Mud season is in full swing in Steamboat. With the change of the leaves (fall colors were epic this year, hope you caught them!), the temps start to drop, and preparation for winter begins.

This time of year is always bittersweet. Some locals are already antsy for those first fresh tracks on the mountain. Others are still wondering what happened to summer and realize that they never even took their ski rack off their car in the first place (ahem). But seeing as how Steamboat had its first snow 10/6 and more since then, one thing is certain: It’s going to be another great winter!

Recently Steamboat was featured in Ski Magazine http://www.skinet.com/ski/resorts/steamboat in the top 10 ski resorts. http://www.steamboattoday.com/news/2011/oct/14/ski-magazines-annual-rankings-place-steamboat-8th/
Of course I’m biased, no lift lines, champagne powder, the best aspen tree skiing there is, and a town that’s incredible to boot…. and also, some great places to stay (hint hint).

If you’re thinking about a trip to Steamboat, there’s no time like the present. And if you’re thinking of second-home ownership, Steamboat is a great place to be. We are offering some incredible deals right now, and with only 7 residences left, the deals won’t last forever. Trappeur’s Crossing Resort & Spa has more amenities than any other lodging resort in town… so Bear Lodge is truly a perfect place to call Home. Make it yours today!

It’s hard to believe summer is winding down here in Steamboat. And with the end of summer, and the sale of our remaining 1BR residence (which also happened to be the sales office), the sales team has officially moved. If you wander over to Bear Lodge, the signs will point you in a new direction…We have moved out of unit 6118 and back into Trappeur’s Lair (the Amenities Building) across the street from Bear Lodge. Now officially back on the landing by the check in desk (on the way up the stairs), we hope you will still stop by for a tour, say hi, and feel free to ask us any questions about Bear Lodge, Trappeur’s Crossing, or Steamboat in general.

This weekend marks the first USA Pro Cycling Challenge which comes through Steamboat on Friday and leaves Saturday. To follow the race go to http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/. We are the only stage of the race that stops and starts in the same town. Here is the schedule of events (I think I may need to request the day off on Friday, sure don’t want to miss a thing!) http://www.steamboatprocycling.com/events/
World renowned cyclists such as Cadel Evans, winner of the 2001 Tour de France, will be in town in what is the most anticipated race of the summer. Bike enthusiasts, supporters, and the whole town are buzzing about this exciting race. We’re hoping for wonderful weather to showcase the beauty of the Rockies and the Yampa Valley.
Andy Schleck was in town last week pre race, and led a ride; I heard he even commented on potentially buying a home here (Hey Andy, come see us, I know you’d love Bear Lodge!).

So if you’re kicking yourself that you’re not in Steamboat this weekend, well, you should be. Let’s just hope that the race returns next year! But it’s not too late to get to Steamboat for some end of summer fun, and soon, the changing fall colors (yep, I said it… fall is in the air!).

Summer is in full swing in Steamboat.  Last weekend we celebrated our nation’s birthday with a huge fireworks display, the annual 4th of July Parade, and the rodeo.  It was a gorgeous weekend where the amount of ice cream consumed reached a record number (my guess), and the town was filled with smiling people. Summertime in the Boat is unparallelled.

Next weekend is the annual hot air balloon festival and art in the park.  It is one of my favorite weekends.  If you’ve never seen the sky dotted with dozens of balloons at one time, this weekend is a must!  I remember one year I actually got to experience riding in a hot air balloon- it’s amazing how peaceful it is up there. And how surreal everything feels, knowing you can reach out and touch the sky.  Steamboat looks beautiful from above too.  Then, wander down to the park by the library for entertainment (music/dancing) and lots of goodies -both food and crafts- to be had.

Every weekend brings something new to Steamboat.

Life at Trappeur’s Crossing is happily busy again.  This summer ResortQuest has implemented changes to its summer offerings…including ice cream socials on Saturdays (Ciao Gelato anyone? YUM!) and yoga Friday & Saturday mornings (to justify your gelato later!).  They also have added live music to the Friday “summer social” parties and the last couple weeks have been a huge hit- the wine/beer/appetizers are flowing, as is the great conversation with owners and guests.  I do enjoy Friday afternoons here. Truly, Trappeur’s Crossing offers more amenities than any other resort in Steamboat.  It is a full-service resort.

It’s nice to see the Bear Lodge garage so full of cars again.  The pools were in use this weekend and I’m sure the grills were too…And I realized how nice the air conditioning here is.  Yesterday’s heat reached about 90 degrees…just a little bit of advice, if you’re looking for a condo in Steamboat, make sure it has air conditioning.  It is certainly true that you don’t need it most of the year, but on those few weekends you do, it sure is nice and does make a difference!

One final note from the sales team at Bear Lodge…if you currently own a condo in town (valued under 500K) and are thinking of an upgrade, we might accommodate a trade as a part of your purchase here.  Just one more way the developer of this resort can help make your dream of owning at Bear Lodge come true.

So, enjoy summer in the Boat, or wherever you may be.  We hope to see you soon!

Spring is officially here in Steamboat.  To kick off the summer season, Bear Lodge is announcing a new developer incentive…

Not only will the next sale receive 25% off original list pricing (prices on website are updated to reflect this), but the next buyer will also receive 3 YEARS PAID HOA DUES AT CLOSING (a $39K-$42K value)!  We are excited about this promotion and are looking forward to welcoming new owners here at Bear Lodge.  This is a deal you don’t want to miss if you are considering purchasing a home in Steamboat Springs.

• Price includes a turn-key furniture package (all furniture in the unit is included) …units are rental ready.
• Buying from the developer does have certain perks- not only are the units brand new, but we also offer a 1 year warranty on everything in the condo (normal wear and tear excluded).
• Additionally, the furniture and art work can be tailored to suit your personal taste.
• Although Bear Lodge is a part of Trappeur’s it has its own HOA… this is important so that (for example) if another building in the resort needs a new roof, that assessment is completely separate from Bear Lodge and does not affect Bear at all.  Buying in a new building comes with that peace of mind.

We only have 7 residences remaining, which consist of 3&4 bedroom units on the first and second floors.  Bear Lodge the #1 selling development in Steamboat due to quality construction, developer reputation, and Trappeur’s Resort as a whole.  We are proud to be debt free on the property (no risk of foreclosure or upheaval).  Of course, I’m biased, but Trappeur’s Resort is really like no other in town- no other development has this combination of amenities (yoga classes, ice cream socials, happy hours with live music, etc!)- and is the perfect place to call HOME.

So if you’re curious, stop by for a tour of the model units, come visit me in the sales center (at the check-in building), or stop by on a Friday evening for our “summer socials” where I’ll be pouring the wine/beer (it’s all complimentary for owners and guests).   We hope to see you in Steamboat this summer and at Bear Lodge.  Please call or email lori@ariacolorado.com for more information.

Mud season is a term we use to describe our shoulder season… it actually IS muddy (I tried hiking up Emerald 2 weekends ago and didn’t get very far at all), but when people actually think of our mud season, it’s not mud that comes to mind…

I am embarrassed to admit that it has been over a month since I last posted a blog. Of course, that just about sums up the mud season in Steamboat.  Locals scatter in search of warm weather (Fruita, Moab, Vegas, Mexico, Hawaii, Costa Rica…just to name a few), tourists return home, and the town takes a deep breath before the bustling summer season begins.  It’s like a ghost town here.   This mud season was particularly interesting (and by interesting I mean slightly depressing)…as late as last week we were still seeing snow.  There was so much more snow after the mountain closed, that the statue of Buddy (on top of Buddy’s run) was buried.  Storm Peak hasn’t even started melting, and we are preparing for flooding.  Days are still cold, we joke about the weather (all the while anyone who is still in Steamboat is going slightly insane), and we eagerly anticipate the summer.  I’ve also placed bets that the snow on Rabbit Ears will never fully melt this year…

On a positive note, it would be a nice time of year to go check out Fish Creek Falls, which I’m sure is raging and beautiful. This weekend we actually had nice sunny days.  I think everyone was outside enjoying and soaking it up.  It’s incredible what the sun can do for the emotion.   Ah, spring might finally be here!  Maybe…

Here at Bear Lodge and Trappeur’s Crossing we are doing our own “mud season” projects (projects that get put off in the winter until “down time” actually exists).  The Christmas lights are finally down at the resort, and they are putting a new roof on the amenities building (I am learning how to drown out the pounding pounding pounding above my head).  The garages get washed, spring cleaning happens, and we start gearing up for summer.

We held a marketing meeting last week and have decided to release a new promotion for Bear Lodge sales.  I’m not going to spoil it just yet, but suffice to say it is great and we are excited about it.  Stay tuned for more. And enjoy your own mud season, wherever you may be.

Are we really surprised? Another storm blanketed Steamboat last night.  I’d like to know how many people washed their cars yesterday in the sunny warm nice weather to cause this.  No, I’m not surprised though, but I am quite ready for spring. If April showers bring May flowers, what do April snow storms bring?

The end of Steamboat’s 2011 season was not the desired sunny warm spring day.  Instead, we had sideways blowing snow pelting our faces.  I took 2 runs on Saturday and called it good.   Sunday was better; the concert was a blast.  I didn’t find my Smartwool number match though, no free socks for me.  Anyone have Smartwool number 836?  Is it too late?  I’m still obsessed.
So the mountain is closed, and we have good memories to last us until the start of next season.  But with so much snow up there, I’m sure the die-hards will be hiking this weekend.  Not this girl…no way.

I do truly understand why this town becomes a ghost town during mud season… we love our winters here but we also get to the point where we need to remind ourselves that life exists outside of skiing.  Soon (but perhaps not soon enough) we’ll be able to remember it here.  Spring is such a beautiful time in Steamboat.  It’s also quite comical sometimes… 60 one day, snow the next… I feel sorry for the birds that have already returned.  And any plants that have started blooming (surely not too many this year yet, but it will happen and then we will get more snow).

So, because Trappeur’s has reduced their hours this spring, Bear Lodge is kind of doing the same.  We are still open every day, but perhaps only until 5… if we’re not at the office, just call…or feel free to make an appointment for a showing.  Weekends may be spotty, but I’m sure you understand.

Happy Spring Everyone from your friends at Bear Lodge…  We hope everyone who stayed with us this winter had a great experience, and we hope to see some returning faces next year…or in the summer time (seriously, come back in the summer).

The first thing someone said to me when I walked into my office this morning was “happy gaper day”…Ah, right, it’s “gaper day”…a day where it’s widely accepted and expected for you to dress up on the mountain- in whatever crazy attire you can fashion or attain.  Express yourself with wild ski gear.  Fun times.  I, however, have never been on the mountain on gaper day. So my knowledge of it is based off of the pictures I see on Facebook, or in the paper, or via text.  Maybe next year.  Where did “gaper day” come from anyway? It’s always on Aprils Fools. Hm, I’m curious…anyone? anyone?

Right, it’s also April Fools…for years people have “fooled” me, so today my goal is to be on my game.  You will not get me this year!

It’s Friday, and Steamboat still has a 130+ inch base, yet we close in a week’s time.  More snow fell this week.  One of the front desk agents at Trappeur’s Crossing recently commented “I don’t think we’ll have spring skiing this year”…he better not be right.  The sun must come out, it must provide closure.

And if Gaper Day isn’t evidence that spring is around the corner…the bears in the area emerging from hibernation sure are.  http://www.steamboattoday.com/news/2011/apr/01/bears-waking-slumber-routt-county/

I also felt like sharing this article… http://www.steamboattoday.com/news/2011/mar/30/steamboat-springs-winter-sports-club-freestyle-tea/  Just proud to be a part of such a great community.

Enjoy your weekend and be prepared for jesters today.

This weekend we set our clocks to spring ahead.  Really? Already?  What actually happens to that lost hour?  It gets banked somewhere in the time warp only to be pulled out again in the fall I suppose.  I truly admire anyone who has to work Sunday morning, I hope you have your coffee ready to avoid the jet lagged feeling.

With spring comes a new energy about town that I just adore…people start looking forward to the warm sunny spring skiing, slush, longer apres ski hours, music, the pond skim, crazy costumes and saying goodbye to a seriously fabulous year.  It is hard to believe there are only 4 weekends left! And Steamboat’s base is still above 100 inches.  wow.  I only wonder when I’ll actually find my front yard (and my camper that seems to be buried in the snow, just sadly waiting for the day when it gets used again).

Things at Trappeur’s Crossing Resort & Spa are going well.  We continue to be near capacity, and I enjoy getting to know owners and guests.  As the lodging barometer indicates another busy weekend, I’m looking forward to meeting more people.  I’m always curious to know where you’re from, what brings you to Steamboat, what you like about our little mountain town.  Our Monday & Friday wine and cheese parties are a blast.  Often times you can find me behind the bar, pouring the wine and mingling.  It’s a wonderful event of which to be a part, and the resort does a fantastic job…and the best part is, it’s complimentary for guests and owners!  We don’t even have a tip jar…so put your cash away, save it for dinner, and enjoy a drink on us as a thanks for choosing Trappeur’s Crossing.

I hope to see you soon!  Happy Spring!!

Today was one of those “sleeper”/unpredictable mornings…a night where everyone goes to bed, with not an ounce of snow falling, and somewhere in the middle of the night it happens…snow snow and more snow.  Woke up to 8 inches of fresh and it’s still falling.  And it’s Friday.

With the lodging barometer at over 70% for the weekend, it promises to be another bustling weekend in the Boat.  So this new snow couldn’t have come at a better time.  It’s another day in Paradise (now I have that song stuck in my head…great).

Extended spring lift operating hours go into effect starting Saturday, February 26th at the Steamboat Ski Resort providing up to an additional 30 minutes to enjoy the slopes.  With the extended spring hours, Morningside and Pony Express chairlifts will now close at 3:30pm; Storm Peak Express, Sundown Express and Sunshine Express at 3:45pm; Burgess Creek, South Peak and Thunderhead Express at 4:00pm; and Elkhead at 4:15pm. So get out there and make some turns!!

But that’s not all…One of the great things, in my opinion (besides the Ice Bar at Slopeside which opens this weekend), about apres ski mid-winter and through the spring is the Bud Light Rocks the Boat Free Concert Series (we have a lot of free concerts in Steamboat!).  This weekend The North Mississippi Allstars will perform in Gondola Square on Saturday, February 26th.  A North Mississippi Blues style band, this free concert starts at 3pm.  Be there!   And Mardi Gras next week…but I’ll save that for the next blog.

Or… be here… I’ll be in the Bear Lodge sales office all weekend.  Have a beer or glass of wine on us while you walk the property. And if you’re reading this from afar, I hope to see you the next time you’re in town, or hope to hear from you soon…if you have questions about Steamboat or Bear Lodge, Trappeur’s Crossing, or real estate in general, I’m here.

Have a great weekend!

Steamboat announced that we have hit 300 inches so far this season. And the Champagne Powder keeps on falling!

http://www.steamboattoday.com/news/2011/feb/08/steamboat-ski-area-surpasses-300-inches-snow/

Yesterday I was able to partake in my first powder day of the season.  It was marvelous.  From Nelsons to Bar UE lift line, we giggled, surfed, and had the time of our lives.  The sun came out so visibility was great, and I was thankful that my husband insisted I wear the extra layer (BRRR!).  It was good to be reminded of why we live here; to take a step back on these days and admire the beauty that is and surrounds Steamboat.  I wonder if this season will surpass 07-08’s record breaking year.

In real estate news, Bruce Carta (Land Title) just distributed the 2010 Market Analysis.  A couple key points:

*December was the highest volume sold per month in 2010.

*We saw a 16% increase in sales volume in 2010 compared to 2009.  As well, the number of units sold increased in 2010 from 2009 by 71%.

These numbers seem to indicate real estate is on the rise…just like the Champagne Powder.