May 2007

Breckenridge,

GENUINE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS

Breckenridge has arrived as the next big thing in Colorado real estate. Phase one, the Peak 7 Crystal Peak Lodge, of the new Peaks at Breckenridge development basically sold out in three months at previously unheard of prices. The next phase should be out about the end of this year or spring '08. More info at: http://www.rockymountaindreamhome.com/peak7_8_new.html. Forget Vail and Aspen, where $1.5 million buys you a tiny condo, come to Breckenridge and find a luxury home nestled in a friendly town with the most consistent snow on earth. This is becoming THE place to retire for those who want to stay active in their best years. See www.RetireRockyMountainStyle.com for information on social life and amenities available to you.  See: http://www.rockymountaindreamhome.com/Breckenridge.html

More good info can be found at: http://www.BestoftheRockies.com

ALL THE GOOD NEWS…

Wellington Neighborhood developer David O’Neill continues to be committed to bringing a similar affordable housing project to the Keystone area. He is beginning work on site design, land planning concepts and architectural plans. The idea calls for 150 affordable homes and duplexes and a day care center. The project would be located at the west end of Keystone adjacent to the Antlers Gulch Townhomes. The land is owned by Vail Resorts and no purchase plan has been formulated yet.

A voluntary guest contribution system put in place by Vail Resorts this season has resulted in a $226,000 influx of funds to support various Forest Service projects. Guests had the option of adding a dollar to lift ticket and hotel room transactions. The National Forest Foundation matched the contributions and the collections go directly to non-profits like the Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness and the Colorado Fourteener Initiative matched the money.

The 2007 version of Ride the Rockies will begin and end in Frisco just down the street from our new Keller Williams office. The ride starts on June 16 with a celebration coinciding with the BBQ challenge on Main St. Frisco. The ride will proceed to Steamboat, Glenwood, over Independence Pass to Twin Lakes and Leadville. Now in its 22nd year the ride is capped at 2000 participants. The $315 entry includes camping, showers and a host of support systems. Sorry, registration is closed for this year but if you want to participate in the future go to www.RideTheRockies.com.

School News

The new career and technology wing at Summit High opened in January, three months ahead of schedule. Moving from grossly overcrowded facilities to the new state of the art facilities is a blessing but it should also eliminate the waiting list to get into classes and give every kid a chance to pursue their dreams. The new facility is named after former Summit High teacher, Helen Foote who began the home economics department in 1958. The new tech wing has a restaurant quality kitchen, a medical training facility that looks like a hospital emergency room and a video production facility with the most advanced editing equipment. The space that housed these programs will be remodeled to take over the construction, computer and business technologies departments.

Colorado Mountain College in Leadville is again offering the First Ascent Youth Leadership program to motivated teenagers. In its thirteenth year the program teaches leadership skills like problem solving, consensus building, conflict resolution, communication and team building to eighth and ninth graders. The program is available at no cost and includes a variety of indoor and outdoor activities including a trip up Mt. Elbert, Colorado’s highest peak. Call program director Mariana at 970-947-8357 or go to; http://www.coloradomtn.edu/programs/firstascent/ get you application in by April 20.

Check out our schools at: http://summit.k12.co.us/

Keystone is gearing up for big changes after what promises to be a record season. To begin with the River Run Gondola will be replaced and relocated. It will cross the Snake River and thus be a few minutes closer to the parking lots and condos. They will be adding a midway loading station to allow beginner and intermediates to ski the top half of the mountain. Also in the works is a Marriot time-share hotel to be located next to the Mountain House base area. A new high-speed lift to the top of the mountain would also replace a double chair from this base. A mew run would take skiers off the backside to alleviate the pressure on the Mozart run. $2.3 million will be spent to renovate and expand the Keystone Lodge and Fitness Center in order to continue growth in the convention business. The new center should be open for Thanksgiving. Expansion of the snow cat operation into the upper bowls will include an additional cat, the construction of a restroom yurt and better access into the new bowls opened last season.

Copper Mountain plans to begin construction soon on a 19,000 square foot indoor training facility. The facility will house synthetic snow ramps, trampolines, foam pits and the like so snowboarders and skiers can learn tricks in safety and under the eye of qualified instructors. The facility will assist all levels of riders and will be open in the winter to lift pass holders. In the warm season weeklong camps will be the attraction. The goal is to take the sport of trick riding to new levels by teaching gymnastic style aerial awareness.

News about global warming is certainly front and center most days. Obviously if the threats are real and the trend continues the state of Colorado’s $2 billion ski industry is precarious. In response ski areas are stepping up as leaders in the fight to reduce greenhouse gasses. Aspen lead the way by purchasing enough wind power to supply all their electricity. Soon Vail Resorts with its five ski areas, Crested Butte, Copper Mountain and several others joined in. Aspen went so far as to join a Supreme Court suit against the EPA’s refusal to regulate greenhouse gasses. Projections for the future are that by the end of the century Summit County’s snowpack will have dwindled to less than 50% of its current levels.

Think snow, always!

Contact Tom if you need tips on where to stay, eat or play.

Sorry if you missed but the inaugural Twin Lakes Culinary Weekend was a smash hit! About a dozen folks watched the cooking demonstrations with three of our top chefs. Rachel demonstrated her Seared Asian Tuna, Jacob talked about his childhood favorite Blackened Redfish and Victor demonstrated the proper preparation of Ceviche. Then Kevin of Woody Creek winery did a rousing discussion on the ups and downs of an independent winemaker and why it is his passion to create lovingly not en masse.

Then about thirty people were dazzled in an intimate setting in front of the fire with a six-course wine and food experience not often duplicated. In addition to the above-mentioned chefs Dakota did his Lobster Raviolis with Saffron Sauce and Tom presented his Swiss Recipe Three Chocolate Mousse made from single source plantation chocolates. Kevin once again was masterful in his selection of accompanying wines and his presentation of expertise. The evening was educational, experiential and a blast.

Keep checking back for more fun events at the Nordic Lodge. Expect a grand opening party for Memorial Day and a Harvest Festival in September to celebrate the fall colors and the great food at the end of summer.