45th Annual Cowboy Downhill in Steamboat Springs

So you may ask yourself, what could be better than watching a bunch of cowboys and cowgirls (most who have never attempted to ski/snowboard before) race down a mountain full speed and launch off of a professional ski-jump?

Well, for us, this takes the cake.

The Cowboy Lifestyle Network Road Team marks this event on the top of our Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Events for the upcoming rodeo season in 2019.

For forty-five years, the Cowboy Downhill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado has been an unbelievable spectacle. Traditional media outlets in the early 1970s (Newspaper/Print, Radio, TV, etc.) exposed this unique event throughout the United States and beyond. Fast forward to 2019; this event has only gotten bigger over the years from a global perspective, along with extraordinary growth from the Web and Social Media.

Just before the race, our good friends from the GoPro Bombsquad drop into the course out of a Helicopter from thousands of feet up in the sky.

This PRCA event, hosted by the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, has always coincided with the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo (NWSSR) in Denver, Colorado. It has included sponsors from brands like Coca-Cola, GoPro, PRCA, and Wrangler.

Cowboy Downhill contestants rope a cowgirl before proceeding to saddle a horse on their way to the finish line.

Any new cowboys or cowgirls looking to compete in the Cowboy Downhill events will need to enter as a PRCA or PBR contestant in Denver for the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo (NWSSR).

CLN’s Founder, Patrick “OD” O’Donnell with Rodeo Queens from across the country.

What do you get with the entry fee? Lodging on Sunday, January 20th through Monday, January 21st at The Lodge, two-day lift ticket vouchers, two-day ski or snowboard rentals, VIP Pass for all events, and a brand new special edition Wrangler jacket. It’s the complete package for the most fun you’ve ever had at a ski resort, period. Plus, Steamboat Ski Resort is home to the friendliest ski resort staff you will ever meet.

With this all being said, the Cowboy Downhill is hands down one of the top events during the month of January.

Cowboy Downhill contestant saddling a horse before racing to the finish line.

Not only does it bring some of the top rodeo athletes in the world together at Steamboat Resort, but it also reunites us with some of the most prominent PRCA Hall of Fame Rodeo athletes in the world. The event schedule is loaded with events other than the race itself, including live music, a VIP BBQ and non-stop entertainment. Here is the full Event Schedule:

EVENT SCHEDULE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019

ALL DAY

Check-in and get ready to party at Bear River Deck with live music and great people.

MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019

8:30-10:30 AM

Race Registration in Competition Services Office in Gondola Square

11:00-12:45 PM

Cowboy/VIP BBQ on the Timber & Torch deck

12:45 PM

Head up the chairlift. It’s race time!

1:00 PM

45th Annual Steamboat Cowboy Downhill Timed Slalom Event & Stampede

Immediately Following

Free Concert with SAM BUSH in Gondola Square

7:00 PM

Cowboy Downhill Awards and Banquet at the top of the Gondola

9:00 PM

Party continues with entertainment from the band Banks & Shane

Billy Kidd and Larry Mahan had the incredible idea of bringing Western athletes together for a fun-filled event that would entail competing in traditional winter sports combined with western events. The CLN Team has traveled down the road along the side of World Champions and Hall of Fame Bull Riders Charles Sampson and Ted Nuce.

Special thanks to Traci Allen of Steamboat Resort and Jeff Chadwick of Wrangler for making this trip a reality year after year. 

Get social with us here at Cowboy Lifestyle Network and tune in to CLN’s Facebook, Instagram + IG Stories, and Twitter for all the live action as it unfolds on Monday, January 21, 2019.

Last Updated on 01/05/2020 by Aaron Kuhl

About the Author:

Aaron Kuhl

Biography:

Aaron Kuhl is a passionate advocate for the western lifestyle, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Cowboy Lifestyle Network (CLN). Growing up as an Arizona native, with a mother who worked for Wrangler Western for over 30 years, Aaron was immersed in the cowboy culture from a young age. Aaron and his sister Heather grew up watching rodeos, as their grandfather and uncle were PRCA ProRodeo cardholders. This early exposure has given him a profound understanding and appreciation for the western way of life.

Aaron went to Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, AZ, then to the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, where he received a Bachelor of Science after creating his own major. This unique course of study wove together Business Marketing, Geography, Sociology, Philosophy, and Religion.

After graduating from the University of Arizona, Aaron joined CLN in its nascent stages, contributing to its growth and development over the past decade. As COO, Aaron manages operations, using AI to streamline processes and analyze data, ensuring CLN remains a leading voice. With expertise in business development, he innovates and cultivates client relationships, supporting CLN’s exponential growth.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Aaron values his faith, family, and friends, which are the cornerstones of his life. This personal foundation, combined with his professional expertise, makes him a trusted and authoritative voice in the western lifestyle community.

Aaron’s commitment to philanthropy is the bedrock of his personal ethos. He actively supports local Arizona organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Chandler Compadres, Horses Help, Harris Brothers Charity Foundation, and the American Heart Association (among others), reflecting his dedication to giving back and strengthening the community he calls home.

Through his work, Aaron aims to preserve and promote the traditions of the west, ensuring that the spirit of the cowboy lives on for future generations.

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