STEAMBOAT SPRINGS HISTORY

Long before we were known as 'Ski Town USA' and long before skiers came here for our 'Champagne Powder' the Ute Indians inhabited the Yampa Valley. Brought here by summers abundant with agriculture and year-round hunting and fishing they were the first to appreciate the beauty of the Yampa Valley. Fur trappers were the next to arrive in the early 1800's.Soon sheep ranchers started bringing their flocks to Northwest Colorado. George Baggs introduced Texas Longhorn cattle to the region in 1871. 'Range Wars' ensued as the Ute Indians were being pushed out.

1875:	James H. Crawford staked a homestead for Steamboat's first settlement.
1881:	Ute Indian leader Colorow put a "curse" on the Yampa Valley in anger over his tribe's displacement. Legend has it that Colorow declared: "Those who come to the Yampa Valley to live will never be able to leave. If they bring riches to the valley, they'll leave them here; and they'll never find lasting happiness here. If they do succeed in leaving the valley, they'll be forced to return."
1900:	Steamboat Springs was incorporated.
1908:	The railroad entered Steamboat Springs.
1913:	More cattle were shipped from the Steamboat railyard than any other single point in the United States.

Along with the ranchers, mining helped fuel the growth of the Yampa Valley. The Twentymile Coal Mine currently ranks as the fourth largest operational underground coal mine in the United States. While ranchers and miners were busy building a robust economy in the early 1900's the future of the valley was taking root as Yampa Valley residents turned to skiis as the easiest means of getting around town during winters.

	1913:	Carl Howelson came to Steamboat Springs after a stint with the Barnum and Baily Circus.
	Called the ' The Flying Norseman', Carl Howelson built a 100 foot ski jump on what is now known as Howelson Hill. Founded in 1915, Howelson Hill is the oldest continuously running ski area in Colorado. Howelson Hill is one of the main training areas for Olympic ski jumpers and Nordic skiers. Our Nordic success in the 2010 Olympics can be traced to years of practice at Howelson Hill facilities.
	1963:	The Steamboat Ski Resort begins operations as Storm Mountain. The resort has one lift at the base and an A-frame cabin warming hut.
	It was 25 degrees below zero on opening day in 1963 and the total revenue earned on that opening day was $13.75.
	1964:	The ski mountain is renamed Mt. Werner in memory of Buddy Werner, a local Olympic skier who died tragically in an avalanche.

Today the Steamboat Ski Resort has 165 trails, 18 lifts, and almost 3,000 skiable acres. Elevation is 6,900 feet at the base, and 10,568 feet at Storm Peak summit. Our annual average snowfall is 331 inches which makes our tree skiing an incredible ride and gives us our 'Champagne Powder' accolades. Being known as Ski Town USA is only half of our story since summers in Steamboat Springs are full of activities for locals and tourists alike. The Yampa River is host to fishermen, rafters, tubers and kayakers, while those who prefer to stay on land have many activities to enjoy...the Hot Air Balloon Festival, Rodeo, Wine Festival, Art in the Park, Strings in the Mountain Music Festival, Steamboat Running Series and many other attractions are held from June through September. Like everywhere, Steamboat Springs is constantly changing and evolving, but its genuine community spirit, its heart and soul, remain the same. It's a friendly, down-to-earth western town and it's a place those who live here are proud to call home.