Steamboat Resort has a wide variety of terrain to accommodate beginner skiers and riders as well as experts seeking out more extreme terrain. It’s a great mountain for families with young kids or for a group of advanced skiers and riders alike. Somewhere in between the two is terrain for both, which comes in the form of a blue square.

With a five year-old and an eight year-old, I find that I currently spend more time on some of Steamboat’s blue runs when we ski together as a family. Accessible from Thunderhead Express, the Gondola, Storm Peak Express, Morningside Lift, Sundown Express, Sunshine Express and Four Points Lift (depending on the trail), here is my list of Steamboat’s Top Ten Blue Runs:

  1. Quickdraw
  2. Rainbow to Moonlight
  3. Buddy’s Run
  4. Flintlock
  5. Vagabond
  6. Heavenly Daze
  7. High Noon
  8. Sunshine Lift Line
  9. Over Easy
  10. Lower Concentration

The photos below were not taken today but do capture some of my top ten blue runs in Steamboat on a groomer day. With a lack of recent snowfall, sticking to these groomed runs is highly recommended at the moment, as is perfecting your snow dance. While Steamboat still has a solid base and these blue runs are still in great shape, a powder day or two (or more) is certainly something we’re all hoping for.

Blue Runs
1. Quickdraw has a great flow to it as it narrows into a bit of a gully on Sunshine Peak. Usually it’s never crowded and is a great place to cruise with your friends or practice turns with your kids.
Blue Runs
2. Rainbow (upper) offers wide valley views and smooth, open terrain. It also gives you a chance to practice a little bit steeper blue terrain right before it meets up with the “Rainbow Saddle” where you veer left to ski or ride Moonlight.
Blue Runs
Moonlight follows the sun and leads you back down to Sundown Express or Elkhead Express.
Blue Runs
3. Buddy’s Run is a quintessential Steamboat blue, named after Buddy Werner himself (you’ll find his statue at the top of the run). The top and lower portions of the run offer more steepness and the middle section opens up into flowing terrain with scenic valley views.
Blue Runs
4. Located off Sunshine Peak, Flintlock opens up into a gorgeous and serene meadow that feels like one of Steamboat’s best kept secrets.
Blue Runs
5. Vagabond has several rolling pitches from the top of Thunderhead Express before it opens up into a wide run after the teepee.
Blue Runs
7. High Noon takes you towards Rendezvous Lodge and has expansive views towards the Flattop Mountains. It can be a popular run, but without the crowds, it is definitely a favorite blue.

Steamboat’s blue runs offer a challenge to beginner/intermediate skiers and riders while still providing fun, smooth and fast turns for the more advanced. If you enjoy skiing blue runs at Steamboat Resort, these top ten are always groomed and are a must in my book!

Ski and ride with care and have a great day on the mountain!

Erin Campbell, Alpine Skier & Snowboarder

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