Spring has often been described as a battle between winter and summer. No where is this more true than here in the mountains. Last Saturday was a picture perfect day with record high temperatures in the 60’s and yesterday we received 28 inches of new snow at Alta. Spring is the time of the year where one day you are skiing in a turtleneck and windbreaker and the next day hat, goggles and full winter gear. This is what makes spring skiing so fun.
For the past year I have been saying that we may be looking back to this time as the opportunity to have purchased resort real estate at bargain prices. With the stock market slowly heading upward for the past two weeks and news reports that new housing starts were up in Feb and sales of existing homes were very strong, this prophecy may be becoming true. While it certainly continues to be a buyers market here in Park City as well as the other western ski resorts, I have definitely seen an increase in activity. Here in Park City I have seen the number of contracts written and accepted slowly increase. I have also been receiving calls much more frequently to show my listings and for information regarding them. While we certainly have not turned the corner to becoming a sellers market, we very well may be nearing the bottom of this buyers market. One of the signs that we may be nearing the bottom is that I am seeing a large increase in purchases by investors. These investors have been sitting on the side lines waiting for the right moment and their move tells me that this is the right time to purchase. Time will tell. But with the extremely low interest rates, a good selection of properties on the market, and sellers willing to negotiate, we could be looking back to this spring and saying “Why didn’t I purchase then?”
All three of the park city ski resorts, Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort and The Canyons are scheduled to close on April 12th. With just 2 and ½ weeks left to our ski season come out visit us and take advantage of these days.
Showing posts with label Alta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alta. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Snow is on the way
Deer Valley Ski resort opened last weekend with a limited amount of ski runs open. The good news is WE ARE SKIING! Even better news is that a major pattern change in the weather is forecast for this Saturday. It appears that winter will finally arrive as storms are stacked up in the Pacific and are aimed at Utah. If the forecast holds true I expect that by the weekend of the 19th all of the resorts should be near to 100% open...just in time for Christmas.Alta and Snowbird are about 70% open with terrific skiing. I expect to make the trip over to Alta this weekend to experience for myself the new snow. It looks like we may get several feet of snow over the weekend. And I will report on this next Monday.
In real estate news, while sales are certainly sluggish, they are not dead. Buyers are here and many are finding excellent bargains and are realizing that this is a great time to pick up a ski property. I
nstead of losing another ski season, without having a 2nd home here, deriving excellent income and enjoying the use of it, this really is a unique time and opportunity to invest in Park City/Deer Valley.With Christmas rapidly approaching the town will be busy and the condos full. So plan a vacation in January when the skiing is fabulous and no one is here. The first two weeks right after Christmas is historically a very quiet time as everyone is recovering from the Christmas holidays. The last 10 days of January the Sundance Film Fesitval comes to town. While the town is crowded, the ski slopes are empty. The end of January is the perfect opportunity to have the mountains to yourself and be able to take in some of the Sundance films. Start planning your trip now and come see why Utah’s motto is “The greatest snow on earth”.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Let the skiing begin
Thanksgiving has come and gone and we are ready for the ski season. All we need now is snow. November started very strong with several feet of snow, but for the most part it has been warm and sunny since. The good news is that, for the most part, nights have been cold enough to make snow. All of the resorts have been making snow every chance they can get, which allowed Park City Resort to open last Friday and will allow Deer Valley Resort to open this Saturday.
Snowmaking itself is quite an art and the Park City resorts have it down pat. There are two basic types of snowmaking systems, one is an air and water system and the other is an airless system. The air and water system has two hoses, each connected to an outlet. One outlet pumping water and the other highly compressed air. The two hoses are then connected to a “gun” which is really just a mixing chamber with a nozzle at the opening. Highly compressed air is pumped into the chamber and water is injected into this. This is then forced out of the nozzle at very high speeds, which breaks the water into a super fine mist that freezes on contact with cold air and falls as snow. The airless system uses a long tube with a fan blade at the bottom end and a ring of water injection nozzles at the far end or opening. The fan pushes a large column of air through the tube and water is injected into this column at the opening. The airless system can produce large amounts of snow in very cold temperatures and has an advantage of being much quieter than the air/water system. Here in Park City we see the ski areas using the airless systems in areas around homes and condos. The air/water system has an advantage in that it can be used at much warmer temperatures than the airless systems. In the air/water system air is forced through a small nozzle at very high pressure. As the air leaves the nozzle it rapidly expands which causes a cooling effect. Thus, in marginal conditions this cooling effect creates an effective temperature lower than the actual air temperature. The drawbacks to the air/water system are that it is very loud and does not produce as much snow as the airless system. Another expense to the air/water system is that is requires huge air compressors to force the air up the mountain under high pressure and also requires cooling units as air is heated when it is compressed. So in an air/water system the amount of piping throughout the mountain is doubled (one pipe for air, one pipe for water) and air compressors and cooling units have to be added. All of which greatly increases the installation and operating costs. Snowmaking systems such as we run here in Park City can pump 5,000-10,000 gallons of water per minute and costs several thousand dollars per hour to operate. While extremely expensive, snowmaking guarantees skiing when Mother Nature is fickle.
Both Snowbird and Alta ski resorts have been open since early November. As these resorts are higher in elevation, with a base of 8,000 feet and a summit of around 11,000 feet the temperatures are colder, and because of their unique geographical location in the Wasatch Range, they both receive much more snow than the Park City side. Unique to Utah is the Great Salt Lake and its effect on snowfall. Particularly this time of year, the lake is fairly warm. As cold, low pressure systems sweep down from the northwest and pass over the Great Salt Lake, large amounts of moisture move from the warm lake water to these cold storms. (Most everyone has heard about the “lake effect” storms coming off the Great Lakes-most notably Lake Erie-and hitting Buffalo, New York.) These cold storms, having picked up moisture across the Great Salt Lake, continue moving southeast and are forced into the ever narrowing Big and Little Cottonwood canyons. As the moisture laden clouds are pushed into the canyons they are also pushed upward until, at the end of the canyon, they hit the wall of the mountains. At this point the clouds are pushed upward dramatically and can no longer hold the moisture. As a result, heavy amounts of snow fall from these clouds as they linger over the crest of the Wasatch.
As the storms roll over the crest of the Wasatch to the Park City Mountains, the air drops down the back side of the mountains, warms up and can hold more moisture. Another unique feature to Utah’s weather is the basin and range. Between the Wasatch Mountains of Utah and the Sierra Nevada mountains of California are a series of relatively small north-south running mountain ranges. As low pressure systems move in from the north they are preceded by strong south winds. These south winds are funneled between these north-south running mountain ranges and sweep across the desert basins. As these winds move across the desert they kick up large amounts of sand and dust which, combined with the clouds, create additional mechanisms for snow to form. This is nature’s version of cloud seeding and is unique to Utah. Because of all of these unique geographic features, Utah receives more snow than would be expected in a desert State, with Snowbird and Alta receiving the majority of it. One other point is that as these storms roll across the western desert, they tend to dry out, creating the “Utah fluff” that we are so famous for.
Now that you know why Utah receives so much snow and why it is so light and dry, makes plans to experience it for yourself. To paraphrase the great ski film producer, Warren Miller, “If you don’t ski Utah this season, you’ll just be one year older when you finally do.”
Snowmaking itself is quite an art and the Park City resorts have it down pat. There are two basic types of snowmaking systems, one is an air and water system and the other is an airless system. The air and water system has two hoses, each connected to an outlet. One outlet pumping water and the other highly compressed air. The two hoses are then connected to a “gun” which is really just a mixing chamber with a nozzle at the opening. Highly compressed air is pumped into the chamber and water is injected into this. This is then forced out of the nozzle at very high speeds, which breaks the water into a super fine mist that freezes on contact with cold air and falls as snow. The airless system uses a long tube with a fan blade at the bottom end and a ring of water injection nozzles at the far end or opening. The fan pushes a large column of air through the tube and water is injected into this column at the opening. The airless system can produce large amounts of snow in very cold temperatures and has an advantage of being much quieter than the air/water system. Here in Park City we see the ski areas using the airless systems in areas around homes and condos. The air/water system has an advantage in that it can be used at much warmer temperatures than the airless systems. In the air/water system air is forced through a small nozzle at very high pressure. As the air leaves the nozzle it rapidly expands which causes a cooling effect. Thus, in marginal conditions this cooling effect creates an effective temperature lower than the actual air temperature. The drawbacks to the air/water system are that it is very loud and does not produce as much snow as the airless system. Another expense to the air/water system is that is requires huge air compressors to force the air up the mountain under high pressure and also requires cooling units as air is heated when it is compressed. So in an air/water system the amount of piping throughout the mountain is doubled (one pipe for air, one pipe for water) and air compressors and cooling units have to be added. All of which greatly increases the installation and operating costs. Snowmaking systems such as we run here in Park City can pump 5,000-10,000 gallons of water per minute and costs several thousand dollars per hour to operate. While extremely expensive, snowmaking guarantees skiing when Mother Nature is fickle.
Both Snowbird and Alta ski resorts have been open since early November. As these resorts are higher in elevation, with a base of 8,000 feet and a summit of around 11,000 feet the temperatures are colder, and because of their unique geographical location in the Wasatch Range, they both receive much more snow than the Park City side. Unique to Utah is the Great Salt Lake and its effect on snowfall. Particularly this time of year, the lake is fairly warm. As cold, low pressure systems sweep down from the northwest and pass over the Great Salt Lake, large amounts of moisture move from the warm lake water to these cold storms. (Most everyone has heard about the “lake effect” storms coming off the Great Lakes-most notably Lake Erie-and hitting Buffalo, New York.) These cold storms, having picked up moisture across the Great Salt Lake, continue moving southeast and are forced into the ever narrowing Big and Little Cottonwood canyons. As the moisture laden clouds are pushed into the canyons they are also pushed upward until, at the end of the canyon, they hit the wall of the mountains. At this point the clouds are pushed upward dramatically and can no longer hold the moisture. As a result, heavy amounts of snow fall from these clouds as they linger over the crest of the Wasatch.
As the storms roll over the crest of the Wasatch to the Park City Mountains, the air drops down the back side of the mountains, warms up and can hold more moisture. Another unique feature to Utah’s weather is the basin and range. Between the Wasatch Mountains of Utah and the Sierra Nevada mountains of California are a series of relatively small north-south running mountain ranges. As low pressure systems move in from the north they are preceded by strong south winds. These south winds are funneled between these north-south running mountain ranges and sweep across the desert basins. As these winds move across the desert they kick up large amounts of sand and dust which, combined with the clouds, create additional mechanisms for snow to form. This is nature’s version of cloud seeding and is unique to Utah. Because of all of these unique geographic features, Utah receives more snow than would be expected in a desert State, with Snowbird and Alta receiving the majority of it. One other point is that as these storms roll across the western desert, they tend to dry out, creating the “Utah fluff” that we are so famous for.
Now that you know why Utah receives so much snow and why it is so light and dry, makes plans to experience it for yourself. To paraphrase the great ski film producer, Warren Miller, “If you don’t ski Utah this season, you’ll just be one year older when you finally do.”
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, 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.
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