A family-friendly ski resort nestled in a family-friendly community, Steamboat Resort boasts a variety of on-mountain family-friendly activities. From ice skating to night skiing to free hot chocolate after a ski day and more, there is a little something for every family to enjoy.

The centerpiece of Steamboat Square, Skeeter’s Ice Rink, provides free skating to the public with their own skates. For those without their own skates, Steamboat Resort rents both hockey and figure skates onsite. A festively fun winter activity with food and drink located at the adjacent Range Food & Drink Hall, ice skating in Steamboat Square is fun for all ages. Also fun for all ages and a great evening activity is night skiing at Steamboat Resort. With five trails open to accommodate all levels of skiers and riders, Christie Peak Express provides 1,100 vertical feet of terrain under state-of-the-art Ultra Tech™ Lighting. Catching the last light of the day and watching the sunset glow fade into a night sky decorated with stars, all while skiing with your family, certainly makes for a magical Steamboat night.

For those families skiing and riding together at Steamboat Resort, there are some special and unique opportunities not to miss. First off, the Wrangler Carpet, located between Slopeside Grill and T Bar at the base area, is the perfect spot to get your child on skis or a snowboard for the first time. While most carpets and terrain at Greenhorn Ranch are for Steamboat’s Snowsports School participants only, this small magic carpet is open to anyone. Once your family is ready to explore more terrain, Why Not is an iconic family-friendly run, complete with educational signs about native fauna along Steamboat Resort’s longest run. And located about halfway down Why Not is a teepee and picnic tables, perfect for a snack break with a little western flair.

Once the Wrangler Carpet and Why Not have both been mastered, Rough Rider trail in the Greenhorn Ranch area allows guests to ski through various western-themed buildings, which is always a favorite for kids. While most of Greenhorn Ranch is only for Steamboat Snowsports School, anyone can ride the Greenhorn Ranch Express and enjoy skiing or riding down the Rough Rider trail.

Families comfortable on blue runs and starting to ski in Steamboat’s more mellow trees can enjoy the Sunshine Olympian Trail located to the skier’s right of Quickdraw in the Sunshine Peak area for educational fun for all ages. Ski or ride from sign to sign through this treed course to learn more about some of Steamboat’s famed winter Olympians. Having produced more winter Olympians than any other town in the U.S.A., Steamboat certainly has some Olympic stories to tell.

After a fun-filled family ski day at Steamboat Resort, make sure to grab some free hot chocolate starting at 3 p.m. in Steamboat Square, just to the left of the escalators. Look for the old chuckwagon and don’t miss out on the Champagne Powder® donut holes as well. Along with the chuckwagon and often scattered around Steamboat Square are Steamboat’s red wagons for hauling young kids and/or gear. Certainly fitting with Steamboat’s longtime western heritage, these red wagons make transporting kids and gear much easier, but make sure to leave them at the clearly marked stopping points in and around Steamboat Square.

While skiing and riding is the focus at Steamboat Resort, there are several options for non-skiers as well. Scenic gondola rides are available on both the Steamboat Gondola and Wild Blue Gondola, whisking you up to higher elevations with stunning views. At the top of the Steamboat Gondola sits Thunderhead Lodge where various food and drink options await, while the Wild Blue Gondola offers an incredibly scenic ride to Sunshine Peak where gorgeous views are the attraction. Also at the top of the Steamboat Gondola are several snowshoeing routes allowing you to access either Four Points Lodge or Rendezvous Lodge while enjoying the beauty of upper mountain on something other than skis or a snowboard.

And regardless of your activity of choice on the mountain, Steamboat Resort hosts free concerts in Steamboat Square on Saturdays beginning in March and lasting through the end of the season. Fun for all ages and a great way to cap off an awesome day on the mountain, these free concerts are quite popular. Snag a spot at Timber & Torch’s deck or upstairs at The Range Food and Drink Hall’s outdoor seating area where kids can be a bit more contained.

Whatever the day holds, whether it be on skis, a snowboard, snowshoes or foot, Steamboat Resort offers family fun for everyone!