Steamboat Springs
A full-time town with a historic downtown and two ski areas.
- County
- Routt
- Base elevation
- About 6,870 ft
- Population
- 13,224 (2020 census)
- Downtown Denver
- About 157 mi ยท about 2 hr 45 min
- Nearest commercial airport
- Yampa Valley Regional (HDN) in Hayden, about 22 mi
- Ski areas
- Steamboat Resort and Howelsen Hill
Drive times are typical and change with traffic and weather.
Living in Steamboat Springs
What it's like to live in Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is a Routt County town of about 13,000 people on US 40, named for a spring near the old train depot. It has a working downtown along Lincoln Avenue, a winter carnival that dates to 1914, and two ski areas. Howelsen Hill sits right in town, and Steamboat Resort is a few minutes away on Mount Werner. It is a town people live in all year, not just a resort base.
Homes range from condos and townhomes near the base of Steamboat Resort to older houses near downtown and larger homes and acreage out in the county. Some complexes near the mountain are sold as ski-in/ski-out. Prices here run high for Colorado, so get current sales data for the exact area you want before you set a budget.
Short-term rentals need a city license, and the city uses zones. Some areas near the resort base and downtown have no cap, some are capped, and some prohibit them. Rentals also carry a 9% short-term rental tax approved by voters in 2022. Getting here from Denver means I-70, Highway 9, and US 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass, so winter weather matters. I live on the Front Range, so for Steamboat I team up with a local agent I trust and stay with you through the whole move.
Where it is
Where Steamboat Springs sits in Colorado Mountain Towns
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Neighborhoods
Where to look in Steamboat Springs
Downtown
The historic core along Lincoln Avenue, close to Howelsen Hill, shops, and restaurants. The commercial downtown is in the city's no-cap rental zone.
Mountain Area
Condos, townhomes, and homes near the base of Steamboat Resort. Some complexes here are sold as ski-in/ski-out.
Fish Creek
A residential area named for Fish Creek, the stream that drops over Fish Creek Falls east of town.
Stagecoach and the South Valley
Areas south of Steamboat in Routt County, with more space and a longer drive into town.
Hayden
A smaller Routt County town west of Steamboat, home to Yampa Valley Regional Airport.
North Routt
The northern part of Routt County, with rural homes and acreage away from town.
Get outside
Things to do in Steamboat Springs
- 01
Steamboat Resort
Opened in 1963 on Mount Werner, with a 10,568-foot summit and a 650-acre terrain expansion that fully opened in January 2024.
- 02
Howelsen Hill
The oldest continually operating ski area in North America, with ski jumps right in town.
- 03
Fish Creek Falls
A 283-foot waterfall about five miles east of town, with a quarter-mile trail to the overlook.
- 04
Steamboat Winter Carnival
Held the second week of February every year since 1914, with more than 400 tons of snow spread on Lincoln Avenue.
- 05
The Steamboat Spring
The spring the town is named for, near the library and the old train depot.
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FAQ
Steamboat Springs questions, answered
How far is Steamboat from Denver?
About 157 miles, or roughly 2 hours 45 minutes in good conditions. The usual route is I-70 west, Highway 9 north through Silverthorne, then US 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass. Winter storms can add a lot of time.
Can I rent my Steamboat home short-term?
Only with a city license, and only where the zoning overlay allows it. Some zones have no cap, some are capped, and some prohibit short-term rentals. A 9% short-term rental tax also applies. Confirm the zone for any address with the city.
What is the elevation of Steamboat Springs?
About 6,870 feet in town. The top of Steamboat Resort is 10,568 feet.
Is the closest airport in Steamboat?
Commercial flights use Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden, about 22 miles away. Denver International is about 160 miles away.
Which school district serves Steamboat?
Steamboat Springs School District RE-2. Check the district boundary for any specific address.
Can you live in Steamboat year-round?
Yes. It is a full-time town of about 13,000 people with its own schools, medical center, and downtown. Winters are long, so plan for snow.
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