The snow line is rising and that means more mountain biking

A quick shot I took on the way back home from riding the Mad Creek to Red Dirt loop and part of the hot springs trail. All of which are now open!!! Get out and ride, more is coming soon, if you look closely there is a thin line of snow showing on the top of Sleeping Giant above. For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Global Warming in Steamboat?

75 degrees and sunny Sunday and now4-6 inches. I’m sure it is well over a foot up higher. We have to be close to getting 150 inches since the season closed up top and every storm the mountain gets tracked out literally top to bottom by people hiking for their turns. Truly an extraordinary snow year that just won’t stop. Don’t worry if you are thinking about moving. This is in no way shape or form normal. It is usually beautiful this time of year so it must be global warming at work :) I guess it is time to get up for some more May powder on Buffalo Pass, could be 2 feet up there.

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

4 feet on top since closing day

A friend told me that as of this morning there is 4 ft of fresh light stuff on top. So much so that the snowmobiles can't get close without a cut from the snow cats. The snow cats are having to actively keep all of the upper mountain roads open so people can get around to shut things down for the summer.

Its dumping outside again now so by the time you read this there will be at least another foot up there making for about 550 inches so far. What a year!

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

American Cowboy's Best Ski town to live in

Well they didn't put it exactly that way but my first thought when I saw this was to see if any ski towns ranked higher and sure enough Steamboat is the first to be both a great western town and a great ski town. Nothing we didn't already know but it is nice to see that others who don't even know how great it is in Steamboat can see it too :) The best thing is that our western image is authentic because we were a ranch town long before a ski town and that is real in more ways than just the image. The people here and the people Steamboat attracts are genuinely friendly. If you aren't friendly I don't think you would be either happy here or unfriendly for long.

From American Cowboy Magazine: Steamboat Springs, CO Its reputation as Ski Town USA is certainly a draw, but few know that Steamboat Spring’s ranching roots run deeper than any amount of champagne powder. Cradled by a fertile valley of the Yampa River, the area was once the largest exporter of cattle in the West. Today you’ll find that history alive and well at events such as Cowboys Round up Days, and the annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo, both in July."

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Simply Incredible Season

With 8 inches new yesterday, 10 inches today by 5am, still snowing and forecast for more all week we are not getting in much "spring" skiing this year but we keep adding to our record breaking season.

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

2-3 ft on Buffalo Pass above Steamboat Springs

Today we found 8 inches of beautiful whipped cream hero snow in the trees and had fun skiing a lot of aspects and lines we hadn't skied in a while. Then I got a call that there was 2-3 ft on Buffalo Pass which is to the left of Mt. Werner as you look at the ski area from town. Buffalo Pass is known for receiving quite a bit more snow that the Steamboat Ski area and some people say it receives as much snow as anywhere in the state making it a playground for locals with snowmobiles and clients of our local cat skiing operation which maintains the roads so it is possible to get up there. There were quite a few times this year that there was 8ft of Champagne powder up there making it nearly impossible to ride even the longest track most powerful mountain snowmobile off trail.

Today wasn't that deep but there was 2-3ft of relatively light powder on many aspects making for an incredible day to ski and snowmobile up on Buff Pass as most locals refer to it. It is surreal in some ways to ski that much powder just a few days before ski season ends when people are thinking spring, the bike shops are full and many are already venturing out to Fruita, Moab and Vernal to get the mountain biking season going. Another solid storm has been hitting for the past several hours tonight so lets see what tomorrow brings... See you at the Gondy in the morning.

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Steamboat Spring Festivities

Steamboat will celebrate the end of the season with the Inaugural Springalicious Festival on April 5th & 6th in addition to the 28th Annual Cardboard Classic, a new SPLASHDOWN pond skimming competition and three free concerts by American Relay, The Radiators and Susan Tedeschi.

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Steamboat is still breaking snowfall records

459 inches so far and 10 days to go. It's pretty incredible to have a record breaking year when we open 10 days late and close about 10 days earlier than normal due to the early Easter holiday. But that's what we love about the mountains. We never quite know what is coming and that makes the anticipation even sweeter.

Over 37 feet of Champagne Powder snow has fallen this year in Steamboat. The past record, set in the season of 1996/1997 of 447.75 inches has been topped. Every inch received until closing day will set a new record. In addition to setting a new all time snowfall record and registering a "four-wire winter", the resort hit three other milestones: passing the 300 inch mark on 2/1/08; passing the 350 inch mark on 2/7/08; and on March 2nd passing the 400 inch mark. Steamboat-Ski Town U.S.A. received more than 100 inches of snow for three months (December, January and February) for the first time in recent history.

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Steamboat's Record Season!

4 inches of snow last night was all it took to put the 2007/2008 Season into the record books!! That makes for 450 inches so far vs. the record of 447.5 inches. It has been an incredible year and it makes me feel even luckier to live here. I hope that all of you got to be here for some good storms and share in the experience. From late November until about Mid February it snowed 8 out of 10 days with 4 inches or more 7 out of 10 days. When snow comes that consistently even 2-4 inches can make for a great powder day since it fills in the previous day not to mention Steamboat is notorious for under reporting snow fall. A report of 4 inches can easily be 8, 8 can easily be knee deep and a foot is at least thigh deep.

It was incredible year and while many are looking forward to summer I can't wait for the mystery and realization of what next season will bring. That said in the meantime I am happy to do some spring skiing followed by the mtn town ritual of desert mtn biking and water-skiing soon after the ice melts.

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Daddy, did you know that snow is Magic?

You have to love little kids and the things they come up with. My 4 yr old son Alden couldn't have had me figured out any better when he asked that question. I said I do know a "little" about that but please tell me more. He replied with "Daddy, snow can make your dreams come true!". I broke out in an even bigger smile and said something like "Alden you are a very smart little boy to know that. Snow has been making my dreams come true ever since I grew up in western Michigan near the lake where we were lucky to get big storms from the lake effect and especially since I moved to Colorado in 1986 and first skied Steamboat. I learned here just how magical it could be. The magic of snow and what it does to people is why we live in Steamboat." I had never said it nearly as well so credit goes to Alden for that.

The best part is that ever time I think about snow, every time the right wind blows and every time it does snow the magic is as least as strong as ever. I notice something different every time, I am invariably filled with wonder and can't help but remember all of the magic that snow has brought me and those closest to me before. It's working it's magic on me right now, how about you?

Three Champagne Powder cheers to the MAGIC of Snow and to being successful passing it on to those that mean the most to us.

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

New Wild Horse Gondola

Word is that we may hear something soon on a deal for increased capacity of the public gondola from Wild Horse Meadows and the Ski area parking lot to up next to the main Steamboat gondola at the base. The Wild Horse Developers have been playing hardball according to several sources but the Steamboat Ski area and others are working hard to negotiate for a higher capacity version. That is the best solution for everyone in my opinion. Either way the Wild Horse people have said that they plan to put up the towers this summer and that will be exciting to see. On a side note Trailhead Lodge, the first condo building in Wild Horse Meadows has the majority of their concrete work done and began the wood framing this week. The last update I got said they expect to finish the building in June 2009.

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

The Sheraton Steamboat Golf course is renamed

It looks like they really stretched their imagination to come up with this name which is very similar to Catamount Ranch and Club. I can't figure out how they get a ranch out of it since the course is no where near a ranch and doesn't look anything like one. Is this a clue to what they have planned? I hope not.

From Troon Golf's Website: "Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club (formerly The Sheraton Steamboat Golf Club) is home to one of the best Colorado golf courses in the Rocky Mountains. Although known primarily as a premiere ski resort, Fairways Magazine has voted the award winning 18-hole Rollingstone Ranch golf course (formerly Sheraton Steamboat golf course) in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, as one of the 100 Best Golf Resorts.

Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club, a Rocky Mountain resort with a championship course designed by Robert Trent Jones II, offers incredible views of the Yampa Valley including Fish Creek that winds through seven holes of the course. Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club has forged a reputation for providing luxury conference facilities with 11 meeting rooms including a 6,300 square foot conference room that can seat 700."

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

FHA Increases conforming Loan Limit to $675K in Steamboat Springs

Recent congressional legislation paved the way for increasing the limits for conforming loans (loans available at standard residential rates which are lower than jumbo loans). This will allow existing property owners that purchased property with a higher cost second mortgage to refinance into a single standard loan program and new buyers to save money when they purchase a property above the previous limit of $417K which is pretty small in Steamboat where the current average single family home is worth close to $1 million dollars. This change is expected to just increase the ceiling for normal loan programs but we haven't seen pricing from lenders to confirm that given the revised limits just came out. If it works are expected this will help make loans up to $675K for single unit homes more affordable and that will help a lot of people who already own or are buying homes in the Steamboat Springs, CO area. Jumbo loans currently cost about 0.75 to 1 points more (the spread) than conforming loans since lenders classify larger loans like a risky loan even though most are less risky than the average conforming loan given the creditworthiness and increased resources most jumbo buyers have going for them . The new limit for 2 unit homes is now $864.1K which will help owners of duplexes.

Many holders of properties with loans over $417K were not able to take advantage of lower rates available recently because of this spread kept jumbo rates above what they had before. The spread is larger than before so there was little if any savings available. compared to conventional loans that could often be refinanced for a savings of 0.5-1%. For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or give me a call at 970-819-6930.

The Wonders of Ski Trips

I thought I would share a recent article from the New York Times that speaks to the essence and value of skiing with family and I would add friends. I think that we would all have a bit different take on what trips have done for us in good times and possibly bad, what we love most about them but the overriding experience, the stories we will never forget and lasting power of ski trips to bring us together is s strong presence that will span decades in any skiers life.

The sheer beauty, challenge, strange abilities to sail down a mountain almost like flying, unpredictably and countless rewards that skiing brings us all is irresistible. For me and many I know skiing forms a steady current that links many of the best times of my life together and has also brought me many of the best things like countless friends, my wife and a shared love of the sport already strong in Alden and Neve that I can’t wait to grow over time.

Sorry I have been an infrequent blogger lately. It was a crazy fall with many opportunities, 2 moves and remodels, concurrent with the holidays and then being sick for 4.5 weeks without a voice twice. All that was superseded by countless good times with friends, family, skiing with the kids and many great powder days. All is now well with us and I trust the same is true for you.

Here is the NYT article on Family Ski Trips Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

Someone turned the snow back on... 32 feet so far

We have had incredibly consistent snow this year with 8 out of 10 days fresh until about a week and a half ago many locals were hoping for a break from shoveling and a chance to see the sun. We had some nice sun and late winter / spring conditions that allowed people to catch up on snow removal and the snowpack in valley to consolidate easing things a bit on the wildlife. We are closing in on 400 inches this year and it's not even March yet so let's hope for a record year with 460 plus inches!

Here is a quote from today's Straight Talk Ski Report " And the award goes to... While Hollywood rolled out the red carpet for the 80th Annual Academy Awards last night, we've rolled out the white carpet for yet another powder day in Ski Town, USA® a creamy-dreamy 6-8" at 5 a.m. with more falling from the sky. As Hollywood reached their milestone of 80 years, we are nearing our milestone of 400" just having surpassed the 32 foot mark. Keep it coming!

For my first turns down Rudi's I stayed skier's right and still found untracked lines with my name on them. Thick and rich, more vanilla milkshake than champagne, I floated through easing into my Monday morning nice and slow. The mountain is capped with a snow cloud and the visibility is minimal, we're talking last scene in Casablanca here's not being able to look at you foggy. "

Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

Snowmobile Slalom Skiing in Steamboat

We are having a great winter here but that doesn’t stop me from thinking water-skiing or engaging in similar endeavors. Yesterday I took two snowmobiles 5 friends and I bought recently out to another friend’s Ranch in Steamboat yesterday to ride a little. My friend had the bright idea to pull out a vintage snow snake ski to Slalom with( it is basically an old 4 ft long ski crudely designed to be pulled. It was more than a little challenging since it uses a normal ski boot and the forward lean really throws off your position on the ski and the partial rear toe piece puts almost all of effort on your front leg since you can’t get the normal leverage and thus control from using both feet. I suspect it was designed for leather boots that didn’t have the forward lean modern ski boots do given it’s age. “Water-skiing in 3 dimensions” instead of just two added an additional challenge. It was a ton of fun, sparked some great falls and has me thinking about modifying an old water-ski for future excursions on a powder day, the snow in the valley has consolidated quite a bit in the week or so since it has snowed here vs. almost every day before then. A real water-ski handle would hurt either.

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Steamboat Winter Water-skiing in the snow?

We are having a great winter here but that doesn’t stop me from thinking water-skiing or engaging in similar endeavors (If you want a good laugh watch the videos at the links below). Yesterday I took two snowmobiles out to a friend’s Ranch in Steamboat yesterday to ride a little. Dave had the bright idea to pull out a vintage snow snake ski to Slalom with( it is basically an old 4 ft long ski crudely designed to be pulled or so we thought until Dave Googled the inventor and found out it was for ski area use in the bumps and soft snow. The inventor is considering driving up to Steamboat to meet the guy that still uses one of his handmade snow snakes.).

The Snow Snake was more than a little challenging to ski for me since it uses a normal ski boot and the forward lean really throws off your position on the ski from normal water-ski form and the partial rear toe piece puts almost all of effort on your front leg since you can’t get the normal leverage and thus control from using both feet. I suspect it was designed for leather boots that didn’t have the forward lean modern ski boots do given it’s age. “Water-skiing in 3 dimensions” instead of just two added an additional challenge. It was a ton of fun, sparked some great falls and has me thinking about modifying an old water-ski for future excursions on a powder day. I case your are wondering the snow in the valley has consolidated quite a bit in the week or so since it has snowed here vs. almost every day before then. A real water-ski handle would hurt either.

Hartley starting things out and then me (Jon) water-skiing in snow, I hope I will be able to water-ski better than this come late March when the lakes melt here. Float back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

Steamboat Airline Schedules & Connections

Steamboat's airline connections are improving. We have added 50,000 new ski season seats in the last few years and our Fly Steamboat program continues to actively work with the airlines to add more seats and more direct flights year round. In addition, the airport is upgrading electronic controls, to cut the interval between landings of aircraft, now at 15 minutes, down to two minutes. The technology that will make this possible is called WAM, or wide-area multilateration. It is expected to be in place for the 2010-11 ski season. We have the most accessible airport in the Rocky Mtns right now in bad weather and this will allow us to get in even more flights in bad weather.

It is also worth noting that beginning in May United Airlines is going to year round jet service out of Hayden (HDN) for the flights that connect via Denver.

Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

Barrons article on Vail demand - how Mtn properties are different

Here are some quotes from an article in Barrons about Vail stock with many interesting references to their clientele and real estate market. Steamboat is different than Vail in many regards but close if not the same in regards to supply demand and the credit quality of our buyers. Our prices are also about ½ of Vail’s and we have a much better story for improvements going forward. They make some points that have a lot of basis beyond Vail about how mountain resort real estate is sold to a clientele that is less sensitive to the national market because they recognize that the supply of prime ski area property is limited especially given the number of people looking to own or retire here and are willing to buy quality. Vail is different from Steamboat in many ways but the same in the desire of successful people that have visited to own or at least retire here. Something about mountain towns and the lifestyle they provide access to keeps a large place in people's hearts to the point many people aspire to live here. I should know, it happened to me and I meet people that feel the same way all of the time.

The "housing crisis" we have in mountains as mentioned in the article below is more based on how the lack of supply, buyers with great credit or cash, and demand that looks to continue to outstrip supply come together to make it more difficult for low to moderate income people to purchase in mountain resort communities. Sort of the opposite problem from the 5 states that are driving 80% of our national housing crisis that isn't really national.

Clips from the article in Barrons: "the surging ranks of the world's wealthy -- is relatively insulated from economic slumps. Heavy snowfall in the past two months, meanwhile, has been whetting the appetites of both skiers and a new breed of young visitors: snowboarders. Perhaps most important, a number of promising residential developments by Vail are starting to come to fruition. The company is developing hundreds of townhouses and condos in its area, and demand is proving remarkably strong.

"The pricing was done with a full awareness of what was going on in the global real-estate market," he says. With a limited number of residences being sold -- a total of 90 in the first building -- "buyers are confident they're getting something that may never be available again," he adds. "Even in soft years for the country, they keep growing," he says, mainly because of the limited supply and growing global demand. "It's surprising to me how many people will buy a $2 million vacation home and use it for three weeks out of the year."

Donnelly also found little to no correlation between economic changes and skier visits at Vail Resorts, including income growth for the top 20% of the U.S. population. That is, even when incomes of the affluent slip, they still manage to get away on ski vacations.

Here is full article in Barrons. It is worth reading. Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

Housing Crisis Hits the Colorado Mountains

Eagle county is not unique in this regard but the meaning of housing crisis is quite different that in most of the country. The maxim that all real estate markets are local definitely holds in this case. Don't worry now, the problem here and in most mountain resort communities is a shortage instead of a glut like we all read about in the national papers. The national market is suffering from both oversupply and credit issues from the sub-prime market, two factors where the mountain resorts differ significantly from other areas. Limited land given the vast national forests / desire to maintain our rural character, the limited growth of city boundaries if any at all, the goal of so many to spend more time in the mountains they have vacationed in for so long and the prosperity of the baby boomers is creating demand far quicker than supply in a market where a large group of people have the means to buy with a large cash down payment if not just in cash.

We are all here for the quality of life so that is something people here think about and guides land use and development here in Steamboat.

MSNBC -EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado - It's official. Eagle County is in a "housing crisis" and can expect to feel the economic impacts in the next few years, experts say.The county needs 3,400 homes now, both affordable and market-priced, to address the current housing shortage, and more than 8,000 homes in the next decade to keep up with future growth, according to a recent study by RRC Associates and Rees Consulting, firms that specialize in housing analysis in resort communities.

Also, local residents own about 51 percent of the homes in Eagle County, a drop from the 69 percent of locally owned homes in 2000, the study said.

Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

105 inches to go ...

Let's hope for another 400 plus inch snow year. After our late start it has been a truly spectacular year. The snow quality has been amazing even when there was only 4 inches new since that nearly always followed a couple of feet in the previous few days. Most days have been truly Champagne Powder and Intrawest is keeping up the Steamboat tradition of under reporting on the daily snow report so us locals can keep more of the good to ourselves :) I'll toast to that with a deep day in my favorite places to find the best Champagne powder. Come out soon and help us ski all of this snow!

From Today's Steamboat Pilot:
"Today marks the first day of February, typically the third-snowiest month of winter at the Steamboat Ski Area. The ski area reported more than 100 inches of snow falling on the slopes of Mount Werner in December and January — just the third time in resort history that’s happened.The ski area reports receiving 295 inches of snow since late fall. There have been only five 400-inch ski seasons in Steamboat Ski Area history: 1983-84, 1992-93, 1995-96, 1996-97 and 2005-06"
Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

Moving your Family to a Mountain Town

The Mountain Jobs Blog has a nice post about making the move to the mountains. In my experience the key is deciding to do it and it is amazing how quickly you can figure out how to make it work. I know I am not unique in this regard since I have so many friends here in Steamboat that have done the same thing.

"Weigh your options, plan carefully …don’t say can’t, never say never and don’t ever give up on your dreams."

There is also an excellent post from a family that moved to Bend, Oregon that hits on several points well.

I look at it like this, basically there are lot of transitions that come our way in modern life so why take the default path everyone expects when you could make a little bigger transition and achieve so many goals at once for you and your family. It doesn't get any easier over time unless you see a windfall coming because of the number of people that will be competing for limited housing in communities nearing capacity. We have seen how communities get less attainable over time due to tight supply and increasing demand so take the chance now to plan out how you can make your move, set specific goals and work towards them. Wishing and dreaming is fun but it gets very few people here. If you can't move now for some big reason get your foot in the door in a intelligent manner as soon as possible. You will not regret it, moving here is the best decision I have ever made outside of family and spending time in the mountains.

Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

Yampa Tailwaters Preserve

Our group was out at the Tailwaters Ranch below Lake Catamount today on snowmobiles checking out the property as we explore our options to proceed. There were ducks on the river, I saw a trout surface, elk tracks every where and I can’t even express how gorgeous it was. We rode around some more for fun feeling lucky to be one of the few that will ever ride there. Then most of the guys left but the trailer wasn’t back yet so I stayed so my friend wouldn’t be hanging out alone since he couldn't risk getting stuck in the deep snow just before dark.

We went back into the back bowl of the ranch and it got even more beautiful as the sun was setting and the Alpenglow hit with the fog coming off of the river and the face shots from 3 feet of fresh champagne powder reflected all on the light. Truly amazing. All this and nearly 2 miles of singular Tailwaters fly-fishing on the Yampa River all year long since this section doesn't freeze.
Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

Snow fell at the ski resort on 26 of December’s 31 days

All in all a great month in Steamboat for snow. In typical Steamboat fashion the snow reports on the mountain were very conservative a tradition that I am glad to see continue with Intrawest given the "optimism" expressed in the snow reports at Copper Mountain.

There were 6 thigh to waist deep days in the trees over the last 2weeks on snow reports that ranged from 9-17 inches. Not only the people are real here but the snow reports are too. Clearly a local conspiracy to let the crowds stay along I-70 :)

From the Steamboat Pilot "The December 2007 snow that people in Steamboat Springs have battled and reveled in has earned a top-four ranking based on 99 years of records.

Last month’s snowfall totaled 74.2 inches in town. That number has been surpassed just three times according to records that go back to 1908, he added.

Kent Kirkpatrick of Steam­boat Ski & Resort Corp. reported 9 inches of new snow at the ski area on Monday morning, with another inch falling after 9 a.m. as the skies began to clear. Those 10 inches gave the ski area its third-highest December snowfall: 126 inches.

Snow fell at the ski resort on 26 of December’s 31 days. Ski area spokeswoman Heidi Thomsen cited ski area records that show 165.5 inches of snow fell at mid-mountain in December 1983 and 133.5 inches fell in December 1990. The average December snowfall at mid-mountain is 66.8 inches."

Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

First tracks in the Alpenglow

It looks like our snowstorm Saturday night was enough to draw hikers to the top for the first time this year. 18 inches of fresh powder is a pretty good incentive and I commend those that made the pilgrimage for the rest of us to look up at. It isn't clear on the small version of the picture but the tracks just to the right of the middle on Storm Peak South were clearly visible in the evening alpenglow after the clouds broke on Monday.

This is a little over a month later than last year, which was early, but this year has been much snowier overall all with something like 9 storms in the past 2 1/2 weeks. Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

Steamboat Springs Real Estate Roundup

Four of us within our firm have been spending a lot of time recently putting together a first class event with Doug Beall - Director of Development for Steamboat, Gerry Engle - Atira group, Jeff Temple, Marabou & Due West Land, David Burden - One Steamboat Place, Jim Cook - Colorado Group Realty and Brent Pearson - Wild Horse Meadows and Resort Ventures West.

Colorado Group Realty is proud to present the inaugural Steamboat Springs Real Estate Roundup and Expo. This event is designed to bring together seasoned experts and provide the public with current knowledge and information regarding the Yampa Valley's dynamic real estate market.

This year's event will feature a panel discussion with a number of leading real estate developers moderated by Kathi Meyer, Steamboat Springs Planning Commissioner. The panel will answer key questions on the minds of local residents and discuss how development projects have been impacted by the recent sales of the Steamboat Ski Area, local legislation and other community objectives

November 08, 2007 · 6:00pm
Location: Steamboat Grand Resort Ballroom

Please contact Laurie Peter, Event Coordinator for more information at 970.875.2917 or laurie@mybrokers.com

Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

Video of progress at the Steamboat base area

This article and video is over a week old now but I think you will like it if you are curious how things are progressing at the base. They cover the headwall regrade project and the installation of the Christie Peak Express lift towers. It has snowed 4 times now since this was taken so we seem to be settling in to a good weather pattern for winter. We sure hope that is true. Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

"Dig This" in Steamboat Springs

Luckily my 4 year old son Alden doesn’t know about this YET. He is an absolute nut for heavy equipment to the point that the other boys call him Mr. Dump Truck. I think that is cheaper for me to just rent the equipment and use it on one of my projects but this is a cool concept and a great thing to do on a vacation if price is not an issue. I will be curious to see how well it does so drop me a line if you get the chance to go out and dig with them.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Co. – Dig This™ will offer 20 tons of year-round fun in an authentic construction setting with structured full and half-day courses including corporate and custom programming for adults in a safe, fun, supervised environment. Participants will operate brand new full-size Caterpillar hydraulic excavators, track-type bulldozers and skid loaders at individual work sites to construct roads, build dams, design bridge abutments, and dig trenches or wherever their minds take them. Dig This is scheduled to begin operations during the fall 2007.

Dig This’ inspiration came to New Zealand native and Dig This owner and founder Ed Mumm, while he was operating heavy equipment to construct his home in Steamboat Springs, CO. After clearing trees and scrub oak, constructing a road, building a pond, and digging foundations he realized how much fun he was having. He imagined those who don’t have the opportunity to operate excavators and bull dozers may want to relive their childhood sandbox days, this time with life-size equipment.

“Now operating heavy machinery can be about fun. I’m excited to be the first to offer this truly unique alternative recreation activity to the general public”, said Ed Mumm, Owner and Founder of Dig This. “Throttling up a powerful engine and sculpting mounds of earth is very empowering. We’re proud to provide this experience as you test your skills behind the controls of some of the world’s largest earth moving machines at Dig This”.

After an operational and safety orientation, participants will get behind the controls in climate controlled, radio monitored cabs and operate equipment in their individual work area. Half-day sessions are $400.00 and include two to three hours of total operating time on one piece of equipment. Full-day sessions are $750.00; include lunch, and four to six hours of total operating time on two pieces of equipment. All dig sessions conclude with worksite reclamation. Operator certificates will be presented to each participant certifying that they dug it at Dig This.

Dig This also provides an exciting alternative to the corporate training model. “Working with teams of corporate employees, our training staff provides a new and typically unfamiliar venue to bring the challenges of planning, and cooperation to peak performance”, said Chad James, Dig This corporate program director. “From project planning through execution and evaluation, trainees work together to coordinate activities and support each other through successful completion of their project.”

Dig This is located two miles west of downtown Steamboat Springs, CO on 20 acres of leased property on a plateau with 360 degree views of the Continental Divide and Yampa Valley. Shuttle service to the Dig This worksite will run from the mountain ski village and downtown Steamboat Springs. Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

For most buyers the Mortgage market is healthy

The widespread notion that the entire mortgage market is in crisis is just plain wrong, say lenders in various parts of the country.
The following is an article from the Washington Post that talks about the overall impact of the mortgage market. It's conclusion is that high quality buyers are unaffected. In Steamboat we are fortunate to have both high quality buyers from a cash and credit standpoint along with limited supply. This along with how many things are working together to improve the experience in Steamboat over the next few years has kept the market here in Steamboat strong. When I talk to the local lenders I know I have found that they are still getting the approvals they need. Most have had 0 to 1 loans fall out since the national issues cropped up.

Give me a call if you you would more insights into this or the current market in Steamboat and the improving fundamentals and demographics that are driving our market. My number is 970-819-6930.

"The majority of mortgage products have been unaffected by troubles in the sub-prime segment. Interest rates for 30-year, fixed-rated loans remain in the low 6 percent range for people with reasonably good, though not necessarily perfect, credit records, according Kenneth R. Harney, managing director of the National Real Estate Development Center and syndicated columnist.

While there is plenty of money to lend, Harney says underwriting standards are more strict than they were a year ago. Jumbo loans, for example, often require two appraisals – one by an appraiser selected by the lender and the other by one working for the investor.

Similarly, FICO credit-score standards generally are higher than a year ago, stated-income mortgages with no verifications are hard to find and lenders are especially wary of excessive "layering of risk" – combining low down payments with marginal credit scores and high debt-to-income ratios – in markets where prices are trending lower.

Source: The Washington Post Writers Group, Kenneth R. Harney (09/29/07)
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