Steamboat Pilot & Today

In some circles, there is great deal of talk about the lack of things to do at night in Steamboat Springs. Sure, what can you expect? We live in a town of 10,000 people. For what it's worth, there are plenty of options given the circumstances.

But still, on any given night, someone is pulling his or her hair out when faced with the choice of staying home or going to that same damn bar.

And you would think when 10,000 tourists show up, in that bar the opportunity to meet nice, interesting people from around the world would increase. But then you realize, you're in a bar and they are on vacation, both of which changes everyone's intellectual level for some reason.

I'm no tourist hater. I do think vacationing in a place that appears to be in the middle of nowhere and where it's (normally) snowing more than anyone has ever seen puts visitors on the level of awestricken mass sameness, with wide eyes and innocent, yet unusual, questions about things we take for granted.

"Are those real elk?"

Just say yes, politely, smile and move on.

I mean, you should have seen me vacationing in Cancun a few months ago.

"Is that a real crocodile?"

I'm getting off the subject.

If there is something to be expected from a stimulating nightlife in Steamboat, there may be some room to complain when all you do is sit at a bar and talk about skiing and riding, even though it's fun to talk about.

Just know there are always good bands in town, usually some sort of theatrical production, and every time you turn around there are art exhibit openings or orchestral concerts.

Take this weekend, for example. There are two free shows of a good slide guitarist at Geeks Garage, a We're Not Clowns and Friends production at the 7th Street Playhouse, a Steamboat Springs Youth Orchestra concert and, last but not least, you can actually go sing Handel's "Messiah" with the Yampa Valley Choral Society.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Halle-e-lu-jah!