It might not rival floating on Steamboat’s Champagne powder, but you can now ski indoors in Steamboat. Apparel store SBNY, at 831 Lincoln Ave., harbors a tiny indoor skiing hill with a state-of-the-art SkiMachine, “offering a realistic and immersive skiing experience in a controlled environment.” Its hourly rate includes an instructor and special ski gear (no BYO), with each session tailored to specific needs. We caught up with co-founder Lauren Franko to see what’s up with the new way of going down. Info: sb-ny.com
Indoor skiing? How and why did you decide to offer it?
Skiing is a huge part of our customers’ lifestyles and many of them are either beginners or looking to refine their skills. By offering ski lessons, we wanted to create a more personalized experience for people who love the mountains but may need guidance on the slopes. For us, it’s not just about selling ski clothing—it’s about becoming a go-to resource for people looking to fully immerse themselves in the sport.
How popular is it?
The response has been super positive, the feedback has been great and our ski lessons are growing. People appreciate the personalized approach of our lessons, our instructors’ expertise, and the convenience of booking directly through our platform and getting the same high-quality instruction they’d expect from a top-tier ski school. It’s rewarding to see customers feel more confident and capable after their lessons.
What’s the equipment like?
Thanks to our partnership with Head, we offer their newest line of skis, boots, and poles, giving our clients access to top-performing equipment designed to work with the SkiMachine.
Pros:
No goggle fog
No lift lines
No cold toes
Cons:
No fresh air, breeze, or freshies
Short run (about like Steamboat’s Arc) No meeting new friends on the lift
