Ute Indians hunted the many Rocky Mountain plateaus during the summer hunting season including the area surrounding Steamboat Springs. The Utes also traveled to Steamboat's “medicine springs” for healing.
The legend goes that French Trappers hunting the area in the 1820’s hear an unusual sound that reminded them of a steamboat with which they were familiar. They went on to discover that the gurgling sound was that of a natural hot spring, not a steamboat. The spring took the name Steamboat Springs and the legend continued!
Beginning in the 1870’s, permanent settlers found their way to the Steamboat Springs area. One such settler spent winters in Boulder Colorado were he persuaded several businessmen to join him in developing the Steamboat Springs townsite. By the early 1900’s, the railroad arrive. Sadly, track for one of the rail lines silenced the spring that was the town’s namesake.
In 1914, Barnum and Bailey Circus star Carl Howelsen arrived in Steamboat Springs and introduced ski jumping. It was a hit and drew focus to Steamboat Springs and the fledgling ski industry.
Today, it is Steamboat Springs geothermal bathes and its world class “champagne powder” snow made famous by Steamboat Springs’ Olympic Gold Medal winner Billy Kidd that attract visitors worldwide. Ski-by-day and soak-by-night!
Enjoy Steamboat.