Guest Blogger: Meagan Coates, Chamber Staff Member

Frosty the Snowman had some magic in his old silk hat and I’m certain I’ll find that same kind of holiday magic downtown on historic Lincoln Avenue this Saturday at the Merry Mainstreet event. Our normally busy street closes and downtown merchants and restaurants will have their holiday wares on display including gingerbread houses, twinkling window displays and special sales for shoppers to enjoy.

I plan to pick up those last few gifts for my loved ones and celebrate the season with my friends and neighbors at this hometown holiday event. Hey, I might even take the chance to tell Santa I’ve been good this year (as if he doesn’t already know)!

Looking for the best tool to guide you around Steamboat Springs this winter? Be sure not to miss the Steamboat Springs Winter 2009/2010 Visitors’ Guide for great information about all aspects of the Yampa Valley. This publication is the official resource of the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association.

Check out Steamboat’s Must-See stops, historic walking tour, options for affordable fun, snow sport clinics, Steamboat winter traditions and an insider’s guide to nightlife.

This complete guide also provides great information about winter 2009/2010 events, dinning, lodging, outdoors and a service guide featuring a directory of Chamber member businesses.

If you are interested in receiving a copy of the Steamboat Springs Winter 2009/2010 Visitors’ Guide please contact the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association Visitor Center Manager Kyleigh DeMicco at either info@steamboatchamber.com or (970) 875-7001.

Learn more about activities, lodging and vacation package to Steamboat Springs, www.steamboatchamber.com.

After a summer full of anticipation, the inaugural Steamboat OktoberWest starts today. Check out the full schedule of events below or go to www.steamboatoktoberwest.com for more details.

Tonight’s Pedaling Posse Parade (cruiser bike parade) will be so much fun. Be sure to come down to Howelsen Hill tonight at 5:00 p.m. and join us. If you cannot join us tonight, then be sure to check out the full day of festivities on Saturday, September 19^th at the base of the Steamboat Ski Area.

Friday, September 18 – Downtown Steamboat Springs
5:00 pm    Pedaling Posse Parade – cruiser bike parade from Howelsen Hill to
Little Toots Park
Best Cruiser/Bike and Best Costume wins $50 Old Town Pub gift certificate
6:00 pm    Suds & Grub beer tastings and food specials ($5 for 6 Beer Tasting Tokens Early Stein Sale: $8)

Saturday, September 19 – Steamboat Ski Area                           
6:00 am     Run Rabbit Run Ultra Marathon race start
10am-4 pm Gondola opens for final weekend (Buy Saturday ticket, get Sunday FREE)
12:00 pm   Keg tapping ceremony at the Steamboat Ski Area
12-7:00 pm 2 for 1 Coca-Cola Adventure Zone Activities
1:00 pm    Lamb Cook-off – featuring local chefs and Routt County Lamb
2:00 pm    Bucking Bull Battle – mechanical bull riding competition
3:30 pm    Cow PIE Challenge – pie eating contest
4:00 pm    FREE concert featuring the Drew Emmitt Band
and opening band 3 Wire
$10 Stein includes 1 FREE BEER- $3 stein refills 

Sunday, September 20 – Steamboat Ski Area 
10 am-4 pm   Gondola opens for final weekend (Buy Saturday ticket, get Sunday FREE)
10:45am-4 pm $5 Bloody Mary Bar at the Oasis Sundeck at the top of the Gondola
11am- 2:30pm  OktoberWest Luncheon Buffet at the top of the Gondola ($10 adults,
$5 12 & under)
12-7:00 pm     2 for 1 Coca-Cola Adventure Zone Activities

Learn more about activities, lodging and vacation package to Steamboat Springs, www.steamboatchamber.com.

Check out this GREAT article that appeared in the Denver Post travel section on Sunday, September 13th.

“If the only time you’ve spent in Ski Town, U.S.A., is to romp around in its delicious champagne powder to get at some of the best tree skiing in all the land, then now is the perfect time for a return visit. Steamboat Springs is friendly and laid-back, and while it lacks the flash of the glitzier resort areas — which means it also can lack some of the high costs — a bit of a boom continues to unleash a steady flow of new development. Still, when we think about our favorite hot spots in this hot-springs mecca, it’s mostly the oldies that are the goodies.” -Kyle Wagner

Learn more about activities, lodging and vacation package to Steamboat Springs, www.steamboatchamber.com.

It is hard to say out loud, let alone write in a blog post but the seasons are changing here in Steamboat Springs. With an abundance of rain this spring, our neck of the woods had one of the greenest summers anyone can remember. June, July and August were absolutely stunning with emerald green pastures and vibrantly lush vegetation. All of this wonderful moisture however has made for a rather short summer season. Don’t get me wrong, fall is my all time favorite season, but I am having a tough time letting summer go. This past weekend, with the help of the sun and some great temperatures I embarked on what I believe will be the last, “weekend of summer.”

How did I celebrate? Nine holes of golf on Saturday at the Steamboat Golf Club, followed by an incredible dinner (my boyfriend’s birthday) at Giovanni’s Ristorante and then a full afternoon on the speedboat at Stagecoach Reservoir. Summer 2009; it was fun while it lasted!

What did you do this weekend? How are you transitioning into fall?

Learn more about activities, lodging and vacation package to Steamboat Springs, www.steamboatchamber.com.

Today is the day! The kick-off for the inaugural Steamboat All Arts Festival is here! Town is buzzing with anticipation for this multi-faceted event that will be “going beyond the canvas” and exploring various art forms including music, performing, visual, literary and culinary. Be sure to check out www.steamboatallartsfestival.com for a schedule of events, workshops etc. call the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association at (970) 879-0880 with questions or to buy tickets.

Free Summer Concert Series tonight at the Base of the Ski Area featuring the Avett Brother at 5:30 p.m. Get more information about it here. Yampa River Art Stroll starts tomorrow! Be sure to check it out!

Learn more about activities, lodging and vacation package to Steamboat Springs, www.steamboatchamber.com.

It is easy to enjoy Steamboat Springs when the weather is as perfect as it was over the weekend. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and today were all blue bird days and a little on the chilly side, which make it perfect for a good hike. On Sunday my boyfriend and I along with his very energetic Springer Spaniel, hiked up Emerald Mountain (or the Quarry as some people know it) for a good workout and to enjoy the spectacular day and weather. I haven’t done this hike for a few months, so the steep incline wore me out, but the view of Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley at the top made the hike well worth it.

Learn more about activities, lodging and vacation package to Steamboat Springs, www.steamboatchamber.com.

Last Thursday I was lucky enough to participate the Bridgestone Winter Driving School right here in Steamboat Springs. Just a couple miles west of town, on a snow covered course, I had the pleasure to take a full day session/lesson on winter and ice driving, automobile mechanics 101 and smart driving skills from real driving professionals. The entire experience was a blast. Our teacher had us practicing real maneuvers in simulated situations, building our confidence on the track and in our personal driving skills. I recommend that everyone check out this driving school. Regardless of your age and your driving skill level this program will make you a better driver. Check out the Bridgestone Winter Driving School online.

“The Bridgestone Winter Driving School offers a full range of winter driving programs for all abilities, from the novice to the seasoned professional. Our snow and ice covered courses are some of the world’s finest, and our professional coaches will guide you toward more confident driving in challenging winter conditions.” – Bridgestone Winter Driving School Website

Learn more about activities, lodging and vacation package to Steamboat Springs, www.steamboatchamber.com.

Yesterday was a great day on the mountain. Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation has logged 8 new inches on the mountain for Saturday and Sunday in addition to the couple feet of powder we got last week. The trails were great, there were no lift lines and their really is nothing better than skiing with a group of great friends. Our ski day was followed by a great “après ski” date with homemade appetizers and then a dip in the hot tub. It is hard to follow-up a day that great.

Learn more about activities, lodging and vacation package to Steamboat Springs, www.steamboatchamber.com.

After having the past two weeks off for a holiday vacation, coming back to work has been a lot of fun. When you live, work and play in a town like Steamboat Springs it is almost as if everyday is a vacation…well you know what I mean. Officially, last night 9 inches of new snow fell over the Yampa Valley, but it has not stopped snowing since I woke up. As we say, today was another Powder Day in the ‘Boat and just another day in paradise.

Learn more about activities, lodging and vacation package to Steamboat Springs, www.steamboatchamber.com.