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.

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.

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.

Steamboat Winter Carnival Video

Here is a some great video from Good Morning America of the the Steamboat Winter Carnival. There are not many places in the world that will shut down a highway for 2 days and cover it with snow so the whole town can play in the streets. For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Skiing ranks Steamboat #1 in Trees and #2 in Snow behind Alta!

No question there for me but the one key ranking they miss is an easy number 1 for the great people that live and visit here. Steamboat has easily the nicest people not to mention a genuine town that can't be copied from somewhere else like so many other ski towns have been. What do you think?

My advice? Get in a great fall, your gear in order, in shape to burn a lot of great tree runs and your friends in Steamboat will look forward to seeing you a few times this winter. For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Good Morning America comes to the Steamboat Winter Carnival

Steamboat's Winter Carnival drew national attention this year with the arrival of Good Morning America to cover the festivities. Their segment (Watch it HERE click on the plus at the bottom right to see it bigger) did a good job covering a few highlights but there is nothing like being here in person to feel the energy of the kids, spectators and the Steamboat down to earth authenticity that comes for the great people here and can't be duplicated anywhere else.

It warms my soul to be a part of it and seems to have the same effect on everyone there. My 5 yr old son did some of the skiing and night events, my 3 yr old Neve let us know she was ready to join in next year. It is worth a special trip to check it out for yourself so mark it on your calendar for February to join in on the fun yourself. Only in Steamboat...


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

Steamboat Champagne Powder Day

It was "almost" worth living here for today's skiing. Here is a short clip of my wife Wendy skiing 2 feet of fresh powder in the backcountry today. Its just one of the many reasons that we are fortunate to live here.

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

Vast New Ski area progressing (from 1958)

Here is an excerpt from 1958 that I wanted to share. I am lucky to know Jim Temple and John Fetcher two of the key group that founded what is now the Steamboat Ski area. The more I learn the more impressed I have become with the vision and persistence it took to make their dreams a reality. Here we are looking forward to ski season and 50 years ago they were looking forward to the first ski season on Storm Mountain.

Steamboat Springs Oct 1958— After three months of carefully supervised work, 4 miles of ski runs have been cleared for the first portion of the mighty Storm Mountain ski development, which is expected to become the top ski area in the nation. Officials of Storm Mountain expect to start construction of their first modern double chairlift in May, opening the 1,100 vertical feet of the initial ski area to visiting tourists who want a breathtaking view of the Yampa Valley by July 1959. Jim Temple, Storm Mountain president, said the area will be open to the public this winter for test runs down the many ski trails. Buddy Werner, one of the world’s greatest skiers, has been here through the summer to give his advice and suggestions gathered from his wide experience as an Olympic skier. For the full article in the Steamboat Pilot click here For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Steamboat Legend and 2008/2009 Snow Forecasts

It has been a wet fall with a lot of rain and very cold nights so far. Even though I treasure every day of fall as a skier my thoughts inevitably turn to pondering what kind of winter is approaching for Steamboat. Everyone in town has their favorite method but I tend to defer to those that have ranched the land since Steamboat's earliest days, lived intimately in those winters and have a real connection with the climate here in Steamboat. John Fetcher fits that description and he is also one of the five partners that Jim Temple led in founding the Steamboat Ski area. I have had the good fortune to see John a lot recently at dinner with a mutual friend and a couple of parties. Getting to know him better has not only increased my respect for him immensely but given me a greater understanding of our history in Steamboat Springs.

It is a pleasure to have a conversation with a man that has shaped the Yampa Valley in more ways than I could possibly mention here, hear about how many things came to be, and smile as he relates things he was a part of in a very understated humble way. He is a true Steamboat icon and a great example for us as we look forward to remember the qualities that got us here. Things we must maintain if we hope to keep this valley as special as it has been given to us by our founding fathers and mothers. BTW I have seen tons of Beaver sign every time I have fly-fished in the Elk River Valley this year, just like last summer and fall which preceded our record snow year last fall. Let's hope John is right but either way it is always fun to dream.

Excerpts from the Steamboat Pilot: "...if you’re like John Fetcher, who has lived in the Yampa Valley since 1949, you can talk with the beavers.

Local legends and old wives’ tales abound in regional weather predictions, but Fetcher said his commune with nature gives him an idea of what to expect. “I get my winter forecast from discussing the matter with the beavers that infest our ranch,” Fetcher said. “We have lot of beavers, and if they build lots of dams, we figure it’s going to be a hard winter.” So far, Fetcher’s furry forecasters predict a heavy snowfall, he said, although he admitted he doesn’t put much stock in the data.

For December to February, Larson said there is a 42 percent chance of above-normal temperatures, with a 33 percent chance it will be near normal and 25 percent chance of below-normal temperatures. The climate prediction center of the Weather Service also predicts there will be near-average snow for the year. Despite the discrepancies, there was one thing that all forecast methods agreed on: snow is coming.

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

Steamboat Mortgage update

Despite what you hear in the national news knowledgeable lenders have confidence in Steamboat. Mortgages are available to qualified borrowers at good rates. I called Wells Fargo for an update on rates and basic loan terms they are currently funding in Steamboat. They are funding their own jumbo loans and as a result have great rates. Lynn is very professional and Wells Fargo is a strong bank that has avoided any significant mortgage related issues due to responsible policies that kept them away from the risky loans. If you are interested check in with Lynn for an update. FYI, Jon

Jon -
Wells Fargo is a stable lending institution with over 150 years of history. We have mortgage money available to lend to qualified borrowers. Here are a few loan ideas for today (9-15-08). Rates change daily or more often.

Loan amount, Occupancy, Loan to Value, Appx Rate, Type of Loan, Orig fee appx, FICO credit score

$729,000, primary, 75%, 5.875%, 30 year fixed, 0.125%, 760
$729,000, 2nd home, 60%, 5.875% , 30 year fixed, 0 , 720
$1,000,000, primary, 75%, 6.875%, 30 year fixed, 0, 720 with relationship
$1,000,000, 2nd home, 75%, 6.875%, 30 year fixed, 0, 720 with relationship
Many other options are available. Banking relationship means a Wells Customer or $50k deposited for loan term. Please call and we can discuss details. Lynn W. Reiff Wells Fargo Home Mortgage 970.879.8586 800.741.1553

For more click back to the Steamboat Springs

Sunny & 91 today, Snow above 10,000 ft in Steamboat area tonight

Greetings from Steamboat! I hope that you have had a great summer and thoughts of winter are starting to creep into your consciousness just like they are with me. I walked outside last night and was surprised to get my annual epiphany that the seasons are turning and winter is coming again. It was a cool night with that extra twist if winter in the air that always tells me it is time to pack in more summer activities, start buying ski movies (bought one yesterday afternoon because I am helpless when shown a great powder day) and start thinking skiing.

It’s sunny and 91 today but they are predicting snow above 10,000 ft in the Steamboat area tonight. Here we are in the heat of August and we are already seeing signs that winter is coming. Even though last year’s record season is still fresh in everyone’s mind the snow gods can’t help but remind us to be good this fall so they can bring us another great winter. I am doing my best to be good and I hope that you will do your part. Don't get the impression that winter comes here in August. We have plenty of hot and sunny days ahead of us but mother winter lets us know that we live in a ski area and it is time to prepare for another winter. It is generally very nice through about mid October and possibly longer. I often ride my mountain bike until early November but we can expect a good snow storm close to the peak season for Aspen viewing in the 3rd week of September, often a foot or two on the mountain and some in town.

If you can, I recommend getting out once more in the summer or fall to enjoy some of our best weather and the changing leaves then start thinking about winter plans. I already have several requests from friends who don't live here YET to pick them up some skis in the fall sales.

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

The things I have to do to keep up with my friends

Kayle and Becky are great friends that I look forward to mountain biking with here in Steamboat every summer. I'll do anything to keep up with these desert people including taking them on a trail that is still covered with snow in July but nothing slows down these guys! I wondered why Becky let me pass her but after seeing this picture it was clear. It may not be Steamboat's famous Champagne powder 4 months after the ski area has closed but it still brings a smile to my face.

Believe it or not but this is July in Steamboat up on Buffalo Pass. Buff Pass is just Northwest of the Steamboat Ski area. I am told by several people that it receives more snow than any other measuring post in the state and pictures like this make me believe them. We had a record winter in Steamboat in 2007/2008 and it was too deep to snowmobile off the cat tracks multiple weeks this year. For more click back to the Steamboat Springs blog main page.

Global Warming in Steamboat?

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

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

American Cowboy's Best Ski town to live in

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

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

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

Simply Incredible Season

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

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

2-3 ft on Buffalo Pass above Steamboat Springs

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

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

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

Steamboat is still breaking snowfall records

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

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

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

Steamboat's Record Season!

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

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

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

Daddy, did you know that snow is Magic?

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

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

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

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