Steamboat Stories: Jo Semotan, Lifelong Steamboat Local

Jo Semotan, lifelong Steamboat local, shares her story of how the famous Barn Poster was shot. It was a beautiful day, spring of 1972, and fresh snow had fallen overnight. Jo was responsible for getting the riders and horses to the More Barn for the photoshoot. Her best friend Rusty Chandler, a ski instructor, happened to be available but she couldn’t find a woman to ride the horse because most of the female ski Instructors were ranchers and it was calving season. Jo decided she would ride the horse. The photographer, Gerald Brimacombe with Wilson and Graik Creative Agency, was on skis below the two horseback riders. The rest is history. A deeper dive into the story behind the Barn Poster can be found here- A Steamboat Springs Moment Frozen in Time published on Steamboat Magazine’s website.

To help celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Steamboat Resort, we have compiled stories of people who have shaped the mountain from its humble beginnings to the resort of today, sharing their deep roots, traditions, and memories.

If you would like to add your own stories and memories of Steamboat, please tag your social media posts with #steamboat60.