By Shannon Lukens.

The 2025 Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival is Feb. 4-9. This is 111th year of the historic event, hosted by Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and Title Sponsor Yampa Valley Bank. This year’s theme is Let Your Light Shine.

The first Winter Carnival was in 1914 as a way for the locals to forget the long, cold winter and bring back happiness to the valley when it was buried in deep snow. Winter Carnival History

More history is below.

WINTER CARNIVAL POSTER

This year’s Winter Carnival poster was created by local artist RC Dieckhoff, as commissioned by Steamboat Sotheby’s International Realty. The original is on display at Pine Moon Gallery. Posters are $20 each to benefit SSWSC and are available at various retailers throughout Steamboat Springs. More on the 2025 Winter Carnival Poster

Register for Street Events- 112th Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival

Registration opens at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, online. Early volunteer registration opens at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30.

REGISTER HERE

112th Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival Schedule

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

4 – 6 p.m. STEAMBOAT CUP CROSS COUNTRY PARENT-CHILD RELAY (All Ages, Rodeo Grounds, Howelsen Hill)
The 2025 Steamboat Cup Series is a fun, local youth snowsport competition series on Wednesday evenings and primarily targeted to skiers ages 7-12. These events are free and open to the public but require online pre-registration. Join us during Winter Carnival for a special Child-Parent Cross Country Relay. Children do not need a parent to participate in the cross country relay but parents are encouraged to join.

Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025

2 – 6 p.m. AIRBAG DEMONSTRATION
(All ages, Base of Nordic Jumps, Howelsen Hill)
Watch as SSWSC freestyle, freeskiing, and snowboard athletes perform tricks and aerials, launch into the air, and work on tricks, landing in a 50’ airbag! Closed to the public, this event offers exceptional photography opportunities of airborne athletes!

4 p.m. SNOW SCULPTURE VIEWING
(All ages, Lincoln Avenue, Downtown Steamboat Springs)
Stroll down Lincoln to view hand-carved snow sculptures! Judging will take place at 4 p.m. on February. 7, and winners will be highlighted with ribbons and announced at the street events on February 8 and 9. Sculptures will be built on Feb. 7 by student and community teams inspired by the theme “Let Your Light Shine”. Vote on your favorite sculpture at @SteamboatCreates Facebook & Instagram. Voting closes Sunday, February 9 at midnight. REGISTER HERE

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. CROSS COUNTRY OBSTACLE COURSE
(Ages 5-12, Howelsen Hill Rodeo Grounds, Downtown off of 5th)
A fun and entertaining non-competitive obstacle course for Nordic and “wanna be” Nordic skiers at Howelsen Hill. Spectators are welcome. Pre-registration is not required, but a release form must be signed or already be on file with SSWSC in order to participate.

5-8 p.m. S’MORE FAMILY FUN PARTY
(Howelsen Hill Party Tent, Downtown off of 5th Street)
Presented by Town Hall and Mountain and Co. with food provided by La Central Catering.

Families, take part in the Winter Carnival Celebration. During the evening activities at Howelsen Hill, join us for a family-style chili and s’more party in the big white tent on Vanatta Ballfield. Just call it S’More Family Fun!  Enjoy the outside ski activities, then head into the tent for warm chili, a DJ, and dancing! Complete with a bonfire and s’more-making outside! A Winter Carnival button and ticket are required. TICKETS go on sale on January 30 at 10 a.m. and usually sell out. Food is served on a first come, first serve.

5 – 6 p.m. POWDERTOOLS COMMUNITY TERRAIN PARK JAM SESSION
(Ages 14 and Under, Howelsen Hill, Downtown off of 5th)
Open to both skiers and snowboarders. Located under the lights of the Howelsen Hill Terrain Park, this event is open to the public. Pre-registration is required at 4 p.m. at the terrain park. A liability waiver must be signed or already be on file with the SSWSC in order to participate. Practice runs from 4:30-5 p.m., Jam Session from 5-6 p.m.

4:30 – 6 p.m. FAMILY DUALS
(All Ages, Howelsen Hill, Downtown off of 5th)
Everyone is a winner in this friendly competition. Come join our family fun by racing or bumping down the junior courses on Howelsen Hill Face. Go head to head on the GS-style race course. Pre-registration is not required, but a release form must be signed or already on file with SSWSC in order to participate.

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. SKI JUMPING JAMBOREE
(Ages 4-11, Hill Size Bump & 20, Howelsen Hill, Downtown off of 5th)
Kids can try the Bump Jump and 20-meter jump at the Nordic jumping complex of Howelsen Hill for some flying fun on alpine equipment. Pre-registration is not required, but a release form must be signed or already be on file with SSWSC in order to participate.

Friday, Feb. 7, 2025

10 a.m. CHRISTY SPORTS SODA POP SLALOM
(Ages 11 and under, Howelsen Hill, magic carpet)
This is a fun race on the magic and big kid duals on the face carpet and is open to any skier or snowboarder ages 11 and under. REGISTRATION Opens January 31 and closes on February 5.

12:30 – 3 p.m. WINTER CARNIVAL RAIL JAM OPEN
(Steamboat Ski Resort, Looker’s right of the Christie Express bottom terminal)
Get ready to throw down and show off your skills at the Winter Carnival Rail Jam Open. This fun and inclusive event is open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages and ability levels. Whether you’re a seasoned shredder or just starting out, this jam session is all about progression, creativity, and good vibes. Participants will take turns hitting a specially designed rail jam course in a “Do a Trick, Get a Prize” format . Land a trick, and you could score awesome swag from DAKINE, North Face, Steamboat, and more!

Plus, there are special prizes for:

• Best Steamboat-themed costume (crowd cheers decide!)
• Best ski trick (judges’ pick)
• Best snowboard trick (judges’ pick)

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. NORDIC JUMPING EXHIBITION
(SSWSC Athletes, Howelsen Hill)
SSWSC Nordic Combined and Special Jumping athletes jump the 20-meter, 30-meter, 45-meter, 75-meter and 100-meter jumps.

5:30 – 6 p.m. SKI BALLET
(Howelsen Hill, the big magic carpet next to the Nordic ski jumps)
Wear your sequins and stretch pants! A throwback to the mid-70s and once an official Olympic sport, ski ballet in its purest form included routines choreographed to music consisting of flips, jumps, rolls, spins, and leg crossings. In this Winter Carnival competition, anything goes, but costumes are mandatory. All competitors must attend a pre-competition meeting at 4:30 p.m. on February 7 to sign a waiver and receive a lift ticket by showing a Winter Carnival Button. Join the fun as a competitor or spectator at Howelsen Hill.

5-8 p.m. STEAMBOAT FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK
(Lincoln Avenue, Downtown Steamboat Springs)
Free self-guided tour of local art galleries, museums and alternative venues in downtown Steamboat Springs. These businesses remain open the first Friday of every month for this favorite event of locals and visitors alike. Many offer changing exhibits, so there is something new to see each month. Free to the public, 5-8 p.m. Refreshments are served. Make sure to check out this year’s Winter Carnival Poster Original Artwork at Pine Moon Gallery (117 9th Street).

6 – 7 p.m. AMATEUR SKI JUMPING
(Ages 15+, Howelsen Hill)
Ski Jumping (on alpine equipment) under the lights on the historic ski jumps of Howelsen Hill. Prizes, jumping, and high-flying fun. Register ($25) the night of the event from 5-5:45 p.m. in the Fireplace Room at Howelsen Hill Lodge. For more information, contact Pat Arnone at 970-734-8966.

6 – 8 p.m. JOHNSIE MEMORIAL DUAL SLALOM BICYCLE RACE
(Ages 12+, Howelsen Hill)
An exciting on-snow, mountain bike event. Most of the action takes place on the poma ride up to the top of the course, but this year the course will include more terrain and jumps to spice up the action. Come take a chance and ride the course or just spectate and watch the action.  Event includes practice, qualifying, and final competition rounds. Register the night of the event 5-5:30 p.m. in the Fireplace Room at Howelsen Hill Lodge.

7 – 11 p.m. TITO’S MOUNTAIN SOIREE
(Age 21+, Howelsen Hill, in the Big Tent)
Presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Celebrate the 112th Winter Carnival at an 80s themed dance party with an evening of libations, food, live music by the 6 Million Dollar Band, fire pits, and more. Tickets are SOLD OUT for this event. JOIN THE WAITLIST

Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025

8 a.m. 100-METER NORDIC SPRINT
(All Ages, Downtown, Lincoln Avenue)
The Steamboat Springs Nordic Council is looking for the fastest skate skiers in the ‘Boat. They are hosting a 100-meter Nordic Sprint on Lincoln Avenue between 7th and 8th streets prior to the Street Events. The race will have male and female divisions as well as 13-and-over and 12-and-under age categories. Anyone interested can register for this free event at check-in the morning of the event with SSWSC Cross Country Program Director Brian Tate at btate@sswsc.org or 970-734-7678. Or check-in day of event at 7:30 a.m. at 7th Street.

8 a.m. – noon GEAR UP VENDOR VILLAGE
(9th Street, Between Lincoln Avenue and Oak Street)
Everything you need to get outside in cutting-edge style and comfort featuring local Steamboat-based brands and companies. Participating companies include, Backery, Big Agnes/BAP, BAR-U-EAT, Bee the Future, BOLD, Outerwear, Elevated Mountain Apparel/Flayq, Hala, Harvest Skis, Hoohaa, Hvly Dze Apparel, Links Designs, Little Bee, Milk x Whiskey, LLC, Mountain and Company, Need More Salsa, SOS Outreach, Steamboat Soap, and Town Hall Outdoor Co.

8:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST
(Holy Name Enrichment Center, 524 Oak Street) Come enjoy pancakes, breakfast sausages, coffee and juice before diving into the day’s events.

9 a.m. – noon STREET EVENTS
(Lincoln Avenue, Downtown Steamboat Springs)
A wildly entertaining show featuring children on skis and snowboards being pulled behind horses along snow-covered Lincoln Avenue. Races include street slalom, ski joring, donkey jumps, 3-legged races, 25-, 50-, and 75-yard dashes, and the famous adult shovel race. The horse events are for children ages 6-14; there are also non-horse events for ages 1-14.  Pre-registration required promptly on January 31 at 10 a.m. Participants may only register for one horse event during the weekend. Don’t forget your Winter Carnival button to spectate!

SATURDAY, February 8
9-9:35 a.m. – SkiJoring, 6-9 years
9:35-10:10 a.m. – SkiJoring, 10-14 years
10:10-10:45 a.m. – Street Slalom, 10-14 years
10:45-10:55 a.m. – 3-legged Race (50yd), 5-8 years
10:55-11:05 a.m. – 3-legged Race (75yd), 9-11 years
11:05-11:15 a.m. – 25yd Dash, 3-5 years
11:15-11:25 a.m. – 50yd Dash, 6-8 years
11:25-11:35 a.m. – 75yd Dash, 9-11 years
11:35-12:05 p.m. – Donkey Jump, 6-9 years
12:05-12:10 p.m. – Shovel Race, 18+

1 p.m.  PRO ALPINE SKI JUMPING QUALIFICATIONS
(Howelsen Hill, Downtown off of 5th)
This is a must-see ski jumping event with participants launching off of the 100-meter on alpine skis and boots, rather than the usual ski jumping equipment. For more information, contact Pat Arnone at 970-734-8966; $100 entry fee.

After the Winter Carnival Street Events on Saturday, grab lunch and meet the cowboys. They’ll all be at Big House Burgers.

1:30-3:30 p.m. GIANT SKI RACE QUALIFIERS
(Rodeo Grounds, Howelsen Hill)
Grab friends and family and give the Winter Carnival Giant Ski Race a try. Each team of six people races head-to-head against another team on a pair of 25-foot-long Giant Skis downtown up Lincoln Avenue. The event is huge fun for both participants and spectators. A pair of Giant Skis is provided to each team at the start. Team costumes required! The Giant Ski Race is a collaboration between Colorado Mountain College and Steamboat Springs High School. Both schools will build the skis as part of a class. REGISTER NOW

6:45 – 7:15 p.m. SSWSC ATHLETE EXHIBITION
(All Ages, Howelsen Hill)
SSWSC athletes demonstrate their skills as the sun sets behind Howelsen Hill!

7:30-8:30 P.M. NIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA
(All Ages, Howelsen Hill)
Presented by Yampa Valley Bank
Join us for this must-see highlight of the event at historic Howelsen Hill.
The evening kicks off with local athletes showcasing their incredible skills, illuminated by flares and LED lights. The spectacular Lighted Man will ski down Howelsen Hill, shooting fireworks from his pyrotechnic suit, while daring jumpers fly through a fiery hoop off the nordic jumps! The night concludes with a breathtaking fireworks display that will light up the sky. It’s a night you won’t want to miss! Don’t forget your Winter Carnival button!

Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025

9 – 10:30 a.m. STREET EVENTS
(Downtown Lincoln Avenue)
A wildly entertaining show featuring children on skis and snowboards being pulled behind horses along snow covered Lincoln Avenue. Races include street slalom, donkey jumps, the dog and dad dashes, and the shovel races. The horse events are for children ages 6-14; there are also non-horse events for ages 1-14.  Pre-registration required promptly on  January 31 at 10 a.m. Participants may only register for one horse event during the weekend. Spectators: Don’t forget your Winter Carnival button!

SUNDAY, February 9
9-9:35 a.m. – Street Slalom, 6-9 years
9:35-9:45 a.m. – 25yd Dog Dash, 0-5 years
9:45-9:55 a.m. – 25yd Dad Dash, 0-5 years
9:55-10:30 a.m. – Donkey Jump, 10-14 years
10:30-10:35 a.m. – Shovel Race, 18+
11 a.m. – Diamond Hitch Parade begins *Events that require advance registration. Start Times are approximate

10:30-11:15 a.m. GIANT SKI RACE FINALS
(Downtown Lincoln Avenue)
Grab friends and family and give the Winter Carnival Giant Ski Race a try. Each team of six people races head-to-head against another team on a pair of 25-foot-long Giant Skis downtown up Lincoln Avenue. The event is huge fun for both participants and spectators. A pair of Giant Skis is provided to each team at the start. Team costumes required. The Giant Ski Race is a collaboration between Colorado Mountain College and Steamboat Springs High School. Both schools will build the skis as part of a class.

11:30 a.m.  DIAMOND HITCH PARADE (after Street Events)
(Downtown Lincoln Avenue)
The diamond hitch consists of at least four skiers. The skiers hold on to points of a rope tied in the shape of one or more diamonds. Animals, people or vehicles may pull the skiers down the snow-filled streets. Anyone is welcome to enter the parade. The famous Steamboat Springs High School Ski Band will be playing in the parade. Pre-registration is required; deadline is February 5 at 6 p.m.  Registration opens December 15, registration will open January 16, 2025.

1 – 2 p.m.  PRO ALPINE SKI JUMPING FINALS
(By Qualification, Howelsen Hill, Downtown off of 5th)
This is a must-see ski jumping event, with qualifying participants launching off of the 100-meter jump again on alpine skis and boots rather than the usual ski jumping equipment. Watch as the jumpers try to break the hill record. For more information, contact Pat Arnone at 970-734- 8966; $100 entry fee.

Street Event Descriptions

HORSE EVENTS

Ski Joring (Ages 6 – 9 and 10 – 14): Contestants with skis will race a flat course down the street while being pulled by a horse. The fastest time wins.

Street Slalom Ages 6 – 9 and 10 – 14): Contestants with skis will ski a slalom course through a series of cones while being pulled by a horse down the street. Fastest time wins. Anyone missing a cone or falling during the performance will be disqualified.

Donkey Jump (Ages 6 – 9 and 10 – 14): Contestant will attempt to jump off a 2-foot ramp while being pulled on skis by a horse down main street. Longest distance while maintaining a standing position wins.

Shovel Race (Ages 18 and over): Contestants will situate themselves in a shovel of any type and while being pulled by a horse, will race a flat course down the street. Fastest time wins. Anyone falling off the shovel during performance will be disqualified.

NON-HORSE EVENTS

Waivers must be signed by participants or their guardian the day of the event at the start line.

25 Yard Dog and Dad Dash
(Ages 5 and under) Children 5 years old and younger compete against one another while being pulled in a sled or toboggan (no metal runners allowed) by the family dog. All dogs must be leashed and led by the parent/dog owner during the dash. Following the dog competition will be the Dad Dash with Dad on all fours pulling the child. First one over the finish line wins.

3-Legged Race (Ages 5 – 8 and 9-11) Two people on skis tie legs together (ties provided) and race to finish line. The first pair over the finish line wins.

Obstacle Course (Ages 4-6, 7-10, and 11-14) Contestants on skis maneuver around a variety of obstacles and then make a straight dash to the finish line. First one over the finish line wins.

25-, 50-, and 75 Yard Dashes 25 Yard Dash for ages 3-5 years, 50 Yard Dash for 6-8 years and 75 Yard Dash for 9-11 years all on skis.

  Street Event Rules

• Contestants must have read through the waiver statement and signed the release.
• Pre-registration is mandatory for all horse events.
• Contestants must wear goggles and a helmet (cycling or ski racing helmet is sufficient)
• Contestants may enter only one (1) Horse Event per day.
• Contestants may sign up only for events for which they are the designated age.
• Contestants must have a Winter Carnival Button – available at the Winter Sports Club Offices, participating downtown merchants, and the Chamber Visitor Center
• Shovel Race contestants must provide their own shovel.
• Shovel Race contestants must wear a protective helmet.

(This graphic is larger and easier to see at the bottom of this post.)

112^th Winter Carnival Rides Into Steamboat Springs Feb 4-9

Street Closures & Traffic Detours In Effect Over Festival Weekend

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO–January 29, 2025-The 112^th Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival stampedes into the Yampa Valley between February 4-9 and the city will be utilizing the circular detour plan to serve US40 thru-traffic, enhance emergency access, and improve traffic circulation over the festive weekend.

The detour will use a circular configuration that sees US40 eastbound traffic diverted onto Yampa Street and US40 westbound traffic onto Oak Street.

“This plan has served the community well in previous events where Lincoln is closed,” said Police Chief Mark Beckett. “I want to stress it again so the community understands well in advance that motorist using the emergency lane, alleyways or disregarding traffic control will be cited.”

Starting early Saturday morning, westbound traffic will turn right on 5^th St, then left onto Oak St before continuing down to 11^th St and US40. In addition, motorists looking to access Howelsen Hill from Lincoln will not be able to turn left at 5^th Street or access 5^th St from the alley between 3^rd to 5^th. Individuals will need to follow the circular detour or use River Road. Eastbound traffic will turn right at 11^th St, then left onto Yampa St. Traffic will travel the six-blocks down Yampa to 5^th St before returning US40/Lincoln Ave.

Parking along the southside of Oak and northside of Yampa will be prohibited for the weekend and additional parking closures may be implemented at key intersections. These areas will be coned with no parking signage and violators will be subject to citations and towing. Motorists who violate a detour barricade or use the emergency lane could see a $120 fine for disregarding a traffic control device.

Individuals looking to access neighborhoods north of downtown should utilize 3^rd, 4^th, and 12^th Streets. Residential side streets approaching Oak between 5^th and 11^th will not be permitted to turn left on Oak but will need to follow the circular route. The city is asking lodging shuttles to use the parking lot at 3^rd & Oak for drop off and pick up during the street events closure.

The detour plan goes into effect starting Saturday, Feb 8 at 2 a.m. and runs through the conclusion of the street events. The following morning, Sunday, Feb 9, the closure/detour begins at 4 a.m. and runs through around 2 p.m. At the conclusion of the street events, crews will plow the snow to the parking lanes and SSPD will reopen Lincoln Ave. Keep in mind that on-street parking along Lincoln Avenue will not be available after the street events on Saturday due to snow storage.

Similar to Halloween, SST will take advantage of the emergency lane during the closure to keep buses rolling. Temporary bus stops for eastbound Steamboat Springs Transit (SST) routes will be on Oak at 10^th, 9^th, 7^th & 6^th. Westbound SST routes will use stops on 6^th, 7^th, 9^th & 10^th on Yampa St. Buses will return to normal operations when Lincoln Avenue/US40 reopens after the event. The revised transit flow permits passengers to exit the bus on the curb and safely away from traffic. Extra buses will be running on both ends of town to assist getting people into and out of downtown.

In addition, the city will provide free skiing at Howelsen Hill, enact closures to trails on Emerald Mountain, provide additional SST event service and a specific night extravaganza show traffic plan.

SKI FREE & Tube Discounts at Howelsen Hill – February 4-9, 2025

The ski area will be open normal operating hours during Winter Carnival. Your Winter Carnival button/buff provides access to a free lift ticket to ski at Howelsen Hill during Winter Carnival from February 4-9. Lift ticket must be obtained from the Ticket Office prior to accessing the slopes. One lift ticket per button/buff per day. Tube Howelsen is also offering $5 off all one-hour reservations from Feb. 4-9 with carnival button/buff. Enter the code WC2025 at time of online checkout to access this screaming Winter Carnival deal.

Emerald Mountain – February 8, 2025

All trails that access Emerald Mountain including Blackmer Trail will be closed for public safety from 4pm until 9pm on Saturday, Feb. 8, as crews set up and launch fireworks for the Night Extravaganza. Please respect all closures and understand that additional trail closures may be required prior to Saturday.

SST Service – February 8 and 9, 2025

SST will operate additional service during the street events and continuous service following the Night Extravaganza on Saturday, February 8 and during the day on Sunday, February 9. Extra unscheduled buses will run on Saturday during normal scheduled hours to transport people to and from the festivities. View buses in real-time via steamboatsprings.net/sst.

Howelsen Hill Traffic & Parking – Night Extravaganza, February 8, 2025

Howelsen Hill base area parking typically fills to capacity early for the Night Extravaganza and overflow parking will be available at the rodeo grounds/ice arena as space permits. ADA parking is limited at the Howelsen Lodge and some ADA spaces will be set up at the tennis courts. Parking is not permitted along Howelsen Parkway or River Road and illegally parked vehicles will be tickets and/or towed.

Once the Howelsen parking lots are full, Howelsen Parkway will be CLOSED to incoming traffic except for ADA access and emergency vehicles. At that time, traffic may be diverted into the Rodeo Arena featuring a drop-off area as well as additional parking. Vehicles will exit the rodeo grounds via the Ice Arena. All traffic crossing the 5^th Street Bridge toward Howelsen Hill is requested to take River Road instead of returning to downtown.

The 9^th Street Pedestrian Bridge will see periodic closures due to crowd volumes. Individuals will not be able to stand on the pedestrian bridge to watch the fireworks show. Even with additional snow removal and scoria, the footpath will be slick, and people should have proper winter footwear and use caution.

After the fireworks, vehicles departing Howelsen Hill will be directed down River Road to where it intersects with Mt. Werner Road. The 5^th Street Bridge will have intermittent closures and Howelsen Parkway will be closed westbound between the Ice Arena and the 5^th Street Bridge. Ski area venue vehicle traffic will be held until pedestrians dissipate. There will be no left turns permitted out of the Howelsen Ice Arena parking lot. Motorists are asked to follow traffic directions and signals, yield to city buses and refrain from blocking intersections or railway crossings.

Due to the high volume of spectators, please be patient, alert and follow police and traffic control directions. It’s recommended that pedestrians use a headlamp, flashlight, and glow sticks to be visible by motorists. Designated routes, which may not be your preferred way home, will be used to aid in maintaining egress from the venue during this popular event.

Additional parking is available throughout the downtown area during the night show, at the Steamboat Springs High School and the Stockbridge Transit Center. Please respect residential access and do not block driveways. It is highly recommended that people walk, take the free SST bus, or utilize drop off/pick up locations at the west end of Yampa and Oak Streets to access the venue.

–WeServeTheCity–

Winter Carnival Memories Podcasts

• Loris Werner
• Moose Barrows
• Johnny Spillane
• Tom Whiddon
• Bobby Yeager
• Bob Dapper
• Blair Seymour
• Candice Bannister
• Tim Borden
• Tammie Bowes Delaney
• PJ Wharton
• Erin Gilbertson Davis and Jim Temple

From the Tread of Pioneers Museum

“How did Winter Carnival begin?”

• Discovered by local Marjorie Perry in Hot Sulphur Springs at their Winter Carnival, Norwegian ski jumping pioneer Carl Howelsen started the first Steamboat Winter Carnival events in 1914 on Woodchuck Hill, the present site of Colorado Mountain College. The first Carnival introduced ski jumping and competitive skiing to the people of Steamboat Springs. Until then, local skiing was primarily a mode of winter transportation.
• Officials estimated that 1,500 to 2,000 people gathered to watch a simultaneous jump by Carl Howelsen and James Pestrud that first year. The events were so popular that residents decided Winter Carnival should return annually.
• The mid-winter Carnival also serves as a fundraiser for the renowned Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. The club founded by Carl Howelsen continues to train and develop Steamboat’s talented athletes, and prepare them to succeed in life.

Over the years, some events have turned into longstanding traditions, while others were short-lived:

• In the past, the penalty for being spotted without a Winter Carnival Button was to push a peanut down Lincoln Avenue using your nose.
• In 1977, three Lighted Men skied down Howelsen Hill in the Night Show.
• The High School Marching Band first performed on skis in 1935.
• In 1920, two enterprising ranchers created “hub-mobiles” – sleds mounted with six-foot airplane propellers – and raced them down Lincoln Avenue.
• In 1921, one of the prizes awarded to winning amateur ski jumpers was a 20 lb. bucket of lard. Other practical prizes of the past included a wheel of cheese.
• Accommodating the surge in visitors for Winter Carnival in the early days posed some challenges. In 1959, a newspaper article promised visitors would have room to sleep in Steamboat’s schools, vacant storefronts, and the county’s equipment storage shop. Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver loaned 200 cots and 400 blankets to help fill the need. (Hey, it’s not the Airbnbs of today, but it was a way to attend Winter Carnival!)
• Longtime South Routt residents and historians Ellen and Paul Bonnifield remember the mid-1980s: “At that time, many ranchers still fed with feed teams and sleds during the winter, and several “team pulls” were held throughout the county and at the Fair. Paul put together a feed team contest in the rodeo arena for the Carnival. Bob Gay, as one judge, set the rules…”
• Then, in 2020, who can forget: “The skies over Steamboat Springs, Colorado, erupted in red as the world’s largest firework launched Saturday night at the city’s annual Winter Carnival. The firework shell weighed almost 2,800 pounds, about the weight of a Toyota Corolla, and was 62 inches – a little more than five feet – in diameter.” CNN.com

By looking back on Carnivals of the past, we can appreciate and celebrate this town, its traditions, and the community members who make Winter Carnival the best winter celebration in the nation.

Sources: The Steamboat Pilot archives, The History of Skiing at Steamboat Springs by Sureva Towler, and The Flying Norseman by Leif Howelsen