Cheyenne Frontier Days' new “skybox” experience might be two or three stories above the rodeo action, but somehow that action feels closer than ever.
It’s a curious paradox, hard to explain until you’ve seen it yourself.
Maybe it’s the view.
It’s full-on. It’s literally over the top. Your eyes stretch from one end of Cheyenne’s historic outdoor arena — the largest outdoor rodeo arena in the world — to the other end, with no obstructions.
Stand or sit wherever you want. It doesn’t matter. The view will still feel as if you’re a king or a queen, looking down on creation. Fix your gaze anywhere you like.
Or maybe it’s the sound, wired straight into the box and wrapping itself around spectators.
It’s immersive — pounding hooves, foot-stomping music, the cheering crowd.
Like some kind of rodeo dream.
The announcer’s voice rolls over it all like thunder.
Nate Janousek's family and friends enjoyed their time in one of Cheyenne Frontier Day's new private party rooms above Chute 9. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily) 
Nate Janousek, third from left, with his family, enjoyed their skybox experience in a private party room above Chute 9. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily) 
The VIP area includes a bar with a variety of liquors as well as a few pre-mixed cocktails. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily) 
Turkey legs as big around as someone's arm are among the items for sale in Cheyenne Frontier Days new premium skybox experience. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily)
Long Overdue Leap
Cheyenne Frontier Days has been delivering world-class rodeo competition since 1897, drawing elite cowboys and top-tier musicians to the “Daddy of 'em All.”
Until now, however, the venue has lacked a true, modern skybox experience. While the grounds previously offered limited, basic, upper-level VIP areas, the new complex marks a much bigger leap into premium hospitality.
CFD CEO Tom Hirsig has told Cowboy State Daily the $8 million multi-level facility was a long-overdue necessity.
What CFD had previously was essentially a weathered wooden box above the ropes that Hirsig said had “far outlived its life expectancy.”
Fixing it would be a huge challenge.
But it also presented an opportunity — one that could support the rodeo’s future.
“One of the things we recognized is the need for VIP experiences,” Hirsig said. “Those are the fastest things that go, if there’s some sort of VIP area.”
A VIP area done right not only supports itself, it also helps chip away at deferred maintenance, he said.
A view to a kill — Cheyenne Frontier Days new skybox experience offers a commanding view of the action. Sound is wired directly into the skyboxes as well,, making it an immersive rodeo experience. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily) 
The view from Cheyenne Frontier Days' new skyboxes made getting pictures and video easy-peasy. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily) 
Skip and Taryn Schuman come to Cheyenne Frontier Days every year. They enjoyed the skybox experience over Chute 9 so much, they don't plan to ever sit in the grandstands again. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily) 
The action feels closer, even from the third floor, thanks to the unobstructed views as well as sound wired directly into Cheyenne Frontier Days' new skyboxes above Chute 9. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily)
From Sliders To Shade
Before the rebuild, Chute 9’s VIP experiences had room for roughly 25 sponsors, as well as a rooftop area that could accommodate about 70 people.
Now there’s room for about 450 in a mix of VIP boxes that are perfect for parties of around 30, along with individual seats that cost $125 each for those who aren’t part of a large group.
The private VIP box suites all come pre-stocked with snacks and drinks. Guests can also order a range of catered items.
On Tuesday afternoon, the skybox occupied by Nate Janousek and his family felt as if a family living room had been dropped over Chute 9. The children leaned against the rail to watch broncs explode from the chutes, while parents huddled over drinks and plates piled with brisket sliders, wings, and corn dogs.
There were smiles all around.
“This was all really good,” Janousek told Cowboy State Daily. “There’s tons of catering options, and everything we’ve had has been terrific.”
Janousek, who provides concessions at CFD, comes to the rodeo every year, but Tuesday was family day for him, so he decided to do something special.
“The view above Chute 9 is incredible for the steer roping events and the steer wrestling,” he said. “And then just the ability to have so many spaces for the seating and the televisions, and places for food and drink and stuff like that.”
The light breeze constantly blowing in felt like air conditioning, he added.
“You’re not getting blasted by the sun,” he said. “It’s really terrific. I think it’s going to be harder and harder to get these as people find out.”
Jennifer Gray came all the way from Virginia to attend Cheyenne Frontier Days, as well as visit her son, who is in the military. She was enjoying the skybox experience. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily) 
View of Chute 9 from the third floor of Cheyenne Frontier Days' new VIP area. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily) 
Chris Hall went on a drink run for his group, and didn't even have to wait in line. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily) 
View of the rodeo from the new Cheyenne Frontier Days VIP skybox. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily) 
The view from one of the private party rooms above Chute 9 for Cheyenne Frontier Days. The room has a "skybox" feel, though it is open to the elements. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily) 
Private party rooms above Chute 9 come stocked with drinks and snacks. Guess can also order a range of catered foods, like brisket sliders and hot wings. (Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily)
'This Is Just Fantastic'
From their skybox perch, Jennifer Gray and her travel buddy, Brian Hayes, could see straight down into Chute 9.
That was just perfect for Gray, who was videotaping each steer, hoping to catch a cowboy wrestling one to the ground.
The previous day, she and Hayes had squinted into the sun from the grandstands, craning around hats and flags to catch the Military Monday displays. Gray’s son was to have been part of a parachute jump that ultimately was canceled.
“This is just fantastic,” Hayes said. “The view, to be able to see the action, especially right down in here, it’s just amazing.
“We sat over there yesterday,” he added, gesturing toward the left-hand stands. “And this is like a whole different experience.”
For former roughstock rider Chris Hall, the skybox is as close as he can get to an arena these days. Hall did “that stuff” as a teenager, he said, nodding toward a bucking bronc throwing a rider to the dirt about two seconds into his ride.
“I’m all broken, so I can’t do any of this stuff anymore,” he said. “But I love watching it.”
He watched a string of riders “tossed one right after the other,” calling it “crazy” and grinning like he’d just been down in the chutes himself.
Drinks and snacks were just a few steps away, he added, and there were no lines, making a drink run feel seamless and smooth.
Frontier Days Essence Remains
Skip and Taryn Schuman, CFD regulars from Fort Collins, Colorado, felt the same about the skybox versus just about any other place they’ve tried at CFD, from the Wrangler box to the grandstand benches.
“That was fun, but this is so much better,” Skip told Cowboy State Daily. “It’s classier.”
“And there’s an elevator for the old folks,” his wife added with a chuckle. “Before the stairs were real steep. It’s so nice and cool up here. The seats are comfortable.”
“There’s food and drinks,” her husband continued. “You’ve got everything here. Check, check and check.”
For all its new polish, the skybox doesn’t change the essence of Cheyenne Frontier Days. It’s still the same old rodeo it’s always been. But now there are softer seats and party rooms — with a commanding view, one that will make spectators feel like royalty at the rodeo.
Renée Jean can be reached at renee@cowboystatedaily.com.
