The Skiing is Phenomenal!!

Damon Demas, Albert Roer, Eric Saunders Skiing in Telluride

Written by Eric Saunders, Broker

The Skiing is PHENOMENAL!!!

With over 4 feet of snow in the last week and a 175 inches total for the year, the mountain is skiing incredibly well. They just opened Palmyra Peak and Gold Hill Chutes 6-8. A few of my associates and I were doing some field work today (please see picture) where we hiked and skied Gold Hill Chute 6, so we can attest to the mountain being in great shape. Knee to waist deep powder in most spots. The mountain is 100% open and the snow is fantastic.

Isn’t it time you quit working and moved to Telluride to enjoy this incredible lifestyle? See you on the slopes!!!

 

Telluride Ski Resort A Favorite With Ski Magazine Readers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SKI MAGAZINE – READER’S TOP 30 RESORTS IN NORTH AMERICA

#5 TELLURIDE, COLORADO. Who books a ski vacation based on scenery alone? Folks who’ve been to Telluride, that’s who. Sitting inside a breathtaking box canyon in the San Juan Mountains, surrounded by stunning peaks, Telluride (No. 1 for Scenery) has readers raving. “It is the most scenic resort I have ever skied.” While getting there is a challenge, those willing to make the trip are rewarded with a quaint mountain town coupled with world-class skiing. One reader hits the nail on the head: “It’s a pain to get to, but that’s really a plus.” Be one of the relative few to make the haul and you’ll find a top-notch array of accommodations, dining, and shops along the main drag, Colorado Avenue, with a grid of side streets boasting more finds and earning the resort its No. 2 Character rank. On the mountain, steep, tight chutes and open, rock-littered bowls satiate gung-ho big-mountain skiers, while winding groomers are on hand for families. Or join the locals and take to one of Telluride’s bootpacks. “Amazing destination, has it all.” —Greg Fitzsimmons, skinet.com

 

Time to Tee & Ski

Written by Patrick Pelisson, broker

March not only brings blue bird powder days to Telluride but gives us the opportunity to do something that you can do at very few other places on earth: Play golf and ski in the same day!

Recently some friends and I did just that. A 9 o’clock tee-time at El Conquistador Golf Club in Cortez, CO had us back in Telluride and on the slopes by 2:30 for some sunny afternoon spring skiing.

Incredible golf opportunities are available in the southern San Juan’s from late winter until late into the fall. Early and late in the year The Bridges, an 18-hole Nicklaus design course offers beautiful views and a challenging layout. In the warmer months the Divide Ranch & Golf Club is a short 40 minute drive from Telluride. The Greg Norman designed Cornerstone Club was named one of the top courses in the country by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. Ask your broker for a tour and set up a round of golf on one of the most beautiful mountain golf courses in the world.

Keeping your eye on the ball and off the towering peaks surrounding the Telluride Golf Course may be your toughest challenge when teeing off at this breathtaking course, perched 9,500 feet above sea level. This par 70, 6,574 yard, 18 hole, mountain resort course is surrounded by the highest concentration of 14,000 foot mountains in the United States.

While the breathtaking beauty may be a distraction, the altitude works to your advantage as Telluride’s air creates less resistance against the golf ball during flight, translating to 15 percent more distance.

So the next time you come to Telluride pack your clubs. Our golf season has started and this is certainly the most beautiful place you’ll ever tee (or ski)!

 

Spring Has Sprung in Telluride! (Or at least for now)

Written by Allison Templin, Broker

The buzz around Telluride this week isn’t the great powder skiing that everyone’s been doing.  The buzz this week is about blue bird skies, 40-50 degree temperatures, and slushy spring conditions…..aahhh.  If you’ve never been to Telluride during this part of the winter, you are truly missing out.  As things begin to thaw, our bones begin to warm and the tease of the yet so far away summer is here!  Spring Breakers from Texas, Arizona, and New York are all gathered in Telluride for vacation and taking a break from their busy lives in which they rarely have time to visit with one another.  Private parties where visitors host 20-30 people in their Telluride homes are not uncommon this time of year.  They are celebrating the end of winter, longer days, a break from school,  and time with family and friends!  You see skiers and visitors lounging on the beach at Gorrono or enjoying a decadent afternoon at Alpino Vino or Bon Vivant.  Why?  Because they can!

This is also the time of year where all the eagerly awaited on-mountain hike-to terrain is open.  Warm weather and blue skies make for perfect hiking conditions and beckons skiers to strap on their skis and enjoy the sunshine.  The Telluride Ski Resort’s hike to terrain includes Gold Hill Chutes 1-10 where skiers have the opportunity to ski 1900 vertical feet.  Or off of the Prospect Lift, skiers head up to Black Iron Bowl or Palmyra Peak.  Here skiers have an opportunity to hike anywhere from 10-30 minutes on the way to Mountain Quail in Black Iron Bowl.  Or if they really want to go for it, they continue hiking and ski the north face of 13,320 foot Palmyra Peak.   To have this kind of on mountain experience is truly unique.

Next time you come to Telluride, and you want to ski some of this amazing terrain, grab your favorite Telluride Properties broker to go with you.  We all welcome any excuse to ski! Hope to see you in Telluride soon.

 

Real Estate & Snow Update

Enjoying A Groomer Run At The Telluride Ski Resort

Written by Aric Maloy, broker

The holiday season brought many homeowners, returning guests and new visitors to Telluride. When other resorts were struggling with lack of snow, Telluride fared pretty well considering it had not had much of the white fluffy stuff floating down. One great quality that Telluride possesses is that it does not take a large accumulation of snow to cover our mountain. Couple that with Telluride Ski and Golf blowing new snow for the World Cup early last month, Telluride is a packed powder skier’s paradise. I was up yesterday and had one of my better ski days of the year cruising down See Forever and several other freshly groomed runs. Telski continues to blow new snow on the ski area ensuring that the conditions will be in top quality condition for all of us. Plus, it is snowing right now!

As for Real Estate, January always gives us a moment to observe the state of the market from the past year and currently. According to Telluride Consulting, Telluride and County decreases in dollar volume were minimal, but Mountain Village showed a significant decline in dollars. Apparently most high-end property sales in MV were on hold in 2011. The good news is that every market segment showed improvement in overall sales activity in 2011…the most sales since 2007! All signs point to a positive outlook for 2012!

A brief overview:

–Ski Ranches in particular has seen a substantial increase in sales within the past 18 months. There will continue to be good opportunities with reduced pricing within this subdivision. The quality product tends to not last long if priced appropriately. Buyers are recognizing the value of this subdivision with its location/privacy/ski proximity and larger lot sizes.

– Mountain Village homes have seen a bit of a correction, but there appears to be more staying power with the majority its sellers. The “deals” are limited to Golf Course homes or dated opportunities that need significant renovations to bring them up to the expectations of potential buyers. MV just had $15m and  $8M homes contracted in the past 3 weeks. Along with increased showings over the holidays, there will likely be multiple contracts in the near future.

– Vacant Land recently has seen an uptick in activity due to REO/ Bulk purchases. But once again, it appears that the owners/sellers of vacant land appear to have staying power as well. That being said, vacant land opportunities come available but if they represent a good value, they tend to not last that long. Examples: Idarado P4 @$600k, Trails Edge 1 @ $250k, Trails Edge #2 @ $250k and the current Elk Run Bank owned lot under contract scheduled to close soon.

– Condos within the Mountain Village.  This is one of the best opportunities for buyers in the coming 12 months.  There are several developments offering overpriced units currently.  This is about to change with several complexes as all are re-evaluating their pricing. There will be a significant price adjustment that buyers should feel more comfortable “jumping into”. Be ready, upon this adjustment, units should be moving quickly. Don’t miss your opportunity!

Be sure to ask your Telluride Properties Broker about any of these market segments.

While the Telluride regional market has seen an uptick in activity year over year, there still is one thing that remains the same. The Telluride lifestyle is unmatched! Upcoming events include Women’s Ski Week and Telluride Comedy Festival February 13-19 Telluride Aids Benefit; March 1-5 and as always….  the skiing is amazing!

A Beautiful Day at the Telluride Ski Resort

“If you don’t do it this year, you’ll be one year older when you do.” –Warren Miller.

 

 

Stress Relief for the Holidays: Enjoy a Relaxing Vacation in Telluride

Written by Jesse DiFiore, Broker Associate

Stressed about the holidays? The holiday rush can add even more pressure on many people who are already experiencing unusually high stress, says psychologist Dr. Laura Maciuika, author of Conscious Calm: Keys to Freedom From Stress and Worry.

“Almost half of adults in the U.S. have reported feeling more high stress than they did a year ago,” explains Dr. Maciuika, a Harvard-trained clinical psychologist. “The holiday rush and economic pressures can make that stress even worse—and yet we’re supposed to be celebrating and having fun! Plus, there is so much information out there about stress, including popular myths—it can be hard to know what works for lasting stress relief, or figure out where to start.”

To help separate the stress myths from realities, Dr. Maciuika has a free Special Report on Stress Myths at http://www.stopstressandworry.com.

Dr. Maciuika suggests three Conscious Calm Tips to ease the holiday stress, feel more relaxed, and be able to enjoy the holiday season more fully:

Conscious Calm Tip No. 1 – Notice the difference between the outside stress (shopping, parties, finances, etc.) and inside stress. Most of us do not pay enough attention to what we’re doing on the inside, in our minds. What we tell ourselves all day long, what we decide something means, how much story-telling we do – these are inside actions we do have control over. They make a huge difference in how we feel. Bring awareness to how you may be adding to inside stress for more choice, control and calm.

Conscious Calm Tip No. 2 – Once you have more awareness of internal stress-creation, remind yourself these are choice points where you do have control. Where you put your attention makes a huge difference in how you feel. If you notice yourself focusing on problems for too long, or telling yourself stressful stories, interrupt those patterns. Choose to put your attention somewhere else. Focusing on deeper, slower breathing can be a useful here; so can focusing on what you’re grateful for. Interrupting automatic pilot thinking is important for getting back to present time and more ease.

Conscious Calm Tip No. 3 – The holiday season can bring “have to attend” parties and other obligations. Be sure to balance those with gatherings or rituals that hold meaning for you. Set some limits—compromise or say “No” if the obligations get too much. The holiday season is a powerful time to create positive memories for yourself and your loved ones. Be sure to include and prioritize activities and get-togethers that will add to that treasure chest of good memories.

This holiday season in Telluride remember these three calming tips. Experiencing a relaxed vacation and holiday is why you decided to bring you family to ski in Telluride. While standing on top of Gold Hill this holiday season don’t forget to stop and take in the views of the La Sal’s, take a deep breath of fresh Telluride Mountain Air and become aware of the joy of being in this amazing ski resort with your family. Whether it is ice skating at the Mountain Village core ice rink, sipping on hot chocolate at Alpino Vino or just walking around town, embody the meaning of the season, you’re only at the top ski resort in the world.

If you are one of the lucky ones and you have that urge that your family must have a piece of Telluride, remember the golden rule of Telluride Real Estate – location, location, location. Don’t be fooled by bank owned, short sales or discounted properties which might not be the best fit for your family and the coming vacations in Telluride. The Telluride real estate market is 10% investment, 90% good old family fun! While out with your Telluride Properties Broker, remember why you first decided to come to visit, that article in ski magazine, your best friends advice or just maybe the drive across country that landed you at the end of the box canyon. This is a place for fun, relaxation, and heart beating adventure. These experiences and I mean experiences do not get ruined by the S&P plummeting, disappointing politics or the European economic crisis. They become engraved in your memory as the spirit of adventure, one that you will recall while crunching numbers at your desk, one that your kids will be bragging about at school, and one that you will be dreaming of until you step back in to town.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 

The old saying, “They ain’t making anymore land”…

Written by Eric Saunders, Broker

The old saying, “They ain’t making anymore land” has never been more evident than right now in the Telluride region.   Supply and demand is one of the most basic laws of real estate and economics.   Yet, the phrase is the functional foundation of the housing market, especially in our quaint little town of Telluride.

The Telluride region is surrounded by federally controlled lands (USFS and BLM) limiting future growth to approximately 14,000 private acres.  Virtually all the land is subject to a master plan which allows for the development of fewer than 4,000 single family units on about 1/3 of the above mentioned ground.

Additionally, the last large developable parcel in the region, the Valley Floor, a 570-acre parcel was just purchased by the Town of Telluride and will remain open space forever.  That is it.  There are no more large development parcels in the region.  There is only fill-in development in Telluride and Mountain Village.

The Telluride real estate market is akin to an island in the mountains and just like an island, there is nowhere else for us to expand.   Unlike Vail, Aspen and most other ski resorts, which have extensive down valley areas with capacity for tens of thousands more units, Telluride and Mountain Village effectively end at the entry to the towns.   What you see is what you get.

Yes, Telluride has been affected by the downturn, which translates into opportunities to acquire ski property at prices we haven’t seen since the 90’s.   However, Telluride real estate parcels are also unique and finite.   One of the many reasons the town of Telluride has maintained value during this difficult time is due to the uniqueness of a number of its properties.  In the last year, Telluride has had 23 properties sell for over $900 per square foot and as high as $1500 per square foot.   This speaks to the iconic nature of certain properties and the “one of a kind” uniqueness a few possess.

Once the economy improves, our market is likely to come back quicker and stronger than any other markets due to the limited amount of supply.  There are only so many vacant lots, ski condos or homes that meet a buyer’s need.  Once they are gone, there are no more.    We are not like most other resorts with thousands of choices.  So, if you love that little condo at the base of the Telluride Ski Resort with a ski shop downstairs, now is the time to fulfill your lifestyle dream.

 

Most Charming Resort: Telluride Ranked #1 for 2011-12

As seen in SkiMag.com

As you roll into this secluded box canyon, you half expect to see “Once upon a time…” inscribed across the sky in Old English script. Whether strolling the quaint main street, curling up by a roaring fireplace in the Mountain Village or dining beneath imposing, Alp-like granite peaks, you just might find your happily ever after.

Telluride was also ranked #8 of 10 resorts for terrain challenge (Aspen was #9 and Vail didn’t place).

 

Giving Thanks

Tis the season to give thanks and celebrate life in Telluride (in no particular order)

Written by Allison Templin, Broker

TELLURIDE: Anyone who has ever been to Telluride is moved by the beauty and charm of this valley. Those of us who live here are grateful, and those of us who have had the opportunity to visit Telluride are grateful!  We do not take this amazing place we call home for granted.  The above photo was taken from my deck in the east end of the Town of Telluride. Don’t you wish this were your view?

 

 

 

 

SNOW: We have some. The Telluride ski area opens on Wednesday, November 23^rd for Donation Day. The Telluride Ski and Golf Company will donate 100% of the proceeds to the Telluride Ski and Snowboard Club’s scholarship and financial aid fund.  Lift tickets are only $25, so go skiing!
http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2011/11/20
/news/doc4ec71f3dc5958457279555.txt

 

 

AIR SERVICE:  Great Lakes Airlines has added one additional Saturday and one additional Sunday flight this winter beginning December 10th! These Additional flights can be attributed to TMRAO’s Airline Guarantee Program which derives its revenues from Town government taxes and contributions from Telluride and Montrose businesses/non-profits.  The Telluride Association of Realtors contributes $10,000 annually and Telluride Properties’ brokers contribute a percentage of every sale as well.  Thank your favorite Telluride Properties’ broker for making it easier for you to get here! Click for the Winter 2011-12 Air Service Map

REAL ESTATE: Number of sales are up 17% Year to Date!  This number continues to increase as Buyers continue to take advantage of the unbelievable values and distressed properties.  Below are a few properties that I believe to be a few of the best values in our market place.
Deal #1  Deal #2  Deal #3  Deal #4  Deal #5

Contact me for a complete list of the best deals in Telluride.

 

TWEED INTERIORS & BOUTIQUE: Has a new home in the Town of Telluride.  One of Telluride Properties favorite interior designers has moved to 151 South Pine Street.   Visit the ladies at their new store to discuss your home interior or pick up a cool accessory or gift! http://www.tweedinteriors.com/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

NEW SHOPS TO OPEN IN MOUNTAIN VILLAGE: Telluride Ski and Golf Company opens 3 new retail stores in Heritage Plaza in Mountain Village. TSG is ramping the overall guest experience and convenient shopping. Thank you Telski!

Heritage – Men’s and women’s refined casual- upscale boots, jeans, sweaters, and more
Alpineglow– Skincare and cosmetics boutique with a full service spa
Mountain Standard Time– High-end accessories like watches and sunglasses

TELLURIDE GIVES: Telluride’s first online giving campaign designed to unite the entire community to give back by supporting the great work of our local nonprofits. Telluride nonprofits improve the quality of life foreveryone in the region and TellurideGives raises more than $19,000your generosity helps them make more possible. Thanks to you, we raised $18,021 for the people, animals, environments, and organizations that make up this wonderful place we love. http://telluridegives.razoo.com/