by Marsh

I am lucky enough to have gotten a few "Howler Tattoos". John Floyd, the Alpine Slide Manager, gave the wounds you often get when falling on the alpine slide this name. They are very painful because they are burns that were caused by the concrete and fiberglass track grinding away your layers of skin. I am an employee at the Alpine Slide, and this gives me a certain responsibility. I must be able to go faster than anyone who rides the slide. The problem is that the faster you go, the easier it is to crash, hence, my "Howler Tattoos". The slide is run by the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and has only been running for a few years. It can be an incredibly boring job on some days, but others turn out to be crazy. I have had deer jump over me while I was on the slide, had marmots jump on me, and had squirrels run under me. These animals all have a death wish and it sure keeps us on the edge of our seats. Other days we have to deal with wrecks that one wouldn't think could be possible when doing such a "tame activity". Luckily, we have had no deaths at our Alpine Slide: This is quite a feat considering we are the only slide that can claim this in the country. In all honesty, I am surprised that I still have a job there. My co-workers, Niles and Dmitry, help me get into trouble on a daily basis. For example, when it rains getting the track wet, the brakes on the sleds you ride don't work. When we see clouds coming in we have to shut down until the storm passes, but we still have to deal with the people that are already at the top of the slide and ready to go. We explain that they must go down the track slowly and get their refunds at the bottom. On one occasion Niles, Dmitry, and I had to deal with this situation, but with about forty people waiting to get down. I told them all to go slow because their brakes wouldn't work on the damp track, and sent them on their way. As I screamed at them to slow down, everyone pretended to be unable to hear me and kept going faster and faster. When they neared the bottom and were ready to stop, they learned that I was not lying and that they had no functioning brakes. There was a twenty-person pile up in each track. I could hear the screams at the top of the mountain they were so loud. On the radio Ian, another worker, was screaming, "CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME? WE NEED HELP! HEEEELP!" Thinking that this would bring an incredible lawsuit to the slide, I thought for sure that I would be fired. I don't know how, but there were no injuries, and I was off of the hook. John Floyd said that he would have done the same thing and even said thank you to me. My job occupies most of my time in the summer, and I am glad that it has so many exciting days that scare or humor me to keep me busy.

by Marsh

It doesn't matter whether it is sunny or gray, when I look out my front door Emerald Mountain is there to greet me. I know Emerald Mountain like the back of my hand because I have looked up at it for my whole life. My Grandmother has told me stories of how she used to own the majority of the mountain. They would have Sunday get togethers, sharing picnic and games with friends. I think about how cool this would be if I owned this land now. I wouldn't ever leave the mountainside. I have lived directly across the valley from Emerald since I was born, and have spent many times staring at the familiar ridge. I spend a lot of time over there getting myself into shape. It is where I do the majority of my mountain biking and summer conditioning. I have made countless trips to the quarry on foot, on my bike, and years ago, in my dad's old jeep. Emerald Mountain is so beautiful and I take full advantage of the trails that it now has to offer. One of my most memorable summer workouts consists of racing fellow ski racers to the top of Emerald. We start at the bottom of Howelsen Hill and take a direct route that leads us up the old ski lift line that was cleared many years ago. It is a half-hour of pain, but the reward of a peaceful walk down through the beautiful aspens makes it worth it. Whether I am looking from my front porch or from a perch on my bike, Emerald Mountain is an important part of my life.

by Cody

A very important aspect and landmark of this town is Howelsen Hill. This place was the first realm of any ski area in Routt County. So many Olympians have developed from all that Howelsen Hill has to offer. This place really means a lot to me because a pass to Howelsen Hill was all that my parents could afford. I used to wake up really early with my dad and brother so we could get to the mountain and catch the fresh powder before it left. This mountain is where I fell in love with the art of snowboarding. Over the years, I practiced at the half pipe and competed in all of the little competitions there. Not only does this place have a lot of meaning to this town, but me too. Finally I got a pass to Mt. Werner, but I always went to Howelsen Hill afterwards because it stayed open late. I will never forget what it was like to ride up that poma lift and ride down the short little hill.

by Marsh

Howelsen Hill is the original ski mountain here in Steamboat. This is where skiing started and I spend my fair share of time training on the single run down its face. I have probably skied here over 500 days of my life. The Winter Sports Club is based here because of its outstanding training facilities, and convenient location. I often find myself at Howelsen Hill, for some reason, every day. Whether I am skiing, talking with my coaches, weight lifting at the base, working, mountain biking, or doing Gelende, Howelsen is my destination. Many kids my age take advantage of what Howelsen Hill has to offer just as I have my entire life. I can't leave the parking lot without talking to at least five other kids that I know and all of their parents. The people who spend time here like I do are for the most part friendly, and usually know me. It's a good feeling to be a part of such a tight community of people. Many of them have similar dreams of taking their sports to the highest level possible. I have dreams in ski racing that may or may not be attainable, but if I give it my best shot by working hard and training on Howelsen as often as I do, I won't have any regrets.

by Zach

I was involved in many activities at Howelsen Hill when I was younger. It was there when I became part of the tradition of Steamboat. I began skiing Nordic combined in 3rd grade and didn't stop until my freshman year of high school. Being a part of the Winter Sports Club made skiing more fun because of the kids and the competition. Howelsen Hill is where I rode my first bobsled and experienced night skiing. Winter Carnival was a blast. The Nordic skiers went off the jump with flairs and went through the fiery hoop. The lighted man was also something most people do not get to experience. During the World Cup we got to watch from the top of the tower or on the jump where spectators could not go. It was nice being a Nordic combined skier because we got to cut the lift line and we got V.I.P. passes for the tents and athlete areas during the World Cups and competitions. End of the year parties were a riot. We would go sledding, free skiing, have awards, and snowball fights. It is still fun to go back there and talk to my old friends and remember the good times.

by Brittainy

Three very unique qualities of Steamboat all reside in the same one block area. The depot, the elk and the River Queen. The elk and the River Queen are in the park of Steamboat Springs, and the depot is right across the river next to the railroad tracks. My friends and I have spent many nights and afternoons sitting in the park talking. We ride the seesaws and the swings, no matter the hour of day. One time it was as late as midnight when we went to sit on the swings and talk. Most of the time we are a crazy bunch of young adults. When we sit down to talk, we become very serious and the conversations we have had are very special to who I am as a person. The elk is a large statue next to the pond. The River Queen is a playground on a little steamer-looking base, and the depot was one of the main travel routes in Steamboat many years ago. The trains in and through stopped at one little building that holds a part of the history of Steamboat Springs.

by Hannah

During the winter, skiing and snowboarding aren't the only sports. Ice skating and hockey are also very popular for teens in Routt County. Most of the guys in Routt County grew up playing hockey, including my little brother, so it has been a social sporting event for a long time. The hockey players have a ton of teenage fans including me; it's really exciting and most of the time, it's where all of my friends are. I spent most of my weekends growing up at the rink either to watch my brother or to figure skate in competitions myself. On a Friday night after football season is over, the hockey games are the most exciting place to be if you are a teenager.