About 70 miles north of the I-70 corridor that feeds Colorado’s busiest ski areas, Steamboat Springs seems removed from the usual luxury designer shops and rampant condo development so often seen in ski towns these days. Local craft makers, artists, brewers and restaurant owners lend indie flair to the town’s main street, lined mostly with early-20th-century buildings. Supplementing Steamboat’s “champagne powder” and Western appeal, improvements at Steamboat Ski Resort by its owner, Alterra Mountain Company — which also owns Deer Valley in Utah, and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows in California in its 14-resort portfolio — include a new gondola that shortens the ride from 12 to less than 10 minutes and boosts capacity 38 percent to 3,600 people an hour. Given Steamboat’s in-town diversions, hot springs and variety of winter sports (including snowshoeing and biking), many visitors come without Alpine ambitions. The town makes it easy even for those without a car — free buses circulate nearly every 10 minutes in winter between downtown and the ski resort, supplemented by ride-sharing services .

Friday

1) 3 p.m. Walking in a winter wonderland

To adjust to the climate and altitude, take in the stunning surroundings with a snowshoe hike on the trails around Fish Creek Falls about four miles east of town. Rent a pair of snowshoes from downtown’s Straightline Sports ($10) and head out to watch the ice climbers at the frozen falls before ascending the steep trails shared by local dog walkers and trail runners. If you’re in the mood for skiing, wait until darkness falls. Visitors landing early at Yampa Valley Regional Airport can night-ski for free at Steamboat Ski Resort by showing their airline boarding pass at the ticket window.