In Steamboat Springs, Colorado, there is anticipation in the air. Ski Town, U.S.A is getting rowdy. Driving down the main drag, the difference is visable. Gear swaps, classes at the gym designed to get in shape for skiing, and dedicated enthusiasts roller-skiing up and down the cement slopes. This is undoubtbaly a ski town. But there is another snow sport that has a growing presence in Steamboat Springs. This one you may not notice so readily as you pass through. But in garages in every neighborhood snowmobiles are being tuned-up and prepped for the season. Snowmobiling is a definite runner-up to skiing in the category of winter activities. And "Slednecks" are enthusiastic about the potential for another fabulous season here in northwest Colorado. Snowmobilers and skiers alike 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 were to sit on the summit and get out your binoculars you would be able to spot numerous enthusiasts enjoying the area. 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 if you know where the pros hang out, you may catch some wild cliff dropping and huge jumps. Rabbit Ears Pass is truly an outstanding place to ride. If offers a sublime combination of accessabily, diverse terrain and an abundance of snow.

Accessibility is foremost. Without access, the best terrain in the world becomes irrelevant. 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. Just park in one of the lots that line the highway, unload your sled and your off. 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. The people out there with a death wish- they have 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.