- Pictures -
.
Steamboat Trip Report -2006
By Louis Sclafani
.
On behalf of co-trip leader Jennifer England and myself let me say this was a successful trip because no one reported any injuries and everyone made it home safe and sound.

On March 25th the Clearwater/St. Pete Ski and Sports Club headed to Steamboat Springs, Colorado also known as Ski Town USA for our last trip of the year. This happened to be during Pinellas County Schools spring break, and as a result a total of 85 SnowSharks made the trip.

Although we were booked on several different air flights, the majority flew out on Delta early on the 25th followed by the balance on American later that day. Both groups flew into the Yampa Valley Airport in Hayden Colorado, only a short 25 minute bus ride from the Steamboat Springs resort area. We stayed at 3 different resort properties including Storm Meadows Condos, The Village at Steamboat and Ski Time Square Condos. All were very nice and offered various amenities.

Most arrived early enough to pick up their rentals at Breeze Max and place them in storage for an early start on Sunday morning. Before the mountain even opened Sunday morning a strong snow storm blew into town. Still being on East Coast time most of us were awake as the 45mph winds howled and blew fresh snow into our area. By the time the slopes opened at 8:30 a.m. many of us were on the mountain trying to ski in the gusty/snowy conditions and sometimes white out conditions. This was the hardest day of the week to ski and enjoy Steamboat, but the conditions the rest of the week more than made up for it. This was also the first day for at least 15 of us young and old kids alike to take a lesson to either learn how or to improve our skiing.

Monday brought blue bird skies and warm weather melting most of yesterdays 5 inches and more away. In fact it was so nice that at least one of the trip leaders who will not be mentioned here (although he did write this report) dutifully skied in shorts to enjoy the spring time conditions. It would be Friday before this feat could even be considered again.

Monday night most everyone made it to the base area for a night of tubing. I have been tubing before and had lots of fun doing it. The tubing hill in Steamboat during this time of year is not really the best tubing hill around. Also, I am sad to report several of our members (through NO fault of our own) clashed with the tubing staff. After a short meeting with Steamboat management the next day we received an apology for the service provided and was reimbursed for our cost of tubing the night before. Steamboat management was apologetic and very concerned with the service during the tubing run. They also offered a replacement night of tubing which was politely turned down.

Tuesday also turned out to be sunny and warm. Spring conditions were in full force and the snow was getting soft and quickly disappearing around us. Since Steamboat received over 400 inches of snow this winter there was plenty still on the slopes but it was disappearing fast down below.