It is New Year's Eve day in beautiful Park City and the skiing is incredible. Sunday was one of those wintry days where the winds were howling 40-50 miles per hour and the snow was falling at 2-3 inches per hour. It was a day to bundle up in your ski suit, hat and goggles, and ski some of the best powder of the year. Those who braved the storm were rewarded with short lift lines and the finest of Utah fluff.
With New Year's falling on a Tuesday this year, we are anticipating to be busier than usual for the days following New Year's. The first week of January is typically very slow and a great time to come skiing as it is uncrowded and the conditions are at the best.
The past few days I've had several clients call me (as well as new guests who stop in at the office) to comment on what a beautiful place this is and that they have to buy something. The ease of getting to Park City, the spectacular mountains and the abundance of the famous Utah powder come together a compelling argument to own property here. Visitors to our town are impressed with the friendliness and the ease of getting around compared to other resorts. With the terrific winter we are having, if you have not visited Park City in the past, this is the year to do so. But come prepared to be impressed enough to want to own here as well.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Week in Park City
It is Christmas week in Park City and the skiing is fabulous. Last week we received about 2 ½ feet of famous Utah powder and several more storms are forecast for this week. The town is all decked out in its finest and visitors are here. Christmas in the mountains is a magical time with snowy roofs, Christmas lights, and everyone with Christmas spirit.
This past Saturday, Deer Valley’s new Lady Morgan Express Lift opened with much fanfare and 200 acres of steep, untracked powder. The Lady Morgan Express Lift offers excellent black diamond skiing and of course, some wonderful groomed easy runs back to the Empire Lodge.
This week the new Flagstaff building in the Village at Empire Pass begins accepting reservations. Flagstaff is the newest development by East West Partners and will offer more common area and amenities than any of their previous buildings. As is typical in Empire Pass, Flagstaff will be directly on the Silver Buck ski run offering guests convenient ski-in/ski-out access. Flagstaff is expected to be completed for the 2009/2010 ski season. Silver Strike condominiums in Empire Pass are well under construction with completion expected during the summer of 2008. This building is about 50% sold out now and is being developed by the developers of the Ironwood townhouses and the Grand Lodge at the base of the Northside lift. There is a model open in the building and the finishes are as expected from this terrific developer.
It appears that we are in a cold and snowy pattern for this winter so this is the year to visit Park City, discover how easy we are to get to, and find out what everyone raves about when they talk about Utah snow. With ten ski resorts within an hour’s drive of Park City there is enough variety to keep even the most demanding skier entertained for a vacation here. Come experience Utah for yourself and of course when you are here, visit my office at mid-mountain Deer Valley and I’ll give you the local’s report on where to ski.
This past Saturday, Deer Valley’s new Lady Morgan Express Lift opened with much fanfare and 200 acres of steep, untracked powder. The Lady Morgan Express Lift offers excellent black diamond skiing and of course, some wonderful groomed easy runs back to the Empire Lodge.
This week the new Flagstaff building in the Village at Empire Pass begins accepting reservations. Flagstaff is the newest development by East West Partners and will offer more common area and amenities than any of their previous buildings. As is typical in Empire Pass, Flagstaff will be directly on the Silver Buck ski run offering guests convenient ski-in/ski-out access. Flagstaff is expected to be completed for the 2009/2010 ski season. Silver Strike condominiums in Empire Pass are well under construction with completion expected during the summer of 2008. This building is about 50% sold out now and is being developed by the developers of the Ironwood townhouses and the Grand Lodge at the base of the Northside lift. There is a model open in the building and the finishes are as expected from this terrific developer.
It appears that we are in a cold and snowy pattern for this winter so this is the year to visit Park City, discover how easy we are to get to, and find out what everyone raves about when they talk about Utah snow. With ten ski resorts within an hour’s drive of Park City there is enough variety to keep even the most demanding skier entertained for a vacation here. Come experience Utah for yourself and of course when you are here, visit my office at mid-mountain Deer Valley and I’ll give you the local’s report on where to ski.
Monday, December 10, 2007
We're OPEN!
Deer Valley opened Saturday, December 8th, in the middle of a 3-day snowstorm. The Park City resorts received about three-feet of snow over the weekend with more snow forecast for this week. The skiing, while still a bit limited, is terrific. The snow is soft, with many areas of powder skiing available. This past weekend Deer Valley hosted a celebrity ski challenge, as they do every year, benefiting the Waterkeeper Alliance. This is an environmental group promoting clean water throughout the world. With the new snow, the Park City Chamber of Commerce is busily getting the word out throughout the country. This should increase our already heavily-booked ski season. The Deer Valley Ski School completely sold out of lessons for both the Christmas and President's week back in October. This is a clear indication of the quality of the Deer Valley Ski School and how popular Deer Valley Resort has become.
With Deer Valley being rated the #1 resort in North America by the readers of SKI Magazine, visitors coming to find out what we're all about are discovering how easy we are to get to and what a charming town Park City is. If you have not already booked your ski vacation for this year, quickly do so as the prime lodging is filling up.
With Deer Valley being rated the #1 resort in North America by the readers of SKI Magazine, visitors coming to find out what we're all about are discovering how easy we are to get to and what a charming town Park City is. If you have not already booked your ski vacation for this year, quickly do so as the prime lodging is filling up.
Monday, December 3, 2007
It's Snowing!
IT’S SNOWING IN PARK CITY! We received about a foot of snow over the weekend and the forecast is for continued snow with up to six feet in the next two weeks. Park City and the Canyons are both open with limited terrain and Deer Valley opens Saturday, December 8. With continued snow and cold weather, the resorts will be opening new terrain almost daily. Click on the ski resorts button the left side of this page for the most current and accurate conditions, or call me and I will give you a first-hand report on what is happening.
In real estate news, I attended a presentation for the new Flagstaff condominium project in Empire Pass. Flagstaff is the latest of the East West Partners developments at the base of the Silver Strike lift in Deer Valley. Flagstaff will consist of 37 two-, three-, and four-bedroom condominiums with over 5,000 square feet of gathering spaces for its guests. The gathering spaces will include a pub, the first in Empire Pass, a children’s center, and a gathering and relaxing room for adults. Prices start at $2,310,000 for a two-bedroom, $2,860,000 for a three-bedroom, and $5,000,000 for a four-bedroom plus loft. Reservations for this project will start on the 19th of December and East West is offering a 7% discount to the first seven buyers. If you would like more information on this development, any of the other new developments at the ski resorts, or excellent opportunities in the resale market, give me a call or stop by my office when you’re in town.
In real estate news, I attended a presentation for the new Flagstaff condominium project in Empire Pass. Flagstaff is the latest of the East West Partners developments at the base of the Silver Strike lift in Deer Valley. Flagstaff will consist of 37 two-, three-, and four-bedroom condominiums with over 5,000 square feet of gathering spaces for its guests. The gathering spaces will include a pub, the first in Empire Pass, a children’s center, and a gathering and relaxing room for adults. Prices start at $2,310,000 for a two-bedroom, $2,860,000 for a three-bedroom, and $5,000,000 for a four-bedroom plus loft. Reservations for this project will start on the 19th of December and East West is offering a 7% discount to the first seven buyers. If you would like more information on this development, any of the other new developments at the ski resorts, or excellent opportunities in the resale market, give me a call or stop by my office when you’re in town.
December 2007
Did you know that you can ski free at Park City, Deer Valley, and the Canyons resorts? The three Park City resorts have a ski-for-free promotion to emphasize just how easy it is to get here from anywhere in the country and ski the same day. To take advantage of this program all you need to do is to fill out a voucher (click here for more information), bring in your same-day boarding pass, and an out-of-state photo ID. Bring these three items at any of the ticket booths at any of the three Park City resorts and you will receive a free lift ticket for that day.
December is the start of the ski season with Deer Valley opening December 8, and both Park City and the Canyons Resort already open. After a warm and dry November, December has started as its typical cold and stormy month. We received about a foot of snow this first weekend, and the forecast is for a series of storms to blow through in the next few weeks. As is typical, the week between Christmas and New Years, the town is booked full. However, there is still plenty of lodging available before Christmas and a great time to ski with little crowds.
In real estate there are several new developments either available now or within the next couple of weeks at all three resorts. As land and construction costs continue to increase, the new developments are becoming quite pricey, which makes many of the resale condos particularly good deals. For the most part, resale homes and condos can be purchased at below replacement costs. As the resorts continue to grow and prosper there is good opportunity for appreciation with these resale properties. Before Christmas and the first couple of weeks in January are typically a little slower here and are excellent times to get in and see what is available before the holiday rush.
December is the start of the ski season with Deer Valley opening December 8, and both Park City and the Canyons Resort already open. After a warm and dry November, December has started as its typical cold and stormy month. We received about a foot of snow this first weekend, and the forecast is for a series of storms to blow through in the next few weeks. As is typical, the week between Christmas and New Years, the town is booked full. However, there is still plenty of lodging available before Christmas and a great time to ski with little crowds.
In real estate there are several new developments either available now or within the next couple of weeks at all three resorts. As land and construction costs continue to increase, the new developments are becoming quite pricey, which makes many of the resale condos particularly good deals. For the most part, resale homes and condos can be purchased at below replacement costs. As the resorts continue to grow and prosper there is good opportunity for appreciation with these resale properties. Before Christmas and the first couple of weeks in January are typically a little slower here and are excellent times to get in and see what is available before the holiday rush.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Snowmaking
While November has been uncharacteristically warm and dry, the weather finally turned cold last week, and all of the resorts are making snow. Snowmaking has been going on continuously since Tuesday, November 20, with Park City and the Canyons having opened last weekend. The forecast is for several small snowstorms to come through this week and continued quite cold. The cold weather is allowing the resorts to open more runs every few days. Snowbird and Alta have scheduled their opening for Friday, November 30.
All of the resorts are gearing up for the winter season with the new lift at Deer Valley fully operational and just waiting for Mother Nature’s cooperation. The Village at Empire Pass is looking very good with three condominium buildings completed and sold out, another under construction with a scheduled completion of next summer, and another having just broken ground. The homes and townhouses are mostly completed. This will be the first full season with this much completed and the members-only Tower Club open, which will give the Village the feel of a wonderful ski community. Bookings for this coming ski season are strong, particularly for all the holiday seasons, and we are all looking forward to a great ski season.
All of the resorts are gearing up for the winter season with the new lift at Deer Valley fully operational and just waiting for Mother Nature’s cooperation. The Village at Empire Pass is looking very good with three condominium buildings completed and sold out, another under construction with a scheduled completion of next summer, and another having just broken ground. The homes and townhouses are mostly completed. This will be the first full season with this much completed and the members-only Tower Club open, which will give the Village the feel of a wonderful ski community. Bookings for this coming ski season are strong, particularly for all the holiday seasons, and we are all looking forward to a great ski season.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Thanksgiving Week in Park City
It is Thanksgiving week in Park City, the ski resorts are ready to open and all we need is snow. After a very wet September and October, November has been uncharacteristically dry and warm. However the forecast is for colder and snowy weather for the next couple of weeks. If this holds true, most of the resorts will be able to open by this weekend. Thanksgiving week in Park City is traditionally not overly busy. While many years we have excellent skiing, it is always chancy and most people are not planning a ski vacation this early.
I just came back from a National Real Estate convention in Las Vegas where I attended several meetings and classes dealing specifically with resort real estate. In talking with many of my resort colleagues around the country, it was quickly apparent that the Rocky Mountain resorts continue to be the shining star in the real estate market. The northeast and Atlantic coast areas seem to be the hardest hit by the real estate slowdown. Of interest were the resorts in Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, where business is booming. They report that their sales numbers are up 30% over last year in both number of units sold and average sales price. In talking with other resort realtors, it became apparent that the doom and gloom reports in all the news media is more sensationalism than fact. While there certainly are markets that are struggling right now, the majority of the real estate markets in the US are doing just fine.
I just came back from a National Real Estate convention in Las Vegas where I attended several meetings and classes dealing specifically with resort real estate. In talking with many of my resort colleagues around the country, it was quickly apparent that the Rocky Mountain resorts continue to be the shining star in the real estate market. The northeast and Atlantic coast areas seem to be the hardest hit by the real estate slowdown. Of interest were the resorts in Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, where business is booming. They report that their sales numbers are up 30% over last year in both number of units sold and average sales price. In talking with other resort realtors, it became apparent that the doom and gloom reports in all the news media is more sensationalism than fact. While there certainly are markets that are struggling right now, the majority of the real estate markets in the US are doing just fine.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Blowing Snow
All the resorts are getting ready to open! Here is a photo of Bald Mountain at Deer Valley Resort making snow this morning.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Big News at the Canyons!
The headline news this past week is that the disputed sale of the Canyons resort to either Vail or Talisker is closer to being resolved. Both Talisker Corporation and Vail have been battling each other all summer for the rights to purchase the Canyons resort. Earlier in the summer, Talisker had announced that it had reached a deal with American Ski Corp., the current owner of the canyons to purchase the resort for $100 million. Immediately after this announcement, Vail resorts claimed that they had rights to purchase the resort and filed a motion in federal court in Denver to block the sale of the resort to Talisker. At the end of October, after hearing arguments from both sides, the federal court ruled that Vail had lost out in a fair, competitive bidding situation, and that the court would not block the sale of the Canyons resort to Talisker Corp. While there still are some hurdles to overcome, this was a significant step for Talisker to proceed with the purchase. Talisker is hoping to complete the purchase before the end of this year.
As a result, savvy investors are looking to properties at the Canyons resort, either the new developments at the base or vacant land in the Colony, as an excellent investment opportunity. With the federal reserve having cut interest rates again, and the overall real estate market slower than in the past years, this appears to be an excellent time to invest in Park City.
As a result, savvy investors are looking to properties at the Canyons resort, either the new developments at the base or vacant land in the Colony, as an excellent investment opportunity. With the federal reserve having cut interest rates again, and the overall real estate market slower than in the past years, this appears to be an excellent time to invest in Park City.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Ski Season
For the fifth weekend in a row it was a stormy and snowy Saturday. Park City and Deer Valley received another 4 inches of snow, with Alta and Snowbird receiving about 18 inches. Needless to say, the new snow has increased the excitement around town and we are all hoping that this is a sign of a cold and snowy winter.
In real estate, we are experiencing a spike in activity which I expect is being brought on by the early snowfall. It appears that many buyers are taking advantage of the low interest rates and stable prices to pick up a rental ski condo for this season. With rental companies reporting very strong pre-season bookings, buyers have seen that this is a great time to purchase and receive the benefits of a strong rental season. While it’s getting late in the year, a few people are still picking up older condos in original condition to remodel for this year. While becoming fewer and fewer, the older condos around the Park City resort continue to be excellent buys as the remodeled prices continue to attract higher and higher resale values.
It is looking like it is going to be a fabulous ski season, so plan your vacation to Park City, Deer Valley now, before everything is booked!
In real estate, we are experiencing a spike in activity which I expect is being brought on by the early snowfall. It appears that many buyers are taking advantage of the low interest rates and stable prices to pick up a rental ski condo for this season. With rental companies reporting very strong pre-season bookings, buyers have seen that this is a great time to purchase and receive the benefits of a strong rental season. While it’s getting late in the year, a few people are still picking up older condos in original condition to remodel for this year. While becoming fewer and fewer, the older condos around the Park City resort continue to be excellent buys as the remodeled prices continue to attract higher and higher resale values.
It is looking like it is going to be a fabulous ski season, so plan your vacation to Park City, Deer Valley now, before everything is booked!
Monday, October 8, 2007
More Snow
We seem to be settling into a wonderful pattern of storms every few days. Saturday was cold and several inches of snow fell. The mountains are very white with crystal blue sky and the fall colors are at their peak. What a wonderful time of the year to be in the mountains!
In speaking with my friends in the other Rocky Mountain resorts, it appears that resort real estate is definitely not following the national trend. The resorts of Whistler, Jackson Hole, Steamboat Springs, Vail and Aspen are all showing an increase in number of sales, dollar volume, and sold price for this year. Resorts such as Park City, Telluride, and Sun Valley are showing sales volume either even with or very slightly down from last year, but dollar volume is up and sold prices are up. This verifies what we’ve known for quite some time, that the resort real estate market is very different from typical residential real estate. As our mountain towns have a very limited supply of land available for development, the amount of property we have for sale is limited. By supply and demand, if the demand continues to be strong (which it is), and our supply is limited (which it is), then the markets hold strong or continue to increase. While we know that no real estate market is immune to up and down trends, the resort markets seem to be steadier.
Right now we are seeing a flurry of activity as buyers are looking to purchase a rental property for the ski season. All of the property management companies tell me that their bookings are significantly up for this year, and buyers are looking to cash in. This is the perfect time to come out and look for property, before the busy ski season, when you can actually get into all of the units that are for sale, have choices of property to purchase, and find sellers who are more negotiable now than during the height of the income-producing season.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Fall Colors
What a weekend! Snow all day Saturday gave way to crystal blue skies on Sunday. The combination of dark blue sky, white mountaintops, the gold aspens and red maples made Sunday one of the prettiest days of the year. It seemed that the whole town was out hiking or biking on the trails. We have been receiving regular snowstorms this fall with more snow forecast for tonight and later this week. The high peaks are very white, and it looks like the snow is here for the year. This is creating a lot of excitement in town, and an added urgency for the ski resorts to finish up their projects. The new Lady Morgan Express Lift at Deer Valley is taking shape and looks like it will offer some excellent intermediate and advanced skiing. Everyone is talking about the new terrain and we are all eager to get up and explore it.
In real estate news, the new Empire Pass development at Deer Valley continues to be the shining star. The Grand Lodge at the base of the Northside Lift is completed and the wait was worthwhile as it is a beautiful building with the best ski access. There are a couple of resale opportunities in the Grand Lodge on the ski slope level with views up the mountain. New at the base of the Empire Lift, work is underway at a feverish pace for the new Montage Resort Spa. This is going to be a very high-end boutique hotel with over 30,000 square feet of spa area. While it is currently under construction, we do not anticipate that sales of the units to begin until the hotel is nearer to completion, in about two years.
In the Village at Empire, the Silver Strike building is nearing completion with about 12 units available. The new Flagstaff condominium building has just started construction with expected release of units in December. Construction has also begun on the new pool at the Talisker Tower Club.
Along with the spectacular colors and early season snows, there is a lot of excitement going on at the resorts and this is a wonderful time of year to come and see what’s going on!
In real estate news, the new Empire Pass development at Deer Valley continues to be the shining star. The Grand Lodge at the base of the Northside Lift is completed and the wait was worthwhile as it is a beautiful building with the best ski access. There are a couple of resale opportunities in the Grand Lodge on the ski slope level with views up the mountain. New at the base of the Empire Lift, work is underway at a feverish pace for the new Montage Resort Spa. This is going to be a very high-end boutique hotel with over 30,000 square feet of spa area. While it is currently under construction, we do not anticipate that sales of the units to begin until the hotel is nearer to completion, in about two years.
In the Village at Empire, the Silver Strike building is nearing completion with about 12 units available. The new Flagstaff condominium building has just started construction with expected release of units in December. Construction has also begun on the new pool at the Talisker Tower Club.
Along with the spectacular colors and early season snows, there is a lot of excitement going on at the resorts and this is a wonderful time of year to come and see what’s going on!
Monday, September 24, 2007
It is SNOWING!
This morning we woke up to the season’s first snowfall. Two- to three inches on the ground and still snowing. While we know that this will melt off as soon as the sun comes out, the season’s first snow is always exciting and a sign of good things to come. The aspens are beginning to turn their brilliant gold and this mixed with the red maples and the white snow will make for a spectacular week here in Park City.
While these are the quiet days in town, there is the beginning of excitement as the winter employees begin to arrive and the ski areas and shops in town start gearing up for the winter season. The first snowfall brings on a little more urgency for the resorts to finish up their summer projects, get the lifts in working order, and finish up grooming on the mountain. The three resorts have been busy, either adding lifts, new runs, more snowmaking, or general improvements to the resorts. We are all looking forward to and anticipating the upcoming ski season.
In real estate, we have seen a bit of an increase in activity as buyers are in town picking up late-season bargains for this upcoming ski season. Right now there is a good supply and variety of homes and condos near the resorts. Many of these units have been remodeled and are excellent rentals. From speaking with the lodging companies, winter bookings are filling up quickly, so if you’ve not already made your reservations, it is time to do so.
While these are the quiet days in town, there is the beginning of excitement as the winter employees begin to arrive and the ski areas and shops in town start gearing up for the winter season. The first snowfall brings on a little more urgency for the resorts to finish up their summer projects, get the lifts in working order, and finish up grooming on the mountain. The three resorts have been busy, either adding lifts, new runs, more snowmaking, or general improvements to the resorts. We are all looking forward to and anticipating the upcoming ski season.
In real estate, we have seen a bit of an increase in activity as buyers are in town picking up late-season bargains for this upcoming ski season. Right now there is a good supply and variety of homes and condos near the resorts. Many of these units have been remodeled and are excellent rentals. From speaking with the lodging companies, winter bookings are filling up quickly, so if you’ve not already made your reservations, it is time to do so.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Number One Again!
Each year in its October issue, SKI Magazine publishes rankings of the major ski areas in North America based on reader input. This year Deer Valley is once again rated the number one ski resort in North America. The poll is based on input from readers of SKI Magazine who answer a survey asking them to rate resorts that they have visited. Deer Valley was rated number one in 11 of the 18 categories surveyed. These included grooming, on-mountain food services, and guest services. While all the categories are important in the ranking we are especially proud of the guest services ranking. Since its inception, Deer Valley has strived to set the standard for guest services and remarkably, over the last 26 years, has maintained the standard. Guests coming to Deer Valley are always impressed by the friendliness and helpfulness of all the resort staff. From ski check attendants to lift operators, restaurant personnel to mountain hosts, Deer Valley hires with the expectation that their guests will be treated as if they were staying in a fine hotel. This commitment to service and quality of ski experience has proved to be a winning combination as Deer Valley’s skier numbers increase every year and it has been rated the number one North American ski resort three out of the last seven years.
This commitment to excellence has translated to booming real estate sales in Deer Valley. The new Empire Pass area has been exceedingly popular with most of the condominium buildings selling out prior to completion of construction. Empire Pass features a variety of ski-in/ski-out condominium buildings, townhouse condominiums, and single family homes. Last winter, the first phase of single family homes, The Paintbrush at the Village at Empire Pass, sold all of their 18 homesites. This winter, there is a new area of homes called Nakoma. There will be 16 homes built with direct ski-in/ski-out access to the new Lady Morgan Express chairlift. These homes will be around 5,000 square feet, of the quality expected of Deer Valley, and all will have spectacular views of the ski runs of Deer Valley and the town of Park City.
With fall quickly arriving, we had our first frost this morning. We are seeing an increase in buyers looking to pick up a ski condo for this winter. This past week we have seen several condominiums in both lower and upper Deer Valley have contracts accepted. Our fear for this winter is a lack of inventory. The number of condos listed for sale is about 25% less than we had at this time last year. While there still are some excellent opportunities, they are selling faster than new units are coming on the market.
September is one of the most beautiful months in Park City, with daytime temperatures in the mid 60’s to 70’s, and chilly nights. The fall leaves have started to turn, which makes hiking and biking the local mountains especially beautiful. This is a great time to come out and visit, to enjoy fall in the mountains, and to see what’s new at the ski resorts and real estate opportunities at the various resorts.
This commitment to excellence has translated to booming real estate sales in Deer Valley. The new Empire Pass area has been exceedingly popular with most of the condominium buildings selling out prior to completion of construction. Empire Pass features a variety of ski-in/ski-out condominium buildings, townhouse condominiums, and single family homes. Last winter, the first phase of single family homes, The Paintbrush at the Village at Empire Pass, sold all of their 18 homesites. This winter, there is a new area of homes called Nakoma. There will be 16 homes built with direct ski-in/ski-out access to the new Lady Morgan Express chairlift. These homes will be around 5,000 square feet, of the quality expected of Deer Valley, and all will have spectacular views of the ski runs of Deer Valley and the town of Park City.
With fall quickly arriving, we had our first frost this morning. We are seeing an increase in buyers looking to pick up a ski condo for this winter. This past week we have seen several condominiums in both lower and upper Deer Valley have contracts accepted. Our fear for this winter is a lack of inventory. The number of condos listed for sale is about 25% less than we had at this time last year. While there still are some excellent opportunities, they are selling faster than new units are coming on the market.
September is one of the most beautiful months in Park City, with daytime temperatures in the mid 60’s to 70’s, and chilly nights. The fall leaves have started to turn, which makes hiking and biking the local mountains especially beautiful. This is a great time to come out and visit, to enjoy fall in the mountains, and to see what’s new at the ski resorts and real estate opportunities at the various resorts.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Miner's Day in Park City
This coming weekend of September 1, 2, and 3rd, while most of the country celebrates Labor Day weekend, here in Park City, we pay tribute to our mining history with “Miner’s Day” celebrations on Monday, September 3rd. This is another example of the small-town flavor of Park City, where we have our traditional parade down Main Street, then activities at City Park. These activities are topped off by the mucking and drilling contests.
These contests involve both and current and former miners from the area, who pit their skills against each other. The drilling competition involves a large block of granite rock in which the miners hoist a heavy and unwieldy pneumatic drill and see who can drill five holes in the smallest amount of time. The mucking competition involves a small ore-cart with a pneumatic scoop shovel attached to the front. This cart and scoop are on a railroad track and are controlled by the operator who moves the scoop into a pile of waste rock and dumps it into the cart behind. This is again a time competition to see who can fill the cart in the least amount of time. The mucking and drilling contests have become the highlight of the day and always draw a large crowd.
We have all been hearing the daily news about the difficulties with the mortgage industry and its effect on the housing market. Park City’s local lenders have been making a point of letting everyone know that because they have portfolio lenders, they are able to make loans on homes, condos and land here in the area. While we have seen some slowdown in the market because of the national news, vacation property is still desirable and Park City remains one of the most desirable resorts in the U.S.
All three ski areas have new home and condominium developments being completed for this upcoming ski season. These developments all have terrific ski access and come in a variety of product from townhouses to homes to multi-level condominium buildings and a little bit of vacant land for homesites. Deer Valley resort is just completing two new condominium buildings on the mountain. Arrowleaf B and the Grand Lodge, both in Empire Pass, are in the final completion stages. At Park City, two new condominium projects: the Lowell, located in the resort center at the base of the mountain, should be completed early this winter, and Silver Star, which is a new project with its own lift, is also being completed. The Canyons resort has several new condominium projects either under construction or about to break ground. With the new lift expansions at the Canyons, these will have very convenient ski access.
Miner’s Day weekend is the traditional end to summer and in Park City, the leaves have begun to change. With the shorter days and cooler nights, the red leaves of the maples are starting to dot the hillsides. This is a terrific time to come out and visit, enjoy the beautiful fall colors and see what’s new at the resorts. For the latest information on any of the new projects or resale condos, please give me a call.
These contests involve both and current and former miners from the area, who pit their skills against each other. The drilling competition involves a large block of granite rock in which the miners hoist a heavy and unwieldy pneumatic drill and see who can drill five holes in the smallest amount of time. The mucking competition involves a small ore-cart with a pneumatic scoop shovel attached to the front. This cart and scoop are on a railroad track and are controlled by the operator who moves the scoop into a pile of waste rock and dumps it into the cart behind. This is again a time competition to see who can fill the cart in the least amount of time. The mucking and drilling contests have become the highlight of the day and always draw a large crowd.
We have all been hearing the daily news about the difficulties with the mortgage industry and its effect on the housing market. Park City’s local lenders have been making a point of letting everyone know that because they have portfolio lenders, they are able to make loans on homes, condos and land here in the area. While we have seen some slowdown in the market because of the national news, vacation property is still desirable and Park City remains one of the most desirable resorts in the U.S.
All three ski areas have new home and condominium developments being completed for this upcoming ski season. These developments all have terrific ski access and come in a variety of product from townhouses to homes to multi-level condominium buildings and a little bit of vacant land for homesites. Deer Valley resort is just completing two new condominium buildings on the mountain. Arrowleaf B and the Grand Lodge, both in Empire Pass, are in the final completion stages. At Park City, two new condominium projects: the Lowell, located in the resort center at the base of the mountain, should be completed early this winter, and Silver Star, which is a new project with its own lift, is also being completed. The Canyons resort has several new condominium projects either under construction or about to break ground. With the new lift expansions at the Canyons, these will have very convenient ski access.
Miner’s Day weekend is the traditional end to summer and in Park City, the leaves have begun to change. With the shorter days and cooler nights, the red leaves of the maples are starting to dot the hillsides. This is a terrific time to come out and visit, enjoy the beautiful fall colors and see what’s new at the resorts. For the latest information on any of the new projects or resale condos, please give me a call.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Jazz Festival Weekend
This weekend, Deer Valley is the host for the annual Park City International Jazz Festival. This is the tenth year for the Jazz Festival, which has grown to host both the stars and up and coming stars of the jazz world. The festival this year will be Friday night, Saturday evening, and Sunday afternoon.
Summer is beginning to wind down, but our activities are still going strong. Recent rains have kept the mountains exceptionally green for this time of the year, and the hiking/biking trails are less dusty than July. The hot summer days are over, evenings are cooler, and late August/September are terrific times to visit.
With all the recent news about lenders going out of business and difficulties in obtaining financing for properties, many buyers and sellers are concerned about the effect on our market. While we believe that this will certainly have some effect on our market, we also feel that our buyers tend to be strong enough that financing is not as much of an issue here as in some other markets. Because of the type of properties and the price point, we do not deal in the sub-prime market and for the majority of our second-home owners, qualifying for the purchase of a vacation home is rarely an issue. Our sellers also tend to be strong enough that they do not have to sell and therefore, do not feel pressured to drastically lower prices in order to get a property sold. The majority of our owners feel that the market for vacation properties is still strong, and that at worst case, they have a terrific home to visit and in many cases, are receiving excellent rental income.
The winter ski season is quickly approaching, and this is an excellent time to be looking for ski property. The town is a little bit slower, so it is easier to get into properties and sellers tend to be more negotiable now than during the ski season.
Summer is beginning to wind down, but our activities are still going strong. Recent rains have kept the mountains exceptionally green for this time of the year, and the hiking/biking trails are less dusty than July. The hot summer days are over, evenings are cooler, and late August/September are terrific times to visit.
With all the recent news about lenders going out of business and difficulties in obtaining financing for properties, many buyers and sellers are concerned about the effect on our market. While we believe that this will certainly have some effect on our market, we also feel that our buyers tend to be strong enough that financing is not as much of an issue here as in some other markets. Because of the type of properties and the price point, we do not deal in the sub-prime market and for the majority of our second-home owners, qualifying for the purchase of a vacation home is rarely an issue. Our sellers also tend to be strong enough that they do not have to sell and therefore, do not feel pressured to drastically lower prices in order to get a property sold. The majority of our owners feel that the market for vacation properties is still strong, and that at worst case, they have a terrific home to visit and in many cases, are receiving excellent rental income.
The winter ski season is quickly approaching, and this is an excellent time to be looking for ski property. The town is a little bit slower, so it is easier to get into properties and sellers tend to be more negotiable now than during the ski season.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Successful Arts Fest!
This past weekend the Park City Arts Festival was held, and was extremely successful. Artists from all over the country exhibited their wares on Main Street, and the street was busy with buyers. This event is one of the highlights of the summer, and is eagerly anticipated by residents and visitors.
The next major event coming up is August 24-26, and is the Park City International Jazz Festival. This three-day event features world-renowned jazz artists and is held at Deer Valley Resort. This event is always a sell-out, so early ticket purchases are encouraged.
August in the mountains signals the end of the summer heat. Days are a little cooler, summer thunderstorms are more abundant, and the mountains are very green. August and September are perfect months to come visit, go hiking or mountain biking on the mountain trails, or just relax and soak up the summer sun.
The next major event coming up is August 24-26, and is the Park City International Jazz Festival. This three-day event features world-renowned jazz artists and is held at Deer Valley Resort. This event is always a sell-out, so early ticket purchases are encouraged.
August in the mountains signals the end of the summer heat. Days are a little cooler, summer thunderstorms are more abundant, and the mountains are very green. August and September are perfect months to come visit, go hiking or mountain biking on the mountain trails, or just relax and soak up the summer sun.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
It's Arts Fest Weekend!
It's hard to believe that the 38th annual arts festival is already here. This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Main Street is closed to traffic, and vendors come from all over the country to display their wares. The Park City Art Festival is always the highlight of the summer. Activities on Main Street range from many music venues, restaurants showing off their fare, fabulous variety of arts and crafts, and of course, one cannot forget the people-watching. About 50,000 people will attend the festival over the weekend.
In the meantime, the summer thunderstorms have returned. Days start off with crystal clear blue skies, cloud up and storm for an hour or two in the afternoon, then clear up again for the evening. Summer thunderstorms in the mountains are one of the delights as the days are cooler, and much needed moisture comes into the forest. The next two months, August and September, are some of the best here in the mountains. While the days are still warm, they are not as hot as July, and the evenings start to cool off. Temperatures were in the low 40s last Monday morning. August is also very busy in town, with many of the condos full of summer visitors. While this is once again terrific for owners, it does make showing the condos a little more difficult again. Many of our visitors are now starting to look towards the winter, and looking for a ski condo for the season. This is a great time to come out, as there are still some excellent values to be found.
In the meantime, the summer thunderstorms have returned. Days start off with crystal clear blue skies, cloud up and storm for an hour or two in the afternoon, then clear up again for the evening. Summer thunderstorms in the mountains are one of the delights as the days are cooler, and much needed moisture comes into the forest. The next two months, August and September, are some of the best here in the mountains. While the days are still warm, they are not as hot as July, and the evenings start to cool off. Temperatures were in the low 40s last Monday morning. August is also very busy in town, with many of the condos full of summer visitors. While this is once again terrific for owners, it does make showing the condos a little more difficult again. Many of our visitors are now starting to look towards the winter, and looking for a ski condo for the season. This is a great time to come out, as there are still some excellent values to be found.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Big Changes at the Canyons
The big news this week is that American Ski Corporation the owner of The Canyons resort here in PC, has sold the ski resort to Talisker Group. Talisker is a Toronto-based real estate development company that is developing the new Empire Pass area at Deer Valley as well as the Tuhaye golf course. This is exciting in that Talisker will bring an influx of money and renewed energy to the Canyons. For several years now, American Ski Corporation has been struggling financially, which left the Canyons resort in limbo. There is tremendous development potential at the Canyons, but ASC did not have the funds to realize this. While Talisker has not and is not a ski area operator, the bet around town is that Vail resorts will take over the day-to-day operations of the resort. Tune in for more details on this.
Summer is in full swing here, with music and art festivals weekly. The mountain trails are full of hikers and bikers, the golf courses are running at capacity, and the various pools around town are full. Come out, enjoy the cool mountain summers, and find out about exciting opportunities at the Canyons resort, Deer Valley, and Park City resorts.
Summer is in full swing here, with music and art festivals weekly. The mountain trails are full of hikers and bikers, the golf courses are running at capacity, and the various pools around town are full. Come out, enjoy the cool mountain summers, and find out about exciting opportunities at the Canyons resort, Deer Valley, and Park City resorts.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Summer Activities
The July 4th holiday has come and gone and there really is nothing quite like the small town festivities that Park City enjoys on Independence Day. From the very quaint parade to activities in City Park, and the beautiful firework display with Park City Mountain Resort as a backdrop.
This week in Park City, we continue with the Wednesday night free concerts at Deer Valley, which are a locals highlight as well as this Saturday, Lyle Lovett and K.D. Lang will be performing in Deer Valley. Another event this week is the Park City Food and Wine Classic, running Thursday through Saturday. This is an opportunity for local chefs to show off their talents as well as pairings of fine wines from around the world. Friday night is a highlight with wine, food, and jazz as you stroll up and down Main Street Park City.
While we’ve had a very hot summer, for us, nights are still pleasantly cool, and extremely enjoyable. The hiking trails are in top condition, and the high altitude wildflowers are in full bloom. This is a great time to come out, enjoy the cooler summers at higher elevation, and take in all of the activities available, such as golf, tennis, biking, hiking, and all of the water sports, including terrific fly fishing.
In real estate news, there are several new developments under construction at all of the resorts, that are very interesting, and much easier to see during the summer months than in the winter. Summer is a perfect time to come out, look at real estate, as there are often exceptional bargains to be had, and access to properties is much easier now than during the busy winter months.
This week in Park City, we continue with the Wednesday night free concerts at Deer Valley, which are a locals highlight as well as this Saturday, Lyle Lovett and K.D. Lang will be performing in Deer Valley. Another event this week is the Park City Food and Wine Classic, running Thursday through Saturday. This is an opportunity for local chefs to show off their talents as well as pairings of fine wines from around the world. Friday night is a highlight with wine, food, and jazz as you stroll up and down Main Street Park City.
While we’ve had a very hot summer, for us, nights are still pleasantly cool, and extremely enjoyable. The hiking trails are in top condition, and the high altitude wildflowers are in full bloom. This is a great time to come out, enjoy the cooler summers at higher elevation, and take in all of the activities available, such as golf, tennis, biking, hiking, and all of the water sports, including terrific fly fishing.
In real estate news, there are several new developments under construction at all of the resorts, that are very interesting, and much easier to see during the summer months than in the winter. Summer is a perfect time to come out, look at real estate, as there are often exceptional bargains to be had, and access to properties is much easier now than during the busy winter months.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Summer Activities Begin!
The biking and hiking trails have all dried out from the winter snow and the summer flowers are beginning to bloom. This is a wonderful time to explore the many miles of trails in and around the Park City area. The aspens and oaks provide cool shade while the columbine and paintbrush provide brilliant displays of color through the forest. From now through fall, the biking and hiking trails will be full of people taking advantage of the beautiful mountain summers. In addition, Deer Valley, Park City, and The Canyons resorts have all opened their lifts for lift-served mountain biking, hiking, or just a scenic ride. In Deer Valley, Royal Street Café at mid-mountain is now open for lunch, with outdoor dining overlooking the slopes. Park City base area is open, with the Alpine Slide, Zip Line, Alpine Coaster, climbing wall and many other activities for children and children of all ages. The Canyons resort is offering the gondola, open for scenic rides, hiking and mountain biking, and the Red Pine Lodge, located mid-mountain, is now open for lunch. The mid-mountian lodges at both Deer Valley and The Canyons are in spectacular settings and offer a cooler and less hectic alternative to dining in downtown Park City.
Through the remainder of June through most of July, the wildflower season is in full bloom. If you have not seen an alpine meadow with all the wildflowers in bloom, you need to put this on your life’s To-Do list. The full spectrum of colors set against mountain peaks are truly spectacular and worth the effort to get there. This is shaping up to be a terrific summer, full of concerts, festivals, and a full array of activities. Plan your trip to visit Park City and the mountains and you will understand why we live here.
Through the remainder of June through most of July, the wildflower season is in full bloom. If you have not seen an alpine meadow with all the wildflowers in bloom, you need to put this on your life’s To-Do list. The full spectrum of colors set against mountain peaks are truly spectacular and worth the effort to get there. This is shaping up to be a terrific summer, full of concerts, festivals, and a full array of activities. Plan your trip to visit Park City and the mountains and you will understand why we live here.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Summer in the Mountains
While the calendar says spring, this past weekend brought mid-winter powder skiing conditions to Snowbird. Snowbird Ski Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon remains open through the month of May and is offering excellent skiing. This is a great time to come out, enjoy warm sunny days, and no crowds on the mountain. Here is a fantastic photo of a skier in fresh powder on May 5, 2007 at Snowbird.
Here in Park City, the few who are still in town are enjoying golf, hiking and mountain biking on sunny days, and relaxing and recouping after a long winter on the stormy days. This is the time of the year when the weather can and does change quickly. Because of this, many of the local residents take off and spend a little time thawing out in a warm climate somewhere. Whether it be Mexico, the Caribbean, or just mountain biking in Moab, Utah, after a long winter, warm sunshine sure feels good. Summer concerts and festivals don’t start until middle of June, when we can be more confident in the weather. So this is a great time to start planning a vacation to Park City, and come see what summer in the mountains is all about.
Here in Park City, the few who are still in town are enjoying golf, hiking and mountain biking on sunny days, and relaxing and recouping after a long winter on the stormy days. This is the time of the year when the weather can and does change quickly. Because of this, many of the local residents take off and spend a little time thawing out in a warm climate somewhere. Whether it be Mexico, the Caribbean, or just mountain biking in Moab, Utah, after a long winter, warm sunshine sure feels good. Summer concerts and festivals don’t start until middle of June, when we can be more confident in the weather. So this is a great time to start planning a vacation to Park City, and come see what summer in the mountains is all about.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Easter in the Mountains
It is Easter Week here in Park City. Visitors and guests are soaking in the warm spring sun while skiing and strolling around town. This is the time of the year when we ski for a few hours in the morning, have a leisurely lunch, and take the afternoon to sightsee. Spring is a wonderful time at the ski resorts, when the ski shops are offering terrific end of the season sales on clothing and ski equipment. This is a great time to pick up needed items or that new outfit for next year.
Of particular interest here is that the Park City Municipal Golf Course opens today. As a result of the unseasonably warm spring this year, the course is in excellent condition and ready for play. There is nothing like a few hours of skiing in the morning, lunch on the deck, and a leisurely round of golf in the afternoon. Even though we know that we have a good two more months of snowstorms, it’s nice to feel the warm sun and enjoy these spring days. This is definitely the transition time of year when we are waiting for the hiking/biking trails to dry out and the aspens to start greening up. This is also the time of the year when our thoughts turn to warm locations with warm sand and no snow.
Along with the bargains at the ski shops, this is also the time of year to pick up some great deals in real estate. Often times, owners may be ready to accept a lower offer on their home or condo than they would during the ski season, knowing that their rental income will be less for the next few months, and there are not many buyers around. Another advantage to looking at real estate now is that we can actually get into these rental condos that are booked constantly during the ski season. Of particular interest is a three-bedroom condo that I saw yesterday, on the mountain, in Silver Lake Village at mid-mountain Deer Valley. This is in a development called Royal Plaza, located right outside Deer Valley’s mid-mountain Lodge and next to the ticket booth. This is a top-floor, three-bedroom three bath condo with stunning views, and a large deck and hot tub overlooking the ski runs on Bald Mountain. There are only a couple of three-bedroom units in this small development, and this is the first one to be available in over 10 years. While it does need a complete remodel, its uniqueness in location and size make this condo the year’s best buy.
Now is the time to start planning your summer vacation to the mountains, to take in the cool mountain air and the many arts and music festivals around town.
Of particular interest here is that the Park City Municipal Golf Course opens today. As a result of the unseasonably warm spring this year, the course is in excellent condition and ready for play. There is nothing like a few hours of skiing in the morning, lunch on the deck, and a leisurely round of golf in the afternoon. Even though we know that we have a good two more months of snowstorms, it’s nice to feel the warm sun and enjoy these spring days. This is definitely the transition time of year when we are waiting for the hiking/biking trails to dry out and the aspens to start greening up. This is also the time of the year when our thoughts turn to warm locations with warm sand and no snow.
Along with the bargains at the ski shops, this is also the time of year to pick up some great deals in real estate. Often times, owners may be ready to accept a lower offer on their home or condo than they would during the ski season, knowing that their rental income will be less for the next few months, and there are not many buyers around. Another advantage to looking at real estate now is that we can actually get into these rental condos that are booked constantly during the ski season. Of particular interest is a three-bedroom condo that I saw yesterday, on the mountain, in Silver Lake Village at mid-mountain Deer Valley. This is in a development called Royal Plaza, located right outside Deer Valley’s mid-mountain Lodge and next to the ticket booth. This is a top-floor, three-bedroom three bath condo with stunning views, and a large deck and hot tub overlooking the ski runs on Bald Mountain. There are only a couple of three-bedroom units in this small development, and this is the first one to be available in over 10 years. While it does need a complete remodel, its uniqueness in location and size make this condo the year’s best buy.
Now is the time to start planning your summer vacation to the mountains, to take in the cool mountain air and the many arts and music festivals around town.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Skiing...and Golf!
It’s that great time of the year when it’s possible to ski great spring skiing in the morning and play golf in the afternoon. This past weekend was absolutely beautiful here in Park City with temperatures in the upper 50’s. Saturday was some of the best skiing of the year and Sunday took out the golf clubs for the first time.
One of the great things about this time of the year is that one day we have shirtsleeve spring skiing weather while the next day could be deep powder. In fact, that is this week’s forecast. Storms are rolling in starting tonight, and the forecast is for 1-2 feet of snow by Wednesday morning. So Wednesday looks to be a great powder day, followed by return to spring for the weekend.
Springtime often brings good deals on ski area real estate. Many times sellers whose properties have not sold during the ski season can be more open to offers and more motivated to sell now rather than holding onto their property until next ski season. This can be a boon for buyers looking to get into the ski market and obtain a ski condo at the best prices and terms. While here in Park City/Deer Valley, we had an excellent season with strong sales, there is a good supply of resale condos on the market, offering buyers a variety of choices between slopeside, in-town, or in one of the neighboring communities. Contact me for more information on what I feel are excellent buys this time of the year.
With the changing of the seasons, comes a changing of interest in our buyers. Golf properties start to pick up steam and here in Park City, we have many excellent choices. From homes on the city’s municipal golf course right in Park City to the five private golf courses, we offer a variety of single-family lots to build on, townhouses and cabins, as well as custom homes. With the mild winter that we had, builders were able to complete homes more quickly than normal. What this means is that there are many beautiful custom homes either completed or nearing completion on the golf courses. With a good selection out there, this could be a perfect time to pick up the best home at a good price.
One of the great things about this time of the year is that one day we have shirtsleeve spring skiing weather while the next day could be deep powder. In fact, that is this week’s forecast. Storms are rolling in starting tonight, and the forecast is for 1-2 feet of snow by Wednesday morning. So Wednesday looks to be a great powder day, followed by return to spring for the weekend.
Springtime often brings good deals on ski area real estate. Many times sellers whose properties have not sold during the ski season can be more open to offers and more motivated to sell now rather than holding onto their property until next ski season. This can be a boon for buyers looking to get into the ski market and obtain a ski condo at the best prices and terms. While here in Park City/Deer Valley, we had an excellent season with strong sales, there is a good supply of resale condos on the market, offering buyers a variety of choices between slopeside, in-town, or in one of the neighboring communities. Contact me for more information on what I feel are excellent buys this time of the year.
With the changing of the seasons, comes a changing of interest in our buyers. Golf properties start to pick up steam and here in Park City, we have many excellent choices. From homes on the city’s municipal golf course right in Park City to the five private golf courses, we offer a variety of single-family lots to build on, townhouses and cabins, as well as custom homes. With the mild winter that we had, builders were able to complete homes more quickly than normal. What this means is that there are many beautiful custom homes either completed or nearing completion on the golf courses. With a good selection out there, this could be a perfect time to pick up the best home at a good price.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Follow the Sun
One of the big misconceptions about spring skiing is that it is either too icy or too slushy. Savvy skiers know to follow the sun for spring skiing. Spring Skiing means warm sunny days and clear, cold nights. This combination produces “corn snow.” Corn snow occurs when we get multiple days of a freeze-thaw cycle. What I mean by this is, during the day, the snow melts, re-freezes again at night, and re-melts again the next day. This cycle breaks down the snow crystals into a corn kernel shape. The first thing in the morning, on east and southerly-facing slopes, the warm spring sun thaws the surface and produces a soft and creamy ski texture. Good corn snow can be equally as pleasurable as deep powder. During the day, as the sun rises and temperatures warm, knowledgeable skiers move from the east-facing slopes to the west and then finally to the north faces. If you know how to do this, skiers can find terrific snow and skiing all day, even on the warmest days. Typical of spring, the weather tends to vary greatly, with some days being very warm, followed by cold fronts which freeze the snow surface solid. On those days, we stay to the south and east facing slopes exclusively. With a little bit of knowledge and route-picking, spring skiing can be one of the most pleasurable experiences a skier can experience.
Springtime at a ski resort brings out the end of the season festivities. Outdoor music, concerts on the plazas, and everybody outside enjoying the sunshine. The Canyons resort, here in Park City, features a spring concert season each weekend, bringing in musicians from all over the country for free outdoor concerts at their base village. There’s nothing quite like a great day of skiing, followed by wonderful music on the plaza. Park City resort features music at the Legacy Lodge where everyone gathers at the end of the day to relax, catch up with old friends, and tell tales about the winter. Weekend afternoons at Deer Valley are spent on McHenry’s beach at Silver Lake. This is an area in front of the Silver Lake Lodge where Deer Valley puts out beach chairs and around noon, the party begins and lasts throughout the afternoon. These are times when we take skiing a little less seriously and warm up our bones after a cold winter. Come out, experience spring skiing in the Rockies, and partake in the revelry. For more information on the skiing activities and/or real estate opportunities here in the area, contact me.
Springtime at a ski resort brings out the end of the season festivities. Outdoor music, concerts on the plazas, and everybody outside enjoying the sunshine. The Canyons resort, here in Park City, features a spring concert season each weekend, bringing in musicians from all over the country for free outdoor concerts at their base village. There’s nothing quite like a great day of skiing, followed by wonderful music on the plaza. Park City resort features music at the Legacy Lodge where everyone gathers at the end of the day to relax, catch up with old friends, and tell tales about the winter. Weekend afternoons at Deer Valley are spent on McHenry’s beach at Silver Lake. This is an area in front of the Silver Lake Lodge where Deer Valley puts out beach chairs and around noon, the party begins and lasts throughout the afternoon. These are times when we take skiing a little less seriously and warm up our bones after a cold winter. Come out, experience spring skiing in the Rockies, and partake in the revelry. For more information on the skiing activities and/or real estate opportunities here in the area, contact me.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Spring has Sprung!
This past weekend brought soft snow, deep blue skies, t-shirts and wine on the deck. There is nothing quite like spring skiing in the Rockies! Now with the early change to Daylight Savings Time, the snow softens a little later in the day and afternoons on the deck last just a little longer. The recent snows of the past three weeks have assured us excellent coverage for the remainder of the ski season. Even though we are now enjoying the warm spring days, I have been here long enough to know that the snow is not over and there will be more powder days ahead. One of the best things about spring skiing are the frequent snow storms followed by warm sunshine. In spring, it is important to understand the mountain and follow the sun. What I mean by this is early morning, pick the slopes that the sun is already on and has softened. As the day progresses, slowly switch to the more northerly facing slopes, which soften later and offer the best afternoon skiing. Of course, for variety, the west facing slopes in the afternoon with “snow cone” conditions can be a lot of fun.
In real estate, springtime often equates to many good buys in ski condos. Frequently sellers are more motivated at this time, and buyers can realize better deals on condos. This can be an excellent opportunity to purchase a ski condo or home at very favorable price and terms. Even though the winter has been quite busy, there is still a very good selection of ski properties in Park City/Deer Valley. Whether you are looking for something on the slopes or in town, we have a wide variety and I can almost always find the right property for you.
As the weather turns warm in the springtime, our thoughts turn to golf and golf course properties. Park City offers several beautiful golf course communities, three of which are gated and are often offer homesites and homes for sale. For more detailed description on all of the golf courses in Park City and what they have to offer, go to the Golf Course area of my site. If you’d like more information on what Park City or Park City real estate has to offer in the beautiful springtime, please contact me.
In my last newsletter, I spoke of the Interconnect Tour, which is a guided backcountry tour connecting six of Utah’s premier resorts in one day. While springtime offers fewer powder days in the backcountry, touring through the Wasatch on a warm day and corn snow is unbeatable. If you are planning a trip to Park City this spring, I would highly recommend booking a springtime Interconnect Tour. To see an interesting article on this, click here for a story that The New York Times ran on Sunday.
In real estate, springtime often equates to many good buys in ski condos. Frequently sellers are more motivated at this time, and buyers can realize better deals on condos. This can be an excellent opportunity to purchase a ski condo or home at very favorable price and terms. Even though the winter has been quite busy, there is still a very good selection of ski properties in Park City/Deer Valley. Whether you are looking for something on the slopes or in town, we have a wide variety and I can almost always find the right property for you.
As the weather turns warm in the springtime, our thoughts turn to golf and golf course properties. Park City offers several beautiful golf course communities, three of which are gated and are often offer homesites and homes for sale. For more detailed description on all of the golf courses in Park City and what they have to offer, go to the Golf Course area of my site. If you’d like more information on what Park City or Park City real estate has to offer in the beautiful springtime, please contact me.
In my last newsletter, I spoke of the Interconnect Tour, which is a guided backcountry tour connecting six of Utah’s premier resorts in one day. While springtime offers fewer powder days in the backcountry, touring through the Wasatch on a warm day and corn snow is unbeatable. If you are planning a trip to Park City this spring, I would highly recommend booking a springtime Interconnect Tour. To see an interesting article on this, click here for a story that The New York Times ran on Sunday.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Springtime in the Rockies!
After several weeks of continuous snowstorms, the spring sun has returned to Park City and the skiing is FANTASTIC. The recent snows have assured that we will have more than adequate coverage for the remainder of the ski season. After a long and cold winter the opportunity to enjoy lunch and a glass of wine outside on the deck is a welcome change and we are taking advantage of it. March is typically a very busy month for the ski resorts, and the lodging companies are all reporting that this will be the case again this year. Today’s lodging report is that Park City/Deer Valley visitor totals are up 8% for this week over the similar week of last year. This is terrific news for the ski resorts, businesses in town, and the owners of rental condos. While this has not been one of our snowiest winters, the coverage and skiing have been excellent. As long as the coverage is good, which it has been, a benefit to a less than snowy winter is being able to ski with sunshine and great visibility. While the locals have been complaining about the lack of snow, our visitors to the resorts have been very pleased with the conditions. If you have been waiting for more snow to book your Park City/Deer Valley vacation, now is the time to do so.
The real estate market continues to be strong. New visitors to Park City/Deer Valley are surprised at how convenient we are to get to and delighted with the variety of ski areas and how good Utah snow is. With nine ski areas within an hour’s drive of Park City, three within 10 minutes, we offer such a variety of terrain that everyone can find something that suits their mood. From the deep powder and steeps of Snowbird and Alta to the immaculately groomed slopes and service of Deer Valley and everything in between, there is something for everyone. For better skiers looking for an adventure, Ski Utah offers an interconnect tour where skiers ski six different resorts and three canyons all in one day. Skiers start at Deer Valley, ride to the top of the mountain, cross over to Park City Resort, and ski down the backside to Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon. After a few runs at Solitude (and lunch), you then ski to Brighton Resort, and then traverse the Wasatch to Little Cottonwood Canyon and Alta Resort. From Alta, it is an easy jump to Snowbird and after a few exhilarating runs there, a welcome shuttle is waiting to pick you and bring you back to Park City. For the adventuresome and skilled skier (you must be able to ski all conditions), this is an experience not to be missed. For more information on this or to book a tour, contact Ski Utah. For more information on the real estate market, contact me.
(The New York Times ran a story on the Interconnect tour on March 11, 2007. Click here to read the article and see the incredible photos of this "Epic" adventure!)
The real estate market continues to be strong. New visitors to Park City/Deer Valley are surprised at how convenient we are to get to and delighted with the variety of ski areas and how good Utah snow is. With nine ski areas within an hour’s drive of Park City, three within 10 minutes, we offer such a variety of terrain that everyone can find something that suits their mood. From the deep powder and steeps of Snowbird and Alta to the immaculately groomed slopes and service of Deer Valley and everything in between, there is something for everyone. For better skiers looking for an adventure, Ski Utah offers an interconnect tour where skiers ski six different resorts and three canyons all in one day. Skiers start at Deer Valley, ride to the top of the mountain, cross over to Park City Resort, and ski down the backside to Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon. After a few runs at Solitude (and lunch), you then ski to Brighton Resort, and then traverse the Wasatch to Little Cottonwood Canyon and Alta Resort. From Alta, it is an easy jump to Snowbird and after a few exhilarating runs there, a welcome shuttle is waiting to pick you and bring you back to Park City. For the adventuresome and skilled skier (you must be able to ski all conditions), this is an experience not to be missed. For more information on this or to book a tour, contact Ski Utah. For more information on the real estate market, contact me.
(The New York Times ran a story on the Interconnect tour on March 11, 2007. Click here to read the article and see the incredible photos of this "Epic" adventure!)
Monday, February 26, 2007
The Greatest Snow on Earth
Snow, snow and more snow! Finally the snow gods have smiled upon us and we have received several feet of the Greatest Snow on Earth. Yesterday was a bluebird day with about a foot of fresh snow, and today it is once again snowing. Visitors to Park City, Deer Valley will be talking about this week of skiing for a long time.
I had the distinct pleasure of taking some clients skiing to Alta Resort last Friday for an Alta Powder experience. We had received several feet of snow prior to Friday and hit Alta during a classic Utah storm. It snowed all day at the rate of several inches an hour and we were able to ski Utah fluff all day.
Alta deserves its reputation as the powder capital of the world. Because of its unique location at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and southeast of the Great Salt Lake storms sweep across the lake, picking up moisture, are funneled up Little Cottonwood Canyon and are forced up and over the crest of the Wasatch, dropping their moisture in copious amounts of Utah powder. A day of powder skiing at Alta is a MUST for all serious skiers. Alta is an easy hour’s drive from the wonderful historic town of Park City, with all of its restaurants, clubs, and activities. Park City/Deer Valley makes a perfect home base to travel to the many terrific resorts around Salt Lake City.
In real estate, the exciting news is that the Arrowleaf condominiums in the Empire Pass Village of Deer Valley are completed, and owners are taking occupancy of and enjoying their beautiful new ski-in/ski-out condos. Located near the base of the Silver Strike Lift, Arrowleaf offers convenient ski access, beautiful views, and access to the members-only Tower Club lounge. The Tower Club features direct ski access, a beautiful lounge for breakfast, lunch, or après ski, a weight/fitness room and an outdoor hot tub. Members of the Talisker Club have found this to be the perfect gathering spot to talk about their day of skiing at Deer Valley.
There are many exciting real estate possibilities in the new developments in and around town as well as some excellent buys on existing homes and condos. As the prices of real estate continue to rise in Park City, most owners have remodeled and updated their condos and homes to the standards expected by our visitors. For more information on what is available, what I would consider to be a good investment, or the new developments, contact me or call on my cell anytime at 435-640-5851.
I had the distinct pleasure of taking some clients skiing to Alta Resort last Friday for an Alta Powder experience. We had received several feet of snow prior to Friday and hit Alta during a classic Utah storm. It snowed all day at the rate of several inches an hour and we were able to ski Utah fluff all day.
Alta deserves its reputation as the powder capital of the world. Because of its unique location at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and southeast of the Great Salt Lake storms sweep across the lake, picking up moisture, are funneled up Little Cottonwood Canyon and are forced up and over the crest of the Wasatch, dropping their moisture in copious amounts of Utah powder. A day of powder skiing at Alta is a MUST for all serious skiers. Alta is an easy hour’s drive from the wonderful historic town of Park City, with all of its restaurants, clubs, and activities. Park City/Deer Valley makes a perfect home base to travel to the many terrific resorts around Salt Lake City.
In real estate, the exciting news is that the Arrowleaf condominiums in the Empire Pass Village of Deer Valley are completed, and owners are taking occupancy of and enjoying their beautiful new ski-in/ski-out condos. Located near the base of the Silver Strike Lift, Arrowleaf offers convenient ski access, beautiful views, and access to the members-only Tower Club lounge. The Tower Club features direct ski access, a beautiful lounge for breakfast, lunch, or après ski, a weight/fitness room and an outdoor hot tub. Members of the Talisker Club have found this to be the perfect gathering spot to talk about their day of skiing at Deer Valley.
There are many exciting real estate possibilities in the new developments in and around town as well as some excellent buys on existing homes and condos. As the prices of real estate continue to rise in Park City, most owners have remodeled and updated their condos and homes to the standards expected by our visitors. For more information on what is available, what I would consider to be a good investment, or the new developments, contact me or call on my cell anytime at 435-640-5851.
Monday, February 19, 2007
President's Week Edition
President’s Week in Deer Valley is one to remember! We received about 5” of snow Thursday night with bright blue skies and incredible ski conditions Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The only thing that could have made it better was fresh powder and Monday morning, we woke up to 18” of Utah Fluff. Our visitors to Deer Valley and Park City will be talking about this weekend for many years.
While the President’s Week holiday is often the busiest of the year, even surpassing Christmas Week, Deer Valley limits its ticket sales so that lift lines rarely exceeded five minutes. Combine this with perfect weather and exceptional snow conditions, and you can easily see why so many people choose Deer Valley and Park City for their winter vacation.
The newest condominium building in Empire Pass, Arrowleaf A, is completed, and proud owners are experiencing the prestige and convenience of being right on the mountain in the heart of skiing. Surprisingly, the opportunities for owning one of the new residences in Empire Pass are diminishing at a much faster pace than we had imagined. The fortunate few who had the foresight to get in on the ground floor will be forever thankful for their agents who brought the opportunity to their attention.
While the focus may be on all of the new developments going on around town, we cannot forget the exceptional deals on existing condos near the Park City resort and Deer Valley resorts. Many of these condos have been remodeled, and offer a quality that will satisfy the most demanding visitor.
For information on the latest developments around the ski resorts, current snow conditions, up to the minute weather forecasts, or general information, please contact me.
While the President’s Week holiday is often the busiest of the year, even surpassing Christmas Week, Deer Valley limits its ticket sales so that lift lines rarely exceeded five minutes. Combine this with perfect weather and exceptional snow conditions, and you can easily see why so many people choose Deer Valley and Park City for their winter vacation.
The newest condominium building in Empire Pass, Arrowleaf A, is completed, and proud owners are experiencing the prestige and convenience of being right on the mountain in the heart of skiing. Surprisingly, the opportunities for owning one of the new residences in Empire Pass are diminishing at a much faster pace than we had imagined. The fortunate few who had the foresight to get in on the ground floor will be forever thankful for their agents who brought the opportunity to their attention.
While the focus may be on all of the new developments going on around town, we cannot forget the exceptional deals on existing condos near the Park City resort and Deer Valley resorts. Many of these condos have been remodeled, and offer a quality that will satisfy the most demanding visitor.
For information on the latest developments around the ski resorts, current snow conditions, up to the minute weather forecasts, or general information, please contact me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
