By Shannon Lukens for Steamboat Radio/Blizzard Broadcasting.
Steamboat Resort is adjusting to the lower snowpack this season. Rumors in the community have been of layoffs due to the reduced terrain. The mountain is at 75% open right now.
President and Chief Operating Officer Dave Hunter spoke during public comment this week, at the Steamboat Springs City Council meeting.
“The reality is we have 75% of our terrain open, which means we are not operating at the level in which we recruited and staffed to back in the fall. Our primary focus is protecting hours for our full-time employees, which meant reducing hours for some seasonal and part-time employees. And that is super difficult to do.”
Director of Communications for the resort, Maren Franciosi, confirmed that there are not layoffs but a reduction in hours for part-time and seasonal staff at the ski area, in several departments. No one is losing benefits, employee ski passes or employee housing. And employees are getting support with well-being programs like free meals.
“We’re going to continue to manage our business and as needed, and we will hopefully see more snowfall head our way.”
More on the Story — Steamboat Resort responds to layoff rumors due to a low snow year
Steamboat Springs Police have cited a person whose off-leash dog allegedly bit five people in separate encounters on Jan. 21. It was on Blackmer Trail, adjacent to the Howelsen Hill ski area. Police Chief Mark Beckett wants to remind residents of the leash laws, that you have to have your dog on a leash where leashes are required. Dogs are also not allowed on ski-only trails at Howelsen Hill.
More on the Story — Dog bites five people on Blackmer Trail, according to SSPD
Keep your homes and vehicles secure. The Routt County Sheriff’s Office says there have been three reports of residential burglaries since October. Items taken include personal valuables as in cash, jewelry and precious metals. Steamboat Springs Police reports one recent burglary.
2025 Property Tax Notices have been issued for Routt and Moffat County property owners. Payments can be made online, in the mail, or in person. Half payment due dates are Feb. 28 and June 15. Full payments are due April 30.
Link to Routt County Online Payments
Link to Moffat County Website Payments
Tonight are opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympic Games which will last 17 days. There are now 13 alumni from Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club who are competing at the games. Eight are first-time Olympians bringing the total number of Steamboat Olympians who have trained with SSWSC to 108.
More on the Story — U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team announces Olympic athletes for the 2026 games
Opening ceremonies will be playing at The Depot Art Center, during First Friday Artwalk tonight. Olympic Gold Medalist Deb Armstrong is presenting “Changing Lenses,” with her art on display. That starts at 5 p.m.
Also starting today, Steamboat Resort is hosting the Para Snowboard World Cup, through Feb. 10.
Kids from Soda Creek Elementary walked over to Howelsen Hill Thursday morning to celebrate the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. Local past Olympians were there to answer questions that the kids had prepared.
It’s the 113th Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival this week. The Soda Pop Slalom is this morning. The Johnsie Memorial Dual Slalom Bike Race is tonight, also at Howelsen Hill.
Saturday and Sunday are the street events on Lincoln Avenue in downtown Steamboat Springs. The Veterans Center at 924 Lincoln Ave. will be open for hot chocolate and hot apple cider.
Saturday night is the Night Extravaganza at Howelsen Hill, presented by Yampa Valley Bank. It starts around 7:30 p.m. Plan on parking and walking.
Or you can watch the Lighted Man, fireworks, and all the fun from the CMC campus, where the Alpine Ski Team is hosting a fundraising Skigles Soiree. Link to the Facebook Event
Then Sunday, after the last shovel racer rides down Lincoln, it’s the Diamond Hitch Parade, around 11 a.m.
There will be a singing Flash Mob. You can learn the song and find out more about joining the fun at KPERFORM.com
The full schedule of all events and activities is on our website. That includes traffic detours and closures you can expect this weekend for Winter Carnival.
More on the Story — 113th Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival is Feb. 3-8
Then, it is Super Bowl Sunday, with the Seattle Seahawks playing the New England Patriots at 4:30 p.m. Colorado State Patrol will be out there with The Heat Is On Super Bowl Weekend DUI enforcement.
Also on Saturday in Moffat County, the library in Craig is hosting a Sled Dog Presentation at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7. Amateur musher Jeff Allen will be there talking about how sled dogs are trained and what it’s like to run a sled dog team.
Yampa Valley Fiberworks is hosting a Day of Kindness, with a bonfire, with popcorn and hot cocoa, friendship bracelets, and lots of animals. It’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Yampa Valley Fiberworks, 41180 N. Highway 13, north of Craig in Moffat County.
For more details, contact yampavalleyfiberworks@gmail.com or call 970-824-9568.
In high school sports…
The Moffat County Boys Basketball team has away games in Aspen tonight, with home games against Summit on Saturday. The girls are at 12:30 tomorrow and the boys play at 2 p.m.
The Hayden Girls Basketball team hosts North Park at 4 p.m. today, in Hayden.
The SoRoCo Rams basketball teams are at Vail Mountain today and DeBeque tomorrow.
The SoRoCo Girls wrestling team is at Gunnison today.
Both the boys and girls wrestling teams from SoRoCo, Steamboat, and Moffat County are competing at a tournament in Meeker Saturday.
Also Saturday, the Sailors boys basketball team has a 2 p.m. home game against Aspen.
Saturday night the Steamboat Sailors Hockey Team hosts Glenwood Springs at 5:45 p.m. at Howelsen Ice Arena. Listen on KTYV 105.7 and 97.7 Sports on FM. and watch through the Steamboat Radio You Tube channel.