THE ANNUAL COWBOY DOWNHILL SKI RACE began in 1975 when Billy Kidd, Steamboat's Director of Skiing, and Larry Mahan, six-time All-Around World Champion cowboy, decided to invite a few of the ProRodeo stars attending the National Western Stock Show in Denver to come up to Steamboat for a day of skiing. The cowboys had such a great time that the Bud Light Cowboy Downhill, held in January each year, has become one of the most popular events of the season with over 100 of the best professional rodeo cowboys competing in the most unique ski rodeo in the country.