How to celebrate New Years Eve in Steamboat Springs
Resort renovations will allow more people to enjoy the torchlight parade
Steamboat Pilot & Today archive
There’s no better place to ring in the new year than Steamboat Springs, and there are multiple places to party or casually mark the closing of 2022 and the kickoff of 2023.
Steamboat Resort is once again center stage for celebration.
Starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, snow cats donned in bright lights will accompany Steamboat Snow Sports Instructors performing synchronized skiing. When the lights go out, fireworks will light up the sky, as a massive crowd watches from the newly renovated Steamboat Square.
A wide open square will allow more people than ever to enjoy every moment of the event.
“New Year’s Eve is a prime example of how the base area is becoming the hub of Steamboat Ski Resort,” said Loryn Duke, director of communications at Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. “It’ll be ideal for friends and family to gather in the base area, whether they are on the Timber and Torch deck, or in the base area or ice skating. They’ll have the perfect view for the torchlight parade and for the light up snow cats.”
Not only can more people comfortably fit into Steamboat Square with the new open concept, but people watching from Torian Plum will also have an improved vantage point as the Outlaw Mountain Coaster no longer impedes the view.
The incoming snow could make the resort’s event a popular occasion, but it’s hard to say, as travel has been difficult.
“I do believe the snow attracts more skiers and riders and people looking for a winter wonderland,” Duke said. “That’s where the Ikon pass comes in. People can chase snow, and when we have snow, people come.”
Timber and Torch will play host to the Korbel New Year’s Eve Dinner as well, running from 5 to 9 p.m. Each entree will include a complementary glass of Korbel to cheer on 2023. Reserve seats at Steamboat.com/things-to-do.
On the other side of town, a little later in the evening, Snow Bowl Steamboat is hosting a bash more than a year in the making.
“We’ve been waiting for more than a year to throw this party,” said Alex Kaulbach, director of hospitality Western Centers. “We did end up calling it and not having the party last year with that omicron resurgence. So, we’re really excited to finally throw this party.”
The Black and White Masquerade features two windows of fun, one from 8 to 10 p.m., the other from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. VIP lane rentals include four buffet passes, bottle service, party favors and more.
The 10 p.m. set still gets to celebrate the new year, cheering to the ball dropping on East Coast time.
“Everybody’s super excited about getting dressed up,” Kaulbach said. “You know how Steamboat is, people love to get dressed up.”
DJ Whoski will headline the evening, making sure every second of the night is filled with music. There will also be a champagne toast following a countdown to 2023, giveaways, awards and a photo booth.
Reservations are filling up fast. Call 970-879-9840 for more information.
Some other events around town include:
Buffalo Commons at Old Town Pub
The local band will headline OTP not once, but twice to close out 2022. Tickets for Friday, Dec. 30, are $10 ahead of time or $15 at the door. Find tickets at EventBrite.com/e/buffalo-commons-at-otp-tickets.
Saturday’s show is $40 and doors open at 9 p.m. both nights.
Steamboat Comedy’s New Year’s Eve show
MK Paulsen is making the trip from Los Angeles to Steamboat to perform at The Press at 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Tickets are $20 and the show includes a champagne toast.
Corner Slice party
The Corner Slice is hosting a party at 8:30 p.m. featuring classic rock music from Chase the Wind, pizza and beer. Not a bad way to end one year and start another.
New Year’s Eve at Aurum
Aurum Food and Wine is hosting Chamberlin Birch from 9 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. to help guests ring in the new year with the pop contemporary sound from the duo of Jody Feeley and Brad Rasmussen.
The Burroughs at Schmiggity’s
Schmiggity’s in downtown Steamboat will have the nine-piece band of The Burroughs bringing in the new year from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $25.
Shelby Reardon is the assistant editor at the Steamboat Pilot & Today. To reach her, call 970-871-4253, email sreardon@SteamboatPilot.com or follow her on Twitter @ByShelbyReardon.
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