December 17, 2008: Another Sweet Lift Ticket Deal for Steamboat - Pow Pow Platter
I just got wind of this deal thanks to the Steamboat Pilot. The economy is clearly in trouble and finally, the ski areas have realized this and offered to help folks out to enjoy the ski mountain like locals get to, after forking out 1k for their season pass.
Hot off the press…
Pow Pow Platter
Intrawest’s three Colorado resorts rolled out their latest special earlier this week.
Called the Pow Pow Platter, the promotion offers skiers and riders a $99 package that includes a day each in Steamboat Springs, Copper Mountain and Winter Park. The deal is available “while supplies last” or until Jan. 31. The platter — a photo ID pass — is unrestricted and days do not have to be used consecutively. One ticket is valid for one day at each resort. The platter is available at http://www.powpowplatter.com or by calling 866-763-5958. The pass must be purchased at least 48 hours in advance and can be redeemed at any of the three resorts.
Looking for a place to stay in Steamboat?
Make no mistake, the “guest house” is not right for everyone. If you hate the idea of mingling with new people, don’t like dogs, don’t think you would feel comfortable in someone’s house as a visitor, or just think the whole idea is weird, that’s okay. You are probably in the majority.
But if you want a very nice room in a nice house with full access to a clean hot tub, washer and dryer, lovable chocolate lab, easy bus access, full-service kitchen for self-catering, woodstove for heating, great company and the chance to live among and like the locals, this is your place.
We would love to have you come stay a few nights, a week, or even a month with us. While you are here, we will happily help you find what you came looking for, whether that’s great powder stashes, Strawberry Hot Springs, snowshoe trails, shopping, dining, loud apres ski bars, snowmobile outings, or just a chance to unwind and relax.
And if its a powder day, chances are good that one of us will hit the slopes. And of course you’re invited to join us if you want!
We can accommodate special requests. Just ask, and I’m sure we can work something out.
Hope to see you soon!
Emily and Clint
December 14, 2008: Powder Day - 14 inches of snow of the 14th
There were winter storm warnings for the Yampa Valley this weekend, but Clint and I always get leary when the weather man says it’s supposed to snow, because more often than not, they are wrong. But with dark clouds swirling around the ski mountain on Saturday, it did indeed seem almost inevitable that snow was on it’s way. The dumping started around 6 pm on Saturday night and let up just a little under 24 hours later. In it’s wake, the storm dumped 14 inches of powder on the mountain. We commented today while skiing on the mountain, that the conditions are more like what we saw last year over Christmas, than this same weekend a year ago. My favorite run of the day was on a run that I am now affectionately calling Charlie Brown’s Christmas. You won’t find it on any ski area map and not even on the Pirate Map - you’ll have to ski with me on a powder day to know how awesome this run can be!
December 10, 2008: Oh Christmas Tree
Clint and I went to the store to get our tree on Sunday night and decided that with such a tall ceiling in the sunroom, we should go for a BIG tree - and that is exactly what we got. We pulled out the tape measurer yesterday and both are convinced that it is at least 11 feet tall. It almost didn’t fit into the tree stand that we have. Last night we got the lights onto it and tonight we will use the ladder again to put on the decorations.
Here are some pictures of the tree pre and post Christmas lights. The holidays are fast approaching, enjoy the time with family and friends. We plan on sticking close to home and skiing as much as possible. I just added a picture taken this morning, December 11th showing all of the ornamets that we added last night. The tree is officially decorated and really tall!
December 6, 2008: Powder in the trees!
Believe it or not, there is powder everywhere on the mountain, you just have to know how to find it. Clint and I went up on the mountain with a few friends of ours and discovered powder stashes that even I didn’t know exist. This is the beauty of being a local and skiing here. After uncovering all of the ins-and-outs of the normal runs, you begin to explore the trees and unknown stashes. Today was the first day that the upper mountain was open. It’s definitely been snowing up there, and here are a few pictures to prove it.
As with any good day of skiing - we end it with a stop at our favorite watering hole. If you come and ski with us, you too may end up at this Steamboat classic. If not, you’ll end up with the hordes of others.
In addition, we have just figured out a new component of technology that is too cool - embedded YouTube videos on our Steamboat Guest House site that we have filmed using my Treo phone. Here is one of the fireplace burning to keep the house warm. It was only because of our guests that we realized that you can make Smores in your house all day long! Thanks Risa 
December 5, 2008: 11 in. new in last 24 hours and 16 in. new in last 48 hours
Well, there is no denying it, winter is in full swing. This morning’s snow report shows that we have received 11 inches new in the past 24 hours and 16 inches in the past 48 hours. The gondola opened today for the first time providing access to the coveted upper mountain. My day began by taking the trash out in my bathrobe and Uggs to a brisk 5 degree morning. Our neighbor has enlisted the services of a snow removal company and so that snowblower was all of the wake up call that I needed. For the next few months, gone is the risk of oversleeping.
Clint and a friend decided to head up on the mountain. His friend has Friday’s off and Clint works from home, so he might as well have this morning off to ski and enjoy exploring uncharted territory with his buddy. I was the lucky one who got to drop him off at the ski hill on my way to work, oh what a good wife I am. Here are a few pictures that I snapped with my camera phone on my way to work. You can see clearly the new snow and the cold temps. There were a suprisingly high number of people making their way this morning from the parking lot to the ski hill. There must be a lot of other locals who have Friday mornings off.
Both shots are taken from my car, when I was stopped at lights of course.
December 4, 2008: Dumping in Steamboat!
It’s definitely that time of year again. Where you roll over in the morning half expecting to hear the grater go by on it’s way to clear the snow out of the neighborhood. This morning was no exception. As I like to say - “The out-the-window forecast calls for snow, snow and more snow!” With Thanksgiving behind us we are getting excited for the holidays. We plan on getting our Christmas tree this weekend. With such a tall ceiling in the sun room, we think we are going to get a BIG tree since the room can handle it. We’ll see what we bring home from the store.
I took this picture this morning. Molly is politely asking if she can be let back in the house and out of the snow storm.
We still have tons of availability this December, including the long weekend surrounding Christmas. Don’t hesitate to contact us about spending the holidays with Molly the brown dog, us - your hosts and our soon to be set up BIG holiday tree.
November 13, 2008: Winter Arrives!
After flirting with us over the past several weeks, winter has finally given us that first real kiss. Its been cold and snowy for several days now. The mountain is rapidly turning white.
Town is abuzz with rumors of people already skiing up high on the mountain. We’ve been going to see all of the ski movies that are coming through town on a daily basis. Its true, ski season is almost here.
November 4, 2008: How can I afford to ski Steamboat?
I have received several emails lately from future guests and potential guests asking for my advice on being able to afford to ski Steamboat. So here is my advice…
1 - Look out the window and if it’s a nice day, but not an EPIC day, sleep in & have a nice breakfast. Then catch the 12 o’clock bus and head to the ticket office for a half day lift ticket that starts at 12:30 pm.
2 - There is still time to buy a Rocky Mountain Super Pass Plus - which is a Copper / Winter Park Season pass with 6 days at Steamboat for $439. This deal is good through November 23rd. With this pass you will also get 2 free days of skiing at Taos as well as 2 free days of skiing at Whistler/Blackcolm. Each pass holder gets 4 coupons for $50 lift tickets for friends or familiy to use. They can also typically buy a discounted lift ticket at any time throughout the season. More information available here http://www.passwagon.com/rockymountain.htm
3 - Go see this year’s Warren Miller movie in November along the front range and you will get an early or late season free lift ticket good Monday - Friday or you will get a buy one get one free voucher good throughout the season (except for during the holidays of course).
Essentially you need to plan ahead. They are calling for our first winter storm this evening and into tomorrow. We are anxiously awaiting this year’s ski season.
October 22, 2008: The first snow of the year in town
Last night was a slew of firsts. Clint started the first fire in the wood stove at the house, because the temperatures had dipped low enough to warrant it. And yes, it was also our first snow of the year. Then I began counting back and realized that our last snow of the year was in June 2008. So we had gone just 4 months without a drop of snow. This makes for a rather short growing season and nearly a constant reminder that we live in a climate that is cold and wintery more often than not.
Bookings have begun for the winter and one common questions has come up - When is the best time to ski Steamboat? Well this really depends on what you are looking for. If you only have your week at Christmas or New Years to get away, then we can certainly help you find more secluded places to ski, eat and relax.
If you want the best chances for getting epic powder, I have always had luck with the 2 weeks following New Years. For some reason, we just always seem to get amazing snow during that time of year.
If you like to ski, but don’t particularly care for the cold, then come here in March - when the likelihood of night time snow and day time sun is a real possibility.
We look forward to having some return guests from years past as well as welcoming new people into our home to enjoy spending time in a ski town with real locals. Many of us in town are getting excited for a few of the typical fall rituals which include gathering with friends to watch ski movies & getting ready to celebrate Halloween.
Be well and start planning now for your ski trip to Steamboat. Heck, even if you decide not to stay with us, feel free to send us your questions. I can guarantee that local hotels and condos managed by companies will not personally answer the questions that you have. That is what we are here for!