When Norwegian Carl Howelsen staged the first Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival in 1914, little did he know it would become the town’s most revered tradition. 108 years later, the people of Steamboat come out in full force to put on a spectacle that lures visitors from across the nation.

Lincoln Avenue Covered in Snow

This past weekend, Lincoln Avenue was temporarily closed to vehicles and was covered in snow to set the stage for a series of competitions. Local ranchers and riders gallop through town pulling kids on skis for skijoring contests and the spectacle is completed with a madcap shovel race. The Steamboat Springs High School Band marches through town on skis, an act which coined the term “Ski Town USA” in the 1950’s. Ice sculptures carved by local students and businesses line parts of the road, enhancing the setting for the Diamond Hitch Parade.

Howelsen Hill Takes Center Stage

Across the Yampa River, at the aptly named Howelsen Hill, ski jumpers of all ages, including the fearless geländesprung competitors, take to the jumps. When darkness falls, the hill becomes center stage for a torchlight parade and show by athletes from the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. The Lighted Man takes the spotlight shooting fireworks from a specially designed backpack, before the sky lights up with a firework display. In 2020, the event made the Guinness Book of World Records with the world’s largest firework at 2,800 lbs. It traveled nearly a mile and illuminated the whole valley in a dusky pink glow.

Carnival Unites the Community

The carnival brings the community together in the depths of winter, as it was intended way back when. Today’s celebrations probably exceed the expectations set by Steamboat’s father of skiing, but none of us doubt that Carl Howelsen would approve.

All proceeds raised from the Winter Carnival support scholarships for young athletes at the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.