Courtesy Steamboat Ski Corporation

STEAMBOAT SURPASSES 400-INCH CHAMPAGNE POWDER® MILESTONE

March 2, 2008

With 34 feet of snow this winter and Spring still more than two weeks away, Steamboat recorded another snow milestone this morning, recording a 400-inch Champagne Powder snow season for just the 6th time since 1979/80. This is the fastest the resort has reached the 400-inch level and is just three inches ahead at this date of the record holding 1995/1996 season when it finished the season with 460.25 inches.

“With more than 100 inches in December, January and February; and, now surpassing the 400-inch milestone on the just the second day of March, Steamboat is definitely showing why it is the home of Champagne Powder snow this season,” said Chris Diamond, president & chief operating officer for Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “Powderhounds couldn’t be more delighted and there’s still plenty to come.”

Steamboat is currently in a storm cycle that has yielded 9 inches at mid-mountain and 5 inches at the summit overnight, resulting in a 74-inch base at mid-mountain and 94-inch base at the summit on powder conditions. Since November 21st, snow has fallen 78 out of 103 days (75.7%) with 45 of those days recording four or more inches. This season at mid-mountain, the resort has seen 17 inches in October; 23 inches in November; 126 inches in December (3rd snowiest); 129 inches in January (2nd snowiest) and 104 inches in February (2nd snowiest); and 9 inches in March for a combined total of 408 inches (34 feet).

“With Colorado bluebird sunny days closing out February, Mother Nature has put us right back into full-on winter with mid-January conditions with lots of snow and cold temperatures,” said Doug Allen, vice president-mountain operations of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “Forecasts are calling for continued snow through this week, with the Northern and Central Mountains being the favored areas with light to moderate snow.”

In addition to registering another four-wire winter, the resort hit three key milestones within just a month of each other: surpassed 300-inch mark on 2/1/08; six days later surpassed 350-inch mark on 2/7/08; and today surpassed the 400-inch mark. Furthermore, Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A.® received more than 100 inches of snow for three consecutive months (December, January & February) for the first time in resort history.

"The word about Steamboat's snow this season has spread as fast as it has piled up in the Yampa Valley,” continued Diamond. “This is one of those seasons that you’ll hear about and read about for years to come. With more than 33 feet of snow this year, spring skiing in Steamboat will take on a whole new meaning.”

Provided by Steamboat Ski Corporation