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Oldest Operating Ski Area Wraps Up Ski Free Sundays

By Matt Kroschel

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - All good things must come to an end, and Sunday that meant the last Ski Free Day for the season at Howelsen Hill Ski Area in Steamboat Springs.

Howelsen Hill
(credit: Shannon Lukens)

It's the 102nd winter season at the historic small ski hill which officials say has produced nearly 90 winter Olympians.

Howelsen Hill is the country's oldest operating ski area, founded in 1915.

U.S. Ski Jumping And Nordic Combined Championships
A jumper heads down the run in on the 127 meter jump during training for the US Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships at Howelsen Hill on January 20, 2006 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Those who enjoyed the hill on Sunday also enjoyed free food and skiing a handful of runs. While the ski hill does not compare in size to Steamboat Resort across town, it seems to offer something many resorts don't.

"I learned to ski here, so are my kids now," one parent told CBS4 Sunday.

Last October, city officials considered a $1 lift ticket price as a way to increase the number of visitors. The idea was to bring more nordic and downhill skiers to the hill, which is located right near the mountain town's downtown area.

LINK: Ski Free Sundays At Howelsen Hill

Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.

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