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Cowboy Downhill saddles up for 50th year go-round ride at Steamboat Resort

Rodeo Clown JW Winklepleck pushes Brayley Rae Frazier down the Stampede ski run in his innertube after the Rodeo Queen from Garden City, Kansas crashed below the jump at the 2024 Bud Light Cowboy Downhill
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today archive

Cowboys and cowgirls will saddle up for a wild ride Monday as the 50th Bud Light Cowboy Downhill, one of the Yampa Valley’s most iconic events, takes center stage at Steamboat Resort.

“It’s incredible that this event has been running for 50 years, and I think it’s just a testament to how perfectly aligned this event is with our community’s culture.” said Loryn Duke, director of communications for the resort. “It really is ingrained in Steamboat Springs — the combination of cowboys and cowgirls and skiing, that’s why this has lasted for so long.”

The downhill began in 1975 when Billy Kidd, who was the resort’s director of skiing, and Larry Mahan, a six-time all-around World Champion cowboy, decided to invite a few of the Pro Rodeo stars to Steamboat for a day of skiing. The cowboys had such a great time that the downhill has become the most popular event of the season, drawing thousands of spectators to the resort’s base area each year to watch more than 100 professional rodeo cowboys competing in this one-of-a-kind race.



The Cowboy Downhill has always been linked to the National Western Stock Show, which runs Jan. 11-26 this year. Professional rodeo announcer John Shipley said it’s no accident the event falls right in the middle of the rodeo competitions in Denver and has become a popular draw for the cowboys who make their living in the arena.

Rodeo announcer Bob Feist has called all 48 of the Cowboy Downhill races. For most of that time, Shipley has been right by his side and the pair have seen first hand how the downhill’s traditions have passed from the top cowboys in those early days.



“The word of mouth has been excellent,” Shipley said of the event’s legacy and growth. “I mean, there’s second generation contestants here.”

He said cowboys and cowgirls have always drawn to the event’s spectacle of cowboys racing through gates on a dual slalom course that includes a pro-style jump in the middle. Those who survive the landing continue to the bottom of the hill where they rope an ambassador and saddle a horse before crossing the finish line.  Those who crash on the jump are normally paid off with the cheers from spectators as they do their best to pick up, put their gear back on and finish the race.

Texas cowboy Treyson Antonick gets a little sideways after launching off the jump at the 2023 Bud Light Cowboy Downhill at the Steamboat Resort.
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today

Traditionally, the cowboy downhill ends with the “stampede” where all competitors return to the top of the hill for a high-speed, winner-take-all race to the bottom.

“In the old days, there were one or two guys that came (to the downhill) that knew a little bit about skiing; but a lot of guys just wanted to try skiing for the diversity of something outside of the (rodeo) arena, and that’s what they got,” said Feist. “Billy (Kidd) was patient enough to give everybody a short lesson, but these guys didn’t want to go to the bunny hill — they wanted to go to the top.”

Feist said hospitality from the owners of Steamboat Resort over the years has also fueled the event’s popularity with competitors dating back to the friendship between Kidd and Mahan and the involvement of top cowboys like J.C. Trujillo and local legends like Barb (Johnston) Shipley.

In addition to the Cowboy Downhill, Steamboat Resort will host several other events over Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year.

Starting at 3:15 p.m. Sunday, the resort is hosting “Beyond the Summit: Black Voices in the Outdoor Sports” at Stoker Bar and Restaurant in Thunderhead Lodge.

Events will then move to Steamboat Square at 4 p.m. with a free concert featuring Heavy Diamond Ring. The performance will be followed by a drone show.

Monday’s events at the resort will begin at 11 a.m. in Steamboat Square with Routt County 4-H demonstrations, a roping clinic and an appearance by the Denver Broncos cheerleaders.

The actual Cowboy Downhill will get started with the playing of the national anthem and Lift Every Voice to recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Racing will begin at 1 p.m. with the first dual slalom runs followed closely by the Stampede. At 2:30 p.m., Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe will take the main stage at Steamboat Square.

With forecasts calling for a high of 7 degrees on Monday, Duke is encouraging everyone that comes out to watch the events to be prepared.

“Temperatures are going to be cold this year,” Duke said. “So we are encouraging people to layer up, make sure you don’t have any exposed skin and make sure you wear a buff;  use hand warmers, stay hydrated, especially with hot drinks. We’re hoping that the cold will not impact the events.”


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