Steamboat Springs, Colorado - known as Ski Town, U.S.A.® - is renowned for its rich Western heritage and Olympic legacy. However, at one time, the ski resort had not seen any major improvements in over 30 years. Base village was small, crowded, and occupied by a concrete gondola terminal. The only après-ski activities were centered around a couple of bars and restaurants. Over the years, various owners presented six different redevelopment plans, but these concepts never made it past the drawing board. In 2019, Altera Mountain Company, the new owner of Steamboat Resort, acknowledged that the guest experience was suffering greatly and the potential to capture year-round visitors was missed, so they committed $200 million to much-needed updates. Coined "Full Steam Ahead," the major transformation sought to upgrade the base area guest experience and on-mountain amenities, all of which were completed in 2023.

History
When the lifts started turning in 1963, Steamboat Resort became a primary driver of the local economy and has fostered the success of over 100 Olympians. As the resort expanded on-mountain amenities over the next 60 years, the base village struggled to keep pace. The main obstacle was the massive concrete gondola terminal building, which restricted usable public space and compounded the operational challenges of this singular portal to the mountain.

Challenges
The first step in the project was to remove the gondola terminal and replace it with amenities that would amount to nothing less than a dramatic transformation of the guest experience. The redesigned arrival sequence frames the mountain with easy-to-navigate signage that leads visitors to the new, iconic Steamboat Square. This area serves as the resort's living room, where people gather for everyday social interaction as well as special events. Steamboat Square is also an economic catalyst that attracts users and provides dozens of reasons to linger, creating the "stickiness" the base area previously lacked.

By including an ice rink and doubling the size of the plaza, people of all ages are given a reason to spend time in Steamboat Square no matter the season. While there has been an increase in transactional activities at the base, a larger plaza area with activation also expands the number of non-transactional activities that make the base accessible for anyone to visit and enjoy the scenery.

 

Elevating Western Resort Hospitality
To harness the momentum and excitement of the on-mountain investments, the base village was transformed according to three major design goals. The Landscape Architects wanted to first improve the guest experience with a base area and arrival sequence focused on the public realm. The second goal was to provide interactive and accessible amenities and activities for guests to enjoy in all seasons. Finally, the designers wanted to harness the identity of the resort through design interventions that celebrate the stories of Steamboat's Olympians, rustic cowboys, and scenic beauty. Solutions to these goals comprise the metamorphosis of Steamboat Square, improvements to the arrival areas, and comprehensive environmental graphics and wayfinding signage.

Gold Walk
Loved for its convenience as the primary portal to Steamboat Square, Gold Walk features clear wayfinding and skier services along the path to the escalator, providing stunning views of the mountain and interaction with Steamboat heritage. What could have been a boring passageway is now a main feature with a 90-foot-long, internally lit, perforated, metal art wall that celebrates the history of the mountain while screening adjacent areas from view. The art wall showcases the Steamboat Resort's brand and proves an Instagram-worthy backdrop.

Steamboat Square
A user-friendly space, Steamboat Square was made possible after relocating the gondola terminal to the snow's edge. The plaza was designed to be flexible enough for daily interaction, programmed activities, and seasonal events. At the center sits Skeeter's Rink, a winter ice rink that is transformed with synthetic turf in the summer for games and events. "The Range" food hall boasts an array of restaurants and bars to the south of the rink. Outside, guests can cozy up to the custom-designed "cowboy cauldron" fire feature or other, smaller fire pits while watching loved ones skate or enjoying musical acts or performances on the stage.

Environmental Graphics and Wayfinding Signage
To make guests feel welcomed, signage guides them through a clear main entrance and along the fastest route to the mountain via an escalator that replaced 30 stair steps. The new environmental graphic designs bring together the best of the Steamboat brand and palette, new architectural languages and materials, and the area's Western history. 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, and this area is now known as the Gold Walk. A new wayfinding system was developed with the resort team, creating signs that are fully updatable and able to withstand an often harsh mountain climate. This enables the resort to limit waste and re-work their branding each season while retaining the ability to add destinations as they are developed. The result is a better visitor experience built to last.

Sustainability
Throughout the design and construction process, four critical strategies were led by Design Workshop, architect Gensler, and contractor Saunders to be as green and sustainable as possible. For example, during demolition, all steel and concrete materials were recycled for a 70% diversion of demolition waste. Building materials were specifically chosen for their high level of recycled content. In the buildings around the new base, steps were taken to be as energy- and water-efficient as possible. Real-time monitoring of energy and water use allows the resort to adjust operations to conserve both resources throughout the day. Furthermore, all new base-area buildings are LEED-certified. At every opportunity, signage and ambassador programs educate guests and staff about the resort's sustainability efforts and empower them with ways to take action to preserve the environment.

Role of the Landscape Architect
With offices in Denver and Aspen, Design Workshop was primely located to serve as the landscape architecture firm who would lead the interdisciplinary client and consultant team. Once the design of the redevelopment commenced in 2020, additional disciplines were brought on, including an architect; civil, structural, and electrical engineers; a lighting designer; an environmental graphic designer; and a snowmelt design consultant. The Landscape Architect's role involved developing the Gold Walk and Steamboat Square vision, shaping the guiding principles that were vetted by the client and the community, evaluating the iteration of design scenarios, overseeing technical working drawings, and observing construction.

Year-Round Destination
Steamboat Ski Resort has long been known as a winter destination; however, summer visitor numbers have recently been on the rise, proving that year-round activation was key to the project's success. Steamboat Square is an economic catalyst that provides reasons for people to linger after an exciting day on the mountain, no matter the time of year. The renovated base village provides a framework for activation in all seasons and is designed to ensure that guests of all ages have an unforgettable experience. The re-investment in Steamboat Ski Resort has been significant to the local economy and to the definition of hospitality for mountain resorts. More than just a facelift, the improved guest experience has made the resort one of the premier ski destinations in the country, according to USA Today. As the locals say, "Welcome to the New West!"