Steamboat Snowmobile Tours, Routt National Forest
Steamboat Snowmobile Tours
Guided tours near Rabbit Ears Pass on the Continental Divide, with free shuttle and gear included. Open daily in winter for beginner to advanced riders.
Things to do in Steamboat Springs in winter
Beyond the slopes, Steamboat Springs in winter means snowmobiling (Steamboat Snowmobile Tours, Routt National Forest), dog sledding (Grizzle-T Dog & Sled Works), hot springs (Strawberry Park Hot Springs), and ice skating (Howelsen Ice Complex, 285 Howelsen Parkway).
Steamboat Springs is a town in northwest Colorado with natural hot springs downtown and in the hills nearby. Howelsen Hill, owned by the city, opened in 1914 and is called the oldest continuously operating ski area in North America. The Winter Carnival has run every February for more than 110 years.
βοΈ Steamboat: 0.0" next 7 days
π· Snowmobiling
π Dog sledding
β¨οΈ Hot springs
βΈοΈ Ice skating
π Tubing
β·οΈ Cross-country skiing
ποΈ Museums and history
βοΈ More to do
Snowmobiling
Saddleback Ranch, 37350 RCR 179
Saddleback Ranch snowmobile tours
Guided 2 to 3 hour tours over groomed trails and open meadows on an 8,000-acre ranch about 17 miles from town.
Dog sledding
Grizzle-T Dog & Sled Works
Half-day tours where you drive your own team of Alaskan huskies on a 12.5-mile private trail, with about 2 hours on the sled. Runs daily from about December 1 to early April.
From $315 per guest 80 lbs or more ($340 Dec 20 to Jan 4), as listed on 2026-11-08
Snow Buddy Sled Dog Adventures, Dunckley Pass
Snow Buddy Sled Dog Adventures
Half-day and full-day learn-to-mush trips and a sunset dinner sled ride on Dunckley Pass in the Routt National Forest.
Hot springs
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Rustic natural hot spring pools in the forest about 15 minutes from downtown, open 365 days a year. Reservations are required, payment is cash only, and minors are not allowed after dark.
$30 per adult, $20 for ages 17 and under, cash only, as listed on 2026-11-08
Old Town Hot Springs, downtown Steamboat Springs
Old Town Hot Springs
Downtown mineral pools fed by the Heart Spring, plus water slides and a 37-foot climbing wall. Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
$35 per adult, $27 for ages 3 to 14, water slide $7 extra, as listed on 2026-11-08
Ice skating
Howelsen Ice Complex, 285 Howelsen Parkway
Howelsen Ice Complex
An indoor city arena by the Yampa River with public skate sessions for all ages. No reservations are needed for public skate.
Tubing
Saddleback Ranch
Yee-Haw Snow Tubing at Saddleback Ranch
A tubing hill for all ages with 1 or 2 hour sessions.
Cross-country skiing
Steamboat Ski Touring Center
Groomed cross-country trails with ski and snowshoe rentals. It and the Haymaker Nordic Center groom 25 km of trails between them.
Museums and history
Steamboat Springs History Museum, 800 Oak St.
Steamboat Springs History Museum
Exhibits on local history and a historic house, open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm.
$6 per adult, $2 for ages 6 to 12, as listed on 2026-11-08
More to do
Howelsen Hill, across the Yampa River from downtown
Howelsen Hill
The city ski area opened in 1914 and has the largest natural ski jumping complex in North America. 89 Olympians have trained here.
Tour links compare GetYourGuide options and may earn Snow Way a commission. Official site links don't. Affiliate disclosure
Free things to do
- Oak Creek ice rink: free skating at all times, with free rental skates, in South Routt.
- Emerald Mountain and Howelsen Hill snowshoe trails: start from the lot at the end of Routt Street, across the river from downtown.
- Rabbit Ears Pass West Summit: marked snowshoe loops on the pass.
- Lincoln Avenue: walk the downtown shops, including F.M. Light & Sons, open since 1905.
- Free winter concert series: Saturdays in March and April at the Steamboat Resort base area.
- First Friday Artwalk: downtown galleries open on the first Friday of each month.
Winter events
- Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival (114th) Β· February 2 to 7, 2027
- WinterWonderGrass Steamboat Β· Late February to early March (2026 run was February 27 to March 1)
- Cody's Challenge Β· April, at Steamboat Resort
Not skiing? Book a Strawberry Park soak up to 30 days ahead and bring cash, since the springs take no cards and a 4WD with winter tires is required from November 1 to May 1.
Where to stay in Steamboat Springs
Or compare: condos and houses on Vrbo Β· hotels on Expedia
Prices for Nov 10 to Nov 13; change dates on the next page. Bookings may earn Snow Way a commission. Affiliate disclosure
Plan the rest of the trip
- Steamboat snow report and forecast Β· where to stay at Steamboat Β· best time to ski Steamboat
- Denver to Steamboat Springs: drive time and shuttles
Steamboat Springs in winter: questions
What is there to do in Steamboat Springs in winter besides skiing?
Beyond the slopes, Steamboat Springs in winter means snowmobiling (Steamboat Snowmobile Tours, Routt National Forest), dog sledding (Grizzle-T Dog & Sled Works), hot springs (Strawberry Park Hot Springs), and ice skating (Howelsen Ice Complex, 285 Howelsen Parkway). Book a Strawberry Park soak up to 30 days ahead and bring cash, since the springs take no cards and a 4WD with winter tires is required from November 1 to May 1.
Can you go snowmobiling in Steamboat Springs?
Yes. Steamboat Snowmobile Tours, Routt National Forest: Guided tours near Rabbit Ears Pass on the Continental Divide, with free shuttle and gear included. Open daily in winter for beginner to advanced riders. Saddleback Ranch, 37350 RCR 179: Guided 2 to 3 hour tours over groomed trails and open meadows on an 8,000-acre ranch about 17 miles from town.
Can you go dog sledding in Steamboat Springs?
Yes. Grizzle-T Dog & Sled Works: Half-day tours where you drive your own team of Alaskan huskies on a 12.5-mile private trail, with about 2 hours on the sled. Runs daily from about December 1 to early April. Snow Buddy Sled Dog Adventures, Dunckley Pass: Half-day and full-day learn-to-mush trips and a sunset dinner sled ride on Dunckley Pass in the Routt National Forest.
Are there hot springs near Steamboat Springs?
Yes. Strawberry Park Hot Springs: Rustic natural hot spring pools in the forest about 15 minutes from downtown, open 365 days a year. Reservations are required, payment is cash only, and minors are not allowed after dark. Old Town Hot Springs, downtown Steamboat Springs: Downtown mineral pools fed by the Heart Spring, plus water slides and a 37-foot climbing wall. Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
What can you do for free in Steamboat Springs in winter?
Oak Creek ice rink: free skating at all times, with free rental skates, in South Routt. Emerald Mountain and Howelsen Hill snowshoe trails: start from the lot at the end of Routt Street, across the river from downtown. Rabbit Ears Pass West Summit: marked snowshoe loops on the pass. Lincoln Avenue: walk the downtown shops, including F.M. Light & Sons, open since 1905.
Is it snowing in Steamboat Springs this week?
As of November 8, 2026, Steamboat has 0.0" of snow in the 7-day forecast.
Sources
- Steamboat Chamber: Best 6 winter adventures for non-skiers
- Steamboat Chamber: 9 best snowshoe trails near Steamboat Springs
- Steamboat Chamber: Winter events
- Steamboat Chamber: Winter Carnival
- Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club: Winter Carnival
- Strawberry Park Hot Springs
- Old Town Hot Springs rates
- Grizzle-T Dog & Sled Works
- Saddleback Ranch
- Wikipedia: Howelsen Hill Ski Area
More ski towns in winter
Lake Tahoe Β· Breckenridge Β· Aspen Β· Jackson Hole Β· Vail Β· Park City Β· Mammoth Lakes Β· Whistler Β· Stowe