Steamboat Pilot & Today

A golden gondola car commemorates the 50th anniversary of Steamboat Ski Area on Friday, when the gondola and Heavenly Daze opened for the season. Courtesy photo

The the first gondola car of Steamboat Ski Area's 50th anniversary ski season gets ready to leave the base area Friday with riders, from left, Ski Hall of Fame inductee and former Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. President Hans Geier, Olympian and former resort executive Loris "Bugs" Werner, Ski Corp. President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Diamond, Director of Slope Maintenance David Crisler, Director of Lift Operations Deb Werner, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rob Perlman, Vice President of Mountain Operations Doug Allen and Director of Skiing Billy Kidd. Courtesy photo

Beautiful day in Steamboat again. Submitted by: Vanda Reil

Beautiful day in Steamboat again. Submitted by: Vanda Reil

Beautiful day in Steamboat again. Submitted by: Vanda Reil

Beautiful day in Steamboat again. Submitted by: Vanda Reil

Steamboat Springs High School boys basketball coach Luke DeWolfe coaches his team during practice Friday. The Sailors take to the court Saturday against Hayden in a scrimmage. Photo by Joel Reichenberger

Old Town Hot Springs is in the early planning stages of a capital campaign for a major expansion. Photo by John F. Russell

David Rooke swims laps at the Old Town Hot Springs pool in Steamboat Springs. The downtown fitness facility is in the early planning stages of a capital campaign for a major expansion. One of the things the facility is hoping to improve is its lap pool. Photo by John F. Russell

Sisters Catherine Onate, right, and Nicole Onate check out at downtown retailer Urbane on Friday afternoon. Business owners reported brisk business Friday as many offered special Black Friday deals. Photo by Joel Reichenberger