Now that January is upon us many people will be out on the slopes taking in the views and getting some much-needed fresh air. After spending time hitting the fresh powder of the hills, what better way to warm up than with a hot beverage next to a fire.

That was the thought behind creating The Cowboy Cauldron for the Steamboat Ski Resort. Bringing both the culture of western cowboys and our community’s love of skiing into one warm project.

Cowboys of Steamboat Springs

It’s no secret that Steamboat Springs is a cowboy town of the west. Walk a mile out of town in any direction and you’re bound to find a working ranch. Not only that, but this year marks the 48th Annual Cowboy Downhill at the Steamboat Ski Resort. Over 100 professional rodeo cowboys will be swapping out their cowboy boots for a pair of skis.

James Crawford incorporated Steamboat back in 1900. In the first decade, ranching became the primary industry of the valley, bringing great population growth to the town. Along with all the others was Carl Howelsen, the man who brought skiing to life in these broad areas of terrain.

Creating the classic cowboy cauldron as a central feature at the new promenade at the Steamboat Ski Area seemed to be a great way to hold onto the history.

How is a cowboy cauldron made?

A lot of coordination went into making this project possible. The design for the Cowboy Cauldron started with a landscape designer and a vision.

The Structure

Justin at Ski Town Fabricators & Artisans welded the huge bowl of the cauldron as well as the structure surrounding it. The bowl was created by piecing together sections of thick curved steel, while the three beefy posts look like they are strongly supporting it – but the bowl actually sits on a small concrete pad. It’s the perfect size to keep everyone warm.

The Details

We didn’t stop with the structure of this fun fire feature. Kirsten Lima at Breck Ironworks added the extra details that made this Cowboy Cauldron really stand out. Every log, branch, and pinecone you see within the Cauldron, Kirsten made out of steel. 

The Future Looks Bright (and Warm)

With the entire Cowboy Cauldron pieced together, we here at Mountain Home Stove & Fireplace were able to make it all functional. It’s been a fun way to provide innovative pre-après ski warmth. 

Creating the Cowboy Cauldron was a wonderful collaboration project. What started out as a project quotation, turned into a learning experience that helped our team grow even closer.

We have even begun collaborating with Breck Ironworks and Ski Town Fabricators & Artisans to scale down your very own Backyard Cowboy Cauldron. Bringing the western aesthetic right into your own space.  Contact us for more information!

Want to warm up your space, but looking for a different style? Don’t worry, we have so many options to choose from. Find your own warmth here.