Steamboat Flips The Switch On Night Skiing

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- It's a niche in the ski industry that not many resorts have joined but this weekend one resort in Colorado is turning on the lights for the first time-- Steamboat.

Steamboat is only the second major resort in Colorado to offer night skiing.

Skiing or riding under the sun isn't going to be your only option at Steamboat. Starting this weekend, 1,100 vertical feet of snow will be lit after dark.

"It's a community-wide impact. It's going to bring a lot more energy and vibrancy to the base, the businesses should see a boom," said Steamboat Ski Area spokeswoman Loryn Kasten.

It took three months of construction to put in literally thousands of feet of wiring. In total there are now 81 of these light poles lighting up five ski runs.

"It's going to be all levels, beginner, intermediate and advanced," said Kasten.

"I think the thing that is interesting here is the large area compared to what I've seen at other areas," said skier Jesse Young.

Keystone has offered night skiing since 1985. Nearly 30 years later Steamboat is joining in but now with a new design called ultra tech lighting.

"Steamboat is using a light that is used more to refract off of the snow and spread the light that way as opposed to having a cone of light," said Kasten. "As you move around the mountain you notice that wherever you are that's where the light seems to be the best."

Skiers are excited but will be sure to check the conditions first.

"Thinking about it, depends on how cold it gets. It's a little colder here than I'm used to," said one skier.

"We're going to close for a bit so our groomers can get up and transform the slopes," said Kasten. "It's going to be a full service experience, you can take lessons, a guided tour, we have full ski patrol on duty."

Friday night's opening has Steamboat looking ahead.

"I think it's a success we'll always look to see what kind of accommodations we can make in the future," said Kasten.