The 111th Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival, an iconic event in the heart of Colorado’s ski country, promises to continue its storied tradition of winter fun, community celebration, and sporting excellence in 2024. This historic carnival, which dates back to 1914, has evolved from a local gathering to ward off cabin fever into a vibrant, week-long festival that attracts visitors from all corners of the globe. Here’s what attendees can look forward to in the 2024 edition.
Opening Ceremony
The festivities kick off with an opening ceremony that sets the tone for a week filled with excitement and community spirit. Expect an evening of live music, performances, and the introduction of the Winter Carnival Queen and her court, all against the backdrop of Steamboat Springs’ stunning snowy landscapes.
Sporting Events
True to its roots in a town known as “Ski Town, U.S.A.,” the Winter Carnival features a range of skiing and snowboarding competitions. From Nordic jumping to slalom races, athletes of all ages and skill levels will compete on the slopes. Not to be missed is the unique “ski joring” event, where skiers are pulled down Main Street by horses, a thrilling spectacle that combines skill and speed.
Street Events
Main Street transforms into a snowy playground, hosting a variety of events for children and adults alike. Spectators can enjoy shovel races, ski jumping through rings of fire, and the always-popular dog sled pulls. These events not only showcase the skills of the participants but also the tight-knit community and its passion for winter sports.
Night Extravaganza
The highlight for many is the Night Extravaganza on Howelsen Hill. Here, attendees witness a dazzling display of fireworks and a Lighted Man ski down the mountain, adorned with lights and launching fireworks from his suit, creating a mesmerizing spectacle against the night sky.
Closing Ceremony
The carnival concludes with a closing ceremony that reflects on the week’s festivities and camaraderie. It’s a time for the community and visitors to come together one last time, celebrating the spirit of winter and the enduring charm of Steamboat Springs.
The 111th Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival is more than just an event; it’s a testament to the joy of winter, community, and the great outdoors. Whether you’re there for the competition, the spectacle, or simply to enjoy the beauty of Steamboat Springs in winter, it promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Calendar of Events
February 7-11, 2024
A 2024, $15 Winter Carnival button is required for entry/spectating at all events.
A button is your access to spectate or participate in any Winter Carnival events, plus access to free skiing and riding from February 7-11 at Howelsen Hill. Skiing is always FREE at Howelsen Hill on Sundays. Just bring your button to the ticket office to receive a ticket. Some events require additional tickets and registration. 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.
Thursday, February 8
2-6 p.m. 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!
4 p.m. SNOW SCULPTURES coordinated by Steamboat Creates
(All Ages, Lincoln Avenue)
Stroll down Lincoln to view hand-carved snow sculptures! Judging will occur at 4 p.m. 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 Snowplace Like Home theme! Vote on your favorite sculpture at @SteamboatCreates on Facebook and Instagram. Be a part of the Winter Carnival action; create a Winter Carnival Snow Sculpture! Come be a part of a Steamboat tradition and carve your way into history!
4-5:30 p.m. 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.
4-6 p.m. 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.
5-6 p.m. 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 p.m. at the terrain park. A liability waiver must be signed or already on file with the SSWSC to participate. Practice runs from 4:30-5 p.m., and Jam Session from 5-6 p.m.
5-8 p.m. S’MORE FAMILY FUN PARTY – THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT
(Howelsen Hill Party Tent)
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 fire pits and s’more-making outside! A Winter Carnival button and S’More Family Fun TICKET REQUIRED. THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. Food is served first come, first serve, 5:30-7 p.m.
Friday, February 9
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 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 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and on the Face for big kids from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.! This fun, non-timed course allows kids of all ages to race their friends and family. Registration opens January 30, 2024.
4:30-5:30 p.m. 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.
5:30-6 p.m. Back by popular demand, 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 10 to sign a waiver and receive a lift ticket by showing the Winter Carnival Button. Join the fun as a competitor or spectator at Howelsen Hill.
6-7 p.m. AMATEUR SKI JUMPING
(Ages 15+, Howelsen Hill)
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 p.m. in the Fireplace Room at Howelsen Hill Lodge. For more information, contact Pat Arnone at 970-734-8966.
6-8 p.m. JOHNSIE MEMORIAL DUAL SLALOM BICYCLE RACE
(Ages 12+, Howelsen Hill)
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, 5-5:30 p.m. in the Fireplace Room at Howelsen Hill Lodge.
For more information, contact Wheels Bike Shop at 970-819-4805.
7-11 p.m. 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.
Saturday, February 10
8 a.m. 100-METER NORDIC SPRINT (EVENT IS CANCELED THIS YEAR)
(All Ages, Downtown, Lincoln Avenue)
The Steamboat Springs Nordic Council is looking for the fastest skate skiers in the Boat! They are hosting a 100-meter Nordic Sprint on Lincoln Avenue between 7th and 8th streets prior to the Street Events. The race will have male and female divisions as well as 13 and over & 12 and under age categories. Anyone who is interested can register for this for free. Check in the morning of the event with SSWSC XC Program Director Brian Tate at 7:30 a.m. on 7th Street.
8:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. PANCAKE BREAKFAST at Holy Name Catholic Church
(Holy Name Enrichment Center, 524 Oak Street)
Come enjoy pancakes, breakfast sausages, coffee, and juice before diving into the day’s events.
9 a.m.-noon STREET EVENTS
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. STREET EVENT 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!
1 p.m. PRO ALPINE SKI JUMPING QUALIFICATIONS
(Howelsen Hill)
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.
6:45-7:15 p.m. SSWSC ATHLETE EXHIBITION
(Howelsen Hill)
SSWSC athletes demonstrate their skills as the sun sets behind Howelsen Hill!
7:30-8:30 p.m. NIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA
(Howelsen Hill) 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 and shoot 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!
Sunday, February 11
9-11 a.m. STREET EVENTS
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. STREET EVENT 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!
10:30-11 a.m. 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.
11:30 a.m. 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.
1-2pm. PRO ALPINE SKI JUMPING FINALS
(By Qualification, Howelsen Hill)
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.