Surrounded by majestic mountain views, punctuated with clear mountain streams, and anchored by a charming, tranquil town with a good variety of restaurants and unique outdoor and indoor recreational opportunities, it is hard to beat Steamboat Springs as a Feast of Tabernacles site.

The focal point of the Feast will once again be the magnificent, full-service Steamboat Grand Hotel, which is located at the base of the Steamboat Ski Area. All church services, Bible studies, the annual family dance and senior luncheon, along with other group activities, will be held at the hotel, where most attendees choose to stay. The hotel features luxury hotel rooms, studios, one, two, and three-bedroom condos (some with fireplaces and jacuzzis), and penthouses (three, four, and five bedroom) at significant discounts over regular hotel prices.

Hotel amenities include an onsite restaurant, bar and grill, coffee shop, full-service fitness center and spa, outdoor year-round heated swimming pool and hot tub, complimentary wireless Internet and complimentary transportation within the city limits of Steamboat Springs. Parking in the underground garage is included in the price of your room when you book with the United Church of God group discount. Free parking across the street is available for those who choose to stay elsewhere.

With an elevation of about 6,700 feet, which will not be troublesome for most people, the surrounding area offers an array of recreational opportunities, including indoor ice skating and bumper cars, fishing (including guided fly-fishing), bowling, mountain biking (weather permitting), hiking, ATV riding, horseback riding, and hot-air ballooning. Nearby attractions include Old Town Hot Springs, Fish Creek Falls, a number of downtown quaint shops, museums, art galleries, three state parks and 150 mineral springs.

Due to the limited number of three-bedroom condos at the Steamboat Grand, reservations for those units will be done by contacting the festival coordinator through your pastor. For those needing lower-priced housing and lower priced four-bedroom condos, arrangements have been made with other facilities located about a mile and a half away.

The Yampa Valley Airport, which is about 25 minutes away, is serviced by commercial jets. Rental cars are available.

For those flying into Denver, it is a three to four hour drive to Steamboat, through some very scenic areas.

Location of Services: Priest Creek Ballroom, Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel, 2300 Mt. Werner Circle, Steamboat Springs, CO.

Rick Shabi