Rabbit Ears Pass - Colorado's Snowmobiling Mecca

There is energy in the air in Ski Town, U.S.A. Steamboat Springs, Colorado is getting rowdy. Driving down main street, the you can feel and see the difference. Gear swaps, classes at the rec center dedicated exclusively to getting your legs ready for skiing, and enthusiasts roller-skiing up and down the cement slopes in preparation. There is no denying that this is a ski town. However, there is another snow sport gaining more and more popularity every year. It may not be as readily noticed as you pass through, but in garages in all over town, snowmobiles are being tuned-up and prepped for the season. Snowmobiling is close second to skiing in the category of winter activities. And "Slednecks" are enthusiastic about the potential for another epic season here in northwest Colorado. Both Snowmobilers and skiers anxiously await the snow.

A central reason for the prevelance of snowmobiling in this area is Rabbit Ears Pass, in the Routt National Forest. The Pass is the snowmobile Mecca of Colorado. X-games competitors frequent the area and the longest snowmobile jump in history was recorded there. If you sat on the summit and scanned the area with your binoculars you would spot more than a few snowmobilers. On the highway's edge there are trailers of all sizes and shapes. In the distance are guided tours that resemble ants on a march as they zoom up and down the hills. And hopefully, if you know where the pros hang out, you'll catch some wild jumps and cliff dropping. Rabbit Ears Pass is truly an outstanding place to ride. It boasts the ideal combination- accessibility, diverse terrain and plenty of snow.

Accessibility is foremost. Poor access makes great terrain useless. This is why a crowded and expensive ski resort is more popular than the thousands of miles of wide-open backcountry. For most of us, our playtime is limited and we would rather not spend it en route. From Steamboat, the Pass and endless snowmobiling is a mere twelve miles east. Riding is as simple as parking in one of the several lots lining the highway and unloading your sled. For those with a large budget to spend on their appetite for snow sports, an airport lies just a half-an-hour west and Steamboat has endless lodging options.

The diversity of the terrain is tremendous. Beginners have groomed trails. Intermediate riders have single track and hills with varying degrees of steepness. And the really crazy folks out there- they have plenty of cliffs. And all riders can play in the many alpine meadows on powder days. This variety draws a wide array of experience levels to the Pass. It's also a wonderful fit for commercial tours. Guided trips are a fusion of excitment and safety. They also help to ensure the proliferation of snowmobiling by introducing people to the sport. Some of these newcomers will become addicts and, like the rest of us, spend lots of money supporting their habit and the industry.

Finally, the white fluffy icing on the proverbial cake. The delectable snow. Aptly icknamed "champagne powder", the snow that falls on the Yampa Valley is renowned for being lighter than that of other regions in Colorado. Lighter snow intensifies that floating feeling, the ultimate perk of snow sports. Sure, speed has some allure, and leaning into an impeccably carved turn can feel like cheating the laws of physics, but to float is undeniably divine.

Next time you and your family pack your sweaters and mittens and head for the mountains, consider Steamboat Springs as a destination. The exceptional ski resort draws a crowd all on its own, but the availability of many other snow sports makes this town unique. Wander off the beaten path, over miles of wild terrain on a powerful snowmobile and you shall certainly return hom with tales to tell.