pop up to visit the scientific wonders at CERN when you’re in Geneva.

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Fourth stop: St. Moritz

Groomed bliss: endless corduroy and nonexistent crowds at St. Moritz.

Sign not pictured above the diner: “Cheese is the new gold.”

Badrutt’s Palace, extreme luxury in St. Moritz.

Euro Escape Tip

Euro Escape Tip

Cheese and wine

Where to stay

Fondue and raclette are abundant in this part of the world, and feasts of both are highly recommended. Mid-day, it’s hard to top the savory goodness of a hot cheese and potato rosti for lunch on the mountain. Swiss wines are delicious, varied and inexpensive by American standards – a great opportunity to taste the remarkable fruits of Old World vines.

Skip renting a condo and opt for local inns, hotels and hostels where you can book half board. That means you’ll get hearty breakfasts, bottomless cappuccinos, and likely, firsthand advice from local skiers. Charming comes in spades in these towns.

And it does not mean more expensive, but it does make things feel more interesting.

Bonus: There are lots of Michelin stars to be explored in Zermatt.

Or you can save a lot of bucks, sit on a bench, people watch, and thoroughly enjoy divine sweet and savory creations from the substreet-level Stefanie’s Creperie.

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Final stop: Zurich “Did a winter vacation in the Alps really make me a better ski bum?” for a tropical escape. Instead, a ski trip made me consciously enthusiastic to “pass it on” at home, grounding us in the global connection of mountain-obsessed skiers in a more mindful and meaningful way.

It’s no small feat to get to the mountains. Between transport, lift tickets, ski bags, lodging and the financial commitment, I’ve raised my bar on the respect for the thousands of people who somehow manage to make it to our town every winter. When I think about climate change and how all of this might look in a warmer world, I worry that this magnificent ski culture is an endangered species everywhere.

What a beautiful privilege it has been to be a hardworking Steamboat ski bum all these decades. There is a wild, adrenaline-fueled, intangible spirit tucked into the world’s high Alpine spaces. I’m newly inspired by the idea that we have purpose and power as a community to keep our ski culture vibrant and connected to it all.

Skiers and riders are interdependent, and the faster we surrender to being fellow citizens of the slopes, the faster we’ll move past the limiting beliefs of tourist vs. local and remember that we’re in a symbiotic relationship. And everyone needs a ski vacation.

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Editor’s Note: Jennie Lay is a freelance writer and one of those rare, certified ski bums who turn ski towns into hometowns.

Boutique chocolate shops prove mouthwatering and plentiful in Zurich.

Euro Escape Tip

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On the Mountain,

“Fish Creek Canyon is extreme terrain, in bold with an exclamation point. The slopes can exceed 50 degrees in pitch; there are unmarked hazards, there are large cliff bands.”

– Dave Hunter, vice president of resort operations for the ski area

Ben Duke skis the sidecountry, now the new in-bounds area of Steamboat Resort.

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Off the Piste | STORY BY DEBORAH OLSEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARYEH COPA

P

illows of powder, 60-foot cliffs, boulders, aspen groves and pine forests – Mahogany Ridge and Fish Creek Canyon, the new 650-acre expansion area on the northern edge of the Steamboat Ski Area, encompasses rugged terrain and secret stashes of deep snow.

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 71

Eric Becker launches off boulders down a steep pitch in Mahogany Ridge.

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Steamboat Ski Area map (above) and close up of the new boundary expansion (right).

The area has been a backcountry mecca for generations. You earned your turns, no lift service was available. It includes such legendary shots as Golf Course and Boulder fields and Outlaw Draw. Until now, those names didn’t appear on maps; instead they were a part of local folklore. Gladed tree skiing for which Steamboat is famous abounds in the expansion area. Located to skier’s right of Middle Rib off Pony Express, Mahogany Ridge evokes visions of Closets and Shadows runs, off the top of Mount Werner.

Other than the addition of the Mahogany Ridge Express lift, which bisects Golf Course Field, and the Edge of the World Trail, which runs along the rim of the canyon, very little has changed in this rugged terrain. A limited number of clean shots exist in the heavily treed acreage at present, but the potential is there for acres of new skiable terrain as crews remove standing dead trees and clear underbrush from the area.

Mahogany Ridge is, in fact, a ridge, one in a series stretching north from Pioneer Ridge. Named by local backcountry skiers, the moniker alludes to the old adage that the last run of the day is at a bar made of mahogany wood.

“It is going to ski and ride this winter much like it has for the last two decades, with one key difference. We’ll be actively patrolling it and performing avalanche mitigation.”

– Dave Hunter Access to the new area is via Pony Express; exit the lift to the left and from there, a trail brings you directly into Mahogany Ridge, which comprises 355 acres of the new expansion. From there, either traverse back to Pony Express or ride the ridge, which is categorically advanced terrain.

A third option is to exit through one of six newly installed gates to the unmanicured, double-black diamond terrain of Fish Creek Canyon, where cliffs, some in excess of 50 feet, guard the canyon floor.

“Fish Creek Canyon is extreme terrain, in bold with an exclamation point,” says Dave Hunter, vice president of resort operations for the ski area. “The slopes can exceed 50 degrees in pitch; there are unmarked hazards, there are large cliff bands.”

“The two most important things about going into Fish Creek Canyon are familiarizing yourself with the area, and going with a buddy,” says patroller Sally House. “Know before you go,” locals say. “If you don’t know; don’t go.”

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“The two most important things about going into Fish Creek Canyon are familiarizing yourself with the area, and going with a buddy.”

– patroller Sally House

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“The way that you’re going to get out of Fish Creek Canyon, it is, on average, a 30-45 minute traverse from the bottom of Fish Creek Canyon, up over a ridgeline to get back to the bottom of Mahogany Ridge Express.”

– Dave Hunter “It is going to ski and ride this winter much like it has for the last two decades, with one key difference,” Dave says. “We’ll be actively patrolling it and performing avalanche mitigation.”

Previously, rescue efforts have been mounted when skiers or riders found themselves “cliffed out” at Hell’s Wall, the most infamous section of Fish Creek Canyon. Longtime backcountry skiers worry that the number of those rescues will increase proportionally to the increased amount of traffic in the area this winter. To address those concerns, the yurt at the top of Pony Express is being replaced with a full ski patrol station, and up to 10 patrollers will be assigned to the new expansion area daily.

Patrol is working to fully rope off Mahogany Ridge with a couple access points off Pony along with the access gates to Fish Creek Canyon. With clear and straightforward roping and signage in place, resort officials are hoping to reduce, rather than increase, the number of skiers/riders who become lost in the area. “People will know exactly what they are getting into when they venture into these two new advanced and expert zones,” Erin Campbell reported on behalf of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp.

As sad as touring skiers and riders are to lose exclusive access to their hidden stashes, ski area officials are relieved about the opportunity to have more control over the terrain.

“Now that it’s a part of our boundary, we’ll be able to go in and put in all the directional signs and information for our guests so that they understand how to best get in, get to their favorite ski or snowboard shot, and how they get out,” Dave says.

“The way that you’re going to get out of Fish Creek Canyon, it is, on average, a 30-45 minute traverse from the bottom of Fish Creek Canyon, up over a ridgeline to get back to the bottom of Mahogany Ridge Express.” Climbing skins, AT or telemark gear or split boards will be handy gear to have.

With the opening of Mahogany Ridge and Fish Creek Canyon, Steamboat becomes the second largest ski area in the state. At the same time, it addresses the persistent criticism that while Steamboat is a great place for families, it lacks steep, challenging terrain.

Be adventurous, but be safe. >For more information on this area, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnmxExfR87E – Steamboat Magazine publisher Deborah Olsen is a 40-year resident of Steamboat, and a longtime backcountry skier. She admits to being among those who are saddened by the loss of their private powder stashes. At the same time, she hopes readers enjoy the newly opened terrain while erring on the side of caution.

DEGREES & CERTIFICATES MADE FOR OUR MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES. 4Business Administration 4Ecosystem Science & Stewardship 4Human Services 4Nursing 4Outdoor Education 4Ski & Snowboard Business/Action Sports 4Sustainability Studies

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There is no better place in the Rocky Mountains than right here in Steamboat Springs.

And if you’re looking for real estate, there is no one better to navigate the landscape for you than Coleman Cook.

COLEMAN COOK

Broker Associate/Partner 970-846-5086 ccook@thegroupinc.com R E A L E S TAT E

STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 75

Media

Early Winter Goals GIFT YOURSELF TIME TO READ A FAT BOOK. BINGE SOME WORTHY ONLINE DISTRACTIONS DURING THE LONG NIGHTS. AND DON’T FORGET TO TICKLE YOUR FUNNY BONE.

ISTOCK.COM

| BY JENNIE LAY

ONE BIG BOOK

The Covenant of Water | By Abraham Verghese

tragedy, romance, family drama, political intrigue, and so much delightful language crafted throughout this novel. Everything about it will suck you in and transport you.

Don’t let the 700+ pages daunt you. The Covenant of Water is a multi-generational epic set over about 80 years of the 20th century in the languid backwaters of South India, and it promises to keep you cozy by the fire for countless winter hours.

Kerala and its Malabar Coast provide a stunning landscape that’s rich with spices and tea, wild elephants, a rich political history and seriously interesting spiritual diversity. Abraham Verghese’s empathetic cast of characters is fully formed, and the threads beyond family that bind them are woven with care and expertise. Verghese has incorporated careful research (and more than a few mouth-watering meals) into decades of exploration of caste, social conventions, and the rise of India’s communist state. Overlaying all of this is a medical mystery that looms early in the story in the form of mystical drownings – but it too unravels and evolves over time. There is

Wild Hope The natural world is under assault, but there’s no doom and gloom in this new series. Wild Hope is a beautifully rendered program that highlights successful stories of saving biodiversity all around the globe, from coffee plantations preserving Mozambique rainforests to oysters restoring New York Harbor, to beaver believers, and even dogs who rescue koalas from wildfires. The cinematography and storytelling are top-notch, and the topics are sure to be engaging for all ages. Travel the world from your couch as you watch the full series and learn how to engage more deeply at www.wildhope.tv.

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BINGE

MAP, THEN READ

1,001 Novels: A Library of America It’s hard to overstate the importance of setting in a novel.

Award-winning author Susan Straight (a headliner at Steamboat’s 2023 Literary Sojourn) set out with sticky notes, a road atlas, and five years of intense reading to pin some of the most well-captured landscapes in American literature in their specific geographic places. When Straight crossed paths with a modern-day digital cartographer, a literary map for the rest of us to read from was born. Explore the interactive map as a whole, or dive into her curated regional collections. Every book includes a different author’s deeply researched spot on the map, plus a blurb that will entice you to read that book. This may be the last, best reading list you’ll ever need. Explore the map and bookmark 1,001 Novels: A Library of America at https://tinyurl. com/muh83a6c.

Landscape • Design • Installation & Maintenance 2200 Curve Ct., Steamboat Springs 970.846.0595 | 970.846.5830 NaturesDesignSteamboat.com | NaturesDesignSteamboat@gmail.com

FOLLOW ON THE SOCIALS @i70things | Don’t even think about hopping on Colorado’s main highway, traveling east or west, without consulting this community-sourced IG page. On most days, the posts offer an essential guide for pileups, highway parking lots and when not to get on that road.

The rest of the days reveal pure I-70 shenanigans. Be in the know with details and photographic evidence of tunnel fires, 18-wheelers trying to squeeze three-wide through Glenwood Canyon, epic beer spills, car explosions, avalanches, emerging brushfires, flying debris and a whole lot of questionable behavior traveling down the interstate. @westernwatergirl | Pay attention, Big Water Deciders (and everyone who depends on the Colorado River in the drought-stricken West). Durango river guide Teal Lehto turned her passion for the Animas River into a snappy, snarky and highly effective TikTok (and IG) Western water explainer. She’s bold on calling out the quagmires for what they are, from infrastructure issues to irrigation heists, to tribal water rights, unraveling layers of political, legal and environmental issues surrounding the big Colorado River shortfall. These are fast-

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STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 77

Media talking, nuanced primers about things like acre-feet, plus lots of in-depth critiques. She’s hilarious and spot-on, and her wildly popular social platforms have crowned this cat-eyed commentator a bona-fide water influencer even though she bills herself more simply as “just a girl who’s obsessed with water in a really dry place.”

@pattiegonia | Pattie Gonia is an environmentalist drag queen who is breaking barriers, spurring important conversations about diversifying the climate movement and highlighting the queer community in outdoor spaces. She travels the country making climate change activism inclusive, performing climate-themed drag shows, and making brilliant videos that are artistic and educational for her social channels. Upon being crowned a “Next Generation Leader” in October, she told Time Magazine: “Drag’s history has always been activism…I’m just trying to use my art and fight for what I love.” | Bonus: Stream the inspiring 30-minute documentary Dear Mother Nature about Pattie Gonia, available on YouTube.

KNOW THE LOCAL

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with your community through our digital stories, monthly events calendar and local business directory.

Be sure to follow @SteamboatMagazine on social media and subscribe to our digital newsletters for the latest happening in

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The Yampa Valley Bugle After two years at Steamboat’s local newspaper, reporter Dylan Anderson decided to branch out and offer Routt County something different. His website and Substack newsletter aim to provide watchdog journalism over local government and empower citizens to better understand decisions that are shaping our landscape and ways of life in the Yampa Valley.

Subscribe to The Bugle’s citizen journalism project at www.yampavalleybugle.com.

Yampa River Scorecard The Yampa River is the heart of the valley, and now we can better understand how its health is faring. The Yampa River Scorecard Project is a comprehensive, long-term river health tracking program that rates the overall condition of five different segments of the Yampa River and publishes the results each year as a “scorecard.” The idea is to track overall river health alongside the effects of current and future projects using 45 individual indicators. It’s a commitment to long-term monitoring with publicly available data. The publicfacing result is science that is engaging, multimedia, easy to digest, and informative for future river management. At press time the first scorecard was published for the middle Yampa segment, earning a B. This and future scorecards will be found online at www.yampascorecard.org.

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Across 1 Walk in the kiddie pool 5 “Phooey!”

9 What’s expected 13 Wilson of the screen 14 Over again 15 Rented floater in Pearl Lake 16 Cinnamon ___ (treat at Smell that Bread) 17 “Granny” alternative 18 Athlete’s best product 19 Start of a seasonal quotation 22 Doc at Mountain Peaks 23 China shop purchases 24 Formerly 26 Black gunk in paving 27 Brit. lexicon 29 Word before surgery or argument 32 Passionate Pedal at Mountain Tap Brewery 35 Some archaeological digs 37 Frisbee maker 38 Part 2 of the quotation 41 Coates, Hastings or Steinberg 42 Middle-schooler, agewise, probably 43 Clairvoyance, for short 44 Big hairdo type 45 Ghostly greeting?

46 Abbr. on a nutrition panel 48 “... ___ they say” 50 O’Keeffe of art

54 Cleveland cager, briefly 56 End of the quotation 59 Alpha’s opposite 61 “Me also” 62 Mail-order enclosures, briefly 63 Source of the quotation, familiarly 64 Name found in “salesmen” 65 This Cuban?

66 Amphibious troop carriers, briefly 67 Coloring supply at Hair on Earth 68 Dobbin’s tow, maybe Down 1 “What’s the ___ that can happen?”

2 Began to stir 3 Ephron of fiction-writing 4 Collect, as volunteers 5 Sounded accurate 6 Diarist Nin 7 Sawbucks 8 Attack, as a fly 9 Act like a shrew 10 “Generally speaking ...”

11 “When in ___, do as ...”

12 Track competition 15 City near Le Havre 20 Within earshot, say

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31 Aerial stunt 32 “Diana” singer 33 Piece of lettuce 34 One who enjoys working a crowd 36 “To Know Him ___ Love Him” 37 Bay ___ 39 God with a hammer 40 Phrase uttered before trying something 45 Breathtaking critter?

47 Comes to light 49 ___ of Iran (old ruler) 50 Diminutive folklore being 51 Exercise, as one’s canines 52 Marvin Gaye’s “Can ___ Witness” 53 Analyze, as alloys 54 “How ___ is that?”

55 Audio plug-ins 57 Competed 58 Tiny, to a tot 60 Kum & Go purchase

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STEAMBOAT MAGAZINE | SKI 2023-24 | 79

COURTESY OF MOLLY TUTTLE AND GOLDEN HIGHWAY

Why Stop Here?

Molly Tuttle returns with Golden Highway to Steamboat’s WinterWonderGrass.

Why Stop at the Last Page?

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Planning a wedding? We’ve got you covered. Get inspiration for your Steamboat wedding at www.steamboatweddingday. com or follow us on Instagram @steamboatweddingday. Explore potential venues and locations, find a photographer or browse photo albums from past Steamboat weddings. Our suggestions are catered towards prospective brides and grooms who want the most out of their special day in our beautiful mountain setting.

Want more genuine Steamboat stories? Get them in your inbox each week by signing up for our weekly newsletter. Stay up to date on all things surrounding the culinary, art, real estate and social scenes that coalesce to create the culture of this town.

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Holiday Gift Guides

Don’t let this page be your last page. IKON passholders are eligible for a free one-year subscription to Steamboat Magazine, beginning in January 2024. Get all four quarterly editions: Mountain (January), Home (April), Outdoors (July) and Ski (October). To collect your free sub, just scan the QR code. Belong. Be Real. Be Steamboat.

Learn more at www.SkiTownMedia.com.

Looking for the perfect - local! - gift for your favorite soccer mom or ski bum? From the warmest socks to the toy that will occupy a toddler for approximately 12 minutes to the gadget that every dad wants, we’ve got your back. Visit www.steamboatmagazine.com to view our gift guides throughout the season.

#Localwithasign Everyone loves Instagram’s @DudeWithSign. What if, we wondered, there were a local version of his insightful wit?

Enter #localwithasign, debuting this ski season @steamboatmagazine on Instragram. Follow our local ‘Boater as he shares his sometimes cryptic, occasionally ironic, always real comments on our local lifestyle.

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