Fellow mountain families, we need to have an honest conversation about what's happening on our slopes this winter. A video that's been making the rounds from Steamboat shows something that should give us all pause – a packed trail that looks more like a ski resort traffic jam than the powder paradise we're used to.
The footage, captured by Mark Gampper on Heavenly Daze (not Heavenly Glaze, though I agree that would be a better name!), shows skiers packed shoulder-to-shoulder on what's normally a wide, flowing intermediate run. It's the kind of scene that makes my instructor heart skip a beat – not in a good way.
What's Really Happening Here
This isn't just about one crowded day at one resort. Steamboat, which typically ranks as one of Colorado's snowiest destinations with a solid 66.4 score on ShredIndex, has received only 39 inches of natural snow so far this season. That's forced them to rely heavily on snowmaking, which means limited terrain – just 42 runs and 18 lifts operating as of Boxing Day.
When you funnel thousands of holiday visitors onto a fraction of the usual terrain, this is what happens. And honestly? It's not safe for our kids.
Why This Matters for Family Skiers
I've been getting families on the mountain since 2010, and I've seen how quickly things can go sideways when slopes get this crowded. Here's what we're dealing with:
Collision Risk: When skiers are packed this tight, there's nowhere to go if someone falls or loses control ahead of you. Teaching kids to "look uphill" becomes nearly impossible when there are bodies everywhere.
Skill Development: Our little ones need space to practice turns, build confidence, and yes, make mistakes safely. Crowded runs turn every descent into a stress-filled obstacle course.
Family Enjoyment: Let's be real – this doesn't look fun. We spend good money on lift tickets and lodging to create positive mountain memories, not to inch down slopes in a conga line.
What We Can Do About It
As parents, we have more control over this situation than we might think:
Time Your Visits: Holiday weeks are always busy, but this year's limited terrain makes it worse. If you can swing it, plan trips for January or February when crowds thin out and (hopefully) more natural snow opens additional terrain.
Start Early, End Early: First chair often means first tracks, even on busy days. We typically ski hard until lunch, then call it a day or switch to non-skiing activities.
Choose Your Battles: If conditions look like this video, consider spending the day at the base area, taking a lesson on less crowded beginner terrain, or exploring other mountain activities.
Have Backup Plans: Book accommodations with flexibility in mind. Sometimes the best family decision is to pack up and try again another day.
The Bigger Picture
This video perfectly captures the challenges Western resorts are facing this winter. Climate patterns are shifting, and we're seeing more seasons where snowmaking carries the load early on. As mountain families, we need to adapt our expectations and planning accordingly.
I remember skiing Heavenly Daze last season when it had full coverage – it's actually a beautiful, wide intermediate run that normally handles crowds well. But even the best trail design can't work magic when there's simply not enough terrain open.
Looking Ahead
The good news? Steamboat has significant snowfall in the forecast, which should help open more terrain and spread out the crowds. But this situation is a wake-up call for all of us about being more strategic with our mountain time.
We owe it to our kids to prioritize their safety and enjoyment over checking the "we went skiing" box. Sometimes that means making tough calls about when and where to ski.
Stay safe out there, mountain families. The powder will come – and when it does, we'll be ready to enjoy it properly.
Source: Original reporting by Ian Wood at Unofficial Networks
