Ski Free Sundays at Howelsen Hill

Ski Free Sunday - Get It Before It's Gone!

Brad Setter/ Howelsen Hill Ski & Rodeo Manager

Hard to believe that the midpoint of the 106th winter season at Howelsen Hill is in the rearview mirror and the close of the ski and snowboard season is on the horizon for the historic hill, slated for the first weekend of April.

It goes without saying that the efforts of staff made all the difference in ensuring that historic ski area was able to open this winter. This was never more evident than through the herculean efforts of hill crews as they focused on early season snowmaking and grooming that was required to get the slopes going until Mother Nature kicked in!

The popular Ski Free Sunday quickly followed suit, with the first free day in early December. The Sunday tradition has kept pace all winter and we can’t say THANK YOU enough to everyone who has taken advantage of the program! We hate to say it but as we turn toward spring, there are only five more Ski Free Sundays left in the season with four in March and the final one on April 3, which is also closing day.

This is the first time; Howelsen Hill will operate into April and makes for one of the longest operating seasons for the downtown ski hill. In addition to the longest running winter season, the ski area is open seven days a week for all to enjoy.

On top of Ski Free Sunday, Howelsen Hill offers some of the most affordable options for individuals and families looking for lift tickets and season passes in Colorado. So, whether you’ve taken advantage of the free program or one of the hill’s attractive ticket prices or passes, Steamboat Springs’ hometown hill remains one of the few places families and friends can hit the slopes without having their pocketbooks take a hit too. The new lift’s official welcome was showcased on none other than Ski Free Sunday – so all could enjoy and take part. The partnership between the city, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, The VF Foundation and Smartwool was on full display during the ribbon cutting and community day January 23 which ushered in a new era for the community and the ski hill.

The on-slope momentum just keeps bubbling up like one of the famous namesake springs in the area. The ski area finalized several on-mountain improvements in addition to the new lift including a stand-alone slope side ticket office as well as served up a new food concessionaire. The Outrun has changed the atmosphere at the hill with fun happy hours, menu specials/deals and so much more!

Even with these enhancements to the experience, we’ve already set our sights on next year and eagerly look forward to the addition of snow tubing and a new ticket/ pass software system.

Photo by Sarah Glassmeyer

Visit steamboatsprings.net/ski for information, pricing, Ski Free Sunday details and updates or call 970.879.8499. Howelsen Hill is open 11am to 8pm Monday through Friday and 10am to 4pm on weekends.

Howelsen Park embodies the heart and soul of our community. The skiing and ranching history and town culture it has inspired are legendary across the globe. Generations of residents have learned to ski, jump, skate, and ride here, and lessons learned have taken 100 of our friends and neighbors to the Winter Games.

These improvements ensure the heartbeat of this special place beats long and loud. Ski Free Sunday guarantees everyone across the community can take advantage of this historic ski hill and a sport that has defined the valley for over a century.