It looks like the Steamboat ski area started making snow at the right time. The paper this morning said they were able to lay down 5-6ft piles Sunday night. I checked them out yesterday when I was up looking at the new promenade we are building at the base area. See below for the Steamboat weather forecast this week. A week or so ago there was over 3 feet up on Buffalo Pass where I backcountry ski and more fell over the weekend that I didn't get to check out.
From the Steamboat Pilot "Jim Daniels, a forecaster with the National Weather Service’s Grand Junction office, said a potential for heavy snow this week, coupled with a cold blast, will keep snow on the ground and temperatures low enough to continue snowmaking operations.
Forecasters predict at least some chance of snow from Tuesday night through Friday, with a 70 percent chance of snow Tuesday night and Wednesday. “I think you’ll see several inches there in town, and we’re expecting some more at higher elevations,” Daniels said.
Allen said snowstorms sometimes can raise temperatures in the area, putting snowmaking on hold, but because of a double-blast of cold air coming through this week, Daniels said that likely would not happen. “It’s looking like a pretty good storm coming in there, especially for this time of year,” he said.
The area is under a hazardous weather outlook for the rest of the week, with dangerous driving conditions possible later in the week, especially on Rabbit Ears Pass."
For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
First night of Snowmaking in Steamboat!
I walked outside this morning and there was a fog over portions of the lower mountain along with the tell tale sound that snowmaking had begun for the 2009/2010 Ski Season here in Steamboat. Fall is incredible here in Steamboat and one of my favorite times of the year here so I never want it to end but at the same time I can't help myself and dream of skiing with any sign that it is coming soon. I hope that you can join us this year, it has been a cool snowy fall and if this keeps up it could be a great winter.
For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
4 weeks until the 2009/2010 Ski Season Begins in Steamboat Springs
I don't know about you but my dreams and day dreams are now filled with powder days and fast cruisers on the mountain not to mention deep backcountry ski days up on Buffalo Pass. Some new gear has somehow found it's way into my collection and I am considering new skis for me and my wife. I will also take the kids in this week for their season rentals. They talk everyday about skiing with daddy on the big mountain and I can't wait to get out with them. Are you ready yet?
For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.
For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.
Friday, October 16, 2009
30 Inches of Snow on Buffalo Pass plus 9 more last night!
It's been a wet and cool fall and we got the most precipitation since May 9th in town. That's saying something since we had some serious rain in May and June this year. I'm very excited to see so much snow on Buffalo Pass so early. Hopefully this means Buff Pass will be ready before the ski mountain opens at Thanksgiving. Another great season would be outstanding, a normal season will be great too.
From the Steamboat Pilot “We expect El Niño to strengthen and persist through the winter months, providing clues as to what the weather will be like during the period,” Halpert said. “Warmer ocean water in the equatorial Pacific shifts the patterns of tropical rainfall that in turn change the strength and position of the jet stream and storms over the Pacific Ocean and the U.S.” Steamboat Powderhounds know Mount Werner is prone to getting day after day of snow when the jet stream settles over the Yampa Valley on a northwest flow.
From the Steamboat Pilot “We expect El Niño to strengthen and persist through the winter months, providing clues as to what the weather will be like during the period,” Halpert said. “Warmer ocean water in the equatorial Pacific shifts the patterns of tropical rainfall that in turn change the strength and position of the jet stream and storms over the Pacific Ocean and the U.S.” Steamboat Powderhounds know Mount Werner is prone to getting day after day of snow when the jet stream settles over the Yampa Valley on a northwest flow.
One might not guess it to look at the modest snow cover on Storm Peak, but the snow depth is building just north on Buffalo Pass to as deep as 30 inches, in the estimation of one local expert. Chris Diamond, Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. president, observed during a public speaking engagement this fall that the last El Niño year resulted in more than 400 inches of snow. That year, 2005-06, weather patterns dumped 432 inches of snow at the midway point on Mount Werner."
For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page or check out the One Steamboat Place blog for info on one of the best ski ski out condos in Steamboat Springs.Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Steamboat 700
Here is a letter to the editor I just submitted. I have struggled with whether to support this since the beginning as I explain below. That is not the normal path for me. To be honest I never expected to support Steamboat 700 even though I thought along that they would get to the point of meeting the WSSAP's objectives.
Start of my letter:
Your article supporting Steamboat 700 is very well thought out and your points are well taken. For the record I never thought I would support Steamboat 700 because I was worried that it was too big and nervous about adding too much at once. The more I have dug into the issue and thought about how things will develop with or without Steamboat 700 I can't get around the fact that this is the only way to add the infrastructure we need for the growth that is coming. It will happen much further from town with no contribution if we don't allow Steamboat 700. I'd rather take some risk than face the nearly certain consequences of inaction. This is the first time I have supported Steamboat 700 in public or private. Just like everyone else I am very concerned about anything that could change Steamboat. Yes, I am an active real estate broker but I see Steamboat's livability and charm as the most important reason that my family is here along with those of my clients.
I believe that it is critical to make it possible for all of our friends along with people like teachers and nurses to become long term members of the community they make possible. They have earned this and will continue to do so. It shouldn't be too easy or doable on a whim but it should be possible for those that have dedicated themselves to living here and make our community special. I am nearly certain it is likely to reduce my own property values in town by having additional supply close by so this is not an economic judgement. For me it comes down to just a few things.
1 - Steamboat 700 is as close to the WSSAP as we are likely to get. Despite his ads to the contrary Kevin Bennett created this plan along with the water agreement that benefits that land. His signature is on the document. We asked for this and they have done a remarkably good job delivering it. Yes it would be wonderful to get more for "free" that is not really free but we don't live in a candy store where everything costs 5 cents.
2- We live in a beautiful, special, extraordinary place that is so compelling we have all worked much harder and made significant comprises to be here. This passion is one of the things that makes Steamboat even better. That is nothing new, most of us can only imagine how hard it was for Steamboat's founding families to make a life here especially in the winter. Great people like John Fetcher could have lived anywhere but they chose to live here and worked hard to make it special.
These compromises couldn't be more worth it and others will continue to be willing to make the same choices. I meet these people every week in my business and understand it well. My wife Wendy & I made this choice and couldn't be happier that we did. We need to do anything we can to protect what is great about Steamboat using plans that will actually be effective. I haven't been able to think of a way that not doing this development will actually achieve this goal. The Pilot is right to say it will only push people out further in the county, increase commuting, pollution and get nothing from that growth to help pay for the increased demands on our community's roads, schools and other infrastructure. If demand does not materialize there is no way it will get built so approving it does not put us at risk.
3- The biggest reason for me is precedent, there is not a lot of question what will happen if you look at Aspen and Vail. They have have not planned close in for the growth that has come and will continue to come. We have friends in both places and it is considered normal for people to commute from 30-60 minutes into town to work and play. They both have a slew of problems and a weaker community because of this. Housing in town is nearly unattainable and families have less time together as a result. I have played endless scenarios in my head and can't think of a way that we will be different if we take the same path.
I want a community that is together all day, remains a special place and has the resources to pay for the long term growth that will come either way. Those of us who were not born in Steamboat were lucky to be accepted by this wonderful community. We should be grateful for that and also take responsibility for keeping it a special place. That doesn't mean we should close the pass behind us. That is purely fantasy and will be the fastest path to pushing us and our neighbors out of town just like has happened in Aspen / Vail. This is a very tough decision but is has been studied and negotiated by our fellow citizens / representatives with tons of public input. I now have arrived to the same conclusion and trust them to implement this deal. I know it will not be perfect, nothing is but it will clearly be far better than the alternative.
Best,
Jon Wade
Start of my letter:
Your article supporting Steamboat 700 is very well thought out and your points are well taken. For the record I never thought I would support Steamboat 700 because I was worried that it was too big and nervous about adding too much at once. The more I have dug into the issue and thought about how things will develop with or without Steamboat 700 I can't get around the fact that this is the only way to add the infrastructure we need for the growth that is coming. It will happen much further from town with no contribution if we don't allow Steamboat 700. I'd rather take some risk than face the nearly certain consequences of inaction. This is the first time I have supported Steamboat 700 in public or private. Just like everyone else I am very concerned about anything that could change Steamboat. Yes, I am an active real estate broker but I see Steamboat's livability and charm as the most important reason that my family is here along with those of my clients.
I believe that it is critical to make it possible for all of our friends along with people like teachers and nurses to become long term members of the community they make possible. They have earned this and will continue to do so. It shouldn't be too easy or doable on a whim but it should be possible for those that have dedicated themselves to living here and make our community special. I am nearly certain it is likely to reduce my own property values in town by having additional supply close by so this is not an economic judgement. For me it comes down to just a few things.
1 - Steamboat 700 is as close to the WSSAP as we are likely to get. Despite his ads to the contrary Kevin Bennett created this plan along with the water agreement that benefits that land. His signature is on the document. We asked for this and they have done a remarkably good job delivering it. Yes it would be wonderful to get more for "free" that is not really free but we don't live in a candy store where everything costs 5 cents.
2- We live in a beautiful, special, extraordinary place that is so compelling we have all worked much harder and made significant comprises to be here. This passion is one of the things that makes Steamboat even better. That is nothing new, most of us can only imagine how hard it was for Steamboat's founding families to make a life here especially in the winter. Great people like John Fetcher could have lived anywhere but they chose to live here and worked hard to make it special.
These compromises couldn't be more worth it and others will continue to be willing to make the same choices. I meet these people every week in my business and understand it well. My wife Wendy & I made this choice and couldn't be happier that we did. We need to do anything we can to protect what is great about Steamboat using plans that will actually be effective. I haven't been able to think of a way that not doing this development will actually achieve this goal. The Pilot is right to say it will only push people out further in the county, increase commuting, pollution and get nothing from that growth to help pay for the increased demands on our community's roads, schools and other infrastructure. If demand does not materialize there is no way it will get built so approving it does not put us at risk.
3- The biggest reason for me is precedent, there is not a lot of question what will happen if you look at Aspen and Vail. They have have not planned close in for the growth that has come and will continue to come. We have friends in both places and it is considered normal for people to commute from 30-60 minutes into town to work and play. They both have a slew of problems and a weaker community because of this. Housing in town is nearly unattainable and families have less time together as a result. I have played endless scenarios in my head and can't think of a way that we will be different if we take the same path.
I want a community that is together all day, remains a special place and has the resources to pay for the long term growth that will come either way. Those of us who were not born in Steamboat were lucky to be accepted by this wonderful community. We should be grateful for that and also take responsibility for keeping it a special place. That doesn't mean we should close the pass behind us. That is purely fantasy and will be the fastest path to pushing us and our neighbors out of town just like has happened in Aspen / Vail. This is a very tough decision but is has been studied and negotiated by our fellow citizens / representatives with tons of public input. I now have arrived to the same conclusion and trust them to implement this deal. I know it will not be perfect, nothing is but it will clearly be far better than the alternative.
Best,
Jon Wade
It's Offical, Colorado's Ski Season Opens today Wednesday Oct 7th
Loveland opens today, A- Basin Friday. It has felt like an early winter was in the cards for a while and now we have proof. The top of the Steamboat Ski area looks almost skiable too.
For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.
For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Even a cold, wet, snowy day in Steamboat beats any day pretty much anywhere else
Said perfectly by a friend who is town from Houston who works and of course plays in Steamboat as much as possible. I have always felt the same way so I couldn't agree more. Is there a way for you to work and play more in Steamboat? Do you need to be in the office everyday or can you spend more time here in Steamboat by telecommuting?
I know a large number of busy successful people that work early on Eastern time, get out and ski, bike or fish then work some more in the afternoon. Most say that they get more done and come up with great ideas while they are out playing. It works that way for me so why not see for yourself? For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.
I know a large number of busy successful people that work early on Eastern time, get out and ski, bike or fish then work some more in the afternoon. Most say that they get more done and come up with great ideas while they are out playing. It works that way for me so why not see for yourself? For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.
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