Howelsen Hill helped shape Colorado’s ski culture – and Steamboat Springs’ Olympic legacy

By In The NoCo,

Published July 30, 2026 at 5:35 AM MDT

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A ski hill at night in Steamboat Springs with different colored flags is seen rising behind several lodge-type buildings with sharply sloped roofs. A group of dozens of skiers is clustered at the bottom of the hill.

In an era of high-speed gondolas and sprawling ski resorts, it's easy to forget how some of Colorado's smaller mountains influenced ski culture as we know it today.

Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs is one of those mountains. It's a fraction of the size of the resorts in Aspen or Vail – or the bigger resort across town.

But Howelsen Hill made a huge impact when it opened back in 1915. The hill bears the name of its founder, a champion ski jumper from Norway named Carl Howelsen.

A black and white photo from 1917 of Carl Howelsen, a man standing in the snow on long skis wearing gloves, a winter jacket and a knit stocking cap. Text at the bottom reads: "Carl Howesen" record 171 feet, Steamboat Springs Carnival, March 1-2, 1917. Out West Photo, Boulder" — Carl Howelsen

Over the years, Howelsen Hill got more people skiing, and eventually served as the training ground for dozens of future Olympians.

Candice Bannister is the executive director of the Tread of Pioneers Museum in Steamboat Springs, which has plenty of Howelsen-related artifacts in its collection.
She talked with Erin O’Toole in January about Howelsen’s legacy – and why Howelsen Hill is still an important place today.

Ahead of Colorado's 150th birthday this Saturday, this is one of several In The NoCo conversations about the state's fascinating history we'll reshare in the coming days.

2026 marks a major birthday for Colorado, which became a state on Aug. 1, 1876. In honor of the 150th anniversary, KUNC News is exploring some of the most fascinating – and sometimes overlooked – stories from Colorado history.