Steamboat Springs is running out of places to put snow

A friend and I were commenting on how hard it is to find a rock up on the Steamboat Ski Area. What few there are showing are really easy to avoid because they are so big you know where they are from jumping off them in normal years. This is definately not a problem on the mountain because we have been getting snow so frequently it has gotten moderately hard only once or twice. Both times were when it got warm in front of a storm then froze and the storm quickly took care of it each time. The best part is that when they report 4 inches it tends to be a pretty great day up there as it fills in from the day before and 6 inch reports are almost always calf deep in the trees.

In town it is a different matter, with snowfall here in Steamboat at about 135 percent of average they are running out of places to put it all around town. The city is remarkable efficient about making the big piles disappear downtown. Overnight huge piles and 2 feet wide sidewalks go to nothing overnight. The problem is that the city has nearly filled the places they stash it including some parking lots, your can't see around corners on most roads and private users have run out of place to put the snow.

It's a good problem to have in my opinion. Bring on the snow!!!

Alden skied down from the top of the gondola today

I got to take my son up the gondola today so he could ski down form there on Why not for the second time. He did great last time but the differecne this time was stunning. I had a climbing strap around his waist for speed control but he was totally stable and fell only a few times. We were able to go much faster on average. I've been so busy we haven't been out much but this convinced me I need to time to commit to getting him out more. He had a great time which is what really counts and it was a specialt time for me to be able to give him that chance.

Base Area projects

The Steamboat Springs base area redevelopment plan is moving forward. I am excited at the prospect of the Steamboat base are becoming more of a destination year round instead of just throughfare. The improvements will be funded by increases in property taxes & sales taxe in the base area driven by the new projects coming to revitalize the base of my favortite hill. The first phase of improvements will include:

- Bring Burgess creek to the surface through the base area including ponds, play areas and a possible outdoor ice rink in the base area.

- Design and start improvements to the gondola square area including escalator down to the gondola, new walkways, landscaping, public art, new public restrooms and an overall update of the area.

- Link the Sheraton resort to Torian Plaza / Ski Time Square with a new promenade along with general improvemnts to connections betwene the different parts of hte base area.

Elk River plan moves ahead

The planning commission unaminously backed the proposal for the Elk River Ranch land preservation subdivision (LPS). The project will put 62 5+ acres lots on 1,797 acres and leave over 1,300 acres of open space wither undisturbed or in its historic ranching uses. The LPS includes a long stretch with around 2 miles on both sides of the Elk River and will include significant stream restoration and stocking of rainbow trout bred to stay close to home. The commission was very pleased with the thoughfulness of the plan and how well it preserves the land it will sit on.

Update: This project has now been rolled out under the name Marabou Ranch. Click on the Marabou Ranch link to get more details.

Steamboat Springs Base area update

The base area update plan for the base of the Steamboat Ski Area contines to progress well. The update which is encouraged and driven by the diversion of increases in property and slaes tax reveune in the base area seeks to bring Steamboat a first class ski village that fits Steamboat's western tradition.

Some of the projects that will be financed by the tax growth (not rate growth) are:
- linking the whole base area together into more of a villiage with promenades
- building nice public spaces as each area is updated with empahsis on gondola square
- daylighting Burgess Creek through the base area, putting in ponds and maybe a public ice skating area
- modernizing the gondola transit center and providing better linkages to gondola square
- an extensive update of Ski Time Square roads and sidewalks
- evaluating public contribution to the cabriolet open gondola from Wildhorse Meadows to One Steamboat Place ( from the tennis meadows parking lot up to next to the Sportstalker in gondola square
- adding a possible conference/performing arts center
- additional public art
- many more things.

This is exciting because if it is done right it would make the base area a more happening place to be year round and support a more diverse mix of restaurants and bars for locals and guests to enjoy.

In my business it represents a good investment opportunity for new and existing real estate projects that are positioned to benfit from these changes. I have been thinking about how this is likely to play out and where the best spots will be. Call me if you are curious. 970-819-6930