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Steamboat Magazine

Steamboat Tops 300-Inch Snow Mark

03/16/2016 10:58AM ● By Dan Greeson
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - March 15, 2016 - Steamboat’s 2015/16 season cumulative snowfall passed the 300-inch mark at mid-mountain today following the first wave of what is forecast to be a weeklong line of storms moving through the region.

 “It’s been a snowy season so far for Steamboat, and we’re not done by a long shot,” said Katie Brown, vice president of sales and marketing for Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. “With more than 25 feet this season, Steamboat is definitely showing why it is the home of Champagne Powder® snow and the place to be for spring skiing and riding.”

 As of 5am, Steamboat received 5 inches at mid-mountain and 9 inches at the summit in the past 24-hours with a 62-inch base at mid-mountain and 79-inch base at the summit on powder conditions. The National Weather Service says snowfall will continue today, and northwest flow will keep orographic snowfall in the picture throughout the day and into tonight. For the remainder of the week, light snow is expected to fall across the northern mountains through Friday. 

 Steamboat has seen 5.5 inches in October, 58.5 inches in November, 101 inches in December, 81.5 inches in January, 40.5 inches in February, and 17 inches in March for a combined mid-mountain total of 304 inches (25.3 feet). Since Opening Day, November 25, snow has fallen 60 out of 112 days with 32 of those days recording four or more inches.

 This season is a three-wire winter, where snow has surpassed the third row of fence wires at ranches across the Yampa Valley. As Sureva Towler writes in her book, The History of Skiing at Steamboat Springs, “By January or February of a typical winter, snow will cover the third fence wire, usually 30 inches high.” Four-wire winters, generally more than 350 inches at the resort’s mid-mountain location, have been recorded ten times since the 1983/84 season. 

 “Spring is a great time of year to gather friends and family and spend time on the slopes,” continued Brown. “As we all know, spring is the time of year when everything lines up just right: great snow, longer days, incredible values, free events and plenty of fun.”

 Make this a season to remember and get to Steamboat where the Champagne Powder® snow isn’t the only thing bubbling up, so are serious savings.  Steamboat is offering an out-of-this-world Springalicious Pass for any three days in April for just $119. Act fast as the rate goes up on Tuesday, March 22. Skiers and riders can still get to the home of Champagne Powder® snow as Alaska, American, Delta and United Airlines offer connecting and nonstop flights directly into Steamboat/Hayden Airport (HDN) from various cities across the country. 

 The resort offers several ways to save in advance this spring with the Sun & Snow Package with $300 in Boat Bucks resort credit for travel 3/27 or later, Springalicious Package during April, and the Passholder Package for anyone with a pass including RMSP+ and Springalicious passes through April 10. Contact Steamboat Central Reservations® for package and pass details at 800-922-2722, www.steamboat.com or to book your spring holiday to Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A.®

 Still over a week away from the Spring Equinox (3/20), Steamboat plans to put a spring in your step with the US Freestyle Nationals (March 18-20), NASTAR Championships (March 24-27) and Springalicious Festival (April 1-10) featuring a boatload of free music and unique events like Cody’s Challenge, Cardboard Classic and the Splashdown Pond Skim. Bud Light Rocks the Boat FREE concerts will rock the base area every Saturday with The Goonies (3/19), Jakubi (3/26), Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad (4/2) and a blow-out end-of-season show over closing weekend with multi-cultural Grammy winning group Ozomatli (4/9) and Colorado slamgrass pioneers Leftover Salmon (4/10).