Moving Mountains in Steamboat

Your Summer Vacation could look like this...

2008-05-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

(Each day is like reading a good book or watching a favorite movie)

Saturday, July 5: "The Wild Wild West"

Arrive in Steamboat.

Stop for lunch in the heart of downtown at Back Country Provisions - a mountainous selection of freshly made sandwiches is offered daily.

Take a few exhilarating runs down Steamboat's 2400' long Alpine Slide - "The Howler" - at Howelson Hill just across the river.

Check in at your chalet. Groceries and beverages can be stocked in advance, saving you a trip to the store, or you could consider our full-service package with meals prepared and served fresh daily by a private chef.

BBQ & Rodeo Night - Watch the old west come alive! The Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series features the best cowboys in Colorado and Wyoming on the baddest bulls and horses with kids events too. The rodeo series starts on Friday, June 13th and is every Friday and Saturday night until Saturday, August 16th. All rodeos start at 7:30 p.m. except the 4th of July rodeo which starts at 7:00 p.m. Western BBQ served from 6:00pm.

Sunday July 6: "Into Thin Air"

Gondola Ride / Guided Mountain Hike

Sunday brunch at Hazie's at the top of Thunderhead (9080')

Head downtown and rent bikes for all the family from Orange Peel Bicycle Service to ride the Yampa Core River Trail - an easy paved route that follows the river that flows through Steamboat.

More adventurous mountain bikers in your group can explore some of the 50 miles of sweet single-track trails on Howelson Hill and Emerald Mountain.

End the day under the stars in your private hot tub back at the chalet.

Monday July 7: "The River Wild"

AM	Start the day with the locals - Breakfast at the Shack Cafe. Check out the Huevos Rancheros - the best in town! Tube the Yampa River - take a 45 minute ride down the river from the 5th street bridge in Downtown out to the James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge.
PM	Enjoy lunch by the River at Sunpies Bistro After shoppers can enjoy a stroll along historic Lincoln Avenue Check out the Strings Music Festival - tonight "Peter and The Wolf with the Pushcart Players" - a great family show.

Tuesday July 8: "A River Runs Through it"

AM	For fishermen in your group - depart for Bucking Rainbow Outfitters downtown for a full Day guided Fishing Trip on public or some of their extensive private water fishing grounds. Golfers can check out one of the 3 public courses in the Yampa Valley where altitude gives you an additional 10% carry on every shot. Ego-Golf!
PM	For a more relaxing alternative visit a health spa for revitalizing therapies or enjoy a massage in the comfort of your private chalet. Spend the evening with the family at the world renowned Strawberry Park natural hot springs.

Wednesday July 9: "The River Wild: Part II"

AM	Half Day of White Water Rafting on the Elk River 20 minutes from Steamboat with lunch on the river bank.
PM	Need more adventure? Try the "daily double" - after a BBQ lunch venture out on a horseback guided excursion to explore the back-country. "Parisian Soiree" - a night of classical French music in the newly completed Strings Music Pavillion

Thursday July 10: "City Slickers"

AM	Rise with the birds for an early morning Cattle Drive at Saddleback Ranch. Saddle up with real cowboys and move cattle, check for sickness, get in strays and make sure that everything on the ranch is doing well. Yee-haww!
PM	Dinner out at Café Diva, one of Steamboat's finest restaurants. Perfect for a special celebration.

Friday July 11: "Still more to do than you can shake a stick at.."

AM	Options for your last day range from: -Guided climbing with Rocky Mountain Ventures -Ride the Gondola and descend the mountain by bike on the world-class single-track trails that criss-cross the ski mountain -Tennis at the year-round tennis center -Kayak the Yampa with Mountain Sports Kayak School
PM	Enjoy the evening performance by Brent Rowan and Friends at the Strings Music Pavillion Two-time Academy of Country Music's Guitarist of the Year, Brent Rowan is Nashville's most sought-after studio guitarist. His "Friends" are the industry's top singer/songwriter/performers with past guests including Guy Clark, Hal Ketchum, and Suzy Bogguss.

Saturday July 12, 2008:"Homeward Bound..."

Get up early to see the first launch of 50 hot air balloons at the Balloon Rodeo that light up the sky with brillaint colors.

After a last breakfast in your home-away-from-home head for some last minute souvenirs at the Farmers Market downtown or the Art-in-the Park Festival on your way out to the airport.

Did you think you could pack so much into just one week?

...and yes, it is like this all summer in Steamboat!

Summer 2008 Festivals & Events in Steamboat

2008-05-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

27th Annual Steamboat Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k: June 1st.
Don't miss the 27th Annual Steamboat Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K - named one of the 10 Most Scenic Marathons and a Top 10 Destination Marathon in North America by Runner's World. This is truly the most scenic run in the Rockies! www.steamboatchamber.com

The Rio Stampede Mountain Bike Race: June 7th.
The Rio Stampede is the next generation race from the original Rio 24 Hours of Steamboat. The Rio Stampede is a 12 hour and 6 hour race that incorporates solo, duo and team divisions. Competitors will take the course designed previously for the 24 Hours of Steamboat. This epic mountain bike course utilizes both forest access roads as well as singletrack on the ascent and is littered with aspens through some of Colorados best singletrack for the ride down. Participants will compete within their divisions for 12 hours. Some teams will ascend over 20,000 vertical feet before the race is complete. You will find out why it is called "The Climb of Your Life". www.rockypeakproductions.com

Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup: June 12 -15th.
A Father's Day tradition continues on in Steamboat Springs. More than 400 Mustang owners from Rocky Mountain Mustang clubs will convene in Steamboat for activities, including a timed event on Friday and a "Show and Shine" on Lincoln Avenue on Saturday. Both events are free and open to the public.

Spectators are welcome at the Meadows parking lot located at the corner of Mt. Werner Road and Pine Grove Road for Friday's Autocross. Over 180 Ford Mustangs compete in this timed event. Admission is free.

Saturday's Show n' Shine is a car lovers dream. Over 450 Ford Mustangs are lined up and down Lincoln Avenue for display. Admission is free and everyone?s welcome. www.rmmr.org

Strings in The Mountains: June 28th: August 22nd.
Strings Music Festival is a World-class music festival that presents over 70 performances of chamber music, jazz, rock, country, bluegrass, world rhythms, and many other genres every summer since 1988. Artists include Grammy winners and nominees, major competition winners and principal players from the most renowned orchestras.

Throughout the summer, enjoy chamber music concerts every Wednesday and Saturday evenings, the Different Tempo Series on Fridays, Youth and Family Concerts every Tuesday and free Music on the Green performances at the Yampa River Botanic Park every Thursday. With a schedule like this, there's simply no excuse to miss a Strings production.

The intimate newly constructed 540-seat Pavilion overlooks breathtaking vistas of Mt. Werner, Emerald Mountain and the beautiful Yampa Valley making it an ideal venue to hear world-class music. www.stringsinthemountains.org

Steamboat Free Summer Concert Series: June 30th - August 22nd.
The 2006 Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series, now in its 14th year, will kick off the series with collaboration of Chicago music legends, Chicago Blues Reunion, Friday, June 30. July's concerts begin Friday, July 7, complementing an already popular Balloon Rodeo Weekend, when Michael Franti and Spearhead will take the stage. The remainder of the schedule includes the return of Los Lobos Thursday, July 27 and the local premiere of Matt Costa Friday, August 11 and Susan Tedeschi Tuesday, August 22. www.steamboatchamber.com

4th of July Cowboys' Roundup, Parade and Fireworks: July 4th - 6th.
For over 100 years Steamboat has celebrated Independence Day with rodeo. Cowboys' Roundup Days celebrates the Western Heritage native to the Yampa Valley with events for the entire family. Kick back in boots at several community events including, a community all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, children's activities, concerts, the annual parade down Lincoln Avenue rodeo, cattle drive down Lincoln Avenue, and fireworks. www.steamboatsummer.com

28th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo & 34th Annual Art in the Park : July 12th -13th.
Join Bank of the West at Steamboat's most colorful weekend - a festival of vibrant colors and art - this is one of the most anticipated weekends of the summer. The 28th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo presented by Bank of the West combined with the 34th Annual Art in the Park have become a staple of Steamboat in the Summertime. Join us for this spectacular early-morning affair with over 40 hot air balloons rising softly from the mist and drifting over the valley. Later make your way over to West Lincoln Park for Steamboat's biggest arts and crafts festival. Art in the Park on Saturday is from 9-5pm and Sunday 9-4pm. Mark your calendars because this weekend is an absolute favorite for the entire family! www.steamboatsummer.com

Eriksen Tour de Steamboat - Road Ride: July 26th.
New to the Eriksen Tour de Steamboat for 2008 is the addition of two rides. Making it's return for a 4th year is the traditional ride over Rabbit Ears Pass, Gore Pass and Yellow Jacket Pass to return to Steamboat. In addition, two shorter rides - The Stagecoach Out and Back (40 miles) and the River Road Out and Back (20 miles). The 2008 Tour de Steamboat is proud to announce the partnership with Prudential Steamboat Realty to turn the tour into a fundraiser for The Sunshine Kids Foundation. www.rockypeakproductions.com

5th Annual Wine Festival: July 31st - August 3rd.
The 5th Annual Steamboat Wine Festival continues the tradition of Celebrating the Senses! As in previous years, the event will feature wine seminars and wine maker's dinners throughout the weekend. The Saturday Grand Tasting is at the Torian Plum Plaza. This year look for additional food and wine events including: the Kickoff Reception on Thursday night at the top of the Gondola at Thunderhead. Drink fine wines paired with exquisite foods. Talk to wine makers and an international wine panel. Participate in a live auction featuring some great trips and fabulous art work. On Friday, the Stroll of Steamboat will have patrons and their glasses meandering through downtown Steamboat Springs sampling over 400 wines and food at a variety of locations. This casual tasting is a great way to sample a variety of wines and experience the beauty of downtown. Finally, Saturday's Grand Tasting at Torian Plaza gets even bigger and better. Music and the Steel Chef competition both take place at this event. www.steamboatwinefestival.com.

4th Annual Labor Day Wild West Air Fest and Labor Day Weekend Celebration : August 30th - September 3rd.
Labor Day Weekend in Steamboat is packed with the entertainment in the air, on the mountain and all over town! It's a Labor Day celebration for the whole family featuring remote controlled aircraft, vintage aircrafts and war birds, classic cars, hang gliders, para-gliders at the Steamboat Springs Airport; the final installment of the Annual Art on the Mountain, shopping and dogs! The Steamboat Springs Stockdog Trials are back! If you love dogs you won't want to miss these amazing animals herding sheep in this great competition on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Plus our semi-annual downtown sidewalk sale is a Steamboat tradition you don't want to miss!

2nd Annual Brewers Festival: September 20th.
Steamboat celebrates fall with a beer tasting featuring the best breweries in Colorado. Join us from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2008 for the 2nd Annual Steamboat Brewers' Festival. The festival takes place at the base of the ski area at Torian Plum Plaza in front of the Slopeside Bar & Grill. This event has a little something for everyone including live music, a root beer bar for kids and food vendors. www.steamboatbrewersfestival.com

A Record Ski Season !!

2008-03-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

With just two weeks to go Steamboat has accumulated 452" of snow, passing the record snowfall total of the 1996/97 season (447.75"). Perhaps the only question that remains is whether we will see 500".

After a slow start to the season with opening day postponed for a week Steamboat just never got out of the storm cycle. Since November 21st, snow has fallen 78 out of 103 days (75.7%) with 45 of those days recording four or more inches. This season at mid-mountain, the resort has seen 17 inches in October; 23 inches in November; 126 inches in December (3rd snowiest); 129 inches in January (2nd snowiest) and 104 inches in February (2nd snowiest); and 9 inches in March for a combined total of over 37 feet.

In addition to registering another four-wire winter, the resort hit three key milestones within just a month of each other: surpassed 300-inch mark on 2/1/08; six days later surpassed 350-inch mark on 2/7/08; and on March 2nd surpassed the 400-inch mark. Furthermore, Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A.® received more than 100 inches of snow for three consecutive months (December, January & February) for the first time in resort history.

Click Here to see some awesome video

By the numbers...

8,400,000
Pounds of scoria spread on local roadways by city snowplows

$106,000
Money spent on truck rentals for hauling snow

1,300
Overtime hours logged by city snowplow drivers

75,000
Cubic yards of snow hauled out of town

450
Inches of snow to fall on Mount Werner since October, a new record

23
Snow removals, by dump truck, in Ski Time Square and along Lincoln Avenue

16
Number of luxury homes offered this winter by Moving Mountains

13
Record number of staff in the Moving Mountains Team

0
Days of school cancelled because of snow by the Steamboat Springs School District

Powder points

It snowed more than 6 feet in the first ten days of February 2008

It snowed 7 feet in seven days at the summit from Jan. 8 to 14

The ski area hit the 100-inch mark for summit-base depth March 6

Streaks of consecutive snow days

Longest Streak: 26 days (Jan. 16 to Feb. 10) with 137.5 inches (11.5 feet) at mid-mountain

2nd Longest Streak: 14 days (Dec. 19 to Jan. 1) with 66 inches (5.5 feet) at mid-mountain

3rd Longest Streak: 11 days (Dec. 6 to Dec. 16) with 75 inches (6.25 feet) at mid-mountain

Top Steamboat winters

2007-08: 450 inches and counting

1996-97: 447.75 inches

1983-84: 447.5 inches

1995-96: 441.25 inches

2005-06: 432 inches

1992-93: 423.5 inches

The ski area surpassed the 300-inch mark for the season Feb. 1; six days later, it surpassed the 350-inch mark on Feb. 7; and on March 2, it surpassed the 400-inch mark. These three key milestones were reached within a month’s time.

New Mountain Movers join the Team

2008-03-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

With over 1000 guests in Steamboat this winter we are delighted to announce two new recruits to our management team who are helping us keep up with the growth in demand that we are experiencing.

Jessica Raiford (right)
Shortly after graduating from LSU Jessica was blown by Hurricane Katrina from the banks of the Mississippi directly to Steamboat. She landed on her feet taking on the challenging role and persona of the Moving Mountains Office Manager and is likely to be the first person you will speak to if you call our office direct.

She is a dynamic and lively character who lends a hand wherever she can handling guest inquiries and reservations as well as occasionally joining our chalet teams and assisting with catering events.

Tammy Blocher (left)
With a lifelong background in travel from airlines and hotels to one of the leading destination clubs in the USA Tammy has found new challenges joining the Moving Mountains Team this past winter. Her work and her passion for travel has taken her round the globe and her experience with luxury travel was a natural fit for the Moving Mountains lodging services.

She handles guest reservations and inquiries for lodging as well as the numerous requests for travel services that we receive. Tammy's excellent rapport with guests and her personal attention to detail has enabled us to maintain a high level of service for all of our guests.

So, the next time you call our office don't be surprised if you find yourself talking to one of these two talented mountain movers!

2007-11-25T07:39:00.000-08:00

BEING GREEN and GETTING GOLD!

Moving Mountains has recycled and taken steps to reduce energy consumption for many years. This year under a new sustainable business program developed by the Steamboat Springs Chamber we have reviewed current practices and recommendations provided by a sustainable business coordinator and taken this to the next level. For our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint we are delighted to have received the top level Gold Award.

Steps include:

Single stream recycling at all of our rental properties for glass, cans, plastic containers, cardboard, paper and most paper packaging. We recycle about 50% of our current waste.
Lightbulb replacement program - all conventional bulbs are being replaced with compact fluroescent bulbs which last longer and use less energy.
Canvas shopping bags are now provided to all staff removing the need to use plastic bags.
Hot water tanks and pipes are now fully insulated.
Employees are trained extensively in sustainability practices including in the kitchen and in the chalets.
Employees volunteer for community causes like Yampatika.
Appliances: Energy Star rated appliances are utilized in most cases. Boot dryers are on a time switch so that they automatically turn off.
HVAC: Temperature in rooms are controlled by zones with programmable thermostats to reduce temperature when not in use.
The hot tub is set on economy when not in use and is covered, both which save energy and evaporation.
Regular property checks include closing open windows, turning off appliances not in use, checking for water leaks, advising guests to keep garage doors closed.
Print marketing materials use 100% post consumer recycled paper and office paper products also meet this standard.
Shampoo bottles and other similar products are refilled.
Garbage is kept inside so as not to attract wildlife.
Since water use is high in high end vacation rental units, we now use our Bobo the Bear story to encourage guests to save water, energy and recycle waste.
Leak monitoring and landscape irrigation are monitored by the staff.
Green Purchasing policies are now in place seeking out green cleaning products and other household supplies. So far this includes: kitchen towels, cleaning supplies, toilet paper and paper towels.
Moving Mountains picks up guests at the airport and shuttles them to wherever they wish to go using Suburbans, which reduces the need for individual cars for visitors, and subsequently carbon emissions. We are investigating biofuel or other clean renewable fuel options although there are limited options in our region at this time.
In our commercial kitchen; food is cooled down prior to refrigerating; equipment is cleaned and serviced regularly; air drying is used whenever possible; condiments are purchased in bulk when possible; reusable storage tubs are used for food; produce is purchased locally whenever possible; Styrofoam containers are avoided.
Recycle:
Recycled materials include cardboard, plastic, bottles, other packaging, almost everything except food scrap waste.

2007-11-19T21:16:00.001-08:00

Moving Mountains Featured in SKI Magazine

Our secret is out! The concept of the catered chalet, developed in Europe and enjoyed by thousands annually, is now freely available in the US and SKI Magazine highlighted this concept in the December 2007 issue, on the newsstands today.

We are delighted that the readers of SKI magazine will finally get to find out that there is an alternative to staying in a condo and working for your entire vacation. Our catered chalet package is a great solution if you are looking for a week-long vacation with time to actually enjoy who you are with.

Click here to read this great feature article

S'No Go (well, not yet...)!

2007-11-16T14:22:00.000-08:00

Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation announced today that it has rescheduled its 2007/2008 Scholarship/Opening Day to Friday, November 30, 2007 due to the recent period of warm weather. The ski area is trying to put a positive spin on the slow start to the winter, which is optimistic given that they cannot after all control the weather...

"Steamboat is headed into a La Nina winter, which as studies show, could mean heaps of Champagne Powder® snow throughout the season, but the warm weather patterns we've experienced lately have made snowmaking a challenge," said Andy Wirth, executive vice president of sales & marketing and chief marketing officer for Intrawest. "Snowmaking crews, which were busy making snow last night, are ready to take full advantage of colder temperatures and conditions; and, as we've seen in the past, everything can change in a matter of days."

When Mother Nature finally delivers a consignment of Champagne Powder we look forward to the debut of the new high-speed, six-passenger Christie Peak Express. Installation work has moved fast (probably in light of the easier summer-like working conditions) and the lift, which was not targeted to open until mid-December, will begin operations a full two weeks ahead of schedule. This is great news in light of the fact that the lift will now probably sit idle for the next two weeks while we wait for some snow.

In another bizarre twist of fate the Steamboat Ski Area has also announced that they will be replacing the 21 year old Gondola haul rope (that's the technical name for the wire that carries the gondola cars) in the next week or so. A replacement wire has been shipped from the manufacturers in Switzerland and will now be installed in time for the revised opening day if all goes according to plan.

Grading work at the base area still has many locals confused as to the final layout, but officials from the Steamboat Ski Corp. remain positive that it's nearly done and that opening will not be delayed due to construction issues.

So in case you are worried that we're not keeping busy, there's a lot going on in advance of what will no doubt be another great ski season.

Chalet Make-Over

2007-11-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

Big improvements will be ready for this winter!

With the winter season just around the corner our major fall re-model projects are heading towards completion. These will significantly enhance and update two of our most popular vacation rental properties:

MOVING MOUNTAINS CHALET
To those of you who have stayed here before you will notice big changes:

Exterior:
Repaired and replaced stucco. New stone and timber finishes. New main entry door with timber roof accents.

Lower Level:
Revised entry layout. Moved boot dryers and ski racks to garage. Created coat closet. Changed layout of rec. room. Set up movie room with 50" big screen TV and surround sound. Added fus-ball table (replaces table tennis table). Added PS-2 games system.

Main & Upper Level:
New alder wood trim throughout. New alder interior doors. New carpet, wood flooring and floor tile througout. New lighting fixtures.

Bathrooms: New tile in all bathrooms. New bathroom vanities and fixtures. Replacement of bath-tubs with walk-in showers in two bathrooms. Master bathroom rebuild with addition of a steam shower.

THUNDERHEAD CHALET
The first of a multi-phase improvement program is well underway.

Phase 1 includes: new hardwood flooring in the kitchen, dining and great room areas, new living room furniture, new dining table and chairs, new kitchen range, work surfaces replaced with solid granite countertops, new high thread-count linens and bedding upgrades.

On the horizon for next year: bathroom upgrades, new carpet, additional fixture and fittings upgrades.

Another big season on the horizon?

2007-10-20T19:59:00.000-07:00

From Steamboat Pilot & Today Newspaper 10/19 —

Wednesday night’s storm could signal the beginning of a good ski season in Steamboat Springs.

Joe Ramey, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Grand Junction, said Thursday that another storm is expected to dump more snow on the area this weekend. And although that snow will melt by early next week, Routt County residents should keep their shovels handy in the coming months.

Despite National Weather Service reports in September that predicted above-average temperatures and average precipitation for the Steamboat area through February, Ramey said Routt County could be in store for a winter similar to that of 2005-06.

“We are heading into a La Niña winter, which bodes well for Steamboat Springs. Our studies indicate that the area should get hit with lots of snow in December and early January like it did two years ago,” he said. “That’s what we’re hoping for.”

More than 400 inches of snow fell on the Steamboat Ski Area in the winter of 2005-06. It was the fourth snowiest winter on record for the ski area.

Winter could begin to settle in this weekend, Ramey said.

“The beginnings of the next system already is following on the storm’s heels,” Ramey said. “The clouds already are moving in.”

Ramey said a Pacific cold front should settle over the Yampa Valley on Saturday and drop temperatures into the low teens.

“This one packs a punch,” he said. “It looks like the first taste of winter.”

Whats New in Steamboat?

2007-10-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

The sale of Steamboat Ski Resort to Intrawest, a market leader in resort development, has sparked a wave of development and improvements.

$40M Mountain Improvements in next 3 years:
As we write, earth is being moved and concrete foundations poured for on-mountain additions that will include the Christie Peak Express, a high speed 6 passenger chairlift that will significantly improve uphill capacity and speed from the base of the mountain.

The new lift's lower terminal will be approximately where the lower Headwall terminal sits, with an angle station (unload capabilities only) just above the top of South Face, before continuing to the top of Christie Peak where Christie II currently unloads. Christie Peak Express will have a length of roughly 4,700 feet and a capacity to move 3,200 people per hour, which is 400 more per hour than the Gondola. The new express lift will cut the ride time to the summit of Christie Peak by more than two-thirds, from 15 to a swift 4.8 minutes.

In addition, five magic carpets (Tenderfoot, Colt, Filly, Tumbleweed and Sidewinder) located throughout the base area will be upgraded, realigned and lengthened. The new Preview lift, using the repositioned Southface lift, will be realigned to conform to the re-grading of the beginner terrain, extend further up Headwall and increase capacity from a double to a triple chairlift.

The resort has embarked on a comprehensive re-grade of the Headwall area. Currently under the plan, the Headwall amalgamation of multiple fall lines and cross traffic will be divided into three distinct and unique trails offering a grade of between 9% to 21%, with the majority falling in the 15-17% zone.

In association with the re-grade, the beginning trails of Main Drag and Boulevard, located off of Christie Peak, will be merged into one trail significantly improving the width (to 40 feet wide) while maintaining a constant 10% grade, considered ideal for beginner/novice skier/riders. A forty foot platform is wide enough to comfortably handle larger volumes anticipated from the new six-passenger lift, while giving novice skiers/riders the feeling of a mountain trail as opposed to a catwalk.

Snowmaking: Steamboat's snowmaking system will undergo more than $1 million in improvements as pipe throughout the base area is replaced extensively on Headwall, Main Drag/Boulevard as well as the resort's primary pipeline. Currently in use on Vogue, the new pipe, ultizing the latest in snowmaking technology, is lined with concrete and rated to last an average of 50 years, twice as long as existing pipe and able to handle pressure upwards of 700 pounds per square inch.

New low energy, high-efficiency snowmaking guns, which use 30 percent less energy than conventional guns while producing the same amount of snow, will be added to the resort's arsenal. The system covers 375 acres of top-to-bottom terrain (3,600 vertical feet) or a total of thirty-five trails.

10 Years of "Moving the Mountains.."

2007-10-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

We're pretty excited to be heading into our 10th winter season!

From life on a busy charter yacht in the British Virgin Islands we ran aground in the Rocky Mountains in 1998. Some thought that we had crossed to the "other side" and were now working on a "Steam Boat". Others knew better...

We are proud to have built up a collection of the finest vacation homes in Steamboat and with this we continue to expand the option of also enjoying our unique full-service catered chalet package as the perfect solution to your next family or group vacation. The Moving Mountains dynamic duo (Robin & Heather) grew into a team and they added a couple of kids & dogs for good measure. It's
been a busy 10 years!

For a quick trip down memory lane here are the highlights:

April 1997:
Robin & Heather decide late on a Thursday night to spend their next week off in Steamboat Springs on Saturday. They fly out on Saturday arriving in Steamboat during the first week of mud-season. The mountain is closed, the town is deserted, and they like what they see.

After a week of property tours they did not find what they were looking for but were convinced that Steamboat could be the place.

Sept 1997:
Another trip to Colorado and after a week they had still found nothing. On the last afternoon they stumble upon a home with six bedrooms and 8 bathrooms that seems perfect! They fly home to put a business plan together. Many late nights on the phone and at the computer follow.

Dec 1997:
With family investors onboard they fly to Steamboat to close the deal and set up the house. Everything for the house is purchased off the showroom floor and Moving Mountains Chalet is set up for rental in 3 weeks. Robin & Heather return to the islands to continue working on ESII.

Winter 1997/08:
Modest rental income trickles in as the Craigens begin marketing operations for the opening of their full-service catered chalet the following winter. The website is constructed and marketing materials sent out to past guests.

Summer 1998:
Robin & Heather sell everything including their beloved J24 sailboat "Jambo!" and move to Colorado amidst clouds of uncertainty. Neighbors of the Moving Mountains Chalet protest the application for a B&B permit and they are denied by Planning Commission.

Winter 1998/9:
The Craigens arrive in Steamboat Springs and slowly win public support for their concept. Eventually they gain approval despite strong opposition from some neighbors and begin operations at Thanksgiving. The first winter is a slow one as they work to get the word out about their new ski lodging. First big break comes in the Spring of '98 when the editor of SKI magazine comes to stay and loves the catered chalet idea. She announces that Moving Mountains Chalet will feature in the first issue of the next winter as an "Inn of the Month".

Summer 1999:
Robin & Heather are getting nervous after a summer with very low occupancy and a trickle of winter inquiries. The September issue of Ski Magazine hits the newsstands in August and suddenly they are swamped with inquiries. The review could not be better and the coming winter is suddenly selling like hot-cakes! Chocolate lab puppy "Lola" joins the MM Team.

Winter 1999/00:
The second winter season is a sell-out! Robin & Heather are joined in Colorado by first-mate, Kevin, and so begins the growth of the fledgling business. They survive the Millennium New Year and are kept very busy.

Summer 2000:
Steady B&B bookings keep rooms filled on summer weekends. Robin & Heather are offered the management of a second home in the same neighborhood. Mountain High Chalet is added to the inventory and first-mate Kev. gets to run his own operation. Robin & Heather move out of residence at Moving Mountains Chalet to live two doors away at the new "Staff House".

Winter 00/01:
First season with two homes is a modest success but the rave reviews keep telling us that we're doing the right thing regarding the catered lodging packages.

Winter 01/02:
Winter bookings look strong until 9/11 Terrorist attack when suddenly the whole world seems like a different place. The winter is a disaster for all in Steamboat and the business clings to life. Robin & Heather discover that their staff will grow by one in July 2002 with the arrival of a little girl.

Summer 2002:
Summer of babies and puppies. Five weeks before the arrival of their daughter, Lola gives birth to a healthy litter of 8 chocolate lab puppies. On July 18th a beautiful daughter, Maddie, arrives changing their lives forever. One puppy stays with the family and is named Ellie.

Winter 2002/03:
Two crews of staff care for our guests as we begin to hand over responsibility for day-to-day chalet operations to new staff members. Business is still shaky in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks but once again guest feedback and repeat bookings inspire us to keep going.

Winter 2003/04:
More chalets are added including Edelweiss Chalet, one of Steamboat's premier rental homes. Our focus on luxury home rentals appears to be paying off as more guests than ever try full-service packages.

Winter 2004/05:
Encouraged by repeated requests and strong market research the decision is made to also offer the full-service package in Big Sky, MT. A great collection of luxury rental homes is assembled and a new program is offered. Bookings do not materialize and the program is cancelled after one season. Robin & Heather decide to keep the focus closer to home in Steamboat.

Summer 2005:
Robin & Heather begin their most ambitious project yet - the construction of a custom designed duplex that will be added to their rental properties inventory in December 2006.

The day after they break ground Heather has a second child and they welcome their son, Sebastian, "Chili", into the world.

Winter 2005/06:
Will be remembered as the third biggest winter of the last 30 years, and one of the toughest construction winters in recent memory. After a long dry fall, and good early progress, activity on the construction project grings to a halt as the contractor battles the relentless snowfall. In February the foundation slab is poured and framing of the structure finally begins.

Summer 2006:
"The longest summer of our lives". Having terminated our contractor in March after a series of delays and errors Robin & Heather took on the role of General Contractor to finish construction of the Bear Chalets - two four bedroom chalets with combined square footage of over 9000 sq.ft.

Moving Mountains is offered the management of a spectacular new home called the See Me Lodge also under construction.

Robin & Heather move the office of Moving Mountains out of their home and into commercial space at the base of the mountain.

Winter 2006/07:
Bear Chalets are completed just in time for first guests in December 2006. The See Me Lodge was completed in Janaury 2007 and began accepting guests who gave it rave reviews.

Winter 2007/08:
Another busy winter is ahead of us. The prospects for Steamboat look great with the sale of the ski area to Intrawest, an industry leader in resort development.

Record $$ are committed to on mountain improvements including a new 6 passenger high-speed chairlift from the base area. Redevelopment of the entire base area will take place over the next five years bringing Steamboat to the forefront of US ski destinations. Moving Mountains appears well positioned to cater to the needs of the many new visitors that are expected in Steamboat in the coming years.

We look forward to seeing you here!

The Moving Mountains Blog

2007-10-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the blog from Moving Mountains in Steamboat Springs, CO.

I will try to keep you updated on the latest and greatest from Steamboat and also provide additional insight into our many lodging options available for you winter or summer vacation.

Robin