Have you heard the term ‘Champagne Powder’ before? If so, you’re probably familiar with Steamboat Resort in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The term – used to describe this part of the country’s peculiar snow – was officially trademarked in 2008, but its origin dates back much farther.

According to the resort, the phrase was first coined in the early 1950s by a local rancher named Joe McElroy. McElroy was skiing on terrain that would eventually become Steamboat Resort when he noticed that snow “tickled his nose like champagne” when it splashed across his face.

While the phrase is catchy and perhaps taps into the lighthearted and carefree emotions that tend to be associated with the alcoholic beverage called champagne, there’s a bit of science behind what makes the snow in Steamboat Springs unique.

According to the resort, Steamboat’s snow averages about six percent water content compared to what’s said to be a norm of about 15 percent found at other ski areas.

As many skiers would agree, drier snow comes with plenty of benefits, including a more enjoyable day on the mountain. Dry snow tends to be fluffy, better catering to the feeling of ‘floating’ on a powder day, with the dry snow less likely to get clumpy, cause excessive friction, or feel like its weighing down the skis.

In Colorado, dry snow is the result of the state’s high elevation, low atmospheric humidity, and frigid temperatures. These factors contribute to a lower water-to-snow ratio, or drier snow. As far as Steamboat goes, Aspen Times reports that the specific conditions of this area mean bigger snowflake dendrites (the snowflakes’ microscopic tree-like branches) with more air in the mix, too. It’s also worth noting that Steamboat Springs’ geographic location near the Park Mountains has been described as “wringing moisture out of the clouds [in a way that] puts Steamboat in a prime powder position.” Meanwhile, its location farther from the Continental Divide than some other Colorado spots reportedly contributes to snowfall being drier in this northwestern corner of the state.

The dry snow that tends to fall in Colorado – including Steamboat Springs – tends to be highly sought after among America’s skiers. Talk to someone who skis East Coast ice or denser West Coast snow – the dry Colorado snow is often a reason they’ll still set their sights on a Centennial State trip. Other Colorado resorts may offer ample fresh powder and drier snow compared to what’s found elsewhere in the country, but thanks to Steamboat’s trademark, it’s not ‘Champagne Powder.’

The term ‘champagne’ is also likely to remind some about the way this phrase is also trademarked in the wine industry, restricted only to wines that come from the Champagne region of France. According to an article from Courthouse News, Steamboat can still use the term as their use is associated with entertainment and recreational facilitates opposed to alcoholic beverages.

Courthouse News also notes that while many descriptive trademarks like “blue sky” or “green grass” tend to get denied for being too generic, “‘Champagne Powder’ was deemed quirky enough to slide.”

According to Steamboat, the resort tends to get about 319 inches of snow on average each year. The resort also points to notable records including the 489-inch season of 2007 to 2008 and the 216 inches of snow that fell during January 1996 – the spot’s snowiest single month on record.

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