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.

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.

The Moving Mountains Blog

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