Steamboat is experiencing an epic year with legendary powder days
This winter season in Steamboat has been epic! We seem to have been blessed by the snow gods and the blessings keep on coming. With 247 inches of snow already this season, Steamboat is well on its way to beating its yearly average of over 300 inches. The Yampa Valley is blanketed in a never-ending sea of white while snow banks taller than cars line the sidewalks and obscure the view of downtown houses.
With 6 weeks left in the season, there is still plenty of time to get a few turns in and enjoy our legendary powder. We’ve compiled some tips to prepare for a day in the deep powder…
Our tips for a day well spent powder skiing…
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that what works for most will not work for all skiers. Find what works best for you and you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time.
We recommend heading out the door nice and early. You’ll want to make it to the Gondola or Christy Lift by 10am at the latest, 8:30am if you’re a real go getter.
Powder skiing is multi-dimensional skiing at its finest. While skiing in powder, your body is continually thrown in and out of balance. Use your arms and pole plants to help find a rhythm and set up for your next turn. Pick your line down the fall line and limit hesitation in between turns. Speed is going to be your best friend in deep snow.
Clipping into a wider set of skis and narrowing your stance will create a larger platform that will help you to achieve the floating sensation that comes with skiing on powder.
Once you’ve made a few turns you’ll start to get the feel of the powder beneath your skis and start to find the rhythm.
Recovery after a big day of skiing…
If you want to make the most of your time spent in Steamboat, recovery is so important to ensure you’re able to make it out on the lift the next day.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Water is an important part of the recovery process and preventing altitude sickness. Make sure to drink plenty of water not only after you’re done skiing, but throughout the day as well.
Take a moment to stretch and foam roll your tired muscles in The Porches state of the art gym.
When you’re done with your stretch, take a steam in the steam room before heading outside for a soak in the hot tub. After a long day on the hill, your muscles will thank you for it!
Talk to the Porches concierge about one of Steamboat’s many wonderful restaurants in town to refuel after a day of activity. If you feel like staying in, simply order your food from a local restaurant and our private shuttle is happy to pick it up and bring it back to your Porches home.
The Porches staff’s favorite runs on a powder day…
Sunset, a wonderful run off of the Four Points lift that isn’t heavily trafficked and is sheltered from becoming windblown. If you were a little late getting to the lift line, this run is likely to still have some fresh snow as long as you make it up on the mountain by mid-morning.
Sunshine Lift Line, this is one of our favorites on a powder day! If you’re new to powder skiing or just looking to do a warm up run this one is perfect. It doesn’t have the same steep pitch as some of the other runs so you’re able to glide down and get your rhythm before taking on the rest of the mountain.
Snow stats
In January, we had 85 inches of snow with one storm dumping 40 inches in just 72 hours! In February we already have over 70 inches with more in the forecast this week
Want to experience The Porches first hand and enjoy our epic winter? Contact our reservations department.