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.

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...)!

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

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.