Happy New Year from Steamboat Springs

Don't miss tonight's spectacular Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Display.

Festivities start at 7:00 PM at the Steamboat Ski Resort.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Epic Snow in Steamboat Springs

It has been an EPIC December in Steamboat Springs.

Over 120" of new snow fell on the Yampa Valley this month, bringing smiles to the faces of winter enthusiasts of all ages. What do you do with all that snow??

Build the coolest tubing course possible.

Yesterday's recent weather system in Steamboat was the most ferocious we've seen so far this year. We woke up light snow falling across the valley. Around 1 PM, a stronger storm front moved into Steamboat, sculpting snow into drifts that even the biggest snowblower could barely handle. When a storm blows a few feet of snow OFF your roof, that's a powerful storm. It made for miserable driving and skiing conditions, but still managed to drop 11 inches of new snow at the Steamboat Ski Area.

Tuning into the Bronco's game yesterday afternoon was especially ironic. As the game was played under sunny skies at Mile High Stadium in Denver, the view out or window was snow blowing sideways, with a visability distance of about 18 inches.

Rabbit Ears Pass and many of the ski area lifts were closed, and a few hours later this storm delivered its fury to the rest of the Colorado Rockies. Most of the major roadways throughout Colorado's high country were closed due to adverse weather conditions, and many of them are still closed as I type this post.

The good news....

The sun is breaking through the skies in Steamboat Springs, and mild weather is in the forecast for the next few days.

Time to get out and play!

White Christmas for Steamboat Springs

Did you know Santa Clause has a cousin named Powder?

Friday looks to be the perfect opportunity to call in the popular "Powder Clause" with your employer.

The Powder Clause is actually an employee benefit extended by varous employers around Ski Town USA, which gives local powderhounds the option to ski a few runs on a powder day before coming in to work...without disciplinary actions for their tardiness.

The National Weather Service is forcasting up to 2 Feet of new snow for Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Snow started falling on Tuesday night, and could extend through Saturday. It has been dumping snow all morning in Steamboat, and looking at the weather radar, the real storm is still working its way towards Colorado.

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Inn at Steamboat Real Estate Opportunity

Remodeled condo-hotel conversion now accepting priority reservations

Nestled two blocks from the Steamboat Gondola, the Inn at Steamboat is the classic Colorado Ski Lodge.

New owners of the Inn will commence a massive remodel of the property in early 2008. Upon completion of the renovations, the property will continue to operate as a boutique 34-room hotel, but will offer individual ownership opportunities for each suite.

Most exciting is that prices for most suites will range from $170,000 - $230,000, an unprecedented value considering recent trends in the Steamboat real estate market.

As a condo-hotel, it will combine complete hotel amenities and services with full condominium ownership. Owner occupancy will likely be limited to a specified number of nights each year, and owners will have the opportunity to place their suite into a nightly rental arrangement. Steamboat Resorts, one of Steamboat's premier management company, will be managing the Inn at Steamboat hotel operations and home owners association.

Designed to be a classic mountain lodge, features include:

- Outdoor heated pool, hot tub, sauna, and sun deck
- Private Shuttle service to mountain and downtown
- Owners Lounge and Owners Lockers
- Business Center and Wireless Internet
- Fitness Center
- Common dining room with breakfast served daily
- On-site management and check-in

Please contact me for more information on getting involved.

I have additional details and analysis on the offering. Interest within our own firm appears to be very strong, and refundable priority reservations are being accepted through January 4, 2008.

Planning Ahead in Steamboat Springs

Living in Steamboat Springs means you will be scraping your windshield for several months each year.

This truth is right up there with death & taxes, and the task is essential for proper visibility and safety when operating your vehicle throughout the winter season.

If you park your vehicle outdoors for an extended period of time, and weather conditions indicate your windshield might be covered when you return, there is something you can do to simplify the task.

This easy step results in clean blades and a clear surface for a few rigorous scrape.

It also acts as a theft deterrent, giving your vehicle a menacing look of intimidation in the parking lot.

The other key to winter windshield efficiency in Steamboat is the quality and size of your ice scraper. Don't cut corners here. Get one that's at least 3 - 4 feet in size, and requires two hands to operate.

This oversized ice scraper provides leverage and versatility, and with practice, can also gracefully flip the wipers into their upright position without laying a finger on a dirty vehicle.

And don't forget to stash some gloves permanently in your vehicle with your ice scraper. These will come in handy from time to time.

Extreme Sledding

What do you get when you combine 2 ambitious Steamboat fathers, 2 snowblowers, 6 feet of new snow, a gentle downhill grade, a few inflatable sledding items, and 4 thrill seeking kids?

Extreme sledding...

Check out the bobsled course we are building in our Steamboat backyard.

...and remember, it's early in the season. The more snow that falls, the bigger and badder this course will get. The elevated launch ramp at the top of the course is under construction. Stay tuned...

Also, stay tuned for Joe's Snow-Fort Building Techniques in early 2008.

Steamboat's Sleeping Giant

One of Steamboat's most charming landmarks is the Sleeping Giant. The best view of the Giant is always right after a big snow storm.

Can you guess why they call this mountain Sleeping Giant?


A breathtaking view of the Yampa Valley and the Sleeping Giant, as viewed from the ski slopes of the Steamboat Ski Resort.

Steamboat Springs, CO: 6 feet of new snow in a matter of weeks

All I can say is WOW....what a difference a few weeks can make.

You may recall that the Steamboat Ski Resort delayed their opening over Thanksgiving Weekend due to lack of snow. (...they had none...)

Here we are a few weeks later, and nearly 6 feet of new snow has fallen from the sky to blanket the Yampa Valley with Champagne Powder.

The Steamboat Ski Resort is now boasting over 1400 acres top-to-bottom ski terrain open, with both the Storm Peak Express and the Sundown Express Lifts in operation for the season.

This is unprecendented for mid December, and even more shocking considering the Steamboat area was absolutely bone-dry just a few weeks ago.

The Steamboat Ski Resort has received 90" of snow so far this ski season. The skiing is incredible right now, just in time for the holiday rush of visitors to Steamboat.

Steamboat Construction Update

More new snow in Steamboat Springs today, but it's not slowing down the progress of construction downtown. We've received over 4 feet of new snow in about 2 weeks.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see inside the Howelsen Place development for the first time.

After climbing 3 icy ladders and leaving a little blood on the 2nd floor, I found myself perched high above downtown Steamboat Springs, basking in the jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Yampa Valley. Then I realized that I had to get myself down these same icy ladders, and my palms began to sweat and my mind began to race: What the hell am I doing up here? How did I let Tucker the Super talk me into this? I don't have enough insurance. Man, that's a long way down. The construction workers got a pretty good laugh at my expense...

Howelsen Place is poised to be the heavyweight champion of downtown Steamboat Springs.

Public Hard Hat Tours are coming soon.

(...once the stairs are built and the liability waiver is drafted)

First Tracks of the season

Well, I finally found some time to get up on the slopes this past weekend for some long-overdue skiing.

WOW...amazing snow conditions in Steamboat for early December (...not to mention the fact that you could have been landscaping in Steamboat just a few weeks ago.) There were no lines at the lifts or the cafeteria, as we're still a few weeks away from the massive influx of vacation guests coming to Steamboat this winter.

Our weekend ski outing gave the kids their first opportunity to try skiing again this year, and I'm pretty sure they love it, and it's only going to be a few years before I'm trying to keep up with them.

The Four Points and Storm Peak lifts are now open, and with a little more snow, there will be a ton of new terrain opening in Steamboat. Fortunately, we have another big snow storm in the forecast for this week.

Finish your holiday shopping and hit the slopes in Steamboat!

Wine Sale at Central Park Liquor

Tis the season to celebrate and stock up!

Today is the THANK YOU STEAMBOAT sale at Central Park Liquor in Steamboat. It's the undisputed best value on wine and spirits in Steamboat, and it only happens once a year. I stopped by this morning to stock the wine cellar, and couldn't believe the deals and the number of customers there.

A few of my favorite THANK YOU STEAMBOAT wines on sale for $15 or less:

- Franciscan Oakville Chardonnay (Napa)

- La Crema Chardonnay (Sonoma)

- Merryvale Starmont Cabernet (Napa)

- Banfi Centine Toscana Blend (Tuscany)...a complete steal at $8.49

- La Crema Pinot Noir (Sonoma)

- Chateau St. Michelle Cab & Merlot (Columbia Valley)

Rabbit Ears Under Heavy Snow Warning

Yeah baby...

Woke up to some serious snow this morning in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Skiers and Snowboards are loving life today, and it's still dumping. They're calling for consistent snow thru Sunday in Steamboat.

Storm Peak Express is rumored to be opening today. Not bad for one week of operation for the Steamboat Ski Resort.

We got so much snow in Steamboat that the auger on my snowblower broke about halfway thru clearing the driveway this morning. As hard as shoveling a foot of snow can be, I don't mind it one bit!

The skiing in Steamboat is epic, and will likely continue to be all weekend long. Leave work early, pack up the ski and snowboard gear, and get to Steamboat for some POWDER.

Here's the update from today's newspaper on the snow:

http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2007/dec/07/more_snow_way/

Steamboat Springs is getting more new snow

Steamboat Springs is getting more new snow. Word around town is that the skiing is pretty darn good up at the Steamboat Ski Resort. I've been too busy working and holiday shopping to get up on the mountain. I'll get some skiing in soon....I promise!

Kids have been ski jumping at Howelsen Hill. My office is right across the river from the Howelsen Sports Complex, and we get to see these brave little athletes huck themselves off the jumps nearly ever day.

Snow advisory in effect through Saturday:

http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2007/dec/06/snow_advisory_effect_through_saturday/

Check out the past 2 photos of the day from the ski area:

http://www.rsn.com/cams/steam/cam_archive.html

Interested in new downtown Steamboat developments??

Give me a call to set up a hard hat tour of the new Alpen Glow building, located at the corner of 6th and Lincoln Avenue.

Steamboat's Real Estate Market is HOT

The Steamboat Springs Real Estate Market is currently one of the hottest resort markets in North America.

In 2006, the Steamboat Real Estate market hit $1 Billion in total transactions for the first time ever.

In 2007, the Steamboat Real Estate market passed $1 Billion in transactions in July. By November 2007, total transactions had exceeded $1.3 Billion for the year.

A few other highlights...

2007 YTD Sales Dollar Volume in Steamboat is up 40% - 50% over 2006 YTD.

2007 YTD Average Sales Prices in Steamboat are up 30% - 40% over 2006 YTD.

2007 YTD Number of Transactions in Steamboat is slightly up, when compared to 2006 YTD.

November 2007 transactions and total dollar volume is slightly down over November 2006, but Average Sales Prices are still up 15% - 20% for the month.

Although our market has seen consistent growth in property values for more than 10 years (with tremendous growth in the past 24 months), Steamboat Springs average sales prices for condominiums and single family homes remain more affordable than most other Rocky Mountain Resort towns.

Skating in Ski Town USA

One of the coolest aspects of living in Steamboat, Colorado is that we have one of the finest ice arena facilities in the Rocky Mountains.

Steamboat's Howelsen Ice Arena provides one of Colorado's only Olympic-sized sheet of ice. Their youth and adult skating and hockey programs are top-notch, and the ice rink is one of Steamboat's most popular and fastest growing amenities.

My kids started skating at a very early age. Check out the video of them tearing it up a recent Public Skate session.

Winter has arrived in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Steamboat Springs has received over 2 Feet of new snow since Thanksgiving.

This past week, severe winter weather stormed across Colorado, providing much-needed snowfall on the slopes of nearly every ski resort in the state. Durango and Silverton Mountain were the big winners on this storm, with roughly 3 feet of snow in less than 2 days.

At the start of the storm, temperatures in Steamboat hovered in the low-30's, which produced a slightly heavier & wetter version of our typical Champagne Powder. (I call it pina colada powder?)

Although wet snow isn't as much fun to ski or shovel, it's the best kind of snowfall for building up your early-season base on the mountain.

By the end of the storm, the Steamboat snow was as light and fluffy as I've ever seen in my 10 years in Steamboat.

You know the Steamboat powder is good when you shut your car door and all the snow falls off the windows.

More snow is in the forecast for Colorado, and winter temperatures have made for great snowmaking conditions on the mountain.