The crowd level rose as another horse galloped along the snow-covered Lincoln Avenue pulling a young skier to the finish line. It’s not your typical sight on Steamboat’s main street, unless it’s Winter Carnival. 

Steamboat just celebrated it’s 106th Winter Carnival; the oldest winter carnival in the West and a favorite tradition among locals. A smorgasbord of wild and wonderful events offered contestants and spectators plenty to cheer about over three action packed days. Bystanders witnessed skijoring, the donkey jump, shovel races, a Nordic sprint and the Diamond Hitch Parade, complete with the Steamboat High School marching band on skis. Past and future Olympians soared off the ski jumps at Howelsen Hill. People competed in parent-child dual races, the Soda Pop Slalom, a fat biking race, mogul races and terrain park contests. 

Families gathered for chili, s’mores, dancing and a fire-throwing display at the Family Fun night. At Tito’s Mountain Soiree, the kids were left at home as adults partied while dressed in 80’s garb. On Saturday, spectators experienced the quintessential Steamboat night extravaganza: entertainment by athletes from the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, the Lighted Man and ski patrol, and a firework show like no other. 

Although Steamboat’s attempt at setting the world record for the largest firework didn’t go as planned, the explosion itself was a magnificent sight! The firework, weighing 2,500lbs and with a diameter of 62 inches, was supposed to shoot about a mile into the sky before combusting. Unfortunately, the shell malfunctioned and exploded before it took flight. We look forward to what Tim Borden, Steamboat’s pyrotechnics expert, attempts for next winter!