Steamboat Springs is Sensational in Summer

Steamboat Springs’ “Ski Town USA” moniker is unequivocally deserved. World-class alpine and Nordic recreation ranks this renowned northwest Colorado mountain town among the very best in North America. That said, summer is especially attractive in Steamboat, as evinced by a litany of sun-splashed recreation that includes, oh yes, great golf.

Haven’t gone Steamboatin’ in summer? Here are five reasons to plan now:

1. Three superb 18-hole courses are in the immediate area, including Haymaker Golf Course (designed by Keith Foster), the Troon Golf managed Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club (Robert Trent Jones Jr.) and private Catamount Ranch & Club (Tom Weiskopf). Plus, Steamboat Golf Club’s nine-hole layout is a terrific option for families, beginners and time-sensitive players.

2. Ringed by rolling mountains and bisected by the Yampa River, this naturally resplendent locale is particularly enhanced by a variety of guest-spoiling overnights. The Sheraton Steamboat Resort offers upscale accommodations, casual dining, spa, pool and unfettered access to Rollingstone Ranch GC; top-rated and all-inclusive Vista Verde Guest Ranch is a dude ranch of an entirely different and compelling color; and the stylish Steamboat Grand pampers city slickers with premium lodging, fine dining, spa, fitness center, pool and a complimentary in-town shuttle.

3. Steamboat is totally happening in summer. For instance, schedule your vacation around the Tour de Steamboat road bike race (July 23); Free Concert Series (through Aug. 7); Strings Music Festival (through Aug. 12); 13th Annual Steamboat Wine Festival (Aug. 10-14); 8^th Annual All Arts Festival (Aug.18-21); Rout County Fair (Aug. 18-21 in Hayden); Pro Rodeo Series (Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 20); Wild West Air Fest (Sept. 3-4); and the don’t-miss-it Yampa Valley Sandhill Crane Festival (Sept. 8-11).

4. At 6,700 feet above sea level, visitors can practically bank on escaping summer’s swelter and cash in on a variety of outdoor pursuits, including hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, paddle boarding, kayaking, alpine sliding, camping, ATV and 4WD touring, zip lining and more. For a mettle-testing thrill, try flying down Howelsen Hill’s Nordic Screamer.

5. More extraordinary activities await, including soaking in Old Town Hot Springs and Strawberry Park Hot Springs; hiking to roaring Fish Creek Falls; tubing the Yampa River; strolling through free-admission Yampa River Botanic Park; paddle boarding Steamboat Lake; and riding the gondola and lunching at the top of Mount Warner for 360-degree mountain and valley views.

For more about Steamboat Springs, visit steamboatchamber.com.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Colorado Getaways: Steamboat Springs

Grand County and Steamboat Springs Lifestyle

2016 CAGGY Award Winners

Current Golf Deals, Coupons and Stay & Play Packages

Chris Duthie is a Durango-based contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer.

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.