In early March '07 Intrawest, a world leader in resort development and management,announced the acquisition of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. This adds Steamboat's iconic brand and legendary ski and snowboard terrain to its network of resorts that in Colorado also include Copper Mountain & Winter Park.

"What will change?" you ask.

The answer is that many improvements on a scale never seen before in Steamboat are already in progress. Significant redevelopment of the entire base area is now underway in a process that is likely to last
several years. In a flurry of major real estate transactions Ski Time Square has been purchased for re-development along with the Thunderhead Lodge by Washington, D.C., developer Cafritz Interests for $53.9M. The Sheraton Resort Hotel and Golf Course were purchased by Starwood Hotels for $57M. The Bear Claw III development land was puchased by Fortress Investments for $25M.

Major on mountain improvements will include the Christie Peak Express High-Speed Six-Passenger Chairlift: Steamboat will install a high-speed, six-passenger chairlift that will replace three lifts (Preview, Headwall and Christie II) in the base area. 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 Southface, 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.

Headwall Re-Grade: The resort will embark on a comprehensive re-grade of the Headwall area this summer. 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. Historically, the resort has modified the existing beginner terrain with machine-made snow. Once completed, the new earthwork will significantly reduce water consumption, energy and time while allowing crews to focus snowmaking energies in other high priority areas across the mountain.

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.

"The consistent grade developed from these modifications as well as the new high-speed, six-passenger lift will be vital to providing the best learn-to-ski/ride experience available in years for our guests,? said Jim Schneider, vice president of skier services. "These improvements will ideally position the resort for future learn-to-ski/ride expansions and programs.?

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. Upgrades to five of the system?s primary pump houses will also take place over the summer. These improvements enhance water management, increase capacity, and reduce energy consumption while continuing to provide the highest safety levels possible. The system covers 375 acres of top-to-bottom terrain (3,600 vertical feet) or a total of thirty-five trails.

Construction Issues: NONE!! While we welcome all the improvements that will occur over the coming years there is even greater reason to consider a luxury vacation home rental as the base for your next vacation. None of our homes are located around the resort base area where most of these changes will occur. Most are in private neighborhoods with great access to the skiing. As a result your experience in Steamboat will be unaffected by construction!!

Also this Month:
10 years of Moving the Mountains - Fall Update on Steamboat

News archives:

Big Changes coming - Ski in - ski out: Explore the Myth
Winter 06-07 Update - Summer Mountain Biking - Summer Flights - Blogging - Bear Chalets