January 2004 |
| Breckenridge
News - What’s
next? If you didn’t realize it, The Breckenridge Music Festival is not just for summers, the “off” season in full of activities and fundraisers. In November they hosted two shows; The United States Army Field Band and Chorus and the Von Trapp Family Children. Throughout the school year they present the Music in The Schools program with various forms of performing arts. This year 22 performances are scheduled in schools throughout Summit, Lake and Park Counties reaching about 4000 kids. The program is in its tenth year. Also a year round activity, fundraisers are responsible for about 15% of the budget needs of the festival and usually include fun activities followed by a fine meal in a Breckenridge home. Breckenridge continues to move towards the swapping of Highway 9 from Main Street to Park Avenue. This will allow the construction of a roundabout at that intersection thus alleviating some of the rush hour traffic at the entrance to town. Best of all, it will make possible planned improvements to the downtown area, predominantly making it more pedestrian friendly. Downtown will become more enjoyable for visitors and more profitable for shopkeepers. Also on the transportation front, a coalition of Summit, Eagle and Clear Creek Counties has formed to make sure their voice is heard regarding improvements to I-70. The Colorado Department of Transportation has put on blinders and taken the view that the only viable alternatives include asphalt and more lanes of cars. The new coalition will be trying to keep alive the mass transit solution, including the monorail that has been on the drawing board for years but lacks support or credibility with the flatlanders. The people who live along the interstate are not excited about ten years or more of dynamiting canyon walls, destruction of homes and the dust and smell associated with freeway construction. Surely we can look to new technology that is cleaner, quieter and lower on fossil fuel demand. Breckenridge is drafting ordinances to further preserve its historic flavor. While many buildings are on the state and national registries the town wants addition protection for places that show character and interest of a historic or cultural nature and retain original design and materials. Four buildings will be part of the initial “Landmark” designation; the Carter Museum on Ridge St., the Gaymon Cabin on North Main, the Fuqua Livery on Washington and the Whyte house and outbuildings on Ridge St. As the criteria are formalized other buildings will be given designated as Landmarks. This should also help to maintain Breckenridge’s National Historic District title. Additionally, don’t miss the new exhibit by the Summit Historical Society called, “A Child’s Life-Turn of the Century”. The historical museum is located at 111 S. Main St. |
| Snowriding
News... Breckenridge Ski Resort continues to be the leader in winter sports on several fronts and last month was big. The 16 th annual Hartford Ski Spectacular hosted disabled skiers from around the world with instruction and competition. This was the first of four events that will help competitors qualify for the world championships in Austria this month. Local skiers from the Quantum Sports Club competed to elevate the level of competition and thus the competitors’ standings. In a fine gesture to our national heroes, Disabled Sports USA, an association formed during the Vietnam war to help wounded veterans get back into sports, hosted eight amputees from the war in Iraq. Also in December, Breckenridge Ski Resort was the first stop on the Vans Triple Crown snowboarding competition. Top competitors, including some Olympic medal winners, competed in three days of slopestyle and superpipe events. The event will be televised on NBC January 17 th at 1:30pm. More information can be found at: www.vans.com . You can also catch freeskiers this month doing the superpipe and slopestyle at the X-Qualifier January 9-11 th . If you or your kids are interested in jumping into the halfpipe or the terrain park be sure to take some lessons. Breckenridge leads the way here too. A half day session can be had at Park and Pipe Sundays from January 4-April 11. You will get what you need to come out in one piece from experienced instructors. Teens 13-18 can do the Mob Rule Park and Pipe Camps. These are three-day intensive sessions with certified instructors as well as elite pro snowboarders. Two camps are scheduled in March. More information and registration can be had at: www.breckenridge.com . |
| WHY
I LIVE HERE… The open space program in Summit County is a shining example of government entities working together. The county, the towns of Frisco and Breckenridge and the Great Outdoors Colorado program all contributed to a banner year in acquisition of parcels for preservation. The notable purchases near Breckenridge include twenty lots in the Parkville subdivision at the end of Tiger Road, forty-one acres of mining claims on the western slope of Baldy Mountain, thirty-five acres near the Blue River inlet of Lake Dillon and a $500,000 grant from GOCO towards the purchase of 1800 acres of B & B Mines between French Gulch and the Swan River basin. Keep up the good work folks! |
| SCHOOL
NEWS… Lots of good news as the results of the School Accountability Report came out last month. Results are based on the scores from the state standardized tests. While we did have two schools rated Average the other six schools rated High or better, the Frisco Elementary School rated excellent. Two schools showed significant improvement. The assistant superintendent also pointed out that Summit Schools put an emphasis on arts, humanities and physical education that can’t be measured by the tests. We feel the education process here puts out well-rounded students. A Literacy Team of teachers and administrators, along with input from the community, has selected a new reading program for K-6 students. Published by Houghton Mifflin the new program is pending school board approval this month. If approved the materials will arrive in the spring so teachers will have time to train for implementation next fall. The comprehensive program is cutting edge with the ability to help students who are behind to catch up and challenge those who are more advanced. The program is designed to eliminate gaps by integrating reading, phonics, writing, spelling and grammar. It also allows consistency from grade to grade and throughout the district. More school information at: Summit Schools If you’ve considered relocating to Summit County but wonder if it’s a good place for your kids consider this, last year’s Summit High School’s ski teams finished: Girls’ Alpine first in state, second in state combined with the Nordic team, Boys’ Alpine and Nordic first in state. Despite losing several of their top skiers to Olympic training and graduation the teams are still strong from top to bottom with several underclassmen among the best in Colorado. Since the high school race schedule is not very demanding most of the top competitors compete with one of the local clubs; Team Summit, Quantum Ski Club or Team Breck. Summit kids consistently fill the top ten spots in these competitions as well. If the proof is in the final product we had two local Nordic skiers compete in the Salt Lake Olympics and Frisco resident and former Team Breck member Jake Fiala is now on the World Cup “A” Team and off to a strong start this season. More information on the clubs and lessons they provide: www.quantumsportsclub.com www.teambreck.com www.teamsummit.org |
| MORE
ON SNOWMOBILING… Last month I talked about the dangers of snowmobiling and avalanches, I would like to go to the more positive side today. Popular opinion says that a teenager named Joseph-Armand Bombardier living in Valcourt, Quebec, invented the snowmobile in 1922. It was the mother of invention that drove him to mount a Ford engine on some wooden runners and attaching a propeller. It took until 1935 to come up with the familiar rubber drive track and in 1937 Bombardier patented several models including a seven-passenger one. In ’59 Bombardier came up with the current version of the snowmobile and named it the Snow Dog because it would replace dogsleds. The name was later changed to the modern household word Ski-Doo. It’s estimated there are over ten million snowmobilers in America and hundreds of clubs throughout the country. Colorado has more than 3000 miles of maintained snowmobile trails; many are maintained by volunteers from the local clubs. If you are new to the sport you should definitely go with a guided tour to learn how to handle the machine and keep you from venturing into hazardous areas. Last winter three men got lost in a snowstorm and plunged off a hundred foot cliff. I don’t remember if any survived. You don’t have to go on the chicken tour as most operators have private group tours that will let you have the thrill of a lifetime. To feel the speed and the power gliding across the unique medium of snow, with all its variations, is like nothing else on earth. If you don’t feel adrenaline you may be dead. The mellow tours can be just as thrilling in a sublime way. The machines will take you to places and vistas that few will ever experience. When you see the snow covered Rockies up close you will know you are not in Kansas anymore. If you own your own machine and are experienced you can pick up trail information and maps at most area tour and rental companies. Local clubs will also be happy to assist you. Ask them about the Colorado Snowmobilers Code of Ethics and learn it. If you are from outside of Colorado you now need a permit to use trails just like residents. The permit costs $20.25 and most of the money goes back into trail maintenance, thus everyone benefits from the permit process. More information about the permits can be received from the Colorado State Parks: 303-791-1920. Go fast, but no faster than your guardian angel can fly. |
| TRAVEL
TIPS; MY FAVORITE GETAWAY… I’m going to share with you my favorite secret. I think my loyal readers and their friends deserve this and I am confident if you tell everyone you know there will still be plenty left for all of us to enjoy. Ever wonder what a professional ski-bum does for a change of pace? Well, I love Breckenridge and all of Summit County and I never tire of the skiing here but every year we get away from home and take a ski trip, of all things. My little hideaway is one of the finest resorts in the world but it feels like a secret. The only bad part for me is it is still close to work and sometimes my ski bum trip gets interrupted and I get called back to the office. Life can be so hard sometimes. My secret is Beaver Creek, Colorado, just fifty minutes from Breckenridge but it can feel like the other side of the world. Beaver Creek is a replica Austrian ski village with fabulous shops and restaurants tucked into the perfect ski valley. The mountain rises directly in front and west of the village to thigh-burning vertical heights. You have bowls, bumps and mach-two cruisers all serviced by a multitude of high-speed lifts. It’s not anywhere near the size of Vail, but Vail sometimes feels like skiing in downtown rush hour. Beaver Creek feels more like you are the billionaire owner of the resort hosting a private party. I have spent four straight days skiing untracked powder until I could hardly walk, all the while riding quad lifts alone. It’s like having the back of a limousine all to yourself. When you are done and can’t do another run the fun is not over. In the village are an ice skating rink and a fabulous performing arts center. The Vilar Center is plush, friendly and intimate. We love to attend the holiday program the week before Christmas. It’s full of local kids showing amazing talent and filling me to the brim with the spirit. The center has the full gamut of entertainment throughout the year. You will almost assuredly find something to like there whenever you are in town. Find the schedule at: http://vilarcenter.org/ . Now the best tip of all; you don’t have to stay in Beaver Creek if you don’t want to pay the billionaire’s hotel tab. Down in the valley is Avon and it’s connected by the free town bus system to the B.C. village. You will find a variety of condominiums here and in nearby Edwards that are comfortable and full of amenities. With some shopping you should be able to get a one-bedroom condo for around $100 a night. There are also some great restaurants that charge back home type prices while serving eclectic cuisine. My favorites are Narayan’s; they have both a Thai and a Nepalese to choose from. There is also the wonderful Fiesta Jalisco run by a Mexican family and an Outback Steakhouse to name some others. In case you have not had enough exercise you can ice skate on Nottingham Lake, weather permitting. If you still have time Edwards is a small town shopping experience. Just to give Vail it’s due it’s right up the road and you can park free in the afternoons. If you haven’t been before, don’t miss the town. Like Beaver Creek the village is pedestrian only and many times bigger. They have enough fine shops and restaurants to last several vacations. As you stroll you will be dazzled by hundreds of brass statues on every street and pocket park. The commitment to art is exceptional and commendable. If you are still in need of adrenaline you can ride the gondola for free after 2 p.m., without your skis, and indulge in an amazing rush down the tubing hill. Not for the faint of heart the speeds are something not expected on something as simple as an inner tube. These are not your grandfathers’ inner tubes; they are specially designed with a space age slippery bottom. Your heart jumps to your throat on every run. Also, your grandfather doesn’t have to haul you up the hill because you have a lift to get you back to the top. This is top family entertainment, a 19 th century thrill with 21 st century accommodations. Shhh! Hope to see you there. Contact Me if you need further tips on where to stay, eat or play. |
| INVESTMENT
OPPORTUNITIES Vail Resorts CEO Adam Aron recently spoke at a meeting in Breckenridge to talk about the recent past and the future of the company. Last year was the first losing year in a decade for the company, to the tune of $14 million. The buildup and war with Iraq hit hard in the heart of the ski season and we are all hoping that that doesn’t happen again. Since 9-11 tourism has been depressed but it appears that travel and the economy are going to make a rebound this year. The drought, United Airlines financial troubles and the strong dollar overseas also put a dent in the destination travelers the last few seasons. The good news is Vail has never balked at being the leader in the industry with $10 million invested last year in Breckenridge and repeating that this year with upgrades in Keystone. Vail Resorts is also plunging ahead with its long overdue improvements to Peak 8 with the gondola in the works and plans to start on the new village area in the next year or so. An aggressive marketing campaign in partnership with Frontier Airlines and a weakening dollar optimism for another record ski season runs high. If the bookings so far this season are an indication I think records will be broken. Of the three divisions within the company, real estate continues to be the most profitable. |
MARKET
CONDITIONS REPORT I read in the Rocky Mountain News that the stock market saw phenomenal grow last year, up 26%. How will that affect Rocky Mountain real estate? Well the first thing is that contrary to popular opinion the Federal Reserve interest rate has little to do with mortgage interest rates. What effects mortgage interest rates is the flow of money between the stock market and the bond and mortgage backed securities market. When stocks are falling and people are selling, money flows into the bond and mortgage backed securities. As the supply of money increases mortgage rates go down to increase the demand. Consequently, now that the stock market is rising the best guess is people will begin buying stocks again and money will flow out of the mortgage backed securities market. As the supply of money drops, interest rates should rise to slow demand. As people gain confidence in the economy and their job security they will also be more confident about buying second homes in the mountains. With over 60% of properties in this area being second homes, out of town buyers drive prices more than local demand. As these buyers begin coming back it seems inevitable that prices will begin climbing again. In the latter half of the ‘90’s demand was so hot that prices were climbing nearly 2% per month. Great for those who owned, tough on those who were thinking about it, especially if they waited a year and came back to find the property they were interested in was now 20% more expensive. Can’t tell you how many people I talked to that were in that situation and asked me to just slap them for not buying the first time they looked. No one knows for sure if things will be like that again but the trend appears upward for prices this coming year. The only sure thing is that right now interest rates are still low and prices have been flat for over two years. As the inventory of available homes for sale begins to rise again this spring it’s not a sure thing where they will be priced. If you are dreaming about improving your lifestyle with a mountain home I hope you don’t ask me to slap you in two years because you waited. |