Friday Night MTN CLMB p/b Ventum
Head-to-head hill climb up Steamboat ski mountain — costume lap, a $1,000 prize purse, and a free Low Down Brass Band concert at the finish line.
The vibe
Spandex, switchbacks, and a brass band
Friday night in Steamboat before the main SBT GRVL event: a head-to-head hill climb up the ski mountain’s fire road, 0.5 miles and 214 feet of climbing at 8.2% average grade. The format is single-elimination bracket racing — you beat the rider next to you or you’re done. A $1,000 prize purse goes to the winners, but the mandatory costume lap with 33 switchbacks is there to remind everyone that this is a celebration as much as a competition.
The event raises money for The Cycle Effect, a Colorado nonprofit focused on getting mountain bikes into the hands of underrepresented youth. The Low Down Brass Band plays a free concert at the finish, which transforms the ski base into an actual festival rather than just a race venue. If you’re in Steamboat for the weekend, this is the thing to do on Friday evening.
Gondola Square is the center of action — plan to arrive early to watch heat racing and scope the costume competition. The Friday Night MTN CLMB has become a genuine community event for the Steamboat cycling scene, drawing spectators and riders who aren’t even registered for the weekend’s gravel routes. All bikes welcome, costumes strongly encouraged.