Ian London's Favorite Spots in Steamboat Springs

Best place to take a client: This is a ski town, so it’s hard to beat a chairlift meeting on Steamboat Mountain. In the summer, plenty of business gets done on mountain bikes in our downtown trail network, Emerald Mountain.

Favorite watering hole: Mountain Tap Brewery. They have a great selection of beers made in-house, and delicious brick oven pizza. 

Favorite building: Routt County is dotted with old one-room schoolhouses, many of which have been lovingly preserved. One particularly charming example, the Mesa Schoolhouse, is owned by the city of Steamboat Springs and can be rented for special events. 

Best restaurant: On a low-key summer evening, my wife and I like Salt & Lime. On special occasions we seem to end up at Laundry. 

Favorite city event: Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival takes place each February. There’s a huge fireworks and light show on Howelsen Hill, and ski competition events all weekend. The perennial crowd favorite event is skijoring. The city closes down the main street through town, Lincoln Ave., and covers it with snow. The local kids take turns getting pulled by horses at full speed, over jumps and obstacles. It’s pretty wild.

Favorite mountain biking spot: Our local trail-building group, Routt County Riders, has been working hard on expanding our trail network. We have everything from novice-friendly trails (Emerald Mountain) to epic backcountry adventures (Divide Trail). However, the crown jewel of our trail network is the Buffalo Pass system. Don’t miss Flash of Gold during foliage season, or Grouse Ridge for a guaranteed adrenaline rush. 

Best view: Four Points Lodge on Steamboat Mountain. It’s lovely enough during the day but becomes even better at sunset. Either treat yourself to the snowcat-accessed dinner or earn it the old-fashioned way by skinning up. 

Favorite park: Emerald Mountain/Howelsen Hill. Whether you want to hike, bike, horseback ride, trail run or ski, it has everything and it’s accessible right from downtown.

Best place for people watching: Thunderhead Lodge at the top of the gondola. Any time I start to take our home for granted, I watch the tourists’ reactions as they step off of the gondola and take in our views for the first time. 

Favorite local shop: Ohana. Emily and Luke have taken the tired T-shirt shop model and turned it on its head, selling locally made clothing and artwork. Even for locals, it’s impossible to walk into their shop without buying something.

Where to go fishing: The Yampa River flows right through town, and right past my office. Go early or late to avoid kayak and tube traffic.