Expanded openings on tap for today

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.

Frontier Lands in Steamboat this Winter

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

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.

Your Summer Vacation could look like this...

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

Saturday, July 5: "The Wild Wild West" PM 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" AM Gondola Ride / Guided Mountain Hike PM 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..." AM 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!

New Mountain Movers join the Team

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!

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.

Whats New in Steamboat?

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.