Moving Mountains Chalets in Steamboat

10 Essential items to pack for your Steamboat ski trip

2010-10-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

Moving Mountains will help you get packed. They recognize that one of the most daunting parts about going on vacation is making sure you don’t forget any crucial items.

Here's advice from Ski Town locals about what you’ll really need on (and off) the slopes.

When will the snow fly?

2010-09-29T05:33:00.000-07:00

In Steamboat Springs, Co they are already talking about when the snow will start to fly fall for what is already predicted to be a heavy snow winter due to the forecast of a La Nina winter.

Check the Moving Mountains Blog for the latest predictions.

Latest Posts to our new Blog

2009-05-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

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Catered Ski Chalets - new Economy Options in Steamboat
Check out our latest offerings to meet the challenges of the current economy

Rental Home vs. Condo

Why you would always chose to stay in a home...

Your 2009 Summer Vacation could look like this

How you could fill a week in Steamboat Springs

Luxury Vacation Home Rentals make more sense than a Destination Club

Why you don't need a $500,000 pay-to-play membership

The Blog is Moving!

2009-05-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

In addition to Moving the Mountains we are moving our blog!

The new address is: http://movingmountains.com/ski-chalet-blog/. If you are currently subscribed to this blog you will need to re-subscribe to the new blog by following the link below.

We will continue to update you with news and information regarding our vacation rental homes and catered chalets and events going on in Steamboat Springs.

New Website is live!

2009-04-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

Our new website is finally live and delivering a new state of the art representation of our beautiful vacation homes and catered chalets.

We are working on the final component for our new website which is a brief flash movie that highlights our Steamboat vacation homes and catered chalet packages.

Since 1998 when we started operations we have aimed to offer the very best lodging and hospitality services. We now represent over 20 of the finest homes in Steamboat Springs and an unparalleled range of services including private chefs and concierge service for activities, lift tickets and ski school.

Moving Mountains is recognized as a leading provider of ski lodging for families, groups and corporate retreats in Steamboat Springs. We have been written up in Forbes Magazine, SKI Magazine, USA Today, Travel and Leisure Online, The Denver Post, Washington Post and the New York Times.

Old Man Winter Checks Into Steamboat For The Week

2009-03-31T15:01:00.000-07:00

Powder hounds are in disarray. Over four feet of snow in one week and it is not January!! Some might have even left town thinking that the fun was over. We have guests staying in our catered chalets and vacation rental homes that are grinning from ear to ear. Yes folks - tomorrow is April 1st - but this is no joke!

With more than 30 feet of snow this winter, Steamboat has reached another snow milestone, recording a four-wire winter, when the snow stacks up past the fourth row of fence wires. Yampa Valley ranchers have traditionally measured the severity of a Routt County winter by how high the snow stacks up against their four fence wires.

The resort is currently in a storm cycle that has yielded 15 inches at mid-mountain and 16 inches at the summit overnight; and, over 48 inches in the past week. And it is STILL SNOWING!

Since Opening Day, November 26th, the resort has recorded snowfall 76 days out of 126 with 46 of those days seeing 4-or-more inches. Steamboat is reporting a 76-inch base at mid-mountain and 101-inch base at the summit on powder conditions.

Issued by The National Weather Service
Grand Junction, CO
12:29 pm MDT, Tue., Mar. 31, 2009

... WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW... WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT WEDNESDAY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

WIDESPREAD SNOW CONTINUES TODAY WITH PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOWFALL EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND OVERNIGHT. EXPECT SNOW TO CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON WEDNESDAY BRINGING TOTAL STORM ACCUMULATIONS RANGING FROM 8 TO 16 INCHES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Our Favorite Recipes...

2009-03-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

From Chef Anthony Kresge

Back in November when I was writing our “Go Gourmet” menus with the weather turning Aspens from green to yellow, the seasons change inspired me to add a cut of beef called Hanger Steak.

Ten years ago, I remember working for a chef in Monterey that served this remarkable cut of beef, and the customers loved it. I had even mentioned it to one of our chalet guests who owned and operated a grocery full of meats in Missouri, and he’d never heard of it.

Hanger Steak resembles flank steak and is a vaguely V-shaped pair of muscles with a long, inedible membrane down the middle(this will need to be cut out or have a butcher do it for you). There is only one hanger steak per animal, and the entire cut typically weighs about 1 to 1.5 lbs. Due to its location near the kidneys, the hanger steak can carry a bit of gameness, however when prepared and cooked properly this is just a hint.

The Hanger Steak is not particularly tender, but has a lot of flavor. It is best marinated for at least 24 hours to ensure rich deep flavors and tenderness.. I find the best cooking technique is to grill or skillet roast on high heat. The goal is to keep the moisture in the muscle by charring the outside and leaving the middle a ruby like color you will find if properly marinated. Another suggestion is to char it quickly and oven roast in the marinating juices for 7-10 minutes in a preheated 325 F oven.

Your friends and family will love this in any season, and sooner than later; you’ll be explaining just how special this cut of beef is. Hardly anyone will know the history of the Hanger Steak; once known as the Bistro Steak in European restaurants. For our guests in the Rocky Mountains who are very particular about their beef, the Hanger Steak is in a class all of its own.

Grilled Hanger Steak over Parmesiano Rissoto
with Pan-seared Butter-nut squash, crispy Onion Rings
and fresh Watercress

Prep Time- 25 minutes/24 hrs, Cook Time- 45 minutes.
Servings 4

Ingredients
Hanger Steak- 1.5 pounds trimmed (you can ask your butcher to do this for you)
Butternut Squash-2 cups
Short Grained Risotto Rice (Arborio Rice is a good example) - 2 cups
Chicken Stock/Broth- 4 cups
Onions/both thinly sliced and diced- 2 whole
All Purpose Flour- ¼ cup
Corn Meal- ¼ cup
Dry White Wine- ½ cup
Red Wine-4 cups for marinating
Garlic-3 whole cloves for marinating
Fresh Rosemary- 2 whole sprigs for marinating
Thyme-2 tbsp
Basil-1/4 cup fresh chopped
Parmigiano Reggiano Parmesan Cheese-1/2 cup grated
Butter- ½ cup cubed at room temp
Watercress- 1 bunch
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) - ½ cup
Kosher Salt and fresh ground Pepper to taste

Preparation:
1 day before - quarter the Hanger Steak so that each portion is equal between 4 people.

Marinate in large Zip-lock bag with Red Wine, Garlic Cloves, Rosemary sprigs, a pinch of Salt and Pepper in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

The day of serving- Preheat the grill to 425 degrees.

Slice Onions thin and toss into Flour and Cornmeal, Salt and Pepper.

Prepare 2 cups of Oil in skillet to reach 325 F and place Onions into skillet with lid until light golden brown. Place on paper towel and cover.

Cut Squash into little cubes and saute with EVOO, Salt and Pepper on med-low heat on the stove top.

Meanwhile, start the Risotto process. The Risotto is almost the most important part, so be sure not to leave it for anything else.

Risotto:
In a heavy bottomed pot, heat 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil and 2 tablespoons of Butter over medium heat. Add the Onion and cook until softened and translucent, 8 to 10 minutes.

Add the Rice and stir with a wooden spoon until the rice is well-coated and opaque, 3 to 4 minutes.

Add the Wine to the Rice and then add a 4oz - 6 oz ladle of simmering Broth and cook. Continue adding Broth after it becomes absorbed into the Rice. After 20 minutes, check the Rice to make sure its done, but still a little firm to the bite.

Turn off the heat and add room temp butter and Parmesan Cheese. Stir until mixed thoroughly and cover with lid.

At this time, your squash should almost be done, so turn to the lowest setting on your stove, add fresh thyme and basil, season to taste and cover.

Hanger Steak:
The Hanger Steak will only take about 5-7 minutes, which is perfect for the Risotto to become soft and creamy while resting with the lid over the stove.

Place Hanger Steak on the hottest part of the grill, and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. Its okay if the outside looks a bit dark and charred, the inside will be med-rare and delicious. You want to cook this meat on high heat.

When your Hanger Steak looks done or near to; cover and let rest while you prepare the plates with the Rice and Squash, slice each piece against the grain, and place over Rice and Butternut Squash.

Serving:
Put a small amount of Watercress on each plate, add golden brown onion rings and drizzle with EVOO with any left over juices from the steak. Offer your guests fresh Black Pepper however; the Watercress does carry this flavor naturally.

"Bon Appetito"

Winter kicks back in...

2009-03-09T22:15:00.000-07:00

...Powder Hounds are happy :-)

Issued by The National Weather Service

Grand Junction, CO
9:35 pm MDT, Mon., Mar. 9, 2009

... WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT TUESDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT TUESDAY.

SNOW WILL DEVELOP OVERNIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY BEFORE GRADUALLY TAPERING OFF EARLY TUESDAY EVENING. SNOWFALL WILL BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES BRINGING ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES BY LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

IN ADDITION TO THE HEAVY SNOW... SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 35 MPH WILL PRODUCE WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES... AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

Sunny Carnival Departs / Next Storm Arrives

2009-02-09T12:18:00.000-08:00

The sunny 9th annual Winter Carnival weekend in Steamboat is already a fading memory as a "1 - 3 inch forecast" ushers in another Winter Storm.

Nature's break in the weather was perfect timing for a four day plethora of eccentric winter sporting events and festivities. Nordic and Alpine skiing events interspersed with a definite Western theme included ski racers heading down a snow-packed Lincoln Avenue behind horses at full gallop. Howelson Hill hosted the Gelandesprung jumping contest, nordic races and a parent-child downhill race. Mt Werner hosted the soda-pop slalom where many of the towns young skiers get their first taste of timed competition.

There's no doubt that if you are in town for this unique weekend of fun that you will see more than a little of the town's famous character and community spirit. The grand event of the weekend is the night-time fireworks extravaganza. Firey hoop jumpers, Dads with rocket laden sleds, and skiing displays from every section of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club are capped off by two appearances from Steamboat's famous Lighted Man firing roman candles from his backpack as he skis down the face of Howelson Hill. A fireworks display fit for the 4th of July capped off the evening and sent us home with a smile.

Another Steamboat tradition - the "1 - 3 inch forecast" delivered another winter storm this morning. Over 14" has fallen in the last 24 hours and tomorrow looks like another big powder day in Steamboat. Woohoo!!

Issued by The National Weather Service
Grand Junction, CO
10:35 am MST, Mon., Feb. 9, 2009

... WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MST TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW... WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MST TUESDAY.

STEADY BUT ACCUMULATING SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON. THERE WILL BE BREAK IN THE SNOWFALL MID AFTERNOON... BUT ADDITIONAL SNOW SHOWERS CAN BE EXPECTED THIS EVENING. EXPECTED SNOWFALL THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT WILL RANGE FROM 3 TO 6 INCHES... BRINGING THE EXPECTED SNOW ACCUMULATION TO 10 TO 14 INCHES.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Double Whammy!

2009-01-28T15:56:00.001-08:00

Once again we have to re-arrange our lives around the weather. This time we should have known it was going to hammer us - the weatherman was only calling for snow showers and 3 - 5 inches of possible accumulation. The drive to work was a white-out and it did not stop all day.

Tonight we had to dig our cars out just to get home. All over town tonight employers are giving notice that a powder clause will be in effect tomorrow.

Powder hounds at the ready...(did we say "EPIC!" - I think so)

Issued by The National Weather Service
Grand Junction, CO
2:38 pm MST, Wed., Jan. 28, 2009

... WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW... WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THURSDAY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

SNOW WILL CONTINUE... WITH PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW INTO THURSDAY. TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS BY THURSDAY EVENING WILL RANGE FROM 10 TO 20 INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Sitting in the Storm Track

2009-01-26T16:50:00.000-08:00

With yet another Winter Storm Warning in effect Natures Wonder continues to aim steadily for Steamboat this Winter. Now that we have passed the 200" mark (currently 228") the question is "How quickly can we make it to 300"?".

11" of powder fell in the last 48 hours and 10" - 20" are forecast tonight. We are just salivating at the prospect of another big powdery week in Steamboat. The mountain is not busy at this time of year which is just an added bonus for those that pick January as the time to be here.

Issued by The National Weather Service
Grand Junction, CO
.. WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MST TUESDAY...

PERIODS OF SNOW... HEAVY AT TIMES... WILL CONTINUE TONIGHT. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO 20 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BY TUESDAY MORNING.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... SLEET... AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

CAIC FORECAST:
There is a large low-pressure trough stretching northeast from Nevada. The trough keeps Colorado under moist southwesterly flow until it pulls east on Tuesday morning. There is a fast jet over southern and central Colorado, meaning strong, gusty winds through tonight. A cold front is edging southwards. Temperatures are inching downwards and will be on the cool side of seasonal tomorrow. Snowfall will increase this afternoon and evening as a moist air mass, the cold front, and jet collide. Snowfall intensity will decrease after midnight and taper off by mid-day Tuesday. Not to worry, because the next system of shortwaves on northwesterly flow will stack up on Wednesday. Snow will start in the Steamboat zone before dawn on Wednesday and spread south to the rest of the Northern and Central mountains by mid-day. It looks like the storms will stay north of the San Juans.

Cowboys take on the Mountain

2009-01-21T07:15:00.000-08:00

2009 is off to a flying start. With over 5 feet of snow and three weeks of country music acts playing at the Steamboat Music Fest Tent, capped off with the legendary Charlie Daniels on Monday night, it was only fitting that we should continue the Western party theme with the wildest event of all - the Cowboy Downhill.

70 Cowboys participating in the National Western Stock Show traveled to Steamboat to take part in a crazy day of events on the mountain. The first race required a range of skills as they negotiated a slalom course, lassoed a Steamboat Ambassador and showed off their horsemanship skills by saddling a horse before crossing the line. The main event is the infamous mass-start Cowboy Downhill which takes a straight-line course down Headwall over two huge drops. Needless to say, with many of the participants taking their first turns on skis, few reach the finish without a tumble and several crossed the line without one or both skis.

With much laughter and a few beers the event is a true celebration of Western Spirit. There is less emphasis on who crossed the line first and more on getting cheer and a laugh from the crowd of bemused spectators. This 35 year old tradition lives on and celebrates Steamboat's ranching heritage and status as a World Class ski destination all in one day.

Yee- haa!

Forbes Magazine gives Moving Mountains the nod

2009-01-15T05:53:00.000-08:00

The December Edition of Forbes magazine included a story highlighting the Billion dollar transformation of Steamboat Springs from down-home ski town to International ski destination since the resort was taken over by Intrawest in 2007.

The concluding paragraph highlighted Moving Mountains Chalets as the best lodging option available in Steamboat:

"A better idea is Moving Mountains Chalets, which offers the classic European-style catered chalet experience at a handful of private luxury ski homes."

CLICK HERE to read the whole story.

Our Favorite Recipes..

2009-01-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

Mango Spiced Prawn Cakes with Tomato-Basil Salsa
Serves 16

A delicious and easy appetizer to add pizazz to your next dinner party. This was created by our Executive Chef, Anthony Kresge, and was the winning entry in a an Hors d'oeuvres competition during his Master Certification at the Advanced Culinary Institute of Italy.

Ingredients
1 lb of de-stemmed, tail off prawns
3 tablespoon of mango spiced chutney
¼ cup of finely diced red bell peppers
¼ cup of finely diced corn kernels
2 tablespoons of finely diced shallots
1 tablespoon of grated ginger
¼ cup or a pinch more if needed of panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon of orange zest
1 egg
Pinch of Salt, chili powder and black pepper

Procedure
Rinse and De-stem(if needed) raw shrimp, set aside.

In separate bowl mix mango chutney, corn, diced bell peppers, fresh ginger, shallots, chili powder, orange zest, bread crumbs, egg, salt and pepper.

Take one third of the mixture and combine with shrimp in Cuisinart. Pulse Chop until blended...DO NOT BLEND TOO MUCH OR YOU WILL HAVE PASTE. IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE A FINE MINCE.

Return blended shrimp back into the bowl with other ingredients.

Mix well and form into 1 oz balls to be flattened.

Let stand in refridgerator for about an hour to set. Overnight would be ideal. Meanwhile. Mix into Cuisinart Tomatoes, Basil, Salt and Pepper.

Pulse lightly until it looks like a fine mince. Place into mesh strainer and let juices sit over bowl to strain for about 30 minutes.

When Finished, drizzle in Extra Virgin Olive Oil and finely chopped Chives.

For the Aioli:
Take Lemon juice and stir into 1.5 cups of mayo. Crack fresh ground pepper and season to taste.

When Shrimp are set:
Heat up skillet to 320 or flattop with 1tbl spoon of Olive Oil. Place molds into pan and reduce heat to medium. Cook evenly on both sides until golden brown.

To Serve:
Place Crispy Mango Cake on plate or platter.
Top off with Tomato-Basil Salsa and lighty drizzle a ribbon of Aioli over the salsa. You can take extra basil leaves and slice length wise to make a ribbon for garnish.

An Epic WInter in the making?

2009-01-08T02:43:00.000-08:00

ep⋅ic [ep-ik] –adjective
1. heroic; majestic; impressively great: an epic winter
2. of unusually great size or extent

Latest reports indicate over 4 feet of ultra-light Champagne Powder snow in the past five days at the summit of the Steamboat Ski Area. With 100 inches in December and all the new snow this past week, Steamboat hit the 175-inch (14.58 feet) snow milestone for the season today.

Once again Steamboat dominates the snow stats with the largest mid-mountain base of the major Colorado destination resorts, and a summit base that’s topping out at 70 inches. So far 2008-09 is on track for legendary status. We use another word for this kind of winter - EPIC!

Since the resort opened on November 26th, snow has fallen 30 out of 43 days (69.7%) with 20 of those days recording four or more inches. So far this season the resort is just inches behind its record setting 2007/2008 snow season pace, when 489 inches blanketed the resort. Current forecasts call for additional snow throughout the upcoming weekend.

A "product testing" session yesterday revealed that the snow reports are indeed true. Our observations are as follows:

- There is a lot of fresh snow up there.
- "Bottomless" is not a hypothetical concept.
- 30 year old evergreens weighed down with powder really do look like they have been dipped in white chocolate.
- Lift operators looking for their equipment are advised to start digging.
- Those snow-tires were a good investment.
- There is a reason that Steamboat visitors and locals look tired but seem happy.

So, in light of this ask yourself seriously...

"Do I want to experience an Epic Winter or just read about it afterwards?"

Winter Storm Hits Steamboat

2009-01-06T13:22:00.000-08:00

Powder hounds are drooling as the mountains are being slathered in another layer of whispy light Champagne Powder. We will test the product for you tomorrow and report back on natures latest wonder (well someone has to...).

Travel is difficult today but no-one is complaining based on what they will see when they get here!

From The National Weather Service Grand Junction, CO 12:15 pm MST, Tue., Jan. 6, 2009 A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST WEDNESDAY. PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CONTINUE OVER THE AREA THROUGH WEDNESDAY. STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 14 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BY LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES... AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING. More Information ... WINTER STORM WILL CONTINUE OVER THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS THROUGH WEDNESDAY... .ANOTHER PACIFIC STORM WILL MOVE ACROSS WESTERN COLORADO TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. DEEP PACIFIC MOISTURE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SYSTEM WILL ALLOW WIDESPREAD SNOW TO INTENSIFY OVER THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MOUNTAINS. GUSTY WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL ALSO DEVELOP OVER THE REGION... RESULTING IN AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW OVER THE HIGHER MOUNTAIN PASSES. EXPECT HAZARDOUS WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS IN THE MOUNTAINS THROUGH WEDNESDAY. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THIS WINTER STORM...

Moving Mountains on TV-18

2008-12-30T10:08:00.001-08:00

Christmas Eve entertainment in Steamboat included a live interview with Robin & Heather Craigen, founders of Moving Mountains, and a live cooking demo by Executive Chef, Anthony Kresge.

Santa's Powder Clause - Ho Ho Ho!

2008-12-24T04:53:00.000-08:00

Santa delivered some of his presents early this year when a 24 inch supply of Champagne Powder layered the Steamboat ski mountain in the last 24 hrs.

The early morning snow report which touted 16 inches at mid mountain triggered a "powder clause" for many lucky Steamboat residents and they swarmed to the mountain for early morning freshies. The powder clause is the ultimate employee bonus - unofficially it reads ".....if there are 6 inches of fresh snow on the mountain you can start work three hours late...".

A powder day in the 'boat is an experience to be savored. As the lifts rolled into action at 8:30 am whoops echoed all around and the first chair riders took a hail of snowballs from the onlooking crowds. The anticipation of the first run is fueled by the sight of the first skiers and riders tunneling through a sea of powder below you with only shoulders and heads visible. The trail of cold smoke as they passed gave the impression that they were under turbo-charged power as they barreled down the mountain.

The conversation begins. Where to go for the best first tracks? Head for 4-Points and catch a fresh line down Twister or go straight to Storm Peak or Sundown Express early and wait till they open up at 9:00 am for an early top to bottom powder-fest? Everyone has their own strategy and on a day like yesterday all strategies are the best ones if you are there early.

A three hour reprieve from work doesn't sound like long enough on an epic day. Truly it could never be long enough - ever. You just can't get enough of it. Except that after 2 hours of floating and ripping through tree glades and open runs, barely touching the bottom as you float on a cushion of snow and air, your legs start to tell you that it's time to go home.

With a smile on your face you rip the last fresh line of the morning and head for work ready for anything. The powder clause made everything worthwhile - early starts, long days, digging out your car and shoveling your decks.

The only thing you have to remember as you come off the mountain is to temper your enthusiasm for the not so fortunate (non-powder claused ) friends. They will not want to hear how you cried out for a snorkel as face shots choked you in Shadows. Don't tell them that the powder was so light that it rippled out in front of you as you cruised down Buddy's Run. Try to hold yourself back from recounting the experience of floating and bouncing through the trees in total silence punctuated only by the occasional whoop from a fellow rider.

If you can't hold yourself back - that's OK. As you will find out if you turn up late for a powder day rendezvous and find that your ski buddies left already, there are no friends on a powder day.

MORE COMING:
A winter storm watch is expected to be in effect beginning at 6 a.m. Christmas Day through the end of the day Friday, A storm system will begin moving into the area from the southwest tonight, but the Flat Tops probably will protect Steamboat Springs and the surrounding areas from anything but flurries until Christmas night. Once the snow picks up, the slopes at the Steamboat Ski Area and higher elevations expect 1 to 2 feet of snow

The Steamboat Ski Area is reporting a 52-inch base at mid-mountain and season-to-date snowfall of 125 inches.

Steamboat Winter Weather Alert!

2008-12-19T12:32:00.000-08:00

Issued by The National Weather Service
Grand Junction, CO
12:55 pm MST, Fri., Dec. 19, 2008

... WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM MST SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM MST SATURDAY.

SNOW WILL DEVELOP BY EARLY THIS EVENING. IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW... SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH WILL PRODUCE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. WINDS WILL SWITCH AROUND TO WESTERLY LATE THIS EVENING AND DIMINISH. HOWEVER GUSTS TO 30 MPH WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY. BY LATE SATURDAY EVENING... 5 TO 9 INCHES OF NEW SNOW IS EXPECTED WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW... SLEET... OR FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES... AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

More Information

... NEXT ROUND OF WINTRY WEATHER ALONG WITH VERY COLD TEMPERATURES TO IMPACT NORTHWEST COLORADO...

.THE NEXT WINTER STORM WILL BRING SNOW... WIND... AND MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES BEGINNING THIS EVENING. SNOW WILL INCREASE OVER THE NORTHWESTERN COLORADO MOUNTAINS THIS EVENING AND PERSIST THROUGH SATURDAY. ONE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE THAT THIS STORM BRINGS THAT THE PREVIOUS STORMS DID NOT... VERY COLD TEMPERATURES. TEMPERATURES WILL PLUMMET THIS EVENING AND DAYTIME TEMPERATURES ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON WILL RANGE FROM 5 BELOW ZERO TO 5 ABOVE ZERO ON MOUNTAIN RIDGES AND EXPOSED AREAS ABOVE 10000 FEET. COMBINED WITH FREQUENT WIND GUSTS TO 30 MPH... THE WIND CHILL WILL RANGE FROM 20 BELOW TO 35 BELOW ZERO.

SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL OCCUR WITH AMOUNTS RANGING FROM 8 TO 14 INCHES ON WEST FACING MOUNTAIN SLOPES ABOVE 9000 FEET... WITH 10 TO 19 INCHES IN THE FLATTOPS RANGE. AT TIMES... BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL CAUSE WHITEOUT CONDITIONS. PEOPLE TRAVELING OR WINTER RECREATIONISTS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR FRIGID AND HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER FROM FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING.

5 Feet of Powder in Steamboat Extends Open Terrain to Almost 100%

2008-12-17T10:51:00.000-08:00

From Steamboat Ski Corp:

Steamboat Records Snow 12 Out Of First 17 Days In December
2,863 Acres, 154 Trails & 12 Lifts Offering Terrain For All Ability Levels By Weekend

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO-December 17, 2008-With more than 5 feet of Champagne Powder snow since Opening Day, November 26th, Steamboat will provide the ideal holiday gift for powderhounds as it inches closer to opening 100 percent of its available terrain.

“December has come in like a lion and Steamboat continues to enjoy the bounty of being in a very snowy weather pattern, which shows no signs of stopping anytime soon,” said Chris Diamond, president and chief operating officer for the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “Champagne Powder snow is always the number one item on the Steamboat powderhound’s holiday wish list and both Mother Nature and Kris Kringle are delivering it in abundance this month.”

Since November 26th, Steamboat has received more than 5 feet of Champagne Powder snow at mid-mountain and is currently reporting a 36-inch mid-mountain base and 40-inch summit base. During December alone, snow has fallen 12 out of the 17 days with 8 of those days recording 4 inches or more of new snow.

By Saturday, December 20th, Steamboat expects to offer 2,863 acres of deliciously deep terrain (nearly 96% of available terrain), 12 lifts, 154 trails and 3,668 vertical feet of skiing and riding on powder/pack powder conditions. In addition, several trails will open before Saturday including lower Vagabond, Moonlight and the NASTAR Race area.

Morningside Park, the popular children’s area, Rough Rider Basin, and the gladed terrain of Pioneer Ridge will highlight some of the new terrain expected to open this weekend. Morningside chairlift will also usher in the 2008/09 season on Saturday; with Pony Express swinging into action a week later. The upper reaches of Pioneer Ridge will be accessible on a hike-to basis until the lift’s scheduled opening date. The resort will open the Rabbit Ears Terrain Park on Saturday and expects to have the Maverick’s Superpipe and Terrain Park available between Christmas Day and December 27th if current snowmaking conditions persist.

The National Weather Service is forecasting snow to continue through the week with several Pacific storms rolling through the region Wednesday through Monday, bringing continued snowfall across the mountain. The highest chance of snow will be Thursday, then again Saturday through Sunday.

Over the past three years, nearly $30 million has been invested in on-mountain enhancements that will greet Steamboat guests. Getting to Steamboat has never been easier. The resort’s nonstop flight program offers unprecedented access to Ski Town, U.S.A.® via nonstop air service on American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Northwest and United from nine major U.S. cities, in addition to one-stop connecting service from more than 200 other domestic and international cities.

"We're Gonna Get Buried!"...

2008-12-13T19:37:00.000-08:00

At this time of year we pay more attention than ever to the weather forecast. The perfect alignment of several reliable sources suggest something ominous is about to occur...

CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center)

"Storm systems are going to race across the state until maybe next weekend. Here's the shorter term look.
Currently a 90 to 100 knot jet has nosed over the San Juans where it has been fairly windy today. A bit of a dry slot moved over during the Saturday morning hours, but satellite images show things filling in nicely. Near sunset Saturday we are looking at blizzard conditions favoring the San Juan, West Elks & Elks, Vail Pass to Beaver Creek area (not quite as much for Summit County), plus the Steamboat and Grand Mesa zones.
Onset of snowfall looks to be very rapid and powerful from around 4-7 tonight in favored areas. The jet stream will shift from a westerly flow to a stronger southwest flow, in the 150 knot range for Saturday night. Very strong winds are anticipated Saturday night across the state. With the progressive nature of the pattern look for some drying to begin in the San Juan mid-day Sunday, and this spreading north by mid-to-late-afternoon across the central and northern zones.
It's going to get cold too. Look for high temperatures Sunday to come early in the morning. The jet sags a little ways into NM Sunday and this will help us see an easing in windspeeds, at least temporarily. Next system is progged to move in Monday evening & exit Tuesday mid-day. Another on Wednesday, & another for next weekend."

Forecast: Sat Night 19" - 21", Sun 5" - 7"

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Issued by The National Weather Service
Grand Junction, CO
3:27 pm MST, Sat., Dec. 13, 2008

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST SUNDAY.

PERIODS OF SNOW... HEAVY AT TIMES... WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY. TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS WILL VARY FROM 6 TO 12 INCHES NEAR CRAIG... TO OVER A FOOT NEAR STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND OAK CREEK. IN ADDITION TO THE HEAVY SNOW... SOUTHWEST WINDS FROM 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH WILL CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. THE WINDS WILL SWITCH AROUND TO THE NORTHWEST THIS EVENING... AND DECREASE AFTER MIDNIGHT.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

More Information

... MAJOR WINTER STORM IMPACTS THE REGION THROUGH SUNDAY... ... ANOTHER STORM MOVES IN MONDAY AFTERNOON...

.A STRONG AND COLD PACIFIC STORM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN TONIGHT AND INTO WESTERN COLORADO. VERY MOIST AND COLD CONDITIONS WILL SPREAD ACROSS WESTERN COLORADO... WITH WIDESPREAD SNOW EXPECTED OVER THE REGION. IN ADDITION... STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS OUT AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT WILL CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW... ESPECIALLY OVER THE HIGHER MOUNTAIN PASSES.

ANOTHER STRONG PACIFIC STORM MOVES INTO THE REGION MONDAY AFTERNOON... BRINGING ANOTHER ROUND OF HEAVY SNOW... WITH THE SOUTHERN MOUNTAINS OF WESTERN COLORADO AND EASTERN UTAH FAVORED.

MOUNTAIN TRAVEL WILL BECOME DANGEROUS OR IMPOSSIBLE STARTING THIS AFTERNOON.

WINTER STORM WATCH

2008-12-12T04:54:00.000-08:00

Issued by The National Weather Service
Grand Junction, CO
3:46 am MST, Fri., Dec. 12, 2008

...IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

A STRONG PACIFIC STORM SYSTEM WILL APPROACH WESTERN COLORADO ON SATURDAY AND MOVE OVER THE AREA THROUGH SUNDAY. AS THE ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT APPROACHES SATURDAY AFTERNOON... SNOWFALL WILL SPREAD INTO THE VALLEYS OF NORTHWEST COLORADO. THE FRONT WILL BRING AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW LATE SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT REDUCING VISIBILITIES. SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY WITH 6 TO 12 INCHES POSSIBLE IN THE CRAIG AREA... AND OVER A FOOT POSSIBLE IN CLARK... STEAMBOAT SPRINGS... AND OAK CREEK BY EARLY SUNDAY EVENING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW... SLEET... OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

Latest Conditions in Steamboat....

2008-12-11T09:06:00.000-08:00

Tuesday only netted 3.5" but more snow is forecast in the days ahead so in the meantime we are enjoying a little winter sunshine before the next round of winter arrives.

Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) Reports the following:
"Colorado is under northwest flow today. There is limited moisture in the flow, just enough for some clouds and light, scattered snow the high mountain ranges. Cloud cover will thicken overnight ahead of a little shortwave. By mid-day Friday skies will be mostly cloudy, with light snow spreading to most mountain locations by Friday evening. The shortwave is a gentle lead-in to the weekend’s fury. Saturday is the start of an interesting and intense change in the weather pattern. As of now, the models have a closed low developing over northern British Columbia. The low spends the next week working south along the Pacific coast. That puts Colorado under west and southwest flow with a wave after wave of strong storms."

Expanded openings on tap for today

2008-12-06T15:56:00.000-08:00

From the Steamboat Today Newspaper

New terrain, deep snow greet skiers and riders Friday

Steamboat Springs — Almost one-third of the Steamboat Ski Area will be open to skiers and riders by the time the gondola begins ferrying passengers to Thunderhead this morning.

Ski area officials announced Friday additional terrain openings that will bring the skiable acreage to 972. Storm Peak Express will be among the five chairlifts servicing 67 trails, including many of the runs off Sunshine Peak.

The list of trails:

# Green: Arc, Big Foot, Boulevard, Duster, Feather, Flat Out, Giggle Gulch, Main Drag, Park Lane, Preview, Short Cut, So What, Stampede, Right-O-Way, Yoo Hoo and Why Not

# Blue: Blizzard, Buddy's Run, Calf Roper, Chisolm Trail, Dusk, Eagles Nest, Ego, Heavenly Daze, High Noon, Highline, Jess' Cut Off, Lightning, Meadow Lane, One O?Clock, Rainbow, Rudi's Run, Sitz, Skyline, Tower, Tornado Lane, Traverse, Vagabond and Vogue

# Blue/Black: Norther, Sunset, Surprise, Two O?Clock

# Black: Burgess Creek Lift Line, Closet, Cyclone, Dawn, Hurricane, Kuus' Cruise, Nelson?s Run, Oops, See Ya, Shadows, Storm Peak Catwalk, Storm Peak North, Storm Peak South, Sundown Lift Line, Three O'Clock, Tornado, Triangle 3, Twilight, Twister, Typhoon, Vertigo and White Out

# Terrain Parks: Lil' Rodeo

# Chairlifts: Burgess Creek, Christie Express, Gondola, Preview, Storm Peak Express

The ski area opened last week, but there was no doubt Friday represented the first real day of the 2008-09 season for many local skiers and riders.

The ski area opened the gondola, as well as 27 additional trails Friday. The resort reported 11 inches of new snow Friday morning, but on some of the previously unopened terrain, the powder was significantly deeper.

"It was great. We had a blast up there today. I actually got stuck up there a couple of times," said Toscha Velasquez, who joined coworkers on the slopes before heading into work at about 11 a.m. "I didn't expect it to be that good. I think everybody's pretty thrilled that it's better than they expected."

Long lines greeted skiers and snowboarders at the Burgess Creek chairlift, which also opened for the first time Friday and was the only lift open outside the base area. Between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., the wait at the three-pack lift was about 20 minutes.

Shortly after 10 a.m., the top of Heavenly Daze looked like the starting line at the annual Cowboy Downhill, as anxious skiers and riders lined up for a mass stampede as resort employees dropped the ropes on the popular trail. Snowmaking and grooming requirements delayed the trail's opening until later in the morning.

Skiers and riders may want to wake up early this morning to take advantage of the conditions. The National Weather Service forecasts partly sunny skies through the weekend, with a chance of snow returning to the area Monday. High temperatures during the weekend will be in the mid-30s.

Surf to Snow....the 20 year cycle

2008-11-28T10:29:00.000-08:00

It was 1990; I was an avid surfer chomping at the bit every time the swell came up, However, depending on the conditions, uprising swell meant also snow fall in the mountains where I could ride in Tahoe on white walls of frozen water on my snowboard. It was always a tough choice!

As I was graduating from my culinary program in California I was offered an opportunity to move to Hawaii. This decision was easy – why the heck not! I packed my bags, surfboards, shorts and sun lotion and headed west to Maui with few regrets about the dust soon to be gathering on my winter gear. It was a great decision, being on the water riding a fast moving wall of water or sticking my feet in the sand watching perfect waves curl over a reef will be forever part of my soul. But life is a journey and the story did not end there.

I made the break from Hawaii to continue my culinary journey in Italy this past year to finish my graduate certification in Advanced Culinary and Pastry. The spell of the waves was not broken (I can still go back to play!) but along the way life presented a new opportunity to come to the mountains of Steamboat. Confronted with a fork in the road that 20 years ago would have otherwise just as easily taken me to the life of a ski bum I decided to cross over to the other side captivated by the lure of the legendary powder in this corner of the Rockies.

Today as I sit here at the beginning of a winter season that will span the next 5 months I am contemplating a new kind of surf session. This time I'll be riding a frozen wave of powder that is as mouthwatering as the perfect barrels of Maui. My passion for the perfect ride lives on in a new dimension.

My passion for food lives on with me in this new dimension. I am just taking it to another level and I hope to share the moment with you.

"Pura Vida"

Anthony Kresge
Executive Chef
Moving Mountains Catering Company

Sneak Peak : New Website

2008-10-31T13:48:00.000-07:00

Long overdue and much anticipated is the launch of our new website which will happen sometime in late November. Familiar visitors to our website will probably liken this experience to time when your local supermarket decides to rearrange the store layout, but we hope that the new features will overcome any early frustrations.

Features will include:

New improved navigational architecture
Larger format photo galleries
Properties will be searchable by type, availability and amenities
improved layout of quote request form
weather and ski conditions report
live blog feed
Read and post reviews

We look forward to your feedback!

Moving to Steamboat

2008-10-31T13:05:00.000-07:00

We asked our two new reservations staff, Jeff and Melissa, who both moved here in the last year, to reflect on their first few months here and share a little of their experiences of life in Steamboat...

Both Jeff and Melissa agreed on a common theme - Steamboat is a great place to live because it has such a great climate.

"Moving to a ski town like Steamboat makes you appreciate the simple pleasures of wonderful weather and great outdoor opportunities to do just about anything you would like to experience. With an average of 250 sunny days per year it makes Steamboat that much more enjoyable than the climate we left behind in the Mid-West."

Jeff moved from Flagstaff, AZ where it only snows around 150 inches a year, to Steamboat where this past year was a record snowfall of 489 inches. It was quite an adjustment. Of course in a ski town there can never be "too much snow", but having to scrape off 2 - 6 inches of snow daily from the car took some getting used to.

"I quickly learned to appreciate having a remote car starter and the finer points of what defines a good snow scraper!"

Jeff is no stranger to change and acted on instinct to pursue a dream of living in the mountains.

"I was raised just outside Tahoe until I turned 12 when we moved to St. Louis for my High School years. Moving to Steamboat from Flagstaff, where I had just graduated college, was blind luck. With less than $2,000 to my name, a van full of belongings and a quest for powder I hoped for the best winter of my life. Looking back over the last nine months, Steamboat has given me the great experience that I was looking for. If you ever have a chance to do the same, take advantage of it and experience life in the mountains."

Melissa grew up in Madison, Wisconsin where "activities" included eating out, going downtown, shopping at the many malls Madison had to offer; it was fun, but she needed a change.

"Steamboat has offered me many things in the few months I've been here. It has already exceeded all expectations. Yes, Steamboat is a small town, but what separates it from other small towns is that it's such an active town. There's so much to do here that I was never really interested in or able to do back home: hiking, snowshoeing, biking, etc. Something about this town has made me explore my options, test out new horizons."

"I've visited Steamboat many times on vacations and loved it, but I wasn't sure if I could handle living here. Now I wonder what I was worried about. It already feels like home and the new norms of my life in the mountains are healthier and helping me to appreciate everything about living in Ski Town USA."

Overall, they are both very excited for the upcoming winter.

"Moving Mountains incorporates hard work with fun in the work place and we are looking forwards to meeting the many guests whose vacations we have been planning. Steamboat is a very special place and we hope when you do visit that you try and experience as much as you can while you are here."

Be a Fan on Facebook!

2008-10-31T12:59:00.000-07:00

Another place that you can keep updated with goings on with Moving Mountains is through our Facebook page.

MOVING MOUNTAINS on FACEBOOK : CLICK HERE

Here you can get the latest updates on our news feed, you can write and read reviews from past guests and sahre pictures and video.

Most important of all you join our "community" by becoming a Fan of Moving Mountains!

New Moving Mountains Office

2008-10-31T12:20:00.000-07:00

October 2008 ushered in a new era as we moved to a new office suite in the Fish Creek Building at the base of the ski mountain area.

This new location provides a front desk area where we can check in and meet arriving guests. We also now have a small guest lounge area where you can relax before check in, check your email or plan any additional activities for your stay.

Our new address is:

PO Box 880346,
Fish Creek Building: First Floor
155 Anglers Drive,
Steamboat Springs,
CO 80488

Website: www.MovingMountains.com

Email : info@movingmountains.com

Winter is coming!

2008-10-23T10:27:00.000-07:00

The days are counting down to another epic ski season in Steamboat.

Last winter was a record setter with 489" of champagne powder falling before closing day. We were reminded yesterday morning of what is to come when we woke up to the first snowstorm signalling that fall is over and we are heading into winter.

This is the time of year that we put the skis in for a service and wax and shop for ski gear. We also have to pull out the snow tires, find our snow shovels, winterize irrigation systems and make the last check in the back yard for anything we might need before spring.

Ski season has already started in Colorado. Loveland at 10,600' opened on October 14th and is currently reporting an 18" base. Steamboat is less than 40 days from opening day and the mountain is turning white as snow-making operations roll into action and mother nature is helping out already.

We are pleased to report that despite the economic turmoil and the distractions of the election it seems that few people are willing to give up on their ski vacation plans. Our bookings are keeping pace with last year and since our feature in SKI magazine last year many more people are realizing that our full-service catered package is the way to go. So the message here is - don't wait until the last minute - because we are starting to fill up on busy weeks.

With some new properties just coming on line, a new website due to be launched in the next month, new staff members in our office and chalets teams and changes all around us in Steamboat, there is much more to bring to you. So keep coming back and we'll keep you in the loop!

Steamboat Ranked 8th Overall (No.1 Family Resort) by SKI Magazine Readers

2008-09-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

Steamboat climbs one position in SKI Magazine's annual readers survey with the expectation that with developments that are now underway a top 5 position in the future is within reach.

This idea is reinforced by the readers who expressed frustration with the resort’s “aging base area” which is now being comprehensively addressed by a unprecedented amount of tear-down and redevelopment.

“If it were a day resort or a throwback mountain, Steamboat’s aging base area — which one reader describes as being ‘stuck in a 1970s time warp’ — might be tolerated,” SKI’s October issue reads, citing feedback from its annual Reader Resort Survey. “But the resort’s relative isolation in northern Colorado, while keeping it crowd-free, makes it dependent on destination travelers, who want more than great snow and small-town character.

Steamboat’s No. 8 ranking is a slight improvement compared with the previous two years, when it ranked ninth. This is the third year in a row Steamboat has garnered a top-10 ranking. It was ranked 11th by SKI readers in 2005. Steamboat was sandwiched between Aspen Mountain in seventh and Breckenridge in ninth. Longstanding programs such as “Kids Ski Free” and “Kids Fly Free” made Steamboat SKI’s No. 1 family resort in the West.

With the demolition of Ski Time Square and Thunderhead Lodge, Steamboat doesn’t look to gain any ground in the upcoming ski season with those annoyed either by the lack of nightlife or the high level of construction. Moving Mountains has a great solution to this dilemma as most of it's exclusive rental properties are away from the base area and avoid the construction impacts completely, while still providing great access to the skiing.

Access to Steamboat has improved significantly in recent years and the resort will look to gain ground in this area of future surveys because this year’s nonstop flight program will be Steamboat’s largest ever, with the recently announced addition of Frontier Airlines flights from Denver.

Night life is also improving this winter with the opening of the Ghost Ranch Saloon at Seventh and Yampa streets which could play a major role if it opens on schedule this winter. Co-owner Amy Garris told the Steamboat Pilot & Today last week that she plans to have live music seven nights a week during the winter and summer tourism seasons.

SKI typically polls about 6,000 readers each year to get their perceptions of ski areas in 18 categories. They include overall satisfaction, access, après ski, dining, family programs, grooming, lifts, lodging, off-hill activities, on-mountain food, scenery, service, snow terrain/challenge, terrain variety, terrain parks, value and weather.

Ski area spokesmen could not point to one specific area of improvement that may have explained Steamboat’s move from No. 9 to No. 8, but they did cite the multimillion-dollar capital improvements that have accompanied Intrawest’s purchase of Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. from American Skiing Co. in 2007.

“I think it’s kind of the overall appeal of Steamboat that people keep discovering and enjoying, and the overall level of service they receive throughout the community,” Lane said.

We could not agree more as we know that our services are what sets us apart from the competition both in Steamboat and across the Rocky Mountains.

Frontier Lands in Steamboat this Winter

2008-09-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

Frontier Airlines has added ski season flights from Denver to Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden, the airline announced last week. The service will run from December 18th to April 22nd on Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

Frontier will operate three flights a day to and from Denver International Airport, the news release stated. The turboprop Q400s contain 74 seats, four of which will be removed to add space for luggage and ski gear.

For skiers hoping the visit Steamboat this winter this is very good news as flyers are once again about to discover that the price of your flight has more to do with competition in the marketplace than the price of a barrel of oil. Not only does this provide more capacity to meet the ever increasing popularity of Steamboat, it also places every other airline flying into Steamboat/Hayden under pressure to price airfares more competitively to meet the challenge of Frontier - one of the top low-cost carriers in the US.

First indications are that this is exactly what is happening and some fares into Hayden on Orbitz.com have already dropped by over $100. We are watching airfares everyday and expect more discounted opportunities while availability still exists. if you are contemplating a trip to Steamboat this winter this is a great incentive to check your best travel dates and shop for airfare.

Package Airfare Deals

2008-09-09T14:36:00.000-07:00

Airfare to Steamboat has become more expensive this year, but there are still some great deals to be had. Working with our wholesale partners we have been able to land some spectacular deals for package airfare when large groups, unable to meet their commitments, release available seats back onto the market at below retail rates.

Restrictions on these restricted airfares allow us to offer these great rates when combined with two other package elements. In our case this means lodging & a full-service catered package. So not only can you now have your cake - you can eat it too!

Here are some sample airfares* (including taxes & fees) that we have seen recently:

Sample Dates	February 21 - 28	March 7 - 14
Chicago (ORD)	$395	$445
Dallas (DFW)	$395	$445
Houston (IAH)	$495	$359
Newark (EWR)	$435	$435
Minneapolis (MSP)	$575	$550
Atlanta (ATL)	$786	$986

Please call (877-624-2538) or email us now for a full vacation quote with airfare.

*Fares are subject to availability and rates are likely to vary until reservations are confirmed due to the current fluid nature of the flights marketplace.

Our Favorite Recipes..

2008-09-09T14:03:00.000-07:00

Just to tempt you further into considering a full-service catered package with your next ski vacation we are sharing some of the great recipes that we have served over the years in our catered chalets

Mediterranean Chicken

This delicious moist chicken recipe is easy to make, can be made well in advance and it can be cooked and served in the same amount of time as your vegetables of choice will take to prepare.

Serves: 12
Marinate chicken at least 1 day (max 3).

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 30 min

12
Chicken Breasts, boneless & skinless

½ c Dark Brown Sugar

1 c
Dry White Wine

For the Marinade:

6	Cloves of Garlic, peeled
6	Bay leaves
1 c	Prunes, quartered
½ c	Capers, with a little juice
1 c	Green Olives with pimento
½ c	Oregano
½ c	Red Wine Vinegar
½ c	Olive Oil

How to do it...

1 - 3 Days before:

1. Place all the marinade ingredients into a ziploc bag along with the chicken. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Refrigerate at least one day.

One hour before dinner: preheat the oven to 350ºF.

1. Lay the chicken pieces out onto a roasting pan. Be sure to remove the 6 bay leaves and to set the 6 garlic cloves to the side of the chicken breasts. Top the chicken breasts with the rest of the marinade mixture, equally distributing the prunes, olives and capers.

2. Sprinkle the chicken with the brown sugar and white wine. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove from the oven. Pour off the juices into a saucepan and bring to a boil. While boiling slowly drizzle in water and cornflour to thicken into a sauce. Simmer for 1 min. Then serve chicken with sauce poured on top. (Be careful not to serve the garlic, unless everyone gets a clove!).

What is your time worth?

2008-07-03T23:31:00.000-07:00

A simple Question... "What value do I place on an hour of my time?"

This is a great question to hold in your mind when considering the value of a full-service catered lodging package. People often ask us "It sounds great, but how can I justify adding the cost of this full-service catered package to my vacation?"

Beyond the obvious ways that we can answer that question - "Because you deserve it!", "Because we all enjoy vacations where you don't have to work...", we are closer to finding the answer when we respond "Because it is not as expensive as you think."

Ski vacations frequently involve the exercise of trying to squeeze a number of items into the bulging vacation budget - lodging, airfare, airport transfers or vehicle rental, food, drinks, snacks, housekeeping and so on. Frequently missing from the spreadsheet (if that is how your group plans its ski vacation) is a value on the time that you expend in order to keep the vacation within the scripted budget. By our analysis you are not saving much money doing this yourselves and yet you are wasting a lot of precious vacation time.

We looked at a group of 14 guests staying at our 6 bedroom Moving Mountains Chalet in regular season (mid-February - end of March) working from known costs.

Comparison:	7 Nights lodging with full-service catered package	7 Nights Lodging without staff or meal service
Lodging	$12,593	$12,593
Full-service Catered Package for 14	$10,703	-
Rental of 2 Suburbans incl. airport fees	included	$2,200
Gas (1 tank per vehicle)	included	$200
Quality meals / snacks / soft drinks *	included	$2,450
Daily Housekeeping	included	$500
Gratuity (15%)	$1,605	-
Totals	$24,901	$17,943
Difference	-	$6,958

For a per person cost of $497 ($71/night) hundreds of guests have already decided that this is a great deal for meals prepared by your personal chef including all grocery shopping, private airport pickup and private local area shuttle service in a 4WD fully winterized Suburban driven by experienced staff, daily housekeeping and personal concierge services.

If you are still unconvinced, then here's the kicker. By our estimates the full-service catered package will save your group at least 310 hours of individual personal time.

Time Value	# Hours	# people	Total Hours
Airport Shuttle (both ways)	4	14	56
Shopping	3	3	9
Check-in	1	14	14
Daily private shuttle	6	14	14
Meal prep / clean up: brkfast	12	3	36
Meal prep / clean up: lunch	12	3	36
Meal prep / clean up: dinner	15	3	60
Housekeeping	15	1	15
Total			310

Going back to our question at the beginning of this story...what was that hourly rate? At $20 / hour this totals $6,200. At $40 hour that's $12,400 and you are well ahead! If you are lawyer we should be charging you more!

We know that there are many ways you can challenge our logic. All we are trying to say is - there is a value on your time. Full-service catered lodging offers you the possibility that every hour of every day of your vacation could be stress free vacation time. No shopping, cooking, dish washing, driving and organizing.

Sound good?

* We provide espresso machines with catered packages - think about what you will save at Starbucks in a week!

Seeing is believing...

2008-06-05T08:03:00.000-07:00

"A catered chalet ski vacation is the way to go".

But, don't take our word for it.

Check out our Video on YouTube.com and hear from some of our guests just how well this worked for them. Meet the owners and founders of Moving Mountains and hear about their vision for your next ski vacation.

Bonus Out-Take
The making of this Video produced a hilarious out-take when one of the guests we were interviewing surprised us with a little red-neck humor. We couldn't help ourselves from sharing the moment with you...

A Moose on the loose...

2008-05-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

One of the fun parts of living in the mountains is who we get to share our backyard with. The Routt National Forest is just 50 yards from the end of our driveway and the local wildlife has no concept of boundaries. Our backyard is just where their forest used to be. It's not surprising then that they stop by on a regular basis on their daily patrol for food.

Among our latest visitors over the Memorial Day weekend was a young black bear checking out why our guests at the Bear Chalets (you still wondering why we call it the Bear Chalets...?) had left the garage open, and attempting to make off with a bag of trash before we scared him off. That's not a good habit to encourage / reward. Black Bears are pretty timid and at the first sign of interest (or a camera) they are usually heading back to the hills. These fuzzy images do not tell much of a story because of the late hour of his visit. Trust me - that fuzzy blur is a bear..

This morning a couple of Moose stopped by. Our dog Lola was not impressed by these "funny looking deer" and attempted to show them that they were not welcome. Unfazed the moose grazed at the back of our house before strolling through the neighborhood and returning to the forest.

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