Best Of Boat: Your Guide To Voting In Steamboat Springs

The Best of the Boat competition is an annual event that celebrates the best of Steamboat Springs, giving locals and visitors a chance to support their favourite people, businesses and things in Routt County. The competition covers a wide range of categories, from best cocktail and craft beer to best mortgage broker and pet groomer. The winners are determined through an online voting process, with voters able to submit their choices through the Best of the Boat website. The competition has been running for over 10 years and has become a beloved tradition in the community, with thousands of people participating each year.

Best Virtual Teacher

Voting for the 12th annual Best of the Boat contest is now live at BestOfTheBoat.com, and locals and visitors can vote for their favourite people, businesses and things in Routt County. To vote for the Best Virtual Teacher, follow these steps:

• Go to the BestOfTheBoat.com website.
• Find the "Best Virtual Teacher" category. This may be under the Professionals category, as this section highlights some of the people behind Steamboat Springs' great services and businesses.
• Hit the "vote" button next to your favourite nominee.
• You may vote for one nominee in each category per day.
• You can also click on any nominee to access a voting page that can be shared via social media or email to encourage votes.

The winners of the 2022 Best of the Boat contest will be announced in late November in the Best of the Boat magazine, as well as on BestOfTheBoat.com and SteamboatPilot.com.

Best Business Pivot during the pandemic

The Best of the Boat is an annual contest that gives locals and visitors the chance to vote for their favourite people, businesses, and things in Routt County. The contest covers a wide range of categories, from food and drinks to health, shopping, and art. The winners are typically announced in a special magazine publication, as well as on the BestOfTheBoat.com and SteamboatPilot.com websites.

Wildcrafted Chocolate

When the Steamboat Resort closed due to the pandemic, executive chef Russell Goodman found himself laid off. Leveraging his background as a pastry chef and his interest in local foods, he started Wildcrafted Chocolate. His specialty chocolate bonbons, with fillings like Palisade peach and plum, sold out weekly from summer through Valentine's Day at the Community Agricultural Alliance Marketplace.

Steamboat Salt Co.

After losing his job in restaurant supply sales, Hayden resident Chris Poole turned to his passion for cooking homemade soup. Through his family business, Steamboat Salt Co., he developed a selection of Colorado-inspired soups, which he sold in frozen quarts through the CAA Marketplace.

Mollie's of Steamboat

Mollie Rusher, a Steamboat Springs resident, was laid off from her job in corporate travel management. She pivoted to her 20-year Christmas tradition of making pickles, selling four varieties of spicy pickles through her new company, Mollie's of Steamboat.

Stay at Home Chef

Sharon Ashburn, a personal chef, used to cook for parties of eight in her clients' homes. During the pandemic, she shifted to preparing affordable homemade meals for two, which she froze and delivered to customers' porches. This contactless business model allowed her to stay afloat during the challenging period.

Chula Beauregard, Professional Painter and Teacher

Chula Beauregard, a professional artist and teacher, adapted to the pandemic by cancelling in-person workshops and creating online courses. This decision doubled her number of students, attracting multigenerational families and pupils from across the country. She also started teaching a new class for Yampa Valley High School students.

Most Inspiring Community Outreach

The 'Best of the Boat' competition is an annual event in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, that invites locals and visitors to vote for their favourite people, businesses and things in Routt County. The 2022 competition included a new category: 'Most Inspiring Community Outreach'. This category recognises and celebrates individuals or organisations that have made a positive impact on the community, especially during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 'Most Inspiring Community Outreach' award is about acknowledging those who have gone above and beyond to support and uplift the community. This could include initiatives that address social issues, promote inclusivity, or enhance the well-being of the community. Nominees in this category have likely demonstrated exceptional dedication, creativity, and a strong commitment to making a positive difference in Steamboat Springs.

Nominees for 'Most Inspiring Community Outreach' might include local non-profit organisations, community groups, or individuals who have initiated or led volunteer efforts, charitable programmes, or advocacy campaigns. Their contributions could range from addressing food insecurity, supporting vulnerable populations, organising community events, or advocating for social and environmental causes. The winner of this category will be someone who has truly made a difference and inspired others through their dedication to the community.

Voting for the 'Best of the Boat' competition usually takes place online through a platform such as BestoftheBoat.com. Voters can show their support by submitting their votes and sharing the voting pages via social media or email. The winners of the competition are typically announced in a special 'Best of the Boat' magazine, on the competition website, and through local media outlets.

Best Curbside or Takeout Experience

Steamboat Springs has a variety of restaurants offering curbside pickup and takeout options. Here are some of the best curbside or takeout experiences you can find in the area:

Back Door Grill

A popular choice for a burger and a cold brew, Back Door Grill is known for its crave-worthy American dishes such as the G6 burger with queso, jalapeños, pepper jack, and an onion ring. They offer seamless online ordering and quick takeout options, making it a convenient choice for those on the go.

Yampa Sandwich Co. and Skull Creek

Both Yampa Sandwich Co. and Skull Creek offer tasty sandwiches and gyros with seamless online ordering systems, making them ideal for a quick and easy pickup.

Colorado Bagel Company

Colorado Bagel Company is a great breakfast option, offering a variety of bagel and spread flavors with the option of delivery.

Aurum Food & Wine

Aurum Food & Wine provides an intimate dining experience with private yurts that can be reserved. This unique setting, coupled with their food, creates a memorable dining memory.

Mountain Tap Brewery

Mountain Tap Brewery has created a festive outdoor dining experience by setting up three gondola cars on their patio. Patrons can enjoy their wood-fired pizzas and beers in the comfort of their private gondola cabin.

These are just a few examples of the excellent curbside and takeout options available in Steamboat Springs. Each restaurant offers something unique, ensuring that your dining experience is not only delicious but also convenient and memorable.

Best Après Ski

The Best of the Boat is an annual contest that gives locals and visitors the chance to vote for their favourite people, businesses, and things in Routt County. The 2019 Best Après Ski award went to T Bar At Steamboat, with Slopeside Grill and Truffle Pig coming in second and third place, respectively.

T-Bar At Steamboat is a self-proclaimed five-star dive bar, known for its sticker-lined walls, jam-band tunes, and old-school games like hammerschlagen. It offers a combination of local craft brews and "legit food" (including the peanut butter, banana, and bacon BLT). On a bluebird day, skiers can continue on Right-a-Way and ski straight to the patio of the second-place winner, Slopeside Grill, for pitchers of palomas or a shotski with friends. If you’re headed from the slopes straight to town, detour to the Barley, which came in first place for Best Bar. Here, Colorado craft beers and spirits are the stars of the menu.

The 2022 Best of the Boat voting took place from June 24 to July 13, with winners announced in late November. The 2021 contest saw 3,699 nominations and over 90,000 votes.

Frequently asked questions