March 27, 2013 (Steamboat Springs, CO) – SSWSC has partnered up with the other large facilities and organizations at Howelsen Hill to form the Howelsen Sports Complex Partners.  These partners include SSWSC, the Rodeo, Ice Rink and the Emerald Mountain Project and the new Gravity Center.

The Howelsen Sports Complex Partners are one of 4 finalists that could receive a portion of the Accommodation tax, giving us the opportunity for some great improvements at Howelsen Hill.

Please click HERE to vote for the Howelsen Sports Complex Partners.

The Howelsen Sports Complex Partners proposal is based on generating new visitors to Steamboat through athletic events.

SSWSC’s portion of this project includes:

1. Doubling the Howelsen Hill snowmaking system, with improvements to the pump house including a second primary pump, improved water capacity and the purchase of 10 additional snowguns.  The goal of having all Howelsen Hill Competition venues fully open by early November would then be attainable.
2. Improvements to the Cross Country trail system connecting the Rodeo grounds to the City XC trail system and the Emerald Mountain Project XC trail system.  This would allow for additional National and International XC events as well as the ability to hold events with a great number of participants.  This will generate additional visitors to Steamboat and increase lodging occupancy.  The improvements include:

Trail widening for competitions
– Lighting for 1.3 Km of trails making competitive events at night possible

Howelsen Hill is one of the only XC competition sites in Colorado at a low elevation that is required for most upper level XC Competitions.  With lighting we would have a further advantage for site selection.  Improved snowmaking will allow this complex to be open earlier than any other site in Colorado.

The Rodeo ground improvements have been designed to support XC racing including:
– Rodeo Arena Entrance will be widened
– New exit from Arena to XC trail system increasing options for course setting
– Year round restroom facilities
– New public areas
– New Awards Stage/Podium area

Ice Rink improvements include a second sheet of ice and the new Gravity Center.  SSWSC and visiting athletes would have access to the Gravity Center which will include trampolines, ramps and a whole assortment of skill training features. This would allow SSWSC to hold camps and events as well as schedule regular training at the facility.

Emerald Mountain Project includes:
– Winter trail system for XC, Snowshoeing, Hiking etc..
– Summer trail system for Biking, Hiking, Horseback riding etc..
– Proposed Hut system  on the Emerald Mountain Ridge.
– Proposed new lodge facility for all to use.