“We came for the winter and stayed for the summer” …
You’ll hear this refrain from just about every single Steamboat local who has lived here for more than a few years.
Why?
Because as much as we love schussing through untracked powder, cruising the corduroy on a bluebird day and enjoying apres-ski by the fire, we adore hiking through the wildflowers, pedaling the peaks, paddle boarding on pristine lakes and sipping a craft beer along the creek.
And that’s just scratching the summer surface …
The Steamboat summer activity list is teeming with gratifying options for all ages and interests: toddlers to teens; parents to grandparents; golfers to zipliners; hikers to bikers, wine connoisseurs to beer buffs … plus all the crowd pleasers in between.
What does this mean for your summer?
It means you can bring your brood to Steamboat and be guaranteed a good time!
The beginning of summer is usually dedicated to grads and dads. What better way to celebrate academic and BBQ achievements than to bring the family to Steamboat?
A mountain vacation will make more memories and certainly will be appreciated above, and beyond the requisite necktie, dorm decor, gadgets or grilling utensils we usually throw together for these occasions. Plus, if you reserve now, you won’t have to worry or wonder for the next 3 months about what to buy!
Here’s an overview of what’s in store so that you can plan an unforgettable Steamboat summer.
EVENTS
Steamboat Marathon
If you’re ready to sprint into summer (and love running!), you can check off a bucket list item with the annual Steamboat Marathon. Its half-marathon has been touted by Runner’s World magazine as one of the top 10 destination half-marathons to do in this lifetime.
June 2, 2019
Yampa River Festival
Now in its 39th season, the annual Yampa River Festival will be a fun-filled weekend for the whole family, with slalom and downriver races, freestyle competition, Packraftathalon Race, SUP Demos, crazy river dog contests, raft rodeo, tube rodeo, kayak cross, and the biggest river trick kick off. Bluegrass music is usually blaring from the banks of the Yampa with this festive crowd.
May 30- June 2, 2019
Mustang Round-up (Father’s Day weekend!)
450 Mustang cars will be on display downtown on Father’s Day weekend. From the autocross to the show and shine, this one’s a car lover’s dream. Even if you aren’t a motorhead, it’s still an interesting trip down Mustang memory lane with cars from all eras. And if you’re in the mood for a different kind of horsepower, just head away from the cars downtown to greener pastures for plenty of horseback riding, mountain biking, or just hiking into the hills.
June 13-15, 2019
4th of July & 116th Annual Cowboy Roundup Days
Between the hometown parade, the community block party, the nightly rodeo, a summer concert under the stars, fireworks and Routt beer floats, this is always a Steamboat summer favorite.
July 4-6th
Hot Air Balloon Rodeo & Art in the Park
Celebrate beautiful colors that are both on the canvas and up in the sky with this Steamboat signature weekend. Get up early and watch the balloon launch (it’s an unforgettable experience). Pilots dip their balloon baskets into Bald Eagle Lake in the wee hours, then set their balloons aglow in the evening for the base area balloon shine. In between the balloon events, head over to art in the park where 150 artists and live entertainers delight the crowds with crafts, music and an interactive children’s creativity area.
July 13-14
ONGOING SUMMER EVENTS
Strings in the Mountains
Strings in the Mountains Steamboat Summer Music Festival features classical musicians from the nation’s top orchestras and chart-topping favorite contemporary artists. All of whom perform in an intimate, state-of-the-art, 500-seat Pavilion tucked beneath Steamboat’s ski mountain. The summer line-up was just announced. They also offer kids concerts, community yoga classes during classical music rehearsals and outdoor mini picnic-worthy concerts at the picturesque Yampa River Botanical Park.
Summer Concerts under the Stars
Every summer, the Steamboat Mountain Village hosts multiple musicians at the ski area stage. 2019 acts have not yet been announced, but it’ll be rockin’ in the boat all summer long.
The Steamboat free summer concert series also hosts concerts throughout the summer (at the downtown Howelsen Hill amphitheater, just below the historic ski jump). Their line-up has not yet been revealed, either, but fan favorites from the past have included everyone from Bruce Hornsby to Ziggy Marley.
Activities
You’d have to stay all summer to sample all that Steamboat has to offer, but here are just a few of our guests’ favorite summer activities.
Fly fishing, tubing the Yampa, strolling the botanical gardens, cruising the core trail, touring the craft beer breweries, attending art festivals and first Friday art walks, mountain biking, road biking, paddle boarding at Pearl Lake, pontooning on Steamboat Lake, riding the Outlaw Mountain Coaster, hitting the links at Haymaker, hiking the stunning fish creek falls, picnicking at Spring Creek, walking along the river at the ski area, enjoying sunset happy hour (and bluegrass music) at the top of the mountain, horseback riding, rodeo spectating, river rafting, zip lining, wakeboarding or just savoring Steamboat’s culinary creations outside by the river…
Your Steamboat summer adventure awaits … your summer home awaits, too! Start your Steamboat summer home search right here…
