I feel confident in saying that Colorado is the premiere ski destination of America. (Wouldn’t you agree?) With dozens of beautiful ski resorts and some of the best powder in the country, it is no wonder winter sports enthusiasts flock to the Centennial State to take advantage! All of this being said, it should come as no surprise that Colorado is also home to one of the oldest ski resorts in the country. Just where is this 103-year-old destination? Read on to find out:

Located in Steamboat Springs, Howelsen Hill Ski Area was founded in 1914 and first premiered its exciting jumps at the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Carnival.

History Colorado/87.42.861 “Photograph taken from the top of the ski jump at Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, circa 1916-1920. A small group of people stands at the base of the ski jump. The Yampa River and downtown Steamboat Springs are visible in the background. The photographer is unidentified.”

Before the ski area’s founding (by Norwegian immigrant Carl Howelsen in 1913), skiing was only used as a means of transportation for Coloradans, but quickly became a recreational phenomenon because of the jumps and competitions hosted at Howelsen Hill.

History Colorado/87.42.884 “Photograph of an unidentified ski jumper jumping off the ski jump at Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, circa 1916-1920. A crowd of people stand alongside to watch him. The photograph was taken by L. C. (Louis Charles) McClure of Denver, Colorado.”

In 1931, the alpine area of Howelsen Hill was established, making the ski destination even more popular amongst locals and tourists alike.

History Colorado/87.42.881 “Photograph of a ski jumper jumping off of the ski jump at Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs, circa 1916-1920. People stand along the side of the jump and at its base. There is a line of people walking from the Yampa River to the base of the ski jump. The town of Steamboat Springs is visible in the background. The photograph was taken by L. C. (Louis Charles) McClure of Denver, Colorado.”

Since its founding, the ski area has sent more skiers to international competitions than any other ski area in the country and has been the training grounds for a whopping 64 Olympians…

Flickr/stretchdog

…15 members of the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame…

Flickr/Frank DiBona

…and 6 members of the National Ski Hall of fame!

Howelsen Hill Facebook

Howelsen Hill is open every Tuesday through Sunday. For more information on times, costs, and slopes, please visit their website.

Howelsen Hill Facebook

History Colorado/87.42.861

“Photograph taken from the top of the ski jump at Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, circa 1916-1920. A small group of people stands at the base of the ski jump. The Yampa River and downtown Steamboat Springs are visible in the background. The photographer is unidentified.”

History Colorado/87.42.884

“Photograph of an unidentified ski jumper jumping off the ski jump at Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, circa 1916-1920. A crowd of people stand alongside to watch him. The photograph was taken by L. C. (Louis Charles) McClure of Denver, Colorado.”

History Colorado/87.42.881

“Photograph of a ski jumper jumping off of the ski jump at Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs, circa 1916-1920. People stand along the side of the jump and at its base. There is a line of people walking from the Yampa River to the base of the ski jump. The town of Steamboat Springs is visible in the background. The photograph was taken by L. C. (Louis Charles) McClure of Denver, Colorado.”

Flickr/stretchdog

Flickr/Frank DiBona

Howelsen Hill Facebook

For more winter fun, check out The 11 Best Places To Go Sled Riding In Colorado This Winter.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.