I think it's too late to get a Steamboat Card, they are available on the Front Range at several sporting goods stores until December, I think.
The conditions are awesome right now thanks to the last storm, though we are having a less than ideal season. I wouldn't call it horrible by any means, it's just not our season as it is in the southwest. We are having a better year than...say...the Pacific Norhtwest or British Columbia, they are having a horrible year. The mid-mountain base is also deeper here than the I70 areas and the back country is geat right now too.
Life's what you make it....have fun.