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Spectacular Ski Destination Steamboat Cowboy Lodge Lists For Sale

MustSeeTop 10 Florida Condos For Sale

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.

Utah’s Zion National Park Has Otherworldly Landscape

Another superb travel spotlight via our friends at ShareAmerica.

With massive, towering cliffs and deep canyons, Zion National Park consistently ranks as one of America’s most popular spots for outdoor adventure. Designated as a U.S. national park in 1919, Zion, in southwestern Utah and two hours from Las Vegas, now attracts 5 million visitors annually.

Tallest Sandstone Walls In the World

They come for red-and-white sandstone walls, among the tallest in the world, that soar to heights of 2,000 to 3,000 feet (609 to 914 meters) above the canyon floor. Zion’s immense scale and dramatic rock formations lead many to describe the park in spiritual terms. Mormon pioneers who arrived at the canyon in the 1800s gave it the biblical name Zion, meaning “sanctuary” or “refuge.”

Sandstone walls, wildlife and trails

Hikers will find numerous trails, from the near-effortless to the very challenging. Less difficult hikes like the Pa’rus, Riverside Walk and Canyon Overlook provide stunning views and the chance to spot wildlife, including bighorn sheep and mule deer. The more challenging Angels Landing offers panoramic views of Zion’s iconic cliffs, including the Court of the Patriarchs, composed of three biblically named peaks: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Hiking Amazement

Hiking The Narrows trail is a signature Zion adventure. Hikers tread upriver in shallow water into a gorge with soaring cliff walls 1,000 feet (300 meters) high. Boots and hiking poles can help navigate the rocky riverbed. The Narrows is most popular in June through September, when the water is warm and river levels are low.

Another sightseeing option is the Zion Canyon Shuttle , which takes visitors from one scenic spot to the next. The shuttle operates March through November or December and is the only way to access Zion’s Emerald Pools trails, which feature waterfalls and hanging gardens.

Guided tours on horseback are available for those seeking an authentic Western experience. Zion’s Nature Center offers programs for families, including an interactive exhibit where children can explore the park’s geology, history and wildlife.

Stargazing and nature photography

Certified as an International Dark Sky Park, Zion’s high elevation and minimal light pollution make it a premier spot for stargazing and astrophotography. Expect clear nighttime views of the Milky Way, planets and distant galaxies, but bundle up because temperatures drop after sunset.

Nature photography is a Zion favorite at any time of day. The National Park Service recommends taking advantage of nature’s golden hours at sunrise and sunset to capture the changing light on the park’s vivid red cliffs.

Rocky mountains (National Archives/Ansel Adams)
Ansel Adams photographed the Court of the Patriarchs in Zion National Park during the early 1940s. (National Archives/Ansel Adams)

Ansel Adams documented Zion on numerous visits to the park. A series of the legendary photographer’s black-and-white images of Zion taken in 1941 and 1942 are held at the U.S. National Archives, and several can be viewed online . Adams’ photographs are still enticing visitors to experience the rugged beauty of Zion National Park.

For the Silo, Lauren Monsen/ Share America.

Featured image- Margaret Wiktor/Shutterstock.