When Steamboat Resort opens for ski season at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, guests should expect to ski or ride on 10 trails for their first turns of the season. 

Sitz, Jess’ Cutoff, Vogue, Boulevard, Right O-Way, Skidaddle, Stampede and others will be open Saturday, including a “pocket terrain park” on Stampede, the Resort announced Wednesday morning. All trails will be accessible via Christie Peak Express. 

In a news release, Dave Hunter, president and COO of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp., referred to the day as a “traditional opening for the resort” with some extra features on the way.

---

---

“The new snowmaking and Wild Blue Gondola going all the way to Sunshine Peak means we can open that popular terrain earlier than ever, and our teams are working hard to get it ready for skiing and riding, but it’s not quite there yet,” Hunter said. “I think folks will be pleasantly surprised with how soon we can have that open.” 

Greenhorn Ranch, the Resort’s beginner area, and Two Whoops carpet will be accessible through the lower Wild Blue Gondola for first-time skiers and riders and students of the Steamboat SnowSports School. 

---

---

Steamboat Resort Corp. wants to remind mountain users to respect all signage as well as trail closures for the safety of themselves and mountain crews. Uphill access is not currently offered so mountain crews can continue snowmaking and grooming efforts. 

The Steamboat app, website and snow report will have updates on trail and lift operation statuses. 

The Opening Day celebration begins at 7:30 a.m. with complimentary Powder Day donuts and Korbel mimosas in the resort base area while supplies last. 

Around 8:29 a.m. will be the official countdown to the start of the 2024-25 ski season, which concludes with the ceremonial ringing of the Champagne Powder Snow Bell at 8:30 a.m. when Christie Peak Express lift will start moving as skiers and riders fill the chairs for their first turns of the season. 

The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club will be presented with a Ski Corp. donation on the Steamboat Stage in Steamboat Square at 2:15 p.m. with a musical performance from Heavy Diamond Ring to follow, starting at 2:30 p.m. 

Heavy Diamond Ring is a contemporary indie-folk band and is the sound behind the Steamboat Resort advertising campaign, with the song “The Steamboat Way.” 

Free Opening Day T-shirts, designed by Ohana, and Smartwool Socks will be handed out to the first 100 skiers or riders in line. Those shirts and socks, as well as WinterWonderGrass tickets, among other prizes, will be hidden around the Resort throughout the day.

Clues to those prizes will be posted on @SteamboatResort on Instagram . 

All passes, including Ikon, Ikon Base and Steamboat-specific passes will be valid at the turnstile on Opening Day. 

Skeeter’s Ice Rink will begin daily operation from 3-6 p.m. with rental skates available. Night skiing and riding will begin Dec. 12 and is scheduled to run continuously every Thursday through Sunday night until March 23. Night operations begin at 5:30 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m. each day. Night operations will also be provided each night from Dec. 26-Jan. 5. 

Jan. 20 marks the date of the 50th annual Cowboy Downhill while the 43rd annual Cardboard Classic is scheduled for April 12, followed by the Splashdown Pond Skim on April 13. 

“There’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of Opening Day,” Hunter said. “All the hard work that goes into the off-season and the anticipation for the winter to come all comes together in this celebration.  This winter’s mild La Nina forecast looks favorable for Steamboat and everyone on our team is excited to get the season kicked off and start sliding on snow.”