1. Man who died at Steamboat Resort Wednesday identified

The Routt County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Steamboat Resort as Phillip Larsen, 81, of Iowa. 

The cause of death has not yet been determined, and an autopsy is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 24. Officials at the resort confirmed he was skiing on upper Valley View and was wearing a helmet, but could not provide any other details.

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2. Why has cell service around Steamboat Springs been so slow this winter?

Just as U.S. Highway 40 can bog down with traffic when Steamboat Springs is busier, residents say cell phone service in the Yampa Valley can be slow as well.

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Steamboat area residents have been discussing recent negative impacts to cell phone service for the past month, including dozens on local Facebook groups, after experiencing dropped calls and low cell signal service.

3. Disaster delays opening of Dueling D’s BBQ in South Routt, but owner says it won’t dampen her spirit

A waterline issue will keep barbecue fans in Oak Creek and Routt County waiting a few more weeks before they get a taste of what Dueling D’s BBQ & Grill is bringing to the menu.

“We are trying to open, but we had a flood and we had to replace the floor,” owner Dana Christensen said Friday, Feb. 24. “We had to gut the entire building, and it was totally unexpected.”

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4. How a photo turned into an iconic image for Steamboat

This story was originally published in 2013 and was updated in 2023 as Steamboat Resort remembered the taking of the 1972 photo as it celebrated its 60th anniversary. 

Fifty-one years have passed since a pair of Steamboat ski instructors who knew how to handle a quarterhorse as well as they could ski the moguls posed for a photograph that endures as the definitive symbol of this cowboy ski town.

5. New partnership keeps focus of West End Sports Grill on affordable, fun times

Managing partner Teddy Parobek uses the words family, friendly and fun to describe the feeling he wants people to have walking through the doors of West End Sports Grill.

“We offer great food. We are affordable and provide a family-friendly environment with a game room, poolroom and darts,” Parobek said. “We also have 20 televisions, and any game that’s on, whether it’s football, basketball, soccer … a guy came in the other day wanted to watch a pingpong match — we had it.”

6. Runs you don’t hit often enough at Steamboat Resort

Ask a longtime local for a favorite overlooked run at Steamboat Resort and you’re as likely to get a snowball as an answer. Secret spots are Steamboat gold and treated as such by those who know where they are.

Still, several of the town’s most regular skiers and snowboarders dared to offer up a few of their favorite spots. It’s not about out-of-bounds hikes or hidden glades — it’s about good runs that you might be skiing right by.

7. School district names principal for Steamboat Springs High School

On Monday, Feb. 27, the Steamboat Springs School District announced that Jay Hamric will become the next principal of Steamboat Springs High School.

Interim Principal Ron Peterson is expected to finish the current school year, and Hamric should take over as principal at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year.

8. Grocery stores excited to add wine to shelves as independent liquor stores prepare for worst case

In November, Colorado voters narrowly passed Proposition 125, allowing customers to pick up a bottle of wine at local grocery stores, and as the new law took effect Wednesday, March 1, independent liquor stores were bracing for the impact.

The decision to allow wine in grocery and convenience stores was approved by 50.6% of Colorado voters, while other voters and many owners of mom and pop liquor stores were concerned about the disruption the change could bring to their communities and businesses.

9. Hayden’s Hayes the No. 1 bareback rider in rodeo

Just a few years into his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association career, Hayden’s Keenan Hayes has become the world’s No. 1 bareback rider. 

Hayes, 20, has been part of the PRCA since his first year of eligibility at 18, but he spent the last two years competing on a permit, which is the step before getting a professional card. Being at the top of his sport at such a young age means the world to him.

10. Moose study could help Steamboat Resort better manage human-wildlife conflicts

Just four months into the second phase of a moose collaring study at Steamboat Resort, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Biologist Eric VanNatta is learning the habits of local moose.

Within a few days of snowfall hitting about 200 inches this season, many of the moose moved to a lower elevation, VanNatta said. That type of finding may help guide Steamboat Ski Patrol’s human-wildlife management decisions as the resort opens 650 acres of new terrain next season in Pioneer Ridge and Fish Creek that is frequented by Shiras moose.