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5 Days in Steamboat Springs Winter Itinerary

ByPaige Watts

Five days in Steamboat Springs gave us plenty of time to ski, snowmobile, soak in hot springs, go snow tubing, and squeeze in as much ice skating as I could possibly convince everyone else to do.

We visited as a family of beginner skiers, so our trip was a mix of learning on the slopes and trying some of Steamboat’s other winter activities. Between a full-day ski lesson, snowmobiling at Saddleback Ranch, Strawberry Park Hot Springs, and plenty of time around town, we got one incredible winter vacation.

If you’re planning your own Steamboat Springs winter itinerary, this 5-day plan shows you how we balanced skiing with other snowy adventures, relaxing activities, and time to enjoy the town without packing every minute of the trip.

A panoramic view from a snowy ski slope in Steamboat Springs, Colorado overlooks a mountain town and broad valley beneath a vivid blue sky with wispy clouds. Gondola cabins descend along the left side while layered snow covered ridges stretch across the horizon.

5-Day Steamboat Springs Winter Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick look at how we spent 5 days in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, enjoying skiing, snowmobiling, hot springs, and plenty of other winter activities.

  • Day 1: Arrive, check in at the Steamboat Grand, explore Steamboat Square, and go ice skating.
  • Day 2: Beginner ski lessons at Steamboat Ski Resort and après-ski drinks.
  • Day 3: Snowmobiling, snow tubing, ice skating, and dinner downtown.
  • Day 4: Strawberry Park Hot Springs, scenic gondola ride, and exploring downtown.
  • Day 5: Check out and fly home.

Full 5 Days in Steamboat Springs Winter Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Steamboat Springs, Get Settled & Go Ice Skating

Getting to Steamboat Springs was super easy for us. There’s a seasonal direct flight out of Atlanta to Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) in nearby Hayden, Colorado.

There are a bunch of different airport shuttle services that can provide shared or private transportation from the airport to local hotels. We took a shared Storm Mountain Express shuttle to our hotel, the Steamboat Grand. It was about a 40 minute drive.

Check-in at the Steamboat Grand

A lodge bedroom at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado features a large bed with white bedding and a gray throw beside matching bedside lamps. A wall mounted television hangs above a built in fireplace, with a framed mountain landscape on the opposite wall.
A lodge living room at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado features two gray sofas around a wooden coffee table with framed horse artwork above the seating. A dining nook with a long wooden table and built in bench seating sits behind the sofas under a geometric pendant light.
A covered terrace at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado frames a snowy ski resort and mountain slopes in the distance. Evergreen trees and lodge buildings fill the valley below, including a tall brick building marked with a large "S" emblem.
A decorative elk sculpture stands on a wooden table in front of a large window overlooking a snowy mountain town at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Snow covered rooftops, evergreen trees, and rolling mountains stretch across the view beneath a cloudy winter sky.
A grand lodge lobby at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado features warm wood paneling. Large pendant lights with tree silhouettes hang over a central staircase and a tall stone fireplace. A miniature snowy village display fills the foreground beside the stairs.
A cozy lodge sitting area at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado features a large stone fireplace with a fire burning beside patterned armchairs, a red sofa, and a rustic wooden coffee table. Warm wood paneling, mountain artwork, and geometric carpet create a comfortable mountain resort atmosphere.

We stayed at the Steamboat Grand, which was a great choice as beginner skiers because they provide practically everything you need to get started. We were able to book beginner lessons, rent gear and have it delivered to the slopes, and get our lift tickets all from here. They even have a free shuttle into downtown Steamboat Springs, which was super useful for getting dinner a few days.

We’d originally booked two separate condos for our family of five adults: a 1 bedroom/1 bathroom and a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom. When we arrived, we’d been upgraded to a 3 bedroom/3 bathroom condo that was 2 levels. So that was a nice change that allowed us to all be in one unit together!

We took our time getting settled into our home-away-from-home. We loved sitting by the fireplace in our condo and looking out at the snow (even though it was unseasonably warm that winter) and the mountains. We got familiar with the hotel, finding the gym, the outdoor pool, the market for breakfast, the restaurant for dinner, and figuring out where we were picking up our ski gear.

The hotel is the perfect winter lodge, with tons of wood and cozy mountain decor everywhere. Every window has a picture-perfect mountain view. It was absolutely the perfect place to stay.

Book your stay at the Steamboat Grand here.

Get Fitted for Ski Gear

Paige in ski gear holds skis and poles at the base of a snowy mountain resort in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A yellow flag behind her reads "Steamboat Snowsports School" and "Private Lessons" while skiers gather near the lifts and slopes.

We rented our ski equipment through Steamboat Ski Resort, which has a shop inside Steamboat Grand.

Our rental was beginner-friendly introductory equipment, and it came with skis, boots, and poles. Helmets are included for those 17 and under, but since they’re not required for adults, we had to add them on separately.

We got set up with the right size boots and helmets and the right length skis and poles. The boots and helmets we took back to our condos, but the skis and poles would be delivered for us to the base of the mountain.

They do offer clothing rentals for jackets and pants, but that has to be rented separately.

We brought our own clothing; I went with the Columbia Whirlibird Interchange jacket with a removable fleece jacket, plus Columbia Bugaboo pants; Kevin went with the REI Co-op Powderbound 3-in-1 jacket and the matching Powderbound Insulated Bib. I also recommend the REI Timber Mountain gloves and some Smartwool ski socks that are cushioned and over-the-calf (they also have fun patterns; I have bears skiing).

Explore Steamboat Square

A busy ski resort base area in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is filled with skiers and snowboarders walking between the slopes, lift area, and lodge buildings. Snow covered mountain runs rise behind the village beneath a partly cloudy winter sky.
A crowded ski resort base area in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is filled with skiers and snowboarders walking toward the lifts and snowy slopes during light snowfall. A yellow flag reads "Private Lessons" beside a covered wagon display while gondola cabins travel up the mountain in the background.

With our gear all sorted, we set out to explore Steamboat Square. The Square is right at the base of the ski slopes, so it’s the hub of activity with shops and restaurants. It’s a lot less crowded at night once the skiers have taken a break from the slopes, but it’s still a really good place to people watch.

We popped into a few shops (the airline had lost my parents’ luggage, so they were in need of some warm essentials) before deciding on dinner.

Dinner at Timber & Torch

Sliced medium rare steak is served over a rich brown sauce and topped with chopped herbs. Roasted fingerling potatoes and broccolini sit alongside the steak on a large ceramic plate at Timber & Torch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
A layered tuna and avocado appetizer is topped with diced red peppers, black sesame seasoning, and green onion. Crisp tortilla chips are served alongside it with a creamy sauce on the plate at Timber & Torch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
A tray of loaded nachos is topped with melted cheese sauce, shredded chicken, sliced jalapenos, pickled red onions, cilantro, and a drizzle of creamy sauce at Timber & Torch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A small cup of salsa sits at the edge of the tray, with a pint of beer visible on the table beside it.
A clear glass mug holds a warm amber cider drink with a cinnamon stick steeping inside. The mug sits on a wooden table beside a folded napkin, with other diners blurred in the background, at Timber & Torch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

For dinner, we ate at Timber & Torch at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas. This contemporary American restaurant has a mountain-inspired menu, a heated patio with fire pits, and live music.

We got a seat inside, and I got a spiked apple cider to help me stay warm. We shared the Timber & Torchos chicken nachos as an appetizer. For our meals, I got the Tuna Poke and Kevin got the Bistro Steak.

Outdoor Ice Skating in Steamboat Square

Skeeter's Ice Rink in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, an outdoor ice rink at a mountain resort, sits beside lodge buildings and a stage with snowy ski slopes rising behind it. A few people skate across the ice beneath a partly cloudy winter sky.

After dinner, the outdoor ice rink in the Square, Skeeter’s Ice Rink, was practically empty and was calling my name. The rink is free if you brought your own skates, but they have pricey rentals, making me wish I had brought my own skates (but I didn’t really want to travel with them).

I talked Kevin into skating with me while the rest of our family watched. The rental skates aren’t the best (the first pair were too big even though I sized down, the second pair I broke the lace trying to tie them, then the third pair felt like the right skate had never been sharpened but I suffered through anyway), but I managed.

The rink is pretty big and the ice is well maintained. I loved the view of the ski slope lit up at night in the background.

I taught a couple little ones how to get moving, and then when it was time to close the rink down, the worker let me stay on the ice by myself for a few extra minutes. So I still had fun.

Day 2: Beginner Ski Lessons at Steamboat Ski Resort

On our second day in Steamboat Springs, we had our ski lesson and spent the day on the slopes.

Breakfast from the Grand Market

A large cinnamon roll covered in thick white icing from Grand Market at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado sits inside an open takeout container on a granite counter. A bottle labeled "Tropicana 100% Juice Apple Juice" stands behind it.

For breakfast, we grabbed something quick from the Grand Market in the lobby of the Steamboat Grand. This shop has freshly-made coffee, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. There are also snacks here if you need to grab something to keep in your pocket on the slopes.

There’s a small seating area in the back, but we took our breakfast back to our condo to eat. They had a delicious cinnamon bun and a cherry Danish that were our go-to.

Take Full-Day Beginner Ski Lessons at Steamboat Ski Resort

Paige's family in ski gear gather with an instructor from "Steamboat Snowsports School" on a snowy mountain lesson area in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Skis and poles rest on the snow nearby while other skiers and a large snowmaking machine are visible in the background.

We booked private ski lessons for our family of 5 through the SnowSports School at Steamboat Ski Resort. This was a full-day lesson from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Our instructor’s name was Mikey, and he was awesome. We’re all beginner skiers, but Mikey did a great job of navigating the different skill levels we all have: we did skiing as a family in Germany, and Kevin and I skied in Pennsylvania, but we’ve all only been on the slopes a couple times.

My parents got worn out earlier in the day, and they never really planned on making it all day, my brother and I took to skiing the best, and Kevin kept up with us but was tentative about it. So I know it was hard for Mikey to keep up with 5 people learning at different paces, but he did a great job.

Greenhorn Ranch
Skiers spread across a wide beginner slope at Greenhorn Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado beneath a cloudy winter sky. Lesson areas and lift structures sit near the base with a snow covered valley and distant mountains fading into the background.

We started our lessons off by taking the Wild Blue Gondola to Greenhorn Ranch where the Snowsports School has their learning area. This area is only for those who are in lessons, so it’s nice to be surrounded by other beginners.

Mikey would get me, Kevin, and my brother started working on a skill then pop over to check on my parents. When my parents took a break, he would pop back over to us and set us on a new skill.

We worked on a few skills on the bunny slopes here, gradually moving to bigger and bigger hills.

Lunch at the Range Food & Drink Hall
A chicken sandwich topped with lettuce, tomato, and creamy sauce is served with a large pile of thin fries and a pickle spear on a dark plate at Range Food & Drink Hall in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Drink cups and water glasses sit on the table in the background.
A grilled cheese sandwich with melted cheese and greens is served with thin fries and a pickle spear at Range Food & Drink Hall in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A bowl of tomato soup sits beside the plate, with water cups in the background.

By noon, we were ready for lunch. We went back down to the Square to eat at Range Food & Drink Hall. This is a very relaxed restaurant that has a little bit of everything, perfect for satisfying a group of skiers starving from the slopes.

They have pizza, tacos, sandwiches, salads, and more. I got the Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich, and Kevin had a Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup, which was perfectly warming after being out in the snow.

Back to the Slopes
Paige and Kevin wearing ski helmets and sunglasses take a selfie inside a gondola in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Snow covered mountain slopes and several blue gondola cabins are visible through the windows behind them.

After lunch, it was back to the slopes. My parents were worn out by that time, so they left us to go back to the hotel to rest and relax. I know they were excited to take those clunky ski boots off!

The rest of us headed back up the Wild Blue Gondola to Greenhorn Ranch where Mikey was ready to put us on a new slope.

Rough Rider
Gondola cabins travel above a snowy ski slope in Steamboat Springs, Colorado while a large snowmaking machine points toward the mountain runs. Evergreen trees line the groomed terrain beneath a bright sky with scattered clouds.

We had worked our way up to taking the Greenhorn Ranch Express chairlift and trying Rough Rider, our first non-bunny slope green run. Learning how to use the chairlift was a skill in itself, along with learning how to ski an official run.

Kevin had elected to stay back on a bunny slope for a bit to practice his hard-side slaloms. Once Mikey got me and my brother situated on Rough Rider, he left us to make a few circuits ourselves while he went to collect Kevin.

Once Kevin was back with us, Mikey got him feeling comfortable on Rough Rider before taking us on our next challenge.

Right O Way
A snowy mountain valley spreads out below a gondola line beneath a heavy gray sky in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Forested slopes and a town fill the foreground while wide snow covered fields and distant ridges stretch toward the horizon.

Rough Rider connect to Right-O-Way, another green run that goes back down to the Square.

This was a fun run with a little more scenery. But it was also more crowded than where we’d been working on Rough Rider and the learning slopes. It was starting to get toward the end of the day, and a lot of people end up on Right-O-Way on their way down the mountain.

After successfully making it down a longer run with a little more speed, Mikey decided we were ready for an even bigger challenge.

Why Not
Paige, Kevin, and Ryne in ski gear smile together on a snowy slope in Steamboat Springs, Colorado while holding ski poles. Snow covered ski runs and forested mountain ridges rise behind them with other skiers scattered across the resort.
Paige, Kevin, and Ryne in ski gear stand together on a snowy slope in Steamboat Springs, Colorado with their ski poles raised overhead in celebration. Snow covered mountain runs and evergreen trees rise behind them under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Back in the Square, we hopped on the Steamboat Gondola to Thunderhead Lodge, about midway up the mountain. We were headed for Why Not, a green run and the longest run on the mountain at over 3 miles.

Why Not is a beautiful run with tons of great scenery. The turns are still pretty wide and gentle, but with 3 miles to go we got plenty of time to savor just cruising down the mountain.

It was less crowded toward the beginning, and some of the most challenging parts were where the run crosses paths with higher level runs and you have to navigate diving into the stream of people.

Why Not runs into Right-O-Way at the bottom, which is where it got very crowded as we were coming up on 4 p.m. and everyone was heading in for the day. By now, we were confident enough to hold our own in the crowd, and we made it back down to meet my parents in the Square.

They were shocked to hear that we’d just come halfway down the mountain. I certainly didn’t expect to be doing a 3+ mile run in my first ski lesson!

Drinks at Saddles Lounge

Two clear drinks sit on a wooden table at Saddles Lounge in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, one in a tall glass over ice with a lime wedge and one in a martini glass with a lime garnish. A softly lit restaurant interior with booth seating and a television fills the background.
A pale cocktail over crushed ice is garnished with a lemon wedge and fresh mint in a tall glass at Saddles Lounge in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Two martini style drinks and a lemon wedge are visible on the table in the background.

After a hard day on the slopes, we decided to relish in a little après-ski (French for “after skiing”, it’s the drinking and socializing you do, well, after skiing).

We went to Saddles Lounge at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas where we tried their Yuzu Cosmo, their Mountain Mojito, and a classic Gin & Tonic.

Dinner at the Crooked Antler

A toasted steak sandwich with melted cheese and greens is served on a black plate with a large pile of seasoned fries at the Crooked Antler at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Small dishes of au jus and ketchup sit beside the sandwich, with a glass of white wine and water on the wooden table.
A plate of fried chicken is covered in creamy white gravy and served with mashed potatoes and green beans. A cocktail and water glass sit on the wooden table behind the meal at the Crooked Antler at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Two cocktails sit on a wooden table at the Crooked Antler at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, one pale green in a coupe glass with a lime wedge and one pink in a flute with a lemon wedge. A pint of beer and water glasses sit in the background.
A framed portrait shows a brown bear dressed in an ornate old fashioned coat and vest while holding a glass of beer. The whimsical artwork hangs in a gold frame against a dark wall at the Crooked Antler at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

For dinner, we ate at the Crooked Antler inside the Steamboat Grand. They have a curated dinner menu of elevated comfort food. Even their paintings of animals in suits, sipping craft beverages, fits their elevated theme (we were seated under a dashing grizzly bear, and I was very happy).

To drink, we got the Last Word (a green cocktail with gin and green chartreuse) and the Knickerbocker (a purple cocktail with rum and raspberry). To eat, I got the Chicken Fried Chicken and Kevin got the High Country Dip.

Day 3: Snowmobiling, Snow Tubing & Downtown Steamboat

On our third day in Steamboat Springs, we kept the winter fun going with a snowmobile tour and snow tubing.

Breakfast from the Grand Market

A small lodge market and cafe at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is stocked with snacks, drinks, and grab and go items on shelves and refrigerated cases. A service counter with digital menu boards sits at the back beneath bright ceiling lights.

We again grabbed breakfast from the Grand Market since it was such an easy early-morning spot and we had a packed day ahead of us.

Go Snowmobiling at Saddleback Ranch

Two pairs of adults ride snowmobiles in Steamboat Springs, Colorado along a snowy mountain trail with Paige raising an arm in celebration. Snow covered hills and distant mountains stretch behind them beneath a clear blue winter sky.

We booked a full-day snowmobile and snow tubing adventure at Saddleback Ranch, a private 8,000 acre ranch in Steamboat Springs.

The tour we took was this 5 Hour Snowmobile Adventure Package (Snowmobile + Lunch + Tubing). It offered pick-up at our hotel, snowmobiling in the morning, lunch, and snow tubing in the afternoon.

Take a Snowmobile Tour
Two adults wearing helmets and sunglasses smile while seated together on a snowmobile at a snowy staging area in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Other riders and snowmobiles gather behind them with low snow covered hills under a bright blue sky.
A smiling adult wearing a helmet and purple ski goggles sits on a snowmobile in a wide snowy field in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Low snow covered hills stretch behind them beneath a partly cloudy blue sky.
Paige and Kevin wearing helmets and sunglasses pose closely together during a snowmobile outing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. One helmet has a mounted GoPro camera while a snowy staging area and bright blue sky fill the background.
A snowmobile is parked on a groomed snowy trail that curves uphill through leafless trees in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Fresh tracks and footprints cross the snow beneath a bright blue winter sky.
Fresh snow blankets a quiet hillside with leafless shrubs and low rolling mountains in the distance in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Long shadows stretch across the snow beneath a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
A snow covered path runs between metal railings toward rows of parked snowmobiles in a wide mountain valley in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Bright winter sun shines over low snowy hills beneath a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A wide winter landscape overlooks snow covered valleys and layered mountain ridges beneath a clear blue sky in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Leafless trees and brush fill the foreground while a broad rounded mountain rises in the distance.

Our adventure included a 3-hour snowmobile tour. We rode on 2-passenger snowmobiles and had the opportunity to switch drivers every once in a while so we all got a chance to try it. After giving it a go, I decided I like just being a passenger better.

The tour is guided, which really just meant we followed along behind our guide as he drove us through the woods and up and down hills. We made a couple stops but there isn’t really anything to “tour” or talk about, it’s just for the thrill of the ride.

Toward the end, we got the chance to drive all around a hill super fast, willy nilly. It was a fun thrill ride, and I enjoyed the views as a passenger. It was also surprisingly an arm workout to drive!

Lunch at Yee Haw Hill
A casual meal includes a bowl of chili topped with shredded cheese and sour cream beside breaded chicken tenders. Two cans read "Coca Cola Original Taste" while bags of "Doritos Cool Ranch" and "Lay's Barbecue" chips sit behind the food at at Yee Haw Tubing Hill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
A bowl of chili is topped with a generous layer of shredded cheddar and white cheese plus a large dollop of sour cream. A red drink cup and a blue bag of chips sit blurred in the background at at Yee Haw Tubing Hill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

After our snowmobile ride, they took us to the Yee Haw Tubing Hill where there’s a little cafe. We had a choice of homemade chili, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken tenders, and pizza. Everyone else got the chili, and I got the chicken tenders.

Our meals also included chips, a drink, and a cookie as big as my head. I was pleasantly surprised by how much food they provided. And it was delicious, too!

We could take as much or as little time with lunch as we wanted. We were already at the tubing hill, so it was up to us to decide when to head back out into the snow.

Go Snow Tubing at Yee Haw Tubing Hill
Paige in a knit hat and sunglasses takes a selfie while riding a snow tubing tow across a snowy field in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Another rider sits in a red tube behind her as the tow line climbs toward low snow covered hills under a partly cloudy sky.
A person rides a red snow tube along a tow line across a wide snowy field in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Low snow covered hills and a few small buildings sit in the distance beneath a cloudy sky with patches of blue.

We had about 1 hour for snow tubing, which was plenty of time for us.

There are 4 different runs that range from fast to medium. When we went, since it was unseasonably warm, one of the runs was shut down because there wasn’t enough snow for it. So we had a couple medium runs and one fast run.

They also had a nice tow-life that connected to the tube and dragged you up the hill, so you didn’t have to hike up every time.

My mom and I enjoyed the medium runs where we could sit and enjoy the ride. The boys all enjoyed the fast run because they liked going fast and going down on their stomach, head-first.

Indoor Ice Skating at Howelsen Ice Arena

Howelsen Ice Arena in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, a large indoor ice rink, stretches beneath a high arched metal ceiling with bright overhead lights and advertising boards around the perimeter. Spectators sit in bleachers along one side while the empty ice shows hockey markings and curling circles.

As a figure skater, y’all know I can’t resist an ice rink.

Howelsen Ice Arena has public skate sessions on an Olympic-sized rink. They even have ice bumper cars!

You’ll have to check their schedule before putting this on your itinerary, since their skate schedule changes every day. But they offer both public skates and bumper cars regularly throughout the week. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any sessions when I visited, but I did stop by to take a look and it looks like a beautiful rink.

Outdoor Ice Skating at the Community Ice Rink

Howelsen Outdoor Community Ice Rink in Steamboat Springs, Colorado sits under stadium lights on a snowy night with bare trees and dark hills surrounding it. Snowbanks pile up around the rink, and small hockey nets rest near the edge of the ice.

If you don’t have any luck on the indoor rink, you might try the free community outdoor rink. The outdoor rink is managed by the Howelsen Ice Arena staff, so it should be a little more professionally maintained than the community rink I tried in Pennsylvania.

The rink is located at the Howelsen Hill Tennis Courts, inside one of the tennis courts. It’s open nightly (weather and temperature-dependent) from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., since the cooler evening hours helps preserve the quality of the ice sheet.

If you don’t have your own skates, don’t worry! You can get some from the Howelsen Ice Arena; they have a small skate library where you can borrow skates. These are just on a table to the left inside the lobby. There are both figure skates and hockey skates, and finding your size might be difficult. I managed to find a pair of hockey skates that were close enough to my size.

If the weather has been too warm, they will close the rink. If you go by the tennis courts and the lights are off, that means the rink is closed. Ask me how I know.

Paige in a winter coat, knit hat, scarf, and gloves stands defeated beside a chain link fence at the Howelsen Outdoor Community Ice Rink in Steamboat Springs, Colorado at night. She holds a pair of ice skates while the snowy rink and stadium lights glow behind her.

Yes, unfortunately, I didn’t get to try this rink either. Did I mention that it was an unseasonably warm winter? Though if Coloradans think that was too warm for an outdoor ice rink, they’d be appalled to see the state of our outdoor rinks in Atlanta!

Dinner at Mountain Tap Brewery

A can labeled "Colorado Cider Company" sits beside a glass reading "Mountain Tap Brewery Steamboat Springs Colorado" on a wooden table at Mountain Tap Brewery in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A pale cider fills the glass, with part of the brewery menu visible in the foreground.
A wood fired pizza with a blistered crust is topped with melted mozzarella, sliced sausage, mushrooms, grated cheese, and chopped herbs. The pizza sits on a metal tray on a wooden table at Mountain Tap Brewery in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
A wood fired margherita pizza with a blistered crust is topped with tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and fresh basil. A can labeled "Colorado Cider Company Glider Dry" and a glass reading "Mountain Tap Brewery Steamboat Springs Colorado" sit behind the pizza at Mountain Tap Brewery in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
A wood fired pizza with a blistered crust is topped with tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, crumbled sausage, and herbs. The pizza sits on a metal tray on a wooden table at Mountain Tap Brewery in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

When I was done dragging my family to all these ice rinks I couldn’t skate on, I finally let them stop for dinner.

We ate at Mountain Tap Brewery, a craft brewery and pizza restaurant that came highly recommended from multiple people we talked to.

I’m not a beer person, but my dad is, so he tried their Local’s Lager. I got dry cider from Colorado Cider Company to still keep things a little local. To eat, we tried their Margherita pizza, Woodsman pizza (with smoked elk and pork sausage, plus mushrooms), and Rancher pizza (with local Italian sausage). The Woodsman was my favorite.

Day 4: Strawberry Park Hot Springs & a Scenic Gondola Ride

On our fourth day and final full day in Steamboat Springs, we opted for a slower, more relaxed day. We got a later start and spent most of our day at a hot springs.

Breakfast at Unravel Coffee

A green matcha latte in a white cup is topped with creamy foam art shaped like a leaf or flower. The drink is photographed from above on a dark wood grain table at Unravel Coffee in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

We slept in a little and then got breakfast at Unravel Coffee inside Gravity Haus Steamboat.

Their attached restaurant, White Rabbit Tavern, was having a breakfast buffet, so my mom and dad ate there while Kevin and I got pastries and a Matcha Latte at Unravel.

We did a later breakfast, and planned for an earlier dinner, because the hot springs we went to next would be during lunch time, but they don’t allow food inside.

Relax at Strawberry Park Hot Springs

Paige in sunglasses and a red swimsuit relaxes against the stone edge of an outdoor hot spring pool at Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Snow covered rocks and a forested hillside with evergreen and leafless trees surround the water in bright winter sun.
Paige in sunglasses and a red swimsuit stands waist deep in an outdoor hot spring pool at Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Snow covered stone walls and a forested hillside with evergreen and leafless trees surround the water under a clear blue sky.
Kevin and Paige wearing sunglasses smile and hug while soaking in an outdoor hot spring pool at Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Other bathers relax in the water around them with rocky landscaping and evergreen trees under a bright blue sky.
Paige and family smile for a group selfie while soaking in an outdoor hot spring pool at Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Snow covered stone walls and a forested hillside surround the steaming water in bright winter sunlight.
A crowded stone hot spring pool at Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is tucked into a snowy forest with evergreen trees and large boulders surrounding the water. Bathers relax in the steaming pools connected by small rock ledges and steps under a clear blue sky.
People soak in a natural hot spring pool at Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado surrounded by snow covered rocks and forested hills. Evergreen and leafless trees rise around the water beneath a clear blue winter sky.

Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a popular hot springs near Steamboat Springs. These are natural stone pools ranging from cold to hot, set in a snowy mountain retreat.

It’s just a short drive up from Downtown Steamboat Springs, but in the winter 4 wheel drive is required. So the easiest way to get up is to book a shuttle. We booked with The Hot Springs Shuttle, which picked us up from the hotel and included our hot springs admission.

We spent 2 hours at the hot springs, trying almost every pool. The only pool we didn’t try was the coldest, mostly because I wasn’t really sure where to enter the pool; Kevin said he thought he knew where to get in, but it was covered in ice, and none of us really wanted to walk over ice to then get into an icy pool.

The hottest pool was almost too hot to spend much time in, and the warm pool was the perfect bath temperature. A cold waterfall fed into a lukewarm pool, so you could get an icy dip and then swim back into a little bit of warmth. There were some smaller hot pools that got crowded quickly but were just the right temperature. The larger pools were busy but not overly crowded.

The pool is all-ages during the day, but at night it’s adults-only and clothing-optional, if you want something a little more European. We opted to just go during the day.

Take a Scenic Gondola Ride

Paige and family smile for a selfie inside a gondola cabin while snowy trees and mountain scenery pass outside the windows in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The group wears winter jackets, knit hats, and sunglasses during the ride.
A broad snowy valley in Steamboat Springs, Colorado stretches between forested mountain ridges under a bright blue sky. Two skiers move along the sunlit slope in the foreground while the distant landscape opens into wide snow covered fields.
Paige in a blue winter jacket, knit hat, sunglasses, jeans, and snow boots stands on a sunny ski slope in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Snow covered mountain runs and evergreen trees rise behind her under a clear blue sky.
Paige and family in winter jackets smile together on an outdoor mountain overlook beneath a bright blue sky in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Snow covered mountains and valleys stretch behind the group in the distance.
A gondola travels above a wide snow covered ski run with lift towers and cabins descending toward the valley in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Snowy mountain ridges and a sprawling town stretch into the distance beneath a bright blue sky.
A panoramic view from a snowy ski slope in Steamboat Springs, Colorado overlooks a mountain town and broad valley beneath a vivid blue sky with wispy clouds. Gondola cabins descend along the left side while layered snow covered ridges stretch across the horizon.

Back at the ski resort, we took a scenic gondola ride on the Steamboat Gondola. These lift tickets are for foot traffic only, and it’s a great way to see the mountain if you weren’t able to go up higher during your ski lessons.

My brother, Kevin, and I had already experienced these views when we went up for the Why Not run, but my parents hadn’t seen it yet. Of course, when we booked the gondola ride before our trip, we never thought any of us would go up the mountain off the bunny slopes!

We went up not long before the end of the day. We had to make sure to be on the last download to get down the mountain, though.

It’s a beautiful ride up Mt. Werner, and we had a crystal clear day so we could really see the Rocky Mountains.

Drinks at Thunderhead Red’s

Two cold drinks in clear compostable cups sit on an outdoor table with snowy ski slopes and tree covered mountains blurred in the background at Thunderhead Red's in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. One drink is pale yellow over ice and the other is clear with a lime wedge.

While we were up the mountain, we decided to get a drink and enjoy the views at Thunderhead Red’s. This bar at 9,131 feet has cocktails and beer, with an outdoor patio overlooking the mountains.

This was a great place to enjoy a couple cocktails with a view. We relaxed for a bit before heading back down the mountain.

Dinner at O’Neil’s Tavern & Grill

A grilled steak is topped with sautéed mushrooms and onions and served beside a mound of mashed potatoes covered in creamy gravy and chopped chives at O'Neil's Tavern & Grill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A steak knife rests across the plate on the wooden table.
Sliced grilled steak with a dark seared crust is served alongside a large pile of crispy waffle fries on a rectangular plate at O'Neil's Tavern & Grill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A small baked roll and a cup of whipped butter sit in a separate dish behind the meal.
A glazed salmon fillet is served with white rice and roasted broccoli on a rectangular plate at O'Neil's Tavern & Grill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A golden sauce pools around the salmon beside the rice and vegetables.
A cast iron skillet of baked macaroni and cheese is covered with melted cheese and chopped chives at O'Neil's Tavern & Grill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The skillet sits on a wooden serving board, with glasses of water and drinks on the table behind it.
A large soft pretzel sits in a wire basket lined with black and white checkered paper at O'Neil's Tavern & Grill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Two small cups of creamy dipping sauces rest on top of the glossy brown pretzel.
A pint of golden cider sits on a wooden table beside a menu and a basket holding part of a soft pretzel with dipping sauce at O'Neil's Tavern & Grill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The menu and coaster are branded "O'Neill's Tavern & Grill."

For dinner, we went back into Downtown for some classic Irish food at O’Neil’s Tavern & Grill. Dad was craving a steak, and this was recommended to us as a good place with steak that wasn’t a fancy, expensive steakhouse.

To drink, I got Stem Ciders Off Dry Cider, another Colorado cider. To eat, we got a Jumbo Pretzel to share (since we hadn’t eaten since breakfast). I got the Irish Mac, since mac’n’cheese seemed to be one of their specialties. The boys got steak, while mom got the salmon.

Explore Downtown Steamboat Springs

A downtown sidewalk at night in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is lined with leafless trees wrapped in white lights and storefronts decorated for the holidays. A sign reading "Wild Horse Gallery of Steamboat Springs" hangs above the walkway beside an American flag and bronze sculptures.
Paige in a knit winter hat and gray jacket stands outside a Steamboat Springs, Colorado souvenir shop window. Behind her are mountain themed shirts and displays including a large moose figure and a black bear wearing a cap.

After dinner, we did a little bit of walking around Downtown Steamboat Springs. I was in need of a bear souvenir, and I found a little bear keychain and a funny bear après-ski t-shirt.

Downtown is lit up beautifully at night, with twinkling lights in all the trees. We didn’t have the snowy winter getaway we were expecting, but it was still a magical vacation.

Day 5: Depart Steamboat Springs

This was our last day in Steamboat Springs, and we had to catch a flight home. We were able to take our time in the morning since our flight wasn’t too early. Then we again took a shared Storm Mountain Express shuttle from our hotel to the airport.

Lunch at The Way Station at HDN

Travelers line up with backpacks and luggage at The Way Station at Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden, Colorado, a small cafe counter, while staff prepare food and drinks behind the register. Souvenir shirts, hats, bottled drinks, snacks, and a handwritten drink menu fill the compact shop.

We had a little time to wait at the airport, so we ate lunch at The Way Station, a little cafe that’s located past security right beside the gates.

Since most flights were leaving around this time, the cafe was packed. It was still a good place to get a deli sandwich and a cheeseburger before our flight, though.

Where to Stay for 5 Days in Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Grand

Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, large mountain a lodge with stone walls, balconies, and red brown siding, rises beneath a clear blue sky. Snow piles around the entrance and covered drop off area, where several vehicles are parked.

We stayed at the Steamboat Grand, which was perfect for our winter vacation, especially as beginner skiers. The hotel made it easy to book ski lessons, rent equipment, and arrange lift tickets, plus there’s a free shuttle into Downtown Steamboat Springs for dining and exploring.

Our family of five adults was upgraded to a spacious 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom condo with a cozy fireplace and beautiful mountain views. The hotel also has an outdoor pool, gym, market for quick breakfasts, and an on-site restaurant.

With its cozy mountain lodge atmosphere and convenient location near the ski slopes, the Steamboat Grand was a comfortable home base for our 5 days in Steamboat Springs.

Book your stay at the Steamboat Grand here.

Steamboat Springs Winter Itinerary Map

Ready to spend 5 days in Steamboat Springs, Colorado this winter? Use the map below to plan out your winter vacation.

I hope you found this winter Steamboat Springs itinerary helpful!

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Cheers!

Paige

5 Days in Steamboat Springs Winter Itinerary

Did you find this 5 days in Steamboat Springs winter itinerary helpful? Let me known in the comments!

Paige Watts is a travel expert and author of What's With Atlanta?, a guide to the quirks and charm of the ATL. A life-long traveler, Paige is dedicated to helping you discover the best things to do in the Southern USA and around the world. Her work has been featured in The Culture Trip, Matador, Newsbreak, MSN, NPR, and countless other interviews and podcasts.

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