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Steamboat Pilot & Today collecting memories from 50 years of ski history

Steamboat Today
Former U.S. Freestyle Ski Team member Cooper Schell free skiing on Storm Peak circa 1990. Schell grew up in Steamboat under the tutelage of coach Park Smalley and stood on World Cup podiums in the mid- to late 1980s with second place finishes in Germany and France. He also was a very down-to-earth guy and super fun to ski with, according to Steamboat Today columnist Tom Ross. Ross can recall traveling to Winter Park to cover Schell, along with Nelson Carmichael, in the U.S. National Championships.
Courtesy Photo

— As we celebrate the 50th anniversary season of Steamboat Ski Area, the Steamboat Pilot & Today is looking for your favorite memories from the past half-century.

We’ve created a form to make it easy to share stories, photo or videos with us about your own piece of ski history.

Do you have great recollections of powder days or races won? Or maybe you have hilarious stories from the Ballhooter Classic or the Chute 1 Bump-off?



We’re looking for everything. Just a few sample categories: best grab, unforgettable powder, humongous huck, how deep was it?, crash and burn, and retro ski fashion.

We’ll update the form page with some of the memories as we get them and compile in January all the stories you share with us. We also might use some of the memories in a print edition of the Steamboat Pilot & Today dedicated to the 50th anniversary season.



And help the old-timers out. We’d really appreciate hearing stories about the early years at Steamboat Ski Area from those who might not be on Facebook or the Internet all day. Please share the form with anyone who you think might have some rich memories of Steamboat ski history.

You can email share@SteamboatToday.com.

Pilot staffers share their memories

I think it was only 40 years ago ….St Patrick’s Day 1973…There were reports of “streakers” circling the Gondola Lift ticket area in broad daylight. I’m quite certain the Pilot covered that little incident … no photos!

— Crimmins

My favorite day at Steamboat Ski Resort was when we opened on a powder day. Riding up Storm Peak for some freshies on the first day of the season was a real treat.

— Ben Saheb

I learned to ski when I was 3 and have only ever skied Steamboat. I loved to ski as a little kid and when I would get tired I would point it down every run dragging my poles behind me. One year my mom, dad, sister and I all tried to learn to snowboard together. My dad is the only one that still does (at the ripe age of 55)! My fondest memories of growing up here is “Wally World” laps with my dad and the whoopty-dos in the trees.

— Emma Scherer

My first winter here was ’95-’96 and after the record breaking January with day after day of waist deep Champagne Powder I was hooked. I tried other ski areas in short weekend visits, but nothing compared to Steamboat’s snow and TREE SKIING. A bad visibility day in China Bowl at Vail makes me long for Steamboat’s endless aspen groves skiable in any storm. Every year I think “This could be the next record breaking year!”. Glad I hung on to enjoy another record breaker, and a lasting memory of Steamboat – this last President’s day – 27″ over night.

— Kathy Wichelhaus


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