Description

Beginning as the organizing committee for the first Winter Carnival, the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC) has maintained the Winter Carnival as a service to the community since 1914. The Winter Carnival started as a way to help residents cope with cabin fever during the height of the winter season. The event continues to this day as a way to celebrate winter; as a reason for neighbors to gather; and as an opportunity for everyone to experience a piece of Ski Town USA® history and tradition.

This annual celebration includes a variety of events that embrace our western heritage and highlight Steamboat's tradition of winter sports. The festivities include such events as: Ski Jumping competitions, a Snowboarding Jam Session, the Soda Pop Slalom, a Tubing Party, the Diamond Hitch Parade which includes the High School band on skis, the Street Events on Lincoln Avenue, and the Night Extravaganza at Howelsen Hill with a brilliant fireworks display and the famous Lighted Man.

Street Events:

On Saturday and Sunday hundreds of people line Lincoln Avenue to witness the Street Events. The Street Events are a wildly popular and entertaining show featuring children on skis (or a snowboard) being pulled behind horses down a snow-covered Lincoln Avenue. Horse Events include: Street Slalom, Ski Joring, the Ring & Spear, the Ring & Box, and the famous Donkey Jump. Horse Events are for children ages 6 to 14 years old, while Non-Horse Events are for children ranging in age from infants to 14 years old.

* Pre-Registration is REQUIRED for all Horse Events. The will be NO DAY-OF REGISTRATION for the Horse Events this year. Registration opens on January 28th at 7:30 A.M. in the Steamboat Visitor Center lobby. Absolutely no registrations will be accepted prior to January 29th. Sorry.

Registration for the Winter Carnival street events opens on Friday, January 28th, 2011.

All kids interested in participating in this year's street events need to register in advance for the horse events. Registration for the Winter Carnival street events will open at 7:30 A.M. on Friday, January 28th at the Steamboat Springs Visitor's Center. Registration closes on Friday, February 8th. You need to register in person for the horse events and we can not accept registrations over the phone. Get there early as availability fills quickly! Please see the list below for descriptions of the different events.

2012 EVENT SCHEDULE TO COME

WINTER CARNIVAL STREET EVENTS DESCRIPTIONS

Horse Events:
 

RING AND BOX: (Ages 6 - 9): Contestant with skis on will have a ring of rope in their hand and will be pulled down main street by a horse. The contestant will attempt to drop the ring in a washtub as he/she passes by tub. Fastest time wins. Penalty for missing the washtub.
RING AND SPEAR: (Ages 6 - 9): Five stands will be located on the street with a ring