Steamboat Springs, CO – The 2010-11 season has started with a powdery bang as Colorado’s Steamboat Ski Area surpassed the 100-inch milestone due in large part to the snowiest November on record, which saw 90 inches what the resort has trademarked as “Champagne Powder” snow pile up at mid-mountain. The previous November record was 83 inches set during the 2005-06 ski and snowboard season.n”November has been a Champagne Powder snow maker, providing the largest mid-mountain base of the major Colorado destination resorts, and a summit base that’s topping out at over 60 inches,” said Rob Perlman, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “Steamboat is enjoying arguably the best snow in the Rocky Mountains, recently surpassing the 100-inch snowfall milestone for the season.”
Currently nearly 100 trails covering 1,572 acres, or more than 53% of resort’s terrain is open, including much of the resort’s legendary tree skiing areas such as Shadows and Closets, Flying Z, Twilight and Triangle 3. In addition, by the end of the week, the resort expects to open additional hike-to terrain such as the Chutes, East Face and North St. Pat’s off of Mt. Werner, elevation 10,568 feet.
“The 2010-11 season is shaping up to be remembered as the best start in more than a decade and already a legendary snow year, and, we’re less than a month into the season,” continued Perlman. “With the snowiest November on record in the books, Mother Nature’s attention is squarely focused on Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A. and powderhounds couldn’t be happier!”
Since November 1st, snow has fallen 14 out of 30 days with nine of those days recording four or more inches. So far this season at mid-mountain, Steamboat has seen 21 inches in October and 90 inches in November for a combined total of 111 inches, or 9.25 feet. The resort is 71 inches ahead of pace on its record 2007-08 snow season and 6.5 inches ahead of pace on the 1996-97 season, when 489 inches and 447.75 inches blanketed the resort, respectively.
Resort officials anticipate opening Thunderhead Express and Bashor on Dec. 4; Elkhead, Sundown Express and South Peak chairlifts on Dec. 11; Sunshine Express on Dec. 15; Morningside Park on Dec. 18; and Pony Express chairlift (Pioneer Ridge terrain currently open as hike-to) on Dec. 24.
“With more storms headed to Ski Town, U.S.A. over the next few days, winter is in full force and everyone should be ready for any type of weather and conditions,” said John Kohnke, ski patrol director at Steamboat. “If skiing and riding in deep snow or near trees, steer clear of tree wells and stay with a partner. Remember, there is always room for a friend on a powder day.”