111th Annual Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival Schedule

February 7-11, 2024

$15 Winter Carnival button is required for entry/spectating at all events. Buttons can be purchased at the Steamboat Sotheby’s International Realty office in Wildhorse Meadows Marketplace. 

Your button or buff will grant you access to all events you register for, and will earn you a free lift ticket at Howelsen Hill each day from February 7-11. (You must obtain a physical lift ticket at the Howelsen Hill ticket office.) All events take place at Howelsen Hill unless noted otherwise. A signed liability release is required for participation in all events. A helmet is required for all events except Cross Country.

Original article from Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club: http://www.sswsc.org/events/winter-carnival

Wednesday, February 7

5:30pm OPENING CEREMONIES
(Olympian Hall, Howelsen Hill Lodge, Downtown off of 5th)
A celebration honoring the Winter Carnival Queen, her Court of Attendants, Little Princesses, and the Grand Marshals.

Thursday, February 8

2pm-6pm Air Bag Jam Session
(SSWSC Athlete Display, Howelsen Hill)
Watch as SSWSC freestyle, freeskiing, and snowboard athletes launch into the air and work on their tricks, landing on a 50-foot airbag! Closed to the public, this event offers exceptional photography opportunities of airborne athletes!

4pm SNOW SCULPTURE VIEWING
(All Ages, Lincoln Avenue)
Stroll down Lincoln to view hand-carved snow sculptures! Judging will occur at 4pm on February 8, and winners will be highlighted with ribbons and announced at the street events on February 10 and 11. Student and community teams will build sculptures on February 8, inspired by the Snow Place Like Home theme! Vote on your favorite sculpture at @SteamboatCreates on Facebook and Instagram.

4-5:30pm CROSS COUNTRY OBSTACLE COURSE
(Ages 5-12, Rodeo Grounds Howelsen Hill)
A fun and entertaining non-competitive obstacle course for cross country or wanna-be skiers at Howelsen Hill. Spectators are welcome. Pre-registration is not required, but a release form must be signed or already on file with SSWSC in order to participate.

4-5:30pm SKI JUMPING JAMBOREE
(Ages 4-11, Hill Size Bump & 20, Howelsen Hill)
An enjoyable time for children to try the Bump Jump and 20-meter jump at the nordic jumping complex of Howelsen Hill for some “flying fun” on alpine equipment. Pre-registration is not required, but a release form must be signed or already on file with SSWSC in order to participate.

4-6pm FAMILY DUALS
(All Ages, Howelsen Hill)
Everyone is a winner in this friendly competition. Join our family fun by racing or bumping down the junior courses on Howelsen Hill Face. Go head to head on the GS-style race course. Pre-registration is not required, but a release form must be signed or already on file with SSWSC in order to participate.

5-6pm. POWDERTOOLS MID-WINTER TERRAIN PARK JAM SESSION
(Ages 14 and Under, Howelsen Hill)
Open to both skiers and snowboarders. Located under the lights of Howelsen Hill Terrain Park, this event is open to the public. Pre-registration is required at 4:00 pm at the terrain park. A liability waiver must be signed or already on file with the SSWSC to participate. Practice runs from 4:30-5pm, and Jam Session from 5-6pm.

5-8pm S’MORE FAMILY FUN PARTY – SOLD OUT
(Howelsen Hill Party Tent, Downtown off of 5th Street)
Presented by Town Hall and Mountain and Company
Food provided by La Central Catering and Moving Mountains
Families, take part in the Winter Carnival Celebration! During the evening activities at Howelsen Hill, a family-style chili and s’more party will take place in the big white tent on Vanatta Ballfield.  Just call it S’More Family Fun!  Enjoy the outside activities, then head into the tent for warm chili, a DJ, and dancing! Complete with a bonfire and s’more-making outside! A Winter Carnival button/buff and TICKETS REQUIRED. Food is served first come, first serve, 5:30-7pm.

Friday, February 9

10 am CHRISTY SPORTS SODA POP SLALOM
(Ages 10 and under for LITTLE KIDS, ages 11-14 for BIG KID DUALS, Howelsen Hill, magic carpet, and Face)
This is a fun race with a starter, announcer, and a soda pop reward for all participants! This race is open to skiers and snowboarders! We will offer a duals race course on the magic carpet for little kids from 10am-1pm and on the Face for big kids from 11am-1pm! This fun, non-timed course allows kids of all ages to race their friends and family.  REGISTER HERE.

4:30-5:30pm. NORDIC JUMPING EXHIBITION
(SSWSC Athletes, Howelsen Hill)
SSWSC Nordic Combined and Special Jumping athletes jumping the 20-meter, 30-meter, 45-meter,75-meter, and 100-meter jumps.

5:30-6pm SKI BALLET
(Howelsen Hill, Ponyland, the big magic carpet next to the nordic ski jumps)
Wear your sequins and stretch pants! A throwback to the mid-70s and once an official Olympic sport, ski ballet in its purest form included routines choreographed to music consisting of flips, jumps, rolls, spins, and leg crossings. In this Winter Carnival competition, anything goes, but costumes are mandatory! All competitors must attend a pre-competition meeting at 4:30pm on February 9 to sign a waiver and receive a lift ticket by showing Winter Carnival Button. Join the fun as a competitor or spectator at Howelsen Hill. REGISTER HERE.

6-7pm AMATEUR SKI JUMPING
(Ages 15+, Howelsen Hill, Downtown off of 5th)
Ski Jumping (on alpine equipment) under the lights on the historic ski jumps of Howelsen Hill. Prizes, jumping, and high-flying is fun. Register ($25) the night of the event from 5:00-5:45 pm in the Fireplace Room at Howelsen Hill Lodge. For more information, contact Pat Arnone at 970-734-8966.

6-8pm JOHNSIE MEMORIAL DUAL SLALOM BICYCLE RACE
(Ages 12+, Howelsen Hill, Downtown off of 5th)
An exciting on-snow mountain bike event. Most of the action takes place on the poma ride up to the top of the course, but this year the course will include more terrain and jumps to spice up the action. Come take a chance and ride the course or spectate and watch the action.  The event includes practice, qualifying, and final competition rounds. Register for FREE the night of the event, 5-5:30pm in the Fireplace Room at Howelsen Hill Lodge.
For more information, contact Wheels Bike Shop at 970-819-4805.

7pm – 11pm TITO’S MOUNTAIN SOIREE
(Age 21+, Howelsen Hill, in the Tent at Vanatta Field)
Presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Celebrate the 111th Winter Carnival at an 80’s themed dance party with an evening of libations, food, live music by the 6 Million Dollar Band, fire pits, and more. SOLD OUT

Saturday, February 10

9am-noon STREET EVENTS
Presented by Yampa Valley Bank
A wildly entertaining show featuring children on skis and snowboards being pulled behind horses along snow-covered Lincoln Avenue. Races include street slalom, ski joring, donkey jumps, 3-legged races, 25-, 50-, and 75-yard dashes, and the famous adult shovel race. The horse events are for children ages 6-14, and non-horse events for ages 1-14.  Pre-registration for horse event is required HERE. Registration is CLOSED. Non-horse event registration is on-site the morning of the event. Don’t forget your Winter Carnival button or buff to spectate!

1pm PRO ALPINE SKI JUMPING QUALIFICATIONS
(Howelsen Hill, Downtown off of 5th)
This is a must-see ski jumping event with participants launching off of the 100 meter on alpine skis and boots, rather than the usual ski jumping equipment. For more information, contact Pat Arnone at 970-734-8966, $100 entry fee.

6:45-7:15pm. SSWSC ATHLETE EXHIBITION
(Howelsen Hill, Downtown off of 5th)
SSWSC athletes demonstrate their skills as the sun sets behind Howelsen Hill!

7:30-8:30pm NIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA
(Howelsen Hill, Downtown off of 5th)
Presented by Yampa Valley Bank
Athlete Lighting Provider: Yampa Valley Electric Association
Join us for this must-see evening of entertainment at historic Howelsen Hill!
This community favorite draws thousands of spectators for an exciting light display! The evening highlights local athletes showing their prowess in the dark, lit by flares and LED lights. The Lighted Man will then ski down Howelsen Hill shooting fireworks from his pyrotechnic suit, and jumpers will soar through a fiery hoop off of the nordic jumps! End the night with a stunning fireworks show!
Spectators: Don’t forget your Winter Carnival button or buff!

Sunday, February 11

9-11am STREET EVENTS
Presented by Yampa Valley Bank
A wildly entertaining show featuring children on skis and snowboards being pulled behind horses along snow-covered Lincoln Avenue. Races include street slalom, ski joring, donkey jumps, 3-legged races, 25-, 50-, and 75-yard dashes, and the famous adult shovel race. The horse events are for children ages 6-14, and non-horse events for ages 1-14.  Pre-registration for horse event is required HERE. Registration is CLOSED. Non-horse event registration is on-site the morning of the event. Don’t forget your Winter Carnival button or buff to spectate!

10:30 – 11am GIANT SKI RACE – NEW THIS YEAR
Grab friends and family and give the Winter Carnival Giant Ski Race a try! Each team of six people races head-to-head against another team on a pair of 25-foot-long Giant Skis downtown up Lincoln Avenue. The event is huge fun for both participants and spectators. A pair of Giant Skis is provided to each team at the start. Team costumes required! The Giant Ski Race is a collaboration between Colorado Mountain College and Steamboat Springs High School. Both schools will build the skis as part of a class. Limit six teams. REGISTER HERE.

11:30am DIAMOND HITCH PARADE (after Street Events and Giant Ski Race)
The diamond hitch consists of at least four skiers. The skiers hold on to points of a rope tied in the shape of one or more diamonds. Animals, people or vehicles may pull the skiers down the snow-filled streets. Anyone is welcome to enter the parade.  Pre-registration required. Registration CLOSED.

1-2pm.  PRO ALPINE SKI JUMPING FINALS
(By Qualification, Howelsen Hill, Downtown off of 5th)
This is a must-see ski jumping event with qualifying participants launching off of the 100 meter jump again on alpine skis and boots, rather than the usual ski jumping equipment. Watch as the jumpers try to break the hill record. For more information, contact Pat Arnone at 970-734- 8966, $100 entry fee.

Featured Image courtesy of Steamboat Lodging Company.