I just finished reading Outside Magazine’s feature on a few of Steamboat’s finest men about town. The spread shows stylish shots of our very own Todd Lodwick, Adam Spector, Jerad Iacovetto, and Luke Brosterhous. The Olympian, The Energizer, The Rancher and The Golfer, respectively, spent some time with Outside Magazine reflecting on why, despite their multi-faceted life experiences and careers, they choose to call Steamboat Springs home.

Lodwick is just one of the many Olympic athletes that owe much of their career success to the support of the town and the excellent training environment that continues to exist here year after year. His goal at this year’s winter Olympics is to medal in nordic combined (cross-country skiing and ski jumping), something no American has ever done.

After a sprinkling of interesting jobs, including a fish farmer and cafe owner, Steamboat Springs allows Spector to maintain a happy balance between work and play as both the national sales manager of the energy food manufacturer, Honey Stinger, and avid outdoor enthusiast.

I have had the pleasure of visiting Saddleback Ranch where Iacovetto lives and works. I am still in awe of 8,000 acre spread and seeing the infamous long horns that are the stars in our yearly Fourth of July cattle drive up close. Their horns are enormous. You really begin to understand Steamboat’s western heritage once you step foot onto one of these beautiful ranches.

I think, however, it is Brosterhous, director of Authentic Golf, a golf-instruction-and-travel company, who sums up why so many of us choose to call Steamboat home the best when he says, “We’ll gladly suffer high mortgages so we can ski 100 days per year.”

I’ll second that.

 Click here to check out the entire feature.

Today I was able to attend our local Steamboat Springs Rotary Meeting as a guest of a fellow staff member who is an active Rotarian. Having just led a team of four other Rotarians to Chile, on a five week leadership exchange, she was sharing about her trip with the rest of the club. It was really neat to see how many rotary clubs exist in the country of Chile alone. It was also rewarding to hear about the impact rotary clubs across the globe has had on supporting the eradication of polio worldwide.

Rotary International is an excellent way for people of all ages to take on a unique role in their own communities and make an impact on communities world wide. In addition to Rotary Club International, they all have two addition sister programs, Rotoract and Interact. Rotoract is for adults 18-30 and Interact is for youth ages 15-18.  Rotary Club International is just one of the many ways to get involved her in Steamboat Springs.

On this chilly, blustery Wednesday I sure was glad that I brought my winter coat out of the closet. Not only was it extremely cold outside, but the wind gusts topped almost 100 mph at the Steamboat Ski Area. Yikes! Despite the chill in the air, I was able to tag-a-long with the Steamboat Chamber Ambassadors as they did their monthly “Meet & Greets” with local businesses. It was a great way to spend the afternoon; thanking businesses for their support, giving hand outs of yummy chocolate, a Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association “Buy Local” water bottle and a personalized card from the Chamber Ambassadors.

We stopped at 16 businesses to say thank you and tell them they are not only appreciated, they are truly valued members of the Chamber family.

The six of us who took part in the “Meet & Greet” joked that the experience was like “reverse” trick-or-treating or caroling a few months early. None the less it was a wonderful afternoon. Thank you Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association members!

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

It’s snow, snow, snow here in Steamboat today! It makes me realize I better start my pre-season exercise regime I keep putting off. Too much tasty food, live music and good wine seem to keep getting in my way. There are some great places around town that offer some pre-designed training programs, such as the Crossfit classes at FusionFit in town.

I prefer a do-it yourself approach whenever possible, especially when I am trying to save up for a new snowboard and my own ski boots. Here are some unique exercise tips from world-class skier Bode Miller, who we all know never really does anything any other way than his own. Looks like I’m going to have to invest in a wheelbarrow. Happy training!

 Bode Miller’s Training Tips http://tinyurl.com/sq3fg

One of my favorite things about Steamboat Springs is the active lifestyle. People in this town know no limits when it comes to trying new sports, activities or recreational events.

In an effort to live this active lifestyle, the past two summers a group of friends and I have participated in the City of Steamboat Springs’ sand court volleyball league through the Parks and Recreation department. With the gorgeous summers here in Steamboat Springs playing outdoor volleyball was loads of fun.

Our team, who is more in to the league for the fun and camaraderie than intense spiking, took on a new challenge this fall by enrolling in the indoor volleyball league also organized by the city’s Parks and Recreation department. Monday night’s are our game nights and I am VERY proud to report that our team, the “Killerz” won our first game! We’ve even got bumps and bruises to prove it was a great game. Here is hoping for a fun season!

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

This weekend was an autumn weekend if I have ever experienced one. Both Saturday and Sunday were gorgeous days; the leaves in the valley are still changing, acres and acres of ranch lands are covered with neatly rolled hay bails and the chill in the air is unmistakably that of fall.

What was so ironic was while I was dressed in scarves, boots and layers all weekend, I was also helping my best friend plan her upcoming June wedding in Steamboat Springs. The changing of the seasons is one of the things I love most about Northwest Colorado. I love that we experience all four seasons and better yet, we get to plan events year round. Pink roses might not be an autumn flower, but it is fun to plan for the seasons ahead.

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

It is always fun to try new things, no matter how out of your comfort zone they may be. On Tuesday night a few friends and I went country western dancing at the Ghost Ranch Saloon. It was so much fun; we all had a BLAST!

This new bar opened in May 2009 and has had a steady schedule of live bands and fun special events coming through their doors. I found out about the country western dancing from a friend who is a regular at the Ghost Ranch on Tuesday nights. With little to no experience under my belt, I tried the two step and a few line dances too. I was not the best dancer of the bunch, but I think I will be back next Tuesday night for some more dancing….practice makes perfect, right?

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.