I started with two simple questions: What is your favorite thing about Steamboat in the Summertime? And what is your favorite Chamber event? Some answers didn’t surprise me—who doesn’t like floating down the Yampa River with friends under a blanket of sunshine or enjoying a cold drink outside on a restaurant patio? I also received a few answers, which I wasn’t expecting.
For example, our new membership director Lana has a season pass to the Pro Rodeo Series and loves to go most weekends in the summer. I didn’t necessarily have Lana pegged as a cowgirl—she looks very girly in her work outfits and always really pulled together. Yet she told me that she loves to put on her cowboy boots and take visiting family to the rodeo because it’s always different and a family-friendly event. Her Chamber event of choice: the Fourth of July parade “because it showcases Steamboat’s western heritage.
Marion, our HR and finance director has a lot on her plate, so I would never think she’d take time to do something that took more than an hour, yet she loves to go golfing because she’s outside and it’s peaceful. Her Chamber event of choice: Steamboat Marathon. “It took so much commitment and training to cross the finish line and you can see it on the expressions of the runners’ faces.”
Morgan, the website and communications manager, doesn’t really do mornings, but in the summer months she wakes up early to bike to work because she says it gets her ready for the day and it’s easy to get around to meetings and out to lunch with the Yampa River Core Trail that runs behind our office. Her Chamber event of choice: Opera night during All Arts Festival “because it’s great to have high-caliber performers come through Steamboat.”
As for the activities we all love, it would be silly for me to assume that you know some of the town’s secrets like my co-workers, so I’ll share them with you:
Matt is in charge of membership events and enjoys sitting in the sun watching the tubers and kayakers float by. If the weather is nice he’ll most likely get some friends together to take to the river on tubes so they can be the ones people are watching. His Chamber event of choice: The All Arts Festival due to the variety of activities and displays and a great way to bring culture to Steamboat.
Kyleigh handles all the guests in our Visitor Center and acts as a travel agent/tour guide when she’s fielding inquiries. Her passion is Emerald Mountain. “It’s easily accessible yet you feel like you’re in the middle of a forest and has rolling terrain, which makes it great for mountain biking. Her Chamber event of choice: the Fourth of July Parade. “There’s so much community spirit and a celebration of America in our little western town.”
Sarah is our events director, so her summer is very hectic and she absolutely loves kicking it on the river and tubing with friends. Her Chamber event of choice: Hot Air Balloon Rodeo. “There is so much going on at the launch field and the photo opportunities are great.”
Maren is our events coordinator and she makes the most of her free summer moments by catching a concert at the Free Summer Concert Series or watching one of the many breathtaking sunsets in the Yampa Valley. Her Chamber event of choice: The fun and relaxing weekend that makes the All Arts Festival.
As for me, I love it all—but my favorite is an evening hike up Mt. Werner. There’s nothing better than hiking up a trail you ski down and seeing what it looks like without snow. My Chamber event of choice: Wild West Air Fest Labor Day Weekend Celebration. There are so many educational and interactive things for kids-teenagers to do to get them excited about science and flying.
Check out dates for all of our Signature Events and book your summer activities for an amazing Steamboat summer. Enjoy the Rocky Mountains like the locals do!
