September is the Best month of the Year in Steamboat

A perfect September day followed by a perfect night.

Steamboat Springs Babysitters

   I often get asked to recommend babysitters for people that are coming into Steamboat because clients and friends come in from out of town most weeks of the year, we are active in the community and we are lucky to have two kids ourselves.  We don't have a detailed screening process nor do I do background checks but we do know good people and generally have some babysitters we are comfortable with to recommend.

  Give me a call to tell me a little bit about your family, a recommendation goes both ways.  I will recommend someone to you if there is a match.  At that point it's your responsibility to ask them the questions you need to feel comfortable since each parent knows what is best for their kids, we just hope to give you a good start.

  Give Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email.  You can also call Wendy at 970-819-6930.  Go to my Steamboat Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Great summer night in Steamboat

You have to love the cool summer nights. One of the best ways to spend them is to hang out in downtown Steamboat and everyone seems to agree tonight. All kinds of great places to eat and relax makes for a perfect night.

Gorgeous day on the Elk river

Have to love summer on the Elk River. It's a perfect day to fish or just relax.

A perfect night at the lake in Steamboat

Nothing like sunset after a night at the lake. It's not exactly the perfect ski season but it has given many of us the chance to appreciate that there is always something fun to do in Steamboat. I was talking with friends who come every year and they said they have really enjoyed the chance to explore town and live like locals.

I wish it would have been more like normal this winter but at the same time I still had fun every week whether I was skiing, mtn biking on the snow, hiking or the myriad other things we found to do. I love that if you are willing to have fun you can always find something to do and someone game to join you in Steamboat.

A Singletrack Easter

I had a dream last night that the Easter Bunny had something special for me on top of Emerald mountain. My question was by snow or by singletrack? Singletrack up the Ridge Trail of course and it was the perfect Easter present for me.

Auction for Trailhead Lodge in Wild Horse Meadows Steamboat

Big news tonight with a very surprising announcement that there will be an auction on May 6th 2012 for the 39 remaining condos at Trailhead Lodge in Wild Horse Meadows at the base of the Steamboat Ski area.  for more details go to my main Steamboat Real Estate blog for the Wild Horse Meadows Steamboat Auction.  I will get all of the details soon so let me know if you have questions or would like to be kept up to date.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Why Downtown Steamboat is special

  Here is a great video featuring several of my friends that talks about how Downtown Steamboat is special.  It is the center of our community, has incredible recreation opportunities on several sides of it and hosts some of Steamboat's best community events like the Winter Carnival.

  If you would like to know more about Downtown Steamboat or Living in Steamboat Springs just give me a call at 970-819-6930 or send me an email.  I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Another season of Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club is done

The kids both had a great year with exceptional coaches that helped them become better skiers. I love watching them ski and most importantly they truly love to ski.

Cadillac doesn't make Snowcats? ... Who knew?

We found this wannabe snowcat about 2 miles above the winter cutoff on Buff Pass road. I'm not sure what his plan was to get up this long steep section he is about 5 feet up (that is a good climb on a snowmobile)  but I am sure that he probably wasn't looking forward to telling Daddy where his Caddy was stuck.

Priceless time on the mountain

Great spring weekend with the kids and their friends. Neve took her skiing to a whole new level carving big turns so fast she was down by the time I could take a picture. Alden got even faster and his form is really getting solid. It is amazing what Winter Sports Club has done for their skiing. Sorry to my friends but if you want to ski with me weekends now that WSC is over you are going to have to keep up with Alden and Neve

Signs of Improvement in Steamboat

It is great to see some more signs of improvement here in Steamboat. Here is a link to the article I can even point out examples of appreciation in segments of our market where the distressed properties have thinned out. We have also seen several new medium and large homes that have started in the past few weeks. This increase in construction is due to the limited choices people find in some areas as they look for a home that suits their family's needs. I am working with quite a few families that have seen the choices in existing homes narrow and are now looking for land to build.

For more info call Jon at 970-879-0879 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat Springs Real Estate page to search for property in Steamboat.

Steamboat Springs Bike Guide Released

Today the city of Steamboat released a bike guide for Steamboat Springs. The guide begins with a few articles describing the different events and groups riding in Steamboat. The articles vary in their contents from learning about Road Safety to biographies of some of Steamboat's bikers. The guide continues describing some of the favorite road ride loops around the Steamboat Area before going into the detailed guide for mountain biking trails around town. The Mountain Bike trails all give information on the following areas - 'things to know before you go', best season, trail rating, total distance, parking, description, and a list of other trail options nearby or those similar.

A great bike guide that is available at all of the local bike shops and most of the lodging options around town. An online version is in the works! Check back soon!

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Steamboat Springs Summer Biking Events

The Events Schedule has been fully compiled and announced for the summer biking events in Steamboat! With the push toward becoming known as 'Bike Town USA' in addition to our current monicker 'Ski Town USA', Steamboat is hosting a new list of bike events with the biggest events being a stop in town for both the Ride the Rockies Race in June & the USA Pro Cycling Challenge at the End of August. For a full List of the Summer Biking Events, check the entire schedule published below! Hop to see you on the trails or roads soon!

Event Schedule

April

Monday: U.S. Forest Service project comment deadline for Steamboat Ski Area

May

13: Business of Biking workshop at Rex’s American Grill & Bar

14: Routt County Riders Bike Swap and Festival

25: Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Road Race Training Series

June (Colorado Bike to Work Month)

1: Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Road Race Training Series

8: Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series

10: Tour Divide race starts in Banff, Alberta. The field, nearly 100 riders this year, will pass through Steamboat in the ensuing two weeks.

14 to 16: Ride the Rockies road bicycling tour

15: Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Road Race Training Series, and Steamboat Ski Area opens for summer operations. Trail openings will be weather dependent but should happen at about the same time.

22: Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series

22: Routt County Riders Bike to Work Day

21 and 22: Bicycle Tour of Colorado road bicycling tour

25: Steamboat Optimist Club and city of Steamboat Springs Youth Bicycle Safety Rodeo

26: Steamboat Springs Running Series Craig Duathlon

July

6: Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series

16: Kent Eriksen Tour de Steamboat — 25-, 40- and 100-mile supported road rides, fundraiser for the Sunshine Kids Foundation

20: Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series

24: Steamboat Stinger mountain bike race, Presented by Honey Stinger

24: Steamboat Triathlon — sprint distance

20 and 22: Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports Behind the Boat Waterski and Cycling Camp

27: Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Road Race Training Series

August

3: Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series

7: Ride 4 Yellow — Continental Divide mountain bike challenge benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation Livestrong and Steamboat Springs in the fight against cancer

10: Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Road Race Training Series

17: Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series

24: Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Road Race Training Series

25: SmartWool Bike-In Movie

26: Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports U.S. Handcycling Challenge

26 and 27: USA Pro Cycling Challenge international stage race

27: Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports Biking the Boat Charity Ride

28: Steamboat Triathlon — Olympic distance

31: Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series

September

2 to 5: Steamboat Stage Race, presented by Moots

16: Steamboat OktoberWest Pedaling Posse Parade

October

8: 5th annual Steamboat Springs Mustache Ride — cruiser bike rally and fundraiser for Routt County Humane Society

Source: Bike Town USA Initiative

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Snow Record for Snowpack Depth in Steamboat Springs

Steamboat is going down in the history books this winter for recording the deepest snowfall in recorded Colorado history. The snow on Buff Pass, just outside of downtown Steamboat Springs is currently sitting at over 200 inches deep, with 72.6 inches of water content. “This exceeds the previous record reading of 71.1 inches of water equivalent measured in 1978.”

While the weather is beginning to warm in Steamboat, there is still plenty of snow on the mountain and in the backcountry that can be skied and snow-shoed. If you have some extra time in the morning or late afternoon, stop over on Buff Pass or up on Rabbit Ears to get in a few extra days to add to your season!

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

'Spring-ter' Skiing in Steamboat Springs

The skiing almost seems to continue to get better as the season continues on. Powder skiing at the end of April seemed too good to pass up, and we took the morning off of work to enjoy some of the snow that had blown in over night. We decided that the word 'spring-ter' the combination of spring and winter, never knowing what day will bring what conditions, has been an apt way to describe the spring in Steamboat this year. Fortunately for us, and other Steamboat-er's looking to extend their ski seasons, more of the days are still feeling like winter. We put one last ski video together from the great season, enjoy it below!



For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

2011 Ski Season Ends with a Bang in Steamboat Spings

The 2011 Ski Season Ended on a Fantastic note this past weekend in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The weather was beautiful as the Wailers played their concert closing down the mountain for the summer. In addition to the concert was the Cardboard Classic, the Pond Skim and plenty of fun had by everyone. Check out the video for yourself below if you didn't get the chance to make it to the mountain and hope to see you soon.


Find more videos like this on Steamboat


For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Get Ready For the End of Ski Season in Steamboat

While the snow is continuing to fall the end of the Steamboat Springs ski season is rapidly coming around the corner! For those who are looking to get a few extra days of skiing in this year, Springillicious offers a great opportunity, 4 days of skiing for only $99. So even if you have used all the days on your 15 day pass, skiing in Steamboat can still be done at a bargain for the end of the year. In addition to the great deal for skiing, Steamboat is hosting a few concerts, one featuring the Wailers at the base of the mountain & the 4th Annual Pondskim as well as the 31st Annual Cardboard Classic.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Weekend Skiing with Steamboat Powdercats

This past weekend I was fortunate to get out into the backcountry with friends and enjoy skiing Steamboat's famous Champagne Powder all of Saturday. Steamboat Powdercats is Steamboat's local backcountry skiing outfit who does a great job at providing tours for skiers and snowboarders, ranging from Intermediate to Expert around Buffalo Pass. They have access to over 10000 acres of public land and do a fantastic job of moving groups around so that even 2 weeks after a storm, you are still able to ski fresh tracks. With each tour they have a professional photographer there to document all your great turns and fun falls! I posted a picture of me below!

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Beautiful Weekend in Steamboat!

The sun was shining and the birds were out chirping away this past weekend as everyone seemed to be out on the mountain enjoying the great conditions. Enjoying the warmer temperatures and the fantastic snow conditions we made it out early both Saturday and Sunday and finished the day relaxing at Slopeside enjoying the views back up toward the mountain. One of my favorite memories from the weekend was watching kids on the lift ahead of us on Morningside who were having a fantastic time the entire lift ride up trying to feed the birds that swooped in from the trees on either side. A fun weekend to ski in Steamboat with family and friends, hope you were able to make it out as well!

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Spring Skiing in Steamboat

Skiing in Steamboat doesn't appear to be changing with the spring just around the corner, which for everyone skiing in Steamboat is great! Not knowing any better, the light fluffy snow makes each turn feel as though we are still skiing through mid-December. With 10" of new snow on the mountain this morning we quickly jumped out of bed and into the busy gondola line, ready for what we hoped would be a great powder day, and no one was left disappointed. Enjoy the video we put together below!




For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Slopeside Grill Opens their Ice Bar

The Ice Bar at Slopeside Grill is now open! A great way to enjoy your Apres Ski in Steamboat, the ice bar has been built out front of Slopeside Grill just above the base of the gondola. A definite marker that spring is just around the corner, with the ice bar Slopeside should also be hosting live music or providing a DJ almost every afternoon. Hope to see you out on the next blue-bird day!

We helped them document the building of the bar by putting together the video below, Enjoy!



For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Steamboat Springs Cowboy Dowhill 2011

Another successful year for the Steamboat Springs Cowboy Rodeo. The Cowboy Rodeo is an annual event wherein Cowboys come into Steamboat to take part in a 2 person race and a all out dash to the finish line toward the end of the day. 30 years ago Billy Kidd, Steamboat’s Director of Skiing, and Larry Mahan, six-time All-Around World Champion cowboy, invited a few of the Pro-Rodeo stars to Steamboat for a day of skiing.

Check out the video from this years event for yourself below.



For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

98th Winter Carnival in Steamboat Springs

The Winter Carnival is in Steamboat Springs this weekend! A fun weekend of events where Lincoln Ave, the main Highway through downtown Steamboat, is filled with snow and events occur throughout downtown. Events range from kids on skis being pulled by horses through obstacles, night skiing & jumping with flares to the International Muzzle Loading Biathlon. In its 98th Year, The Winter Carnival is a true Steamboat tradition and is a great chance to see kids compete and have fun in Steamboat.

My daughter Neve, is featured this year as a Winter Carnival Princess, and she is quite excited. Alden, my son, is participating in some of the downhill races as well as holding the torches and skiing down the mountain. Should be a great weekend! If you are in Steamboat, make sure to stop down to check out the activities! Click below for a full list of all the events during the Winter Carnival.

The Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival Event List

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Catamount Ranch and Club in Steamboat

Days spent in Catamount always seem to go by too quickly. Short early morning canoe journeys with your family across the Lake quickly turn into expeditions to see what is glistening along the far shore. Afternoon games of golf extend into the evenings as you let people play through while you sit with your family and friends, enjoying watching the beaver playfully build his new home in a crossing stream. And nights seem to extend into the early hours of the morning as you sit and enjoy looking at the glistening stars, clearer than ever, brought on from your location just outside of downtown Steamboat. But while your vacation seems to fly by, the memories found from enjoying the views, the activities, and spending time with family always seem to last forever.

We created the above video as a way to show you the beauty of Lake Catamount. If you have any additional questions about areas seen in the video above or other aspects of Catamount Ranch and Club, please feel free to contact us at Jon@TheSteamboatGroup.com or give us a call at 970.879.0879.

Or feel free to click here for more information on Catamount Ranch & Club in Steamboat Springs.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Snowing in Steamboat - Great Beginning of the Year

We got out on the mountain yesterday to enjoy the 17" of new snow, and it was great. The light snow continued to fall as we skied, at points almost covering our tracks just as soon as they were made. We put together a short video of our morning above, enjoy! Hope to see you out here enjoying the great year with us soon!

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Moose Visit our Backyard!

Our backyard has become the local hangout spot for a family of moose. They have come a few times and they have twice been caught on film. The first video below was taken by a friend in our backyard as the moose enjoys playing on our tire-swing. The second video below was one that i took early one morning before work as the moose enjoyed nibbling on one of our trees!

Click below to Play the 2 Videos of Moose that have been making their way to our neighborhood!





For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Happy Powder Days - Buffalo Pass above Steamboat Springs 12-8-10

All I can say is wow! It was an ubelieveably gorgeous day up on Buff Pass today.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Steamboat to Open Top to Bottom

The Steamboat Ski Area opens up next Wednesday and to everyone's excitement, skiers and snowboarders will have access to the top of the mountain on opening day.  The mountain currently has a 38 in base mid-mountain and a 52 in base at the Summit.  Over 900 acres is scheduled to open, including two of my favorites - Shadows and Closets. 5 lifts and 66 trails are ready to serve skiers as they get out on Scholarship day. Season Passes are not vaild yet, and all proceeds from next Wednesday go to the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.

To find the last season to open with similar conditions you have to go back to 1996-97, which saw a total of 447.75." The Steamboat Pilot quoted Chris Diamond, the Ski Corp CEO and President stating, 'with arguably the best snow conditions in Colorado, powder hounds at Steamboat will truly have something very special to celebrate over the Thanksgiving weekend, and the 2010-11 opening will be one for the record books.'

I can definitely attest to the great early season conditions in Steamboat.  I have gotten out skiing on the mountain and am looking forward to skiing Buff Pass this weekend.  It looks to be a great year and everyone in town is excited at the great early season conditions.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Steamboat Springs Direct Flights

Click on the Image Above for a Detailed Flight Schedule

Flying into Steamboat Springs is now easier than ever. This year the Steamboat Springs/ Hayden Airport features non stop flights from seven major airports using American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines and United Airlines with convenient connections nation and worldwide.  These flights are subject to change but can give you a great insight into the initial options for flying into Steamboat Springs.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Halloween in Steamboat

We had another fantastic Halloween in Steamboat Springs this year!  This fall the weather has been beautiful and this was certainly the case last night.  While there was snow on Mt. Werner in the distance, the cool temperature in town made for a fun evening with the family

Celebrating Halloween with the rest of the town, Lincoln Ave. was shut down and all of the businesses opened for trick-or-treating.  One of Steamboat's many fun and unique traditions, it is a great way to see friends of all ages dressed up and enjoying the Holiday.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Get Ready For Winter in Steamboat

Looking forward to Winter in Steamboat? So are we...

The La Nina pattern in the Pacific tends to deliver warm Falls and solid Winter snows.  2007 was the last La Nina year and it was a record season with a similar Fall. 

In case you need help getting excited for the coming Winter I have put together the following video to "Snowfall", a song that always makes us feel lucky to live in Steamboat.  I thought it would be fun to get you dreaming about spending time with family and carving turns through 12" of fresh powder in Steamboat this winter.  Click on the image below to take you to the Video.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Steamboat Private Lake

   If you are a dedicated Water-skier or Wakeboarder there is nothing like having access to a private lake.  The calm water and lack of traffic that you find on public water make for special days nearly every time you go out.  Steamboat is a paradise for many sports but it is tougher to be a water-skier or wakeboarder since it takes 30-40 minutes to get to our two public lakes.  Once you are there it is great but if your time is limited, you prefer warmer water, glassy water or appreciate a longer ski season afforded by a shallower lake in the valley access to a private lake is key. 

  I have been fortunate to have access to a great private lake in Steamboat for the last couple of years that is 10 minutes from town has great views and more than meets the needs of people who need glassy water and all of the other perks a private lake provides. My family and I went out today.  The water was still warm enough for a shorty, glassy as you can see above and it was a perfect afternoon in all regards.  Quality time with the family is priceless and the lake is our favorite place to get together all summer and fall. 

  If you would like to know more about the best lakes to water-ski and wakeboard in Steamboat Springs check out Steamboat Private Lake or give me a call.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email.  You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat Springs, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Haying in Steamboat

Haying is a part of the ranching tradition of Steamboat and the hay helps feed cattle and horses throughout the winter. In the late summer and early fall the farmers hay the land. Visiting Steamboat, or many places out west you might notice hay bales dotting the landscape. This summer, because of the late snowmelt and the moist weather, haying lasted a lot longer than usual and has gone long into the fall. Many farmers have delayed cutting the fields because the moisture can cause mold to grow in the hay and damage the product before it is sold.

Hay bales are a popular subject for photography in Steamboat. Best bet for a good picture is to get an interesting backdrop for the field. Use a mountain or hill with aspen trees turning. Another option is to use a field that has been mown in an interesting pattern and use the pattern as the focus of the shot with the hay bales dotting the landscape.

 

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Tradition in Steamboat - FM Light and Sons

FM Light and sons are a tradition in Steamboat. They lasted through the great depression with ingenuity. While other companies were going out of business, F.M. Light and Sons took their store on the road, driving products out to ranches and making buying convenient. Now in their 105th year of business, this forward thinking helped save their store and has turned them into a business that has thrived for 5 generations.

Many people are familiar with FM Light and Sons because of their unique advertising that can be seen driving into Steamboat from most directions. Their signs along the side of the road heading into town are grandfathered in and are the only advertising allowed. Today, F.M. Light and sons still offers the cowboy style with blue jeans, cowboy boots and hats. Get your ranching on with some real western style!

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

2nd Annual OktoberWest in Steamboat

This weekend is the second annual OktoberWest in Steamboat. The main event of Oktoberwest is at the base of the gondola from 12-6 tomorrow and there is scheduled to be 3 different, free bands. In addition, beer steins are available for purchase at $10 each and refills at $3 each. It is a great and very fun event, and a great way to send off the summer and begin looking forward to the winter!

Chamber spokeswoman Molly Killien said the event is a beer festival with a Steamboat twist, meaning there is a family aspect. 'We wanted to not only be an Oktoberfest event with beer and great food and activities. We wanted it to be really Steamboat in the sense that it’s family friendly. That’s really the magic of OktoberWest.'


Also, don't forget to cheer on the runners who will be finishing the 50 mile Run Rabbit Run race. The race begins at 6am and the top finishers should be coming in the chute around 2ish. Another fun activity to enjoy and the base of the mountain and the runners are sure to appreciate the enthusiasm. 

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Steamboat Springs Art Walks

The First Friday Artwalks have flourished from just a few galleries at the beginning to now include restaurants and other local Steamboat businesses joining together to celebrate the arts in Steamboat. Any one is welcome to peruse art that includes photography, jewelry, sculpture, painting and more. Each venue offers appetizers and cocktails and has become one of the most anticipated social occasions in town. The Artwalks take place the first Friday of every month and are a great celebration of local artists. Some venues include the Artists Gallery of Steamboat, Chocolate Soup, The Comb Goddess, Off the Beaten Path and more. The walk is centered around downtown and begins in the evening. Maps are available online at www.SteamboatSpringsArtwalk.com


For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Winter Approaching Steamboat Springs

Once Labor Day is over, the question turns to ‘what kind of winter are we going to have?’ Predictions come based on weather patterns, on when the fall leaves turn, on the first snowfall and more. For example, this year is a La Nina year, which usually brings plenty of snow. Even in a off year, Steamboat gets enough champagne powder to keep the slopes covered for daily skiing - but in the epic years, you can regularly find yourself in powder up to your waist.

If Steamboat has heavy early snows, it usually means the weather will stay dry until late in the season, but if the snows hold off till December, then it will generally be a good year with heavy snowfall throughout the season. The one place many people forget to look for signs of winter is in nature. There’s a saying ‘nature provides.’ Last winter there were a plentiful amount of berries on the bushes and they were out early. This was an indication it was going to be a long, hard winter. Temperatures dropped below -20 degrees more often than in the last five years. While there wasn’t as much snow as usual, it was a cold winter and it lasted. This year, the berries are already out, but there don’t appear to be as many as last year, which could mean fairer weather.

For the last three years, snows have been coming progressively later in the year and lasting longer. 2009 saw heavy snows towards the end of March. This year, the Farmer’s Almanac is calling for warmer than average temperatures with higher than average snowfall for Steamboat Springs. They expect snows early in the season, then heavy snowfalls in December and January.

What the year holds, no one will know until it’s here, but if you’re thinking about a ski vacation, book your tickets now as it promises to be another great year in Steamboat Springs.

 

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Steamboat Triathlon

   I just got roped into doing a leg of the Steamboat Triathlon Sunday morning a couple of hours ago so I am training like Tour deFrance Champ Alberto Contador tonight by eating Spanish Paella and drinking Rioja. This is an unconventional training program but when you only have a day to train before the event you have to think out of the box. This has nothing to do with it being our plan to do this already tonight.

 The great people at Steamboat Ski and Bike Kare were kind enough to hook me up with schuweet Trek Madone for the event so I am guaranteed to be the biggest poser at the race and will very likely "need" one myself in the the spring :) This will be my first time on a road bike since my 10 speed in high school so wish me luck.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

The Steamboat Springs Botanic Park

For those who want a nature excursion within the City of Steamboat, The Botanic Park is a manicured area filled with flora, fauna, birds, butterflies and more. There’s an open grassy area to sit and soak up the sun while kids explore, as well as a pond with brass statues surrounding it, including an enormous frog. The Botanic Park is also home to concerts and artistic performances. Bring a guitar or a picnic lunch and listen to the breeze flow through the trees, and smell the fragrant surroundings. The Botanic Park is halfway between downtown and the mountain. Turn left at Freshies and Mountain View Carwash and go down to the last street on the left. Turn left here and follow it down to the large parking lot by the soccer fields. Park here and walk down the Botanic Walkway to enter the Steamboat Springs Botanic Park.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Lance Armstrong Rides In Steamboat

Lance Armstrong stopped by Steamboat this past weekend to participate in the Ride 4 Yellow mountain biking event. All 200 riders completed the 26 mile bike ride that started at Dumont Lake on Rabbit Ears Pass, continued past the lakes of Routt County’s backcountry, over the top of Steamboat Ski Area and down to the top of the gondola. The event was a charity ride that raised over $300,000 to be donated to cancer fighting charities. Lance, also a supporter of local Steamboat Springs energy bar company Honey Stinger, after the race said 'he was happy to have been able to make the trip, however, and like nearly everyone else in attendance, he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for the fight against cancer.' Great to see such an outpour from the community for such a great cause. Below is a picture of Lance at the beginning of the ride.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Has the Tide turned for Tourism in Steamboat?

  I just read the June 2010 Sales tax info for Steamboat and it confirmed my thoughts over the past month or so that we are finding the bottom in tourism levels here in Steamboat.  If I may be so bold I suspect we may have turned the corner.  Why do I say that?  First as I talk to fellow business owners around town many are seeing their business firm up and several are seeing good increases over last year, two town seems busier than last year parking wise, three I see that the sales tax report shows overall sales taxes were  down 3.37% for June, retail was down 4.1% and lodging was down 2.1%.

  How could things be getting better if the numbers are down?  Well the best run businesses tend to lead us out of downturns and the friends I talked to definitely qualify for that and most of downtown and the inner circle of the mountain area were pretty torn up in June with the road construction significantly limiting access to downtown businesses and the promenade construction slowing things down at the mountain.   Downtown saw about a 10% hit vs June 2009 which looks to be driven by the tearup and rebuilding of 2/3 of Lincoln Avenue downtown ) I'm surprised it was only down 10%.  The Mountain area actually saw about a 12% increase which I think is a great sign.   Lodging is our most direct proxy for how tourism is performing and it was pretty darn close to last year even with our downtown torn up for road construction. 

  July numbers will really tell the story but I suspect that we will see more signs that things are stabilizing and possibly a couple of segments showing some growth over last year.  I know that most my out of town friends are planning trips, going out to dinner and buying sports gear to make the most of their time in Steamboat so hopefully that is a good sign for the market as a whole.  Real Estate sales are over 200% of last year to date and I think that is a good sign people are both more confident and will also be spending more time here going forward.  To see the numbers for yourself go to the City's Sales tax page here.

  I got a nice email from Scott Ford, one of our local economic gurus, that said this basically agrees with the Yampa Valley Partners economic forecast.  They expect an increase of about 4% in Gross Retail Sales in July.  He also said "I think we still have some significant challenges in the local economy - the construction industry sector specifically, but I think we are seeing more positive signs than negative."  Once we see construction come back things should feel a whole lot better around here.  It will take increases in Real Estate sales and clear out some inventory to do so. We are starting to make good progress on that this year but it will likely be a couple of years before we get there.  In the meantime if you need some construction work or want to build your dream home pricing is very good and you can get one of the best builders in town to work for you.  Ask me I can recommend one for you.

  For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions thoughtfully. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat Colorado Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Riding the Steamboat Gondola

One. Hike up the mountain and take the gondola down. Rides down are free. Eat lunch at the top and know you earned the vista spread out before you. Tourists hike down the mountain, while locals like the workout and hike up. Pack a lunch, or grab a snack while you’re up there.

Two. Head up to Hazies for appetizers and a drink. You don’t need a dinner reservation for a free ride up to watch the sunset. Sit outside and feel the sun fade behind Emerald Mountain, lighting up Hahn’s peak and making you part of the Alpen Glow before the last rays of light fade.

So enjoy the rest of the summer season and take a quick ride on the Steamboat Gondola.

 
For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Hiking Fourteeners in Colorado

Steamboat locals like to push themselves to extremes. One way to beat the heat and experience some of the most beautiful scenery in Colorado is by hiking a fourteener. The expression fourteener is used to describe mountain peaks over fourteen thousand feet. Colorado is home to more fourteeners than any other state. Mt. Elbert is the tallest peak in the Rockies at 14,443. However, expect a lot of foot traffic on Elbert as many visitors tend to flock there. For a more solitary experience, try the second highest peak in Colorado, Mt. Massive.  Mt. Massive sits right next door to Mt. Elbert and is only nineteen feet shorter. There are several different access points, but without the massive crowds of Mt. Elbert. Head up the back way or via the Southwest Slopes and expect to have the wilderness to yourself.

Because the drive takes several hours and the hike can take upwards of 6-8 hours, be sure to bringing camping gear to spend the night. Nighttime temperatures will most likely reach freezing depending on your elevation so bring warm clothes. While the Mt. Massive route is not a technical climb, meaning you don’t need ropes, crampons or ice axes, there is some scrambling involved on loose scree, so be sure to have solid hiking boots.

When heading out for a long hike it is important to keep altitude sickness and hypothermia in mind. Even though you may not feel thirsty, drink plenty of water throughout the hike and bring plenty of extra layers – Colorado weather is known for its ability to change on a dime. If a storm rolls in, turn back. Best bet for starting a climb like this is to leave the trailhead between 3:00am – 6:00 am. Most weather rolls in in the early afternoons. Dogs are welcome.

As for training, try out some of Steamboat’s mountains first to see how you do. Mt. Werner is a great one to hike up and take the gondola down, Mt. Zirkel is the closest Steamboat has to a fourteener at over thirteen thousand feet and is about a 10 hour round trip hike. Once you’ve done it, you’ll have earned your bragging rights.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Rock Climbing in Steamboat Springs

   Steamboat isn’t world renowned for its rock climbing scene. But just like any city, people find a way to climb when they love it. Locals head to Butcherknife to practice moves and bouldering. Butcherknife is nestled into a local park just between the middle school and downtown. Follow the path for about five minutes and you’ll see a few logs crossing the river. Take a couple of steps and start climbing.  You can click back to the Steamboat Springs, CO blog main page at the link.

Sunpie's Bistro, Downtown Steamboat Springs

   If you want some down home southern comfort food and the feeling that everyone knows your name, or soon will, head down to Sunpie’s Bistro. Sunpie’s has a New Orleans flair and is a popular drinking place for the local rugby team.   Expect something interesting to happen every time you’re there. For a heart stopper, try the Coucon de Lait – pulled pork with gravy and French fries on the sandwich. It’s always a friendly crowd at ‘the Pie’ as the locals call it.
 
   Sunpie's is located in Downtown Steamboat along the Yampa River at about 7th and Yampa Ave.  Don't worry about the Rugby Team, this is a very family friendly place until it gets late and the location along the river makes for a great place to relax in the sun on the huge backyard seating area.

  For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Take a Hike and a fly rod to Harrison Creek

   The Yampa River is a beautiful river for Fly Fishing, tubers, dogs and more. For those who prefer a little more privacy while they fish, Harrison Creek is a beautiful secluded spot that’s only about a 15-minute hike. Drive 8 miles past 131 heading up Rabbit Ears Pass. On the right, just before Highway 40 veers to the left, there’s a small road. Park at the end and walk past a couple of campsites – about five minutes. The trail is a little hard to locate, but can be found just past a campfire ring. The trail wanders down pretty steeply. There are two stream crossings before reaching Harrison Creek. The landscape is currently speckled with wildflowers of every color. An open field and aspen grove are a great place for relaxation in the sun. Down at the river, there is shade and you’ll be guaranteed to avoid the crowds and plenty of brook and cutthroats. For those who are interested in a little more hiking, cross the creek and head up the other side. This is a steep climb and gets hot during the mid-day hours, so bring plenty of water. The trail is a little overgrown, so be sure to take your bearings as you go.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

The Truffle Pig in One Steamboat Place

A new restaurant opened up on the mountain this summer, The Truffle Pig. As part of One Steamboat Place, the Truffle Pig has been highly anticipated for locals and visitors alike for new dining option on the mountain. The Truffle Pig has a modern interior and an incredible patio that overlooks Mt. Werner. The alpenglow in the evening alone is worth the price of the food. An outdoor fireplace with bar-style seating around it is also a great draw for singles or families. The portions a just right, and there are great options for meals in several price ranges. The menu works for kids and adults alike. The ambiance is great and after the menu gets settled, this may end up being one of the winter hot spots for the mountain. I was particularly impressed with the staff who made me feel like I had been coming to the restaurant for a long time and was among friends.

You can call the Truffle Pig at 970-879-7470 if you would like to try it yourself. They serve lunch and dinner. The Truffle Pig is located One Steamboat Place Pricing right next to the gondola.

    For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Frontier Flights are returning to Steamboat this winter

It's great to see Frontier come back to Steamboat this winter with 2 daily flights to Denver connecting to their national network. It should help keep pricing more reasonable and provide both new connections for people to get here and locals to travel out. They plan to fly Dec 16 until April 10th for now but hopefully they can build that into a year round connection over time.

From the Steamboat Pilot:"Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. announced Thursday that the airline, through owner Republic Airways Holdings, will offer a daily flight to and from Denver International Airport starting Dec. 16 and ending April 10. The flights go on sale Sun­­day.

Andy Wirth, Ski Corp.’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, said Frontier would fly a 99-passenger Embraer 190 aircraft in and out of YVRA.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Warren Buffet says "We’re coming back, no question in my mind"

 Its good to hear that Warren feels so confident about the recovery, avoiding a double dip recession and is seeing concrete improvements.  Let's hope that he is right.  As I talk to my friends around the country in various businesses most are seeing large improvements in their result and good profitability.  Locally we have seen sales tax receipts start to level out even with our downtown and Mtn construction slowing activity this spring and real estate volumes that are 217% of 2009 YTD.  Here is the interview where Warren shares his thoughts on the economy.

 To contact me call 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your question without a sales pitch. For more of this Steamboat blog click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat Real Estate page if you want to get a feel for property in Steamboat.

Pine Beetle Impact in Steamboat

Like many towns in Colorado, the pine beetle has come to Steamboat Springs. The pine beetle bores into trees, creating a fungus that kills the trees. Many parts of Steamboat have been affected, including Mt. Werner. Fortunately for Steamboat we have a much more diverse stock of pine species and also have extensive Aspen groves so the damage is more limited than in places like Breckenridge or Winter Park. Logging has begun on the mountain to clear out the beetle kill and remove potential fire hazards.

What this means for the mountain is a few more runs to ski. As pine is removed, expect to see an influx of aspen groves. During the summer, areas that had long lived in the shade of the pines will boast a plethora of native wildflowers.

Beetle-kill wood is characterized by a blue stain that infiltrates the wood. Generally the core of the tree has the brightest blue stain, while the outer layers fade. Many homes in Steamboat now feature blue-stain wood as accent pieces on stairways, cabinetry, tables, chairs and more. Some houses are constructed almost entirely with this wood which saves money and adds character to the areas where it is visible.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

How to Tube the Yampa River Like a Local

     Tourists and locals alike flock to the Yampa in the summer to escape the scorching sun and get a little cool relief. The following tips will help you look like a local while tubing.

1. Shuttle cars. Leave one car at the drop-in point and another at your take-out destination. This saves an embarrassing bus ride holding your tube over your half naked body. Don’t forget to take the car keys with you. Don’t laugh. It happens. Arriving at the take-out and realizing you now have a car with no keys is no fun.
2. Tube early in the afternoon. Steamboat is famous for its afternoon storms that come rolling in with thunder and lightening. Once it clouds over, temperatures drop quickly. If it starts to rain, chances are you are going to be freezing by the time you get out. By tubing early in the afternoon, your odds are a lot better of avoiding afternoon showers.
3. The take out. Locals like to enjoy a cool drink and a little food after a rough afternoon of floating down the river. Sunpie’s Bistro is one of the most popular take-out points as you can dry out your bathing suit while enjoying a cold beer or a New Orleans style sandwich.
4. Don’t float too late in the season. After the river flow peaks usually in late June or early July, the river levels start to drop. In August the river levels are so low, tubers spend their time on the river bouncing off rocks, popping tubes and working on a lot of bruises.
5. Pack out trash. Locals have no problem floating down the river with a cooler of beer, cold drinks or snacks. Enjoy your time on the river but just make sure to pack out all your trash!

     For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Fishing Sarvis Creek near Steamboat Springs

The access road to Sarvis Creek Wilderness opened this weekend. Sarvis Creek offers great opportunities for fly-fishing along the Creek. Only a few feet from parking, professional fishermen and amateurs alike cast their rods in hopes of scoring a one of Steamboat’s prize-winning trout.

Up the trail, cattle graze and horseback riding is a popular pastime as is hiking. The trail gains 1,000 feet in elevation, then evens off and opens up into lush meadows with sandy beaches and small pools of water. Abundant wildlife can be found around Sarvis Creek from deer, foxes and squirrels, to hawks, bears and elk.

For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Snow still on the Rabbit Ears Trail

This winter was a relatively dry one as far as recorded snowfall, at least until April. After the ski mountain closed, it snowed almost every day for a couple of weeks. The added snowpack was a blessing in order to prevent drought this year, however it closed off access to some of the higher elevation hiking areas such as the Flattop Mountains, Mt. Zirkel Wilderness and Rabbit Ears hiking trails.

Abundant sun over the last few weeks helped finally welcome summer. Hiking up Rabbit Ears, glacier lilies were just beginning to bloom - in town, glacier lilies are long gone, now replaced with wild roses and columbine. The trail was clear until the last uphill stretch where a few stubborn patches remained. Crossing them was easy and only a few toes were cooled by snow sneaking in under my sandals.

The views from the top boasted a lush green valley below. Everything is alive and blooming, making summer one of my favorite times of year in Steamboat.

To contact me call 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your question without a sales pitch. For more of this Steamboat blog click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat Real Estate page if you want to get a feel for property in Steamboat.

Great Mountain Bike ride tonight out my backdoor

  One of the cool things about living in Steamboat is that there are tons of low key or informal trails that make for great riding.  I am embarrassed to say I haven't linked this one together before since it literally goes from my backyard (and many other people's backyards too) but am psyched that my friend Brian give me the missing link over the weekend.

  I knew all but one of these pieces before but hadn't linked all of them together yet.  It was about 50 minutes this first time and it felt like cheating, might be a little faster now that I know where the turns are. There is a lot of singletrack,  some wider stuff, the trails in the Sanctuary behind your house and a little road. Good descents, swoopy turns and enough climbing to get a workout.  I will be doing this a lot more often as I can get up early and get out quickly.

I went:
- Down the trail next to my house almost to the Hilltop connector then over a small creek and up to Rita Valentine park off of Anglers (all nice single track)
- Down Anglers Drive (road section) and across Fish Creek to Pine grove, after the first building on the left I got on the trail along Fish creek
- This 2-3 ft wide trail goes upstream to the top of Steamboat Bran Village then loops around to the hospital and Central Park road close to Steamboat Blvd
- Take Steamboat Blvd to the trail on the right before the groundskeeper's building across that entrance and across the new golf course entrance then up to the trail that goes along the south side of the Sanctuary then around Aspenwood along Fish Creek again but downstream now.
- Then go under Steamboat Blvd to the south of Whitewater along the creek then up to come out at Golfview
- Take the road to Cheyenne Ct then down to the end of Cheyenne.
- a small path goes through the grass between the two homes at the end from the right side of the start of the driveway on the left. My friend Phil usually mows this, brush aside a limb jog right some then left and you are on a short trail to Anglers. If Phil is on the deck and invites you up for Wine say yes, if Deb is cooking say heck yes (actually please don't bother them so they will still invite me).   Take Anglers to the right then follow it left once then look for the trail back to my house on the right as the road goes left the second time. Next time I think I will go back down the Rita Valentine park and back since that was the best section and it would add a little more workout which I sorely need :)
- have a nice glass of wine on my deck

There are a lot of ways to get on and off this trail and some parts could loop in additional sections. like by my house on Valverdant and in the Sanctuary.

To contact me call 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your question without a pitch. For more of this Steamboat blog click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat Real Estate page if you want to get a feel for property in Steamboat.

Living in Steamboat Springs

  I wrote the following post over on my Steamboat Blog after talking to a couple of people looking to move to Steamboat over the past couple of weeks but thought some people here might enjoy it too.  What is it that draws you to Steamboat whether you just like to visit or want to move here too?

  I didn't mention it in the larger post but another reason that Steamboat is great is that we have so many great people that think of Steamboat as home even though they can only make it here a few weeks or so a year.  Their enthusiasm for Steamboat is infectious, are fun to run into on the mountain or trails, they take part in many of our local events and also donate generously to local causes.  They are basically an extended community that make life here even fuller by enabling many of the wonderful amenities like the ski area, entertainment options and all of the open space parks we enjoy here in Steamboat.

" Living in Steamboat Springs is a dream for many. It is my dream and may be for you if you are reading this blog. What do you mean my dream, don't you already live in Steamboat? Yes, we were fortunate to make our dream come true years ago but it still is our dream and I hope that we never forget that. Every day I walk out the door, look straight up at the mountain and consider myself lucky to be here, this happens in some form several times a day even when I am booked solid and working hard. The rewards of living here are likely better than you know, only more time here will begin to reveal the extent of these rewards and we still find great new stuff all of the time. To be clear Life in Steamboat is not heaven but it is pretty close, you just get to live here and still have to work to make it happen unless you are done working and then you really get to have fun.
Steamboat Springs is a unique combination of a small town in an incredible valley surrounded by mountains with gorgeous rivers and fields that was a real town before becoming a resort. This brings amenities far beyond what our size would warrant. That said the people here may be the best reason to be here. For the rest of the post please click on the following to go to Living in Steamboat Springs. "
To contact me call 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your question without a sales pitch. For more of this Steamboat blog click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat Real Estate page if you want to get a feel for property in Steamboat.

Emerald Mountain in Downtown Steamboat Springs

Emerald Mountain: This hike is one of the busiest trails in Steamboat, but locals flock to it for the great workout and some of the best views of Steamboat (call us for directions). Located right out of downtown, this hike climbs through exposed meadows and a few groves of trees. Bikers are plentiful, but when you turn around, the world opens up before you. The trail system up Emerald Mountain expands from downtown to Tree Haus Drive. There are game trails to follow as well as more established trails. From Emerald, there’s an incredible view of Mt. Werner, the Sleeping Giant and the Zirkel Wilderness. There are no water sources, so bring lots of water during the upcoming summer months!
   
     For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

Black Bears and Wildlife in Steamboat

     Black Bears: Seeing a black bear in the wild is a breathtaking experience. However, with Steamboat expanding, black bears are starting to become more familiar with human habitat. Those who move to Steamboat come here for the wilderness, the wildlife and the sense that there are still wild places. There are a few things to know about black bears in order to have a safe wildlife encounter. Black bears do not attack humans as a general rule. However, if you come between a momma bear and her cubs, she is more likely to attack. If you see cubs, be very careful away. The mother is close by.

     Bears like trash. While many people who visit Steamboat are thrilled by a bear sighting and are happy to leave food out for them, this causes on-going problems with bears. From dumpsters they are more likely to break into houses. Storing trash in secure dumpsters or in your home until you can properly dispose of it, will help keep bears wild.

     For natural bear sightings, the best times of year are in the fall and spring. In the spring bears are fattening up after a long winter’s hibernation. They will feed lower on the mountains where there is fresh vegetation. In the fall, head up the mountain to the raspberry patches that can be found throughout the mountain to see some wildlife in the wild. Best times of day to see a bear are in the early morning and early evening. Steamboat bears like to scavenge for food at all hours of the night. If you do see a bear, be respectful and keep your distance and enjoy!

 

     For more info call Jon at 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your questions without a sales pitch. You can also click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat, CO Real Estate page if you want to search for property in Steamboat.

New Sale at One Steamboat Place

A new sale at One Steamboat Place that isn't from a pre-construction contract is great news. We are seeing buyers return to the market and One Steamboat Place delivered a product that people have been very happy with.

■ 2550 Aprés Ski Way

Seller: SV Timbers Steamboat LLC Buyer: Williams S. and Michelle C. LerachSale Date: April 1, 2010 Sale Price: $3.8 million

Property Description: Condominium unit 711 at One Steamboat Place — represents a new sale and not one resulting from a pre-construction contract

To contact Jon Wade call 970-819-6930 or send him an email. Jon values your time and will answer your question without a sales pitch. For more of his Steamboat blog click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Steamboat Vacation Home Sales Make a Comeback

  We are seeing the same thing here in Steamboat Springs.  Steamboat Real Estate sales volume started to turn late last summer and we have been up from about 200 to 270% vs. the prior year for 5 months now.  I have been seeing forward looking clients come back into the market since the Spring of 2009 and this has gotten stronger since late last fall.

  Most say that they see this as a good chance to get one of the best places at a great price.  Everyone is interested in the value for their money but nearly all see this as a good chance to get the right sized home, town home or condo for their family to spend more time together in Steamboat for years to come.  Many plan to retire for at least half of the year here and see this as a chance to move up to the right place from the vacation home they currently have.

  If you would like to talk about your goals give me a call at 970-819-6930 or search Steamboat Listings.  I have been able to get discounts of 10-35% plus for people depending on the property and how well it is currently priced so take that into account as you search for what is availible.

Vacation Home Sales Make a Comeback
CNBC

 The housing slump may be far from over, but vacation homes are suddenly hot again. Vacation-home sales rose 7.9 percent in 2009 from a year earlier, to 553,000 units, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in its 2010 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey. "It's a lessening of the fear factor," NAR spokesman Walter Molony said. "After three years of decline, we saw the activity picking up for the first time in November."

  Most people are buying vacation property for personal use, not as an investment. “The typical vacation-home buyer is making a lifestyle choice, with nine out of 10 saying they intend to use the property for vacations or as a family retreat,” NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said, according to a press release. Much of the buying was by people in their 30s and 40s who were earning more income. The typical vacation-home buyer in 2009 was 46 years old and had a
median household income of $87,500. Retirement plans may also be a factor. Some 26 percent of vacation-home buyers intend to use the property as a primary residence in the future.

  The median transaction price of a vacation home was $169,000 in 2009, compared with $150,000 in 2008. “The higher vacation home price may reflect increased sales in higher priced markets,  particularly in areas of Florida and California where prices became highly attractive for buyers over the past year,” Yun said. Half of vacation homes purchased last year were in the South, 21 percent in the West, 17 percent in the Midwest and 12 percent in the Northeast. Seven out of 10 were detached single-family homes. Vacation-home buyers plan to keep their property for a median of 16 years while investment buyers plan to hold their property for a median of 12 years.

  To contact Jon call 970-819-6930 or send me an email. I respect your time and will answer your question without a sales pitch. For more of this Steamboat blog click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or go to my Steamboat Real Estate page if you want to get a feel for property in Steamboat.

Real Estate Market Update for Steamboat Springs

Living in a resort town like Steamboat I get to meet a lot of interesting people from around the country that are really good at what they do. Some of them are also in real estate like me so it is great to compare notes with them and hear who things are around the country. I'm not calling bottom but I have seen strong signs of the things it takes to have a recovery all over the country from both the national news and agents I trust that really know their markets. Fortunately I am seeing many of the same things here in Steamboat Springs. Steamboat saw the effects of the recession 2-3 years later than the rest of country but seems to be closer to a year or so behind the recovery in many of the markets that our guests and owners come from. Even though we have relatively high levels of inventory there is relatively little room to build significantly more so people are taking this chance to secure their long terms goals and choose from some of the best homes at attractive prices.

We are starting to see more activity here in Steamboat, I have been very busy for about a year helping both buyers and sellers reach their goals and the overall market has started to post volume gains over the last 6 to 8 months. Dollar volume has doubled from year ago levels each of the past 4 months as sellers come closer to market with their list prices. Until about 6 months ago 80 plus % of our listings were priced at the peak levels and sometimes beyond so the few transactions that were happening required significant negotiation to come together. I have been fortunate to be able to help quite a few people find this right values and now the market is coming closer. There are opportunities out there, the key is determining what the pricing should be and reaching a deal that makes sense.

There are many great signs but to very clear I am not yet calling a recovery because there is some distressed property, some excess inventory to be worked through and plenty over overpriced homes. For the next year or two it will be key to understand the market in each segment, neighborhood and even down to the level of what is the situation with each individual property both that you are looking at and ones that are comparable to get the best feel for where pricing is going. Current comps are nice but knowing if there is something coming is very valuable. I have been doing this with good results so call me if you would like to know more about our market or want to see if your goals are within reach.

Speaking of other real estate markets I spent some time with Tania Hosmer from McLean, Virginia last week. McLean, VA is just outside of Washington, DC. She has become a friend over the last few years. Tania is a true professional that has deep market knowledge and really looks out for her client's best interests, two things I personally value. According to Tania's research over half of the market segments in McLean, VA have actually turned into Seller's markets and one is balanced. This is a great insight and the kind of thing that is good to know early before everyone reads it in the paper after it has happened in the market as a whole and prices go up. It was hard for me to believe but Tania has the data to prove it.

To see it for yourself go to Tania's McLean Real Estate blog and her insightful McLean Market Update that breaks down the market by price point and whether that segment is a buyers or sellers market based on sales and current inventory. Click on the link to her chart to see it for yourself. Thanks Tania, I appreciate any chance to learn something and you gave me a few good things.

To contact Jon Wade call 970-819-6930 or send him an email. Jon values your time and will answer your question without a sales pitch. For more of his Steamboat blog click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

March Storm coming to Steamboat this weekend?

Just when we thought Spring conditions were here to stay it appears that we are in the path of a good storm. Substitute your sunglasses for goggles and I'll see you out there. After the pentathlon that is, I am doing 3 of the 5 legs on a team with a friend. Mountain Biking and Skate Skiing should be fun in a storm... but don't get me wrong I never complain about snow.

The Colorado Avalanche Center says: "Expect increasing clouds and mountain snow starting by Thursday evening. A trough of low pressure crosses the state on Friday and winds shift back to northwesterly on Saturday. The Northern and Central Mountains will be favored with this next system, but this looks to be a good snow producer for all mountain locations for the period extending from Thursday night into Saturday night. Northwest flow persists for the remainder of the weekend."

Powderchaser Steve from www.powderchasers.com has issued a powder alert saying "Heavy snow will begin in northern Colorado on Friday with the best shot of a super deep day on Saturday."

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