Steamboat Springs welcomes back past and present rodeo champions from across North America for the38th Annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill in January each year. Spectators rally around the base of the ski area as a herd of Pro Rodeo champions make a mad-dash down Steamboat’s Stampede trail on skis and snowboards. Hilarity ensues! Year after year, generations return to experience the most unique ski rodeo in the world!
NEW VIDEO! 2011 Cowboy Downhill
Check Out 2010 Cowboy Downhill
Schedule of Cowboy Events: January 17, 2012
12-4 p.m. - Western Celebration in Gondola Square
Gondola Square will be the place to be and public festivities will be going on in the Bud Light Tents and at the Bear River Bar & Grill, with live musical entertainment.
2:30-4pm Live BudLight Concert Featuring: TBA - Enjoy live outdoor music in front of the Gondola Square!
4 p.m. Cowboy Slalom Race- Watch these timed runs as cowboys make their way through the course and into the finish line-
Grand Finale - The Chaotic Western Stampede on Skis! (directly following the slalom)
The Stampede, utilizing a mass start, pits cowboy against cowboy in a winner takes all race down Headwall. The greatest challenge for the winner is getting out of the way of the hundred other cowboys hurling down the hill in hot pursuit.
5:30 p.m. in Gondola Square:Cowboy Downhill Awards on concert stage!
How the Cowboy Downhill Started
The Cowboy Downhill all began 35 years ago when Billy Kidd, The Steamboat Ski Resort’s Director of Skiing, and Larry Mahan, six-time All-Around World Champion cowboy, decided to invite a few of the ProRodeo stars to Steamboat for a day of skiing. The cowboys had such a great time that the Downhill has become the most popular event of the season with over 100 of the best professional rodeo cowboys competing in the most unique ski rodeo in the country. Sponsored by Bud Light, the Cowboy Downhill is always scheduled to coincide with the National Western Stock Show in Denver.
