The Sundance Film Festival started January 17th and runs through the 27th. Sundance is the largest independent film festival and attracts filmmakers, producers, celebrities and onlookers from all over the world. During the festival, the town is full of filmmakers trying to sell their films, celebrities following the party scene, and visitors looking for the next hit film. It is a very exciting and busy time in our mountain town. Over the years, many films have come out of Sundance to become successful hits with national distribution.
This past weekend I was in Telluride, Colorado for a conference of resort Realtors from the Rocky Mountain west. Everyone is reporting that their market is strong, sales prices are continuing to rise, and dollar volume sold will be equal to or greater than last year. This is very different from what everyone is hearing in the national press about the housing slump. While the resort real estate markets are certainly not immune to the national market trends, we do seem to be somewhat insulated. Everyone is seeing that buyers, while cautious, are still looking for vacation property and have the means to purchase. We are fortunate in that our buyers are not subprime buyers and while the mortgage issues do make it more difficult, they are able to qualify for loans and purchase. Consistent throughout the resorts was activity through the Christmas holiday. Everyone felt that this Christmas was busier than usual with visitors looking at properties. While this did not translate to many sales, that is not unusual. We all find that our buyers who look over Christmas return later in the season or during the summer months to purchase. The entire US is having a great ski season and this translates to all of the ski areas doing well. I expect that the 2007-2008 ski season will end up a record one for Park City as well as the other western resorts. With a record number of visitors in town we are all hoping that this equates to more buyers and more sales.
It has snowed here in Park City 29 of the last 36 days and is snowing hard again this morning. If you have not visited Park City in the past this is the year to see what Utah snow and skiing is all about.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Snow, Snow, and MORE Snow!
It has been snowing here in Park City every day for the past week and a half. And the skiing is the best I have ever seen. It seems that each day we receive about a foot of the famous Utah powder. Since December 1, Snowbird has received about 16 feet of snow. All of the resorts of course are thrilled with all of the lifts and terrain open. Deer Valley’s new Lady Morgan Express lift offers some exceptional advanced skiing here at Deer Valley.
Typically, the two weeks after New Year’s are quiet and slow in town. However this year, with the epic skiing conditions, the town has not slowed down as much as usual. The word is out on how much snow we have received and skiers are taking advantage of the snow and the availability of places to stay. These first two weeks of January very often is the best skiing of the year. The snow is cold, and without a lot of skiers, the snow stays soft. If you have never skied Utah, this the year to come out and discover for yourself Utah powder.
Typically, the two weeks after New Year’s are quiet and slow in town. However this year, with the epic skiing conditions, the town has not slowed down as much as usual. The word is out on how much snow we have received and skiers are taking advantage of the snow and the availability of places to stay. These first two weeks of January very often is the best skiing of the year. The snow is cold, and without a lot of skiers, the snow stays soft. If you have never skied Utah, this the year to come out and discover for yourself Utah powder.
January 2008
Now that the Christmas holidays have ended I can step back and reflect on this year’s holiday season. This Christmas was the busiest that I have seen for real estate. With the exceptional snow, the town was completely full and guests experienced the best possible conditions on the mountains. I talked to numerous guests who were here for the first time and couldn’t stop commenting on what a fabulous place this is. The ease of getting here, the wonderful town and its restaurants, and so much variety in skiing that they wondered why they hadn’t been here before and that they really needed to own a place here. I also talked to many guests who have been coming here for several years and have decided that it’s really time to buy. Many guests felt that with the slightly slower market that this is the right time to purchase when they have choices and sellers have more negotiable than during times of the hot market.
The first couple weeks of January are typically very slow and an excellent time to come out and visit. January 17th starts the Sundance Film Festival for 10 days where the town will be hopping with independent filmmakers trying to sell their new films, celebrities looking to be seen in the hot spots around town and visitors looking to catch a glimpse of the celebrities. During the Sundance Film Festival the town and the restaurants may be packed but the ski slopes are empty as everyone is attending films. Many of my clients are now realizing this and while it may be difficult getting dinner reservations, it is a fabulous time to ski with the best snow and no crowds. Come out, take a look around, and see why Utah is known for “the greatest powder on Earth.”
The first couple weeks of January are typically very slow and an excellent time to come out and visit. January 17th starts the Sundance Film Festival for 10 days where the town will be hopping with independent filmmakers trying to sell their new films, celebrities looking to be seen in the hot spots around town and visitors looking to catch a glimpse of the celebrities. During the Sundance Film Festival the town and the restaurants may be packed but the ski slopes are empty as everyone is attending films. Many of my clients are now realizing this and while it may be difficult getting dinner reservations, it is a fabulous time to ski with the best snow and no crowds. Come out, take a look around, and see why Utah is known for “the greatest powder on Earth.”
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