Steamboat Resort remodeled the Bear River Bar & Grill and reopened the base area restaurant Wednesday as Timber & Torch. (Photo by Matt Stensland)

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — With a new fireplace, an indoor-outdoor bar and an improved barbecue area, the Timber & Torch restaurant at the base of Steamboat Resort will be serving up a new look and a fresh menu this winter.

“I just think the difference between the Timber & Torch and the former Bear River are incomparable,” Steamboat Resort spokeswoman Loryn Kasten said. “This is a beautiful restaurant that is really taking it to the next level. The bar is spectacular, and we definitely see people gathering at the end of the day for happy hour and après ski.”

The new restaurant will offer breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The venue will offer happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m., and the grill will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The menu has some really unique twists on everyone’s favorite classics,” Kasten said. “Timber & Torch really is taking Steamboat dining to the next level, and we were thrilled that it was ready for Opening Day.”

The breakfast menu includes smoked trout avocado toast and huevos rancheros served on poblano cheddar grits. At dinnertime, diners can choose from rock crab sliders, truffle gnocchi mac and cheese and an open-faced steak sandwich.

Like the outside, the inside also has been completely remodeled to create an inviting dining environment.

“The concept behind Timber & Torch is to create a new flagship restaurant for the resort,” manager Chad Mercer said. “We wanted an inviting place for people to gather for good food, live music, events. You can start or finish your day here with whatever dining experience you’re looking for. We’re excited to welcome all guests, not only visitors but we want to show our locals that Gondola Square is a place to come back to.”

The patio of the new Timber & Torch restaurant has a fireplace and indoor-outdoor bar. (Photo by Matt Stensland)

Timber & Torch opened for business Wednesday, the same day that skiers and riders were invited back to the slopes for Opening Day. It was also the first day on snow for the Taco Beast, which will be at the bottom of Heavenly Daze through Sunday, Nov. 25, before taking a short hiatus.

“This is the first season that it’s on snow and roaming around the mountain,” Kasten said. “It’s kind of like a sneak peek for the next five days. Our goal is to have four or five locations that we have predetermined on the mountain that it will usually be at, and we will let guests know through Instagram, through Twitter or through the website kind of where the Taco Beast will be on that day.

“More than likely, it will stay in the same location for two or three days before moving. The beauty is we have the freedom to decide where the best location for the Taco Beast is and then maximize it.”

To reach John F. Russell, call 970-871-4209, email jrussell@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @Framp1966