Visitors to Steamboat Resort next winter will find a new parking system waiting for them at the base area, part of a broader effort by the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. to cut down on single-occupancy vehicles and smooth the guest experience, according to a statement released Tuesday.

Beginning on Opening Day of the 2026-27 ski season, Ski Corp. will introduce a mix of free, paid and reservation-based parking options designed to balance space availability and sustainability goals. 

Weekday skiers will find no-cost parking in the Meadows Lot on Monday through Thursday, but will have to pay for parking on weekends and peak periods unless they arrive after 1 p.m. or have three or more people in their vehicle.

Paid parking will apply at both the Upper Knoll and Lower Knoll lots on both weekdays and weekends, though the Upper Knoll remains free after 1 p.m. Visitors with three or more people in their vehicle can park at Upper Knoll for free at any time but must reserve in advance. 

Peak periods include Dec. 26, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027, Feb. 15, 2027 and March 4, 2027.

2026-27 Winter Parking Rates

Local travelers are encouraged to use the city’s free bus service from the Stockbridge Transit Center and the eastern part of River Creek Park, both of which connect directly to the resort’s base area.

Ski Corp. also plans to sell a limited number of seasonal parking passes priced at $600 for Upper Knoll and Meadows access or $300 for Meadows only. The passes go on sale April 9 and are first-come, first-served. Overflow lots, when in use, will remain free.

“Rolling out a new parking program (next) winter is about encouraging shifts in how our guests and community arrive at the resort,” said Ski Corp. President and COO Dave Hunter in the statement. 

“We are optimistic that these changes will enhance the experience for the broader community by reducing traffic congestion on peak days, decreasing the number of single-occupancy vehicles and minimizing the need for overflow lots,” he added.

Ski Corp. also confirmed in the statement that construction on The Stockman development will begin this summer, replacing the Northside parking lot and removing it from the resort’s parking inventory.

More information about parking reservations, rates, and seasonal passes will be posted on Steamboat.com closer to the start of the 2026-27 winter season.

Editor’s note: This article originally reported that Ski Corp. coordinated with city officials to create next winter season’s parking program. City Manager Tom Leeson clarified that while the city was notified of the program changes and the potential impacts, the city did not work with Ski Corp. to create the changes themselves.