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Steamboat Springs, Colorado, has the unusual distinction of being both an old-fashioned ranching town and one of North America’s great ski destinations. The area was long used by the Yampatika Ute, who valued its mineral springs, before homesteader James Crawford established a permanent settlement in the 1870s. The town’s name is said to have been inspired by the chugging sound of a hot spring, which early trappers mistook for a steamboat.
Famously known as “Ski Town, U.S.A.,” Steamboat has a remarkable Olympic legacy, with hometown champions including Billy Kidd and Buddy Werner. The skiing tradition dates back to 1913, when Norwegian ski jumper and circus performer Carl Howelsen arrived and introduced the sport to the community. His influence helped establish Steamboat as a center for competitive skiing, and the town has since sent more Winter Olympians to the Games than any other in the U.S. Howelsen Hill, named for its pioneering founder, remains Colorado’s oldest continuously operating ski area.
The opportunity to own one of the legendary town’s most spectacular homes presents itself with the listing of Cowboy Lodge for $13.95 million.
Completed in 2009 after six years of construction, the 11,317-square-foot residence was conceived as a legacy estate rather than a typical luxury home, combining a rustic aesthetic with high-end finishes and meticulous attention to detail. Its exterior is built from locally sourced boulders that had naturally weathered for decades before being individually anchored into place. Inside, massive stone walls, reclaimed timber beams, handcrafted ironwork and soaring expanses of glass give the house the character of a grand mountain lodge with the scale and detailing of a European manor.
The craftsmanship continues in some decidedly unconventional details. Reclaimed chairlift cables are incorporated into interior stair railings, exterior deck railings and even the custom refrigerator handles, a nod to Steamboat’s long skiing history. In the chef’s kitchen, a custom range hood rises more than 20 feet through a skylit shaft, bringing natural light down into the room.
The three-story home is served by an elevator and was designed with everyday living in mind. Both of the primary suites are located on the main floor, along with the principal living spaces. Elsewhere are four additional bedrooms, a private theater, game room, fitness center, three laundry rooms and a temperature-controlled wine cellar with room for more than 2,000 bottles. An indoor shooting range, hot tub and expansive entertaining deck add to the property’s epic list of amenities.
Walls of glass throughout the house keep the surrounding landscape front and center, with views extending across the Steamboat Ski Base, Emerald Mountain, the Yampa Valley and the Flat Tops. And beyond the views, the gondola itself is part of the experience: the residence sits directly beside the Steamboat Gondola, putting skiing, hiking, mountain biking, restaurants and the base area within easy reach. Celebrity neighbors include South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Steamboat Cowboy Lodge is listed by Icon Global in association with Slifer, Smith & Frampton. Bernard Uechtritz is the founder and owner of Icon Global and has an alliance with Amase (amasestays.com). Icon Global is responsible for marketing the Amasestays.com portfolio of luxury destinations globally, as well as acquisitions and occasional divestments (such as Steamboat Cowboy Lodge marketing and sale).
Source: www.icon.global
For the Silo, Kimberly Ridley.
There’s a reason why Val d’Isere, at 1,850 meters, continues to be the top choice of European skiers each winter. It offers the perfect blend of challenging ski terrain for advanced skiers and learner-friendly beginners zones for those new to the snow. The resort center is lined with high-end shops, lively après-ski bars and fantastic restaurants, all housed within beautiful, stone-clad buildings.
The diversity on offer in Chamonix these days makes it impossible to review the whole resort as one destination. At 950 meters, Les Houches is one of the closest resorts to Geneva Airport and offers kilometer after kilometer of tree-lined skiing, making it the perfect destination for families and beginners. The resort center has a village feel and is an outstanding spot from which to take in the incredible views.
While the ski area between Klosters (at 1,179 meters) and Davos offers lots to explore, Klosters is without doubt the more attractive base for your ski holiday. The village center is charming and affluent, but with a relaxed vibe, while the trails are popular with advanced skiers enjoying an abundance of easily accessible off-piste in the area.
A resort that’s been quietly minding its own business for years, Les Gets, at 1,200 meters, is now developing into a chic, family-orientated resort that offers quick and easy access to the 650-kilometer Portes du Soleil ski area. Several piste-side restaurants offer views of Mont Blanc so it’s easy to find a sunny spot on which to enjoy an après tipple or two.
There’s one thing that makes these two interconnected resorts stand out, and it may not be for everyone. Crans, at 1,500 meters, and its neighbour Montana are not villages; although right on the edge of a great ski area, they’re most definitely towns with a very urban feel. This is a very sunny spot in which to base yourself and there’s varied terrain to suit all ability levels.
We love La Rosière, at 1,850 meters, not just because of its high elevation and snow certainty. The ski area offers two great experiences for the price of one when you cross over the Petit St Bernard pass into Italy. Wide pistes descend for kilometers into La Thuile over the border and getting back is no hassle at all. The main village is quiet but well stocked, and the views are exceptional.
Italian ski resorts are always authentic, traditional and charming, and Campiglio, at 1,550 meters, is no different. The car-free resort huddles on the valley floor and the center is stylish with several chic shops. The ski area spreads over 150 kilometers, and there have been several lift upgrades over recent years, making it quick and easy for you to cover a considerable distance on skis each day.
Rebranded way back in 2011 to recognize the differences between its more blingy neighbor higher up the valley, Courchevel 1650 is now an attractive, unpretentious resort with a stack of new facilities, including Aquamotion, a huge center for water sports that opened in December 2015. And let’s not forget: On your doorstep you’ll find the largest linked ski area in the world. The 600 kilometers of the 3 Valleys network never disappoint.
Seasoned skiers, this one’s for you. At 1,563 meters, Selva serves up challenging ski terrain on both sides of a valley, accessed by both gondolas and quick chair lifts. The village center is packed with charm and character and there’s also a collection of well-maintained beginner slopes and progressive tree-lined runs enjoyed by families.
No list of top 10 ski resorts is complete without mentioning Norway and the town of Geilo, at 800 meters. It is one of the country’s most popular resorts. It’s a small, well-equipped town that’s invested heavily in new runs, new lifts and new facilities. Between January and April you can also ski until 8pm on flood-lit slopes. Photo Credit: Geilo, Norway
