S T E A M B OAT S P R I N G S , C O L O R A D O
THE CITY
The quintessential Colorado mountain town, Steamboat Springs comes
with all the expected accoutrements, from deep, dramatic valleys
teaming with wildlife and majestic Rocky Mountain peaks to a circa
early 1900s downtown district so quaint and classic, it’s on the National
Register of Historic Places, and preserved accordingly. Skiing is but
one of the many winter activities here, kicking up powder alongside
snowmobile tours, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, tubing, and the natural
hot springs that gave the town its name. The largest of these is the Old
Town Hot Springs, with multiple pools and two slides, while a few miles
out of town, Strawberry Park Hot Springs combines the steam with
stargazing, thanks to the lack of ambient light.
T H E M O U N TA I N S
Steamboat Resort encompasses an entire mountain range — Mount
Werner, Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak, Thunderhead Peak, Pioneer
Ridge, and Christie Peak — totaling 2,965 skiable acres and 165 trails.
The longest run, Why Not, goes more than three miles. Snowboarders
and free riders feast as well, especially on Mavericks Superpipe, at
450 feet long, 56 feet wide, and 18 feet high. The snow itself, dubbed
“Champagne power,” is an attraction thanks to the 6 percent water
content (compared to the usual 15 elsewhere) that makes it particularly
smooth and dry.
Less than a two-hour drive south of Steamboat is one of the most
famous of all ski resorts in the United States and the largest in
Colorado: Vail. Its three sections — The Front-Side, Blue Sky Basin,
and the Back Bowls — host 195 trails that benefit from the special
combination of more than 300 days of sunshine and 370 inches of
snow each year. The Bavarian-style village purpose built at bottom of
the mountain provides the snow-capped cherry on top.
GETTING THERE
Seasonal flights run directly to Steamboat Springs on United
Airlines from Dulles International (IAD). The Saturday-only flight is
just 4 hours, 20 minutes during the winter, landing at Yampa Valley
Regional Airport (HDN).
LOCAL TRANSPORT
The airport is only 22 miles from the ski mountain, and puts you
almost slope-side from the get-go, and many shuttle services — the
Storm Mountain Express and GO Alpine — will happily do the heavy
lifting. In town, a great free bus system gets you around easily, as do
transport services at the hotels. With so many options, renting a car is
unnecessary unless exploring the wider area.
BEIJING , CHINA
THE CITY
More than 3,000 years old, Beijing has watched almost all human
history — and then some. Today, it’s a staggering whirlwind of energy,
industry, and growth, as it takes its place among the global leaders in
business, politics, and technology. For travelers, it’s also an epic display
of energy and heritage, with as many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in
and around the city as the whole of Egypt, starting with the Forbidden
City at the heart and The Great Wall snaking through the hills to the
north. Winter allows a more intimate connection with all of them,
thanks to fewer visitors, while low temperatures open up new snowy
possibilities, like piloting “ice bikes” or across frozen lakes, dipping into
hot springs, and gawking at the huge, colorful “ice lanterns.”
T H E M O U N TA I N S
The prosperity of the past decades sparked a ski boom in China, which
now counts about 700 resorts — indoor and out — open for business
from December to March. All are getting an additional boost, as Beijing
prepares to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. Nanshan Ski Resort is just
30 minutes to the northeast and offers 25 trails, including a mogul
slope and the largest snowboard park in China, where the top athletes
hone their jumping skills.
Located in the Ming Tombs scenic area northwest of the city, Snow
World Ski Resort covers 125 acres (500, 000 square meters) and
sports six trails. Popular with families, the resort includes a number of
off-piste activities, including snowmobiles, horse- and/or dog-drawn
sleighs, ice and snow sculptures, and fireworks shows every evening.
The Beijing area’s largest resort, Huaibei International Ski Resort,
clocks in about 10 trails and a drop of 781 feet, but the main attraction
for tourists is that the Ming-era Great Wall surrounds it on three sides.
GETTING THERE
United Airlines and Air China both offer nonstop flights from
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Beijing Capital
International Airport (PEK).
LOCAL TRANSPORT
After 14 hours of flying to reach Beijing, it’s probably best to access
the ski resorts through Beijing-based operators like Ski Tours Beijing,
although public transport does extend to many (and provide
adventure). Some resorts, like Nanshan, also operate shuttle busses
early in the morning and late afternoon from downtown subway stops.
Flumserberg
WINTER 2018/19 47 FLYWASHINGTON.COM