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.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Expanded openings on tap for today
Friday, October 31, 2008
Sneak Peak : New Website
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: We look forward to your feedback!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Frontier Lands in Steamboat this Winter
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
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
7 - 14
(ORD)
(DFW)
(IAH)
(EWR)
(MSP)
(ATL)
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..
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
For the Marinade: 1 - 3 Days before:
Serves: 12
Marinate chicken at least 1 day (max 3).
Cook: 30 min
Chicken Breasts, boneless & skinless ½ c Dark Brown Sugar Dry White Wine
Cloves of Garlic, peeled Bay leaves Prunes, quartered Capers, with a little juice Green Olives with pimento Oregano Red Wine Vinegar Olive Oil
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!).
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Seeing is believing...
"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...
Monday, March 24, 2008
A Record Ski Season !!
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.
By the numbers...
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
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
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.
Monday, March 17, 2008
New Mountain Movers join the Team
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.
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!
Monday, November 19, 2007
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.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Chalet Make-Over
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.
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
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.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
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.
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
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.
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 
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.
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