A New Closing at Marabou Ranch, overall signs of life in Steamboat

Some encouraging news from Marabou Ranch came in the form of a closing on a lot for $2.5M. Overall lot sales are limited right now so this speaks to the quality of the experience they deliver at Marabou, the relative value you can find in Steamboat compared to places like Vail & Aspen and people's continuing desire to spend more time in Steamboat Springs. This correlates with increasing amounts of positive news on the national front and the increasing likelihood that a recovery is in progress.

I have seen a big increase in sincere near term interest the last 4-5 weeks due in part to value, availability of people's first choice and the desire to realize goals while there are some good deals to be had. Volume within my firm is up significantly and we are seeing people in town after ski season specifically to look at property which didn't happen to often last fall.

Let me know if you would like to more insight into our current market here in Steamboat Springs and if there is an opportunity for you that makes sense. Call Jon at 970-819-6930 or email jon@mybrokers.com. I hope that everyone has a great spring.

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Marabou Ranch is recognized for their leadership in Sustainable Development

It is great to see the team at Marabou getting recognition for their leadership in sustainable development. In addition to the green features and practices they have implemented I think that preserving about 1,300 acres in its historic agricultural uses and natural state is a great way to preserve what is special about Steamboat's history and character.

"Mountain Living Magazine recently named Marabou winner of the 2009 Responsible Development Award. Marabou was recognized for our commitment to smart, sustainable and beautiful design. "We are proud to accept the Sustainable Award from Mountain Living Magazine, and feel honored to have been chosen from among so many other great projects!"" - Jeff Temple, Elk River Partners.
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Dallas Morning News Features Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs is featured in a nice article by the Dallas Morning News this weekend with several quotes from Pat Stefanek a friend who has a "tough job" as a Master Guide at Marabou Ranch. Poor Pat has to Ski all winter and Fly-fish about 10 months a year.

Perfection in land of hoppers and droppers Saturday, August 16, 2008

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. – The first year Pat Stefanek spent in Steamboat Springs (1991), he had three jobs, just trying to make ends meet. One thing he knew for sure. He'd do whatever it took to live his version of a Rocky Mountain high.

"I was lucky because I made my passion my living," said Stefanek, master fishing guide and river keeper for three miles of upscale private trout waters on Marabou Ranch, just outside of Steamboat Springs, and 40 miles of private trout waters on North Park Fishing Club in nearby Walden, Colo.

"Steamboat Springs is the world's greatest place to live," Stefanek said. "The name alone is very cool, but there's a terrific outdoor lifestyle here that's hard to match. There are great trout streams in every direction, many of them public waters. I had 110 days of skiing on the mountain last winter – lots of powder days.

"Everybody is hiking and riding mountain bikes – it's just a great, healthy lifestyle. Whatever you think you're good at, there's a 12-year-old girl in Steamboat Springs who can kick your rear." (8 or 10 years old would probably be more accurate, I am a pretty fast skier and I get blown away by the kids all of the time) For the whole article click here

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Yampa Tailwaters Preserve

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

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

If you would like to know the inside scoop on Yampa Tailwaters Preserve just give me a call at 970-819-6930 anytime. I know the property in and it's status well.

Nov 2009 Update - Change is afoot with the Yampa Tailwaters Preserve. If you have interest in the property give me a call.

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Winter Fly-fishing in Steamboat Springs

Here are some pictures of the fish my father in-law Ted caught today in the Yampa River near Steamboat Springs. There was so much snow they had to snowshoe in to the river and anytime they went on-shore or they were in waist deep. As you can see he could have used some help lifting these hawgs. It was a great day on the river and he couldn't stop commenting about how much better the fly-fishing is here in Steamboat than on his special trip to Patagonia to fly-fish a few weeks ago.

I think that some of these fish are strays from Marabou Ranch or they have been eating at Café Diva every night and then going to Chocolate Soup for a second desert. Cast back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.

Wendy's Steamboat Bull Riding

Wendy and I were invited to the finale of the Marabou Ranch Winter Festival tonight. It was a great evening with everything from a nice dinner including elk tenderloin, to a great performance by country music singer Julie Roberts and even a mechanical bull. Wendy was apparently feeling pretty spunky tonight so she took Crusher for a spin. She drew a throng of admirers quickly as the bull got going. Her form is pretty darn impressive. I suspect she will get invited to ride in the Steamboat Springs Rodeo series this summer :)
Click the play button at the bottom left of the picture to see here in action or go to the full size version if you want a bigger picture or to rate her performance. It starts a little slow but I guarantee you will find it entertaining. I hopped on next but didn't look nearly as good so I'll spare you from seeing the video of me.

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Marabou Ranch Updates

I have posted a couple of updates on Marabou Ranch over on that blog recently so you might want to check them out. After a very strong reception since they were introduced last spring sue to the new level of quality and experience that Jeff Temple and his team are bringing to Steamboat Springs. They have recently pulled the lots off the market until February. At that point they will be re-introduce the development with a series of events they are calling Winterfest 2007 from Saturday February 10th until the 17th.

If you have any interest in Marabou I highly recommend checking them out along with a visit to Marabou Ranch itself. This group knows how to put on an event and show people a good time. More importantly you will get a taste of the quality and level of experience they have put together for Marabou Ranch that is hard to adequately describe but easy to appreciate when you experience the property and see it for yourself.

Contact me at 970-819-6930 if you would like me to arrange a visit for these events and a tour of the Ranch. Back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page for more.