Full Steam Ahead: Transforming the Steamboat Resort Experience

“I felt the buzz the moment I arrived. Steamboat’s base area has been completely transformed into a stunning new ski resort plaza!”

-Ski destination specialist and travel advisor, 2023

History and Context

When the lifts started turning in 1963, Steamboat Resort became a primary driver of the local Steamboat Springs economy and has fostered the success of over 100 Olympians. Blessed with champagne powder and excellent natural terrain, Steamboat is a destination resort comprised of 97% non-locals served by direct flights from 16 cities. As Steamboat Resort continued to expand the on-mountain amenities over the past 60 years, the base village struggled to keep pace.

The six prior redevelopment plans were never implemented until this drastic overhaul of what was jokingly known as ‘Stairboat’ because of the abundance of stairs. The massive concrete gondola building restricted usable public space which compounded the operational challenges of a single portal to the mountain. Steamboat Resort had long been known as a winter destination, famous for its champagne powder. Summer visitor numbers are increasing, lured by beautiful days and base area activities. Steamboat Square provides a framework for activation in all seasons and programs designed to ensure that guests of all ages have an unforgettable time. To capture this year-round potential, the owner acknowledged the guest experience was suffering so finally in 2019 they committed $200 million for a major transformation to improve the guest experience and on-mountain upgrades, coined as ‘Full Steam Ahead’.

Role of the Landscape Architect

The landscape architect was the lead of an interdisciplinary client and consultant team that originally developed the vision in 2020. Once the design commenced, additional disciplines were brought on, including an Architect; Civil, Structural and Electrical Engineering; a Lighting Designer; an Irrigation Designer and snowmelt design consultant. The landscape architect’s role involved development of the Gold Walk and Steamboat Square vision and guiding principles vetted by the client and community, iteration of design scenarios, technical working drawings and construction observation.

Elevating Western Resort Hospitality

To harness the momentum and excitement of the on-mountain investments, the base area was transformed based on three major design goals:

• Improve the guest experience through the transformation of the base area and arrival sequence, focused on the public realm;
• Provide interactive and accessible amenities and activities guests love in all seasons; and
• Harness and celebrate the identity of Steamboat Resort, through design interventions that tell the story of Steamboat’s Olympians, rustic cowboys, and scenic beauty.

The transformation is comprised of improvements to the Gold Walk arrival, the central Steamboat Square, and the comprehensive Environmental Graphics and Wayfinding Signage.

Gold Walk
As a tribute to the local Olympians who trained in Steamboat, the signature Gold Walk is loved for its convenience as the primary portal to Steamboat Square, with clear wayfinding and skier services along the way to the escalator, providing stunning views of the mountain along with interaction with Steamboat heritage. Design challenges were embraced as opportunities, such as the 90’ long internally lit, perforated metal Art Wall that celebrates the history of the Mountain while screening adjacent uses. The art wall exhibits, and showcases the Steamboat Resort’s brand, and proves to be an Instagram-worthy backdrop.

Steamboat Square
Creating a kick-ass plaza on day one was made possible after the removal of the massive concrete gondola terminal building. The plaza was designed to be flexible enough for daily interaction, programmed activities and seasonal events. The plaza’s centerpiece is Skeeter’s Rink, an ice rink in the winter and transformed with synthetic turf in the summer for games and events. “The Range” food hall boasts a range of restaurants and bars south of the rink. Cozy up to the custom-designed ‘cowboy cauldron’ or other smaller fire pits while you watch musical acts or performances on the stage. Steamboat Square is an economic catalyst that provides “stickiness” and reasons for people to linger after an exciting day on the mountain.

Environmental Graphics and Wayfinding Signage
Guests are welcomed to the Resort through a clear, main entrance directing them through the fastest route to the Mountain via the only escalator in town. Not long ago, the challenging layout of the base was accompanied by signage that often fell short of easy wayfinding. The new environmental graphic designs brought together the best of the Steamboat brand and palette, new architectural languages and materials, and the area’s western history. The base improvements created better circulation and sightlines, and what could have been seen as challenges were embraced as opportunities. For example, the need for privacy fencing became an artful beacon to draw people where they need to go, known as the Gold Walk. Another example was a torn façade that is now reskinned with the Steamboat brand moment, framing the Resort entry. The new wayfinding system was developed with the Resort, with updatability, movability, and their needs in mind to ensure success and serve them for years to come. Signs are designed so they are fully updatable while being able to withstand an often-harsh mountain climate. This ensures the Resort can limit waste and re-work each season and can add destinations as they are developed. The result is a better visitor experience and designs built to last.

Sustainability

Throughout the design and construction process, four critical strategies were led by the Landscape Architect and design team to be as green and sustainable as possible:

• Waste Reduction: During demolition, all steel and concrete materials were recycled for a 70% diversion of demolition waste. During construction, building materials were chosen that contain a high level of recycled content.
• Energy Efficiency: In new base area buildings, the design included steps to be as efficient with energy and water as possible. Real-time monitoring of the energy and water use allowed the Resort to adjust operations to conserve energy and water throughout the day.
• Guest Education: At every opportunity, signage and ambassador programs will educate guests and staff about the resort sustainability efforts and how they can take action to preserve our environment.
• LEED Certification: All base area buildings will be LEED-certified that will be healthier for the staff and guests.

Significance

Steamboat Resort has long been known as a winter destination, however summer visitor numbers have been increasing recently as well so year-round activation was key to its success. The re-investment in Steamboat Resort is significant for the local economy and what hospitality means for mountain resorts. The renovated Steamboat Square provides a framework for activation for all seasons and programs and is designed to ensure that guests of all ages have an unforgettable experience. As the locals say, Welcome to the new west.