Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado has long been believed to be the destination for ski enthusiasts. American ski history was literally being written in the state, and Colorado remains the preferred playground of ski legends even today. Once an obscure settlement, the Colorado town of Steamboat Springs is now one of the best ski towns in the country.
Steamboat Springs, often called Ski Town USA for its natural abundance of ski slopes and winter activities. The area has spawned more ski champions and Olympic medal winners than anywhere else in the United States. The first ski jump was built in Steamboat Springs in 1913 by Norwegian businessman Carl Howelsen. The area has been named in his honor as the Howelsen Hill Ski Area and is, to date, the oldest and largest ski resort in continuous use on the entire North American continent. Carl Howelsen also instituted the annual Winter Carnival, which to this day remains the highlight of a visit to Steamboat Springs. The Carnival is essentially a competitive ski jumping and racing event for amateurs and brings together some of the best international talent. Other events at Carnival include dog sled races and chariot races.
Another popular ski site is Mount Werner, located a bit outside of town in the Routt National Forest. Its vast ski area of nearly 3,000 acres is largely under the care of Steamboat Ski Resort. Mount Werner offers about 164 trails from beginner to advanced levels and that still leaves room for the longest ski superpipe in the United States. The area also receives the most snowfall in Colorado and is skiable for most of the year as a result. However, the best time to ski in Steamboat Springs is in late summer and early spring. The weather and slopes are at their most pleasant at the moment and hundreds flock to the city to enjoy the ski scene. Safety levels are also the lowest in peak seasons and accidents are not uncommon, so visitors are advised to travel in groups.