Steamboat is known for producing Winter Olympians, thanks to the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and its world-renowned coaching staff and on-snow programming. In fact, many families move to the area specifically to enroll their kids in SSWSC programs. But with the influx of people who are moving to Steamboat from all over the country, there’s a growing population of kids who may want to do something other than ski.
Whether it’s seasonal or year-round, sports or other activities, there are plenty of options for kids in the Yampa Valley who want to get out and play.
Field Sports
From the 6-week introductory fall program for kids age 5-8 years old to the competitive team program, the Steamboat Soccer Club, founded in 1984, has something for boys and girls of all ages and abilities, including recreation, development, and competitive programs for kids age 5-19. Do you have an especially high-energy toddler? There’s even a Tot-soccer program for kids age 3-5. Not ready to commit to football, but think your kid would like to throw the pigskin around? Flag Football is a great fall option for kids in second-sixth grade to play non-impact football and to learn offense, defense, and special teams. Lacrosse isn’t just for prep schools anymore; it’s everywhere! Fall ball is now open at Steamboat Youth Lacrosse for boys age 6-15. Girls can play, too, thanks to Steamboat Glax for 1st to 8th graders. Kid’s baseball in Steamboat is a homerun for parents thanks to Yampa Valley Youth Baseball, offering programs in t-ball, machine pitch, and a minors and majors league. Swing, batter, batter!
Arts and Culture
Just because you moved to Steamboat doesn’t mean your kids have to be future Olympians. In fact, there are many programs for kids in the arts. Tiny dancers can sashay over to Elevation Dance Studio to study everything from ballet and jazz to hip hop, tumbling, and ballroom dance for kids preschool age all the way up to adults. Got little ones who would rather practice violin than step out into the cold on a powder day? Head over to the Steamboat Academy for Music & Dance, offering instruction in piano, violin, guitar, drums, voice/singing, viola, cello, bass, and winds as well as classes for ballet, tap and modern.
On the court and back in the saddle.
This is Steamboat, after all, where cowboy country meets ski country, so you might as well get them in the saddle with horseback riding lessons. Alpenglow Equine offers both English and Western style riding for beginners and advanced with horses available for lease. Are your kids constantly making a racket? Hand them a real racquet and get them out of the house for tennis and pickleball lessons at Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball. Offering lessons for kids of all ages, from 3-18, including after-school programs, it’s a great option for an indoor activity in the shoulder seasons when the weather is always unpredictable and is about as cooperative as a bunch of restless kids.
For ongoing program information and updates on youth sports, visit the City of Steamboat Springs website and Steamboat Creates for art classes and other creative programming.