Mountain Days & Snowboarding Dreams

For snowboarders and skiers there is nothing like a great weekend on the mountain. Last weekend I had the pleasure of spending 3 glorious days in Steamboat Springs, CO aka Ski Town USA! I've wanted to go there for years and loved almost every minute of it. I was surprised at how affordable condos were. Here are some of the cool places I found and things we did.

Nightlife

If you are into live bands then Ghost Ranch Saloon is a must. The staff is great, the drinks are stiff and the music is always bumping. Shake your thing up front on the dance floor, enjoy from one of the back tables, or scope the scene from one of two balconies.

Runs to Ride

Blue - Buddy's Run - is an awesome ride for intermediates. Steep enough to get you into your turns but not enough to have you on one edge or your face half of the run. Hop on the Storm Peak Express or Bar-U lift and enjoy the ride down.

Blue/Black - Flying Z Gulch & Longhorn - Situated on the far North side of the mountain you can catch these runs off the Pony Express lift. These runs aren't groomed as often and are perfect if your ready to step up your technique in some powder or soft moguls. 

Shops to Stop by

Epilogue Book Company - If you love to read check out this independent bookstore filled with antiquarian books.

All That Jazz - This place carries a ton of funky items aside from the traditional CDs. Find sassy t-shirts, earrings, jewelry, hilarious cards, vanity products and tons more!

Sweet Potato Lingerie - Spice things up with a trip to this store. A little pricey but some incredibly sexy and tasteful items.

Place to Pass On

One night we ended up at the 8th Street Steakhouse. While the food is good, they take the "Grilling Experience" concept a little too far. Unless you get seafood or prime rib your cooking your own meet on the grill. Some of the ala carte sides are also grill yourself. The price is steep considering you do everything yourself. After a long day on the mountain or in the shops, I'd recommend passing on this place for one of Steamboat's many sit down restaurants.

As a snowboard enthusiast and a mountain town junkie, I think Steamboat officially makes my top 5 list. Maybe it has a little to do with this beautiful morning scene from my first day out? Nothing beats being above the clouds your first run of the day. See you at the bottom!