by Steve Siler

Winter driving school at Bridgestone Driving Academy

Love to ski? You're not alone. But when it comes to getting up to the slopes, well, sometimes its best to leave the driving to someone else. Let us introduce to you a fun way to both get your ski on, and build winter driving confidence that can help you and your family get to your favorite resort town in tact. It all happens on your next trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado for a day of beauty, a day of skiing and a day (or two) of driving at the Bridgestone Winter Driving Academy.

Now, those of you who have ever strapped a pair of long, skinny planks to your sole know that Steamboat Springs is a Mecca for those who can't get enough of the white stuff. To get to Steamboat, you most likely will have to fly through Denver or Salt Lake City and then connect on a smaller plane (on either prop planes or jets, but you never know which) to Hayden, which is about a 30 minute drive from Steamboat. On your flight, make sure you request a window seat, as the views of the mountains are truly spectacular. In fact, bring binoculars and be on guard to spot various forms of wildlife in its natural habitat upon your descent into Hayden (we did, and we rewarded with the sight of a bald eagle surveying the territory below). At other points during our time there, we saw various birds of prey, deer of all ages and even a silver fox puppy kicking it by the side of the road.

After landing in Hayden, the best way to get to Steamboat is by airport shuttle, which is provided by Storm Mountain Express, (970.879.1963…$46 per adult round trip, children cost half). Make sure as you pack that whatever you take with you can handle the cold; our luggage was thrown into a wind-shielded-but-outdoors-nonetheless rack on top of the van in order to make room for passengers. Also, bring a small chamois if you can to wipe down the fog-prone windows as the only thing more beautiful than the flight in is the van ride in.

Where to stay: without a doubt, the Sheraton Steamboat Resort and Conference Center (2200 Village Inn Ct., 970-879-2220). This 317-room, eight-story hotel is a true ski-in facility located at the base of Mt. Werner in the Steamboat Springs Ski Area and an integral part of the Gondola Square shopping area. It offers parking for cars, trucks and even snowmobiles. The hotel is an approachable mix of high-class hotel and kick-off-your-shoes ski lodge, and plays host to a Starbucks as well as more than a dozen gift shops selling everything from fine crystal to designer scarves. Service is first rate, from the bell desk to the front desk to the in-room dining. And while all rooms have balconies, and none suffer from a bad view of the Steamboat Springs ski area or the surrounding hillsides, we recommend requesting a high, south-facing room. This will position you to catch a view of the valley that will take your breath away every time you look out, particularly at sunrise. It'll also give you a chance to survey the conditions as you decide if this will be your day of beauty, or the day you hit the slopes.

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