Each Steamboat Resort uniform tells a unique story. From the iconic Steamboat Flag to the Ski Town USA patch, each piece of gear symbolizes the values we uphold and the experiences we cherish.

In fact, Steamboat uniforms are so highly regarded that employees, guests, and locals alike have, at one point or another, inquired about getting one for themselves. While resort uniforms cannot be distributed or sold to ensure safety on our mountain, we hear and understand that each of these uniforms is so highly valued. In response to the outpouring of appreciation we receive each year from guests and employees around our uniforms, we wanted to share how we are working to reduce landfill waste and ensure our uniforms can continue their unique story well into the future.

Some uniforms, over time, receive so much wear that they become damaged. Others have held up so well over time that they must be replaced to ensure consistency. As we approach closing day, Steamboat is gearing up to retire used and damaged uniforms.

Uniform Reuse:

Uniforms that have outlasted damaged ones are donated to the NSAA Sharing Warmth Around the Globe (SWAG) program. The SWAG program collects and distributes retired winter resort uniforms to people in overseas countries who desperately need something warm to wear during the cold winter months.

Each year, as the resort packages up undamaged retired gear to send to SWAG, we celebrate the fact that these uniforms get to continue their story in the hands of another loving owner.

Uniform Upcycling:

New this year, Steamboat is thrilled to announce our partnership with ReFleece to upcycle and recover fabric from our damaged uniforms.

ReFleece’s process converts pre- and post-consumer outdoor garments into unique upcycled products: from tablet cases, to bucket hats, to totes, to wallets.

Once retired uniforms are received, ReFleece sorts by brand, material, and color. Garments are then flat cut, cleaned, and die cut into sewing patterns, with all excess fabric being sent to a fabric recycler. Finally, recovered fabric is sewn or pressed into a finished product.

In addition to our fabrics receiving new life as an upcycled product, Steamboat is also excited to work with ReFleece to create some incredible and unique Steamboat swag to sell out of our retail storefronts. Keep an eye out for these products during the 25/26 ski season to see the creative ways we are giving retired uniforms new life. Whether it’s recycling our uniform material for new products, or providing the gear to those in need, this is just one of the many ways we’re continuing to Do Good in our community and beyond.