Change in the Wind for the Mountain Community
The majority of Steamboat’s mountain base area was built in the ’70s and ’80s. And some people would say it looks like it. Take a picture, though, because that’s likely to change. Plans for the redevelopment of the base area and the new One Steamboat Place, combined with announcements that both the ski area itself and adjacent resort properties are for sale, mean change may be imminent.
Ski Area on the Market
American Skiing Company, which has owned the Steamboat Ski Area since 1997, announced last summer that it would entertain offers to purchase the local ski area.
Steamboat came close to having new owners in 2002, when it was under contract to Tim and Diane Mueller, who later purchased Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Instead, ASC sold Heavenly Valley ski area near Tahoe, California.
That potential deal was made when ASC faced dire financial straits, but things are different this time around.
“Steaboat’s status as a world renowned destination resort, combined with the financial performance generated by its tremendous management team and dedicated staff, have positioned the resort for success well into the future,” says B.J. Fair, American Skiing Company’s CEO and president.
Last winter’s 400 inches of powder, combined with a healthy economy, made Steamboat a popular destination, contributing toward American Skiing Company’s decision to test the market again.
“Our intent is to drive the maximum value for the company’s stakeholders,” Mr. Fair says.
Sheraton Ups the Ante
Potential buyers of the Steamboat Ski Area may have suddenly found the deal more attractive in September, when Chuck Porter, general manager of the Sheraton Steamboat Resort & Conference Center, confirmed that its owners had decided to test the resort real estate market waters, too.
In addition to the Sheraton hotel, the golf course, Thunderhead Lodge & Condominiums, Ski Time Square, and 11 residential acres are being offered.
The Sheraton is the closest property to the gondola base area, while Ski Time Square is adjacent to the Christie Base, as is Thunderhead Lodge. The Sheraton underwent a major remodel and expansion less than ten years ago, but both Ski Time Square and Thunderhead have long been identified as ideal targets for a facelift.
“The Sheraton and related assets are all located on the ‘beachfront’ of the ski area, and given the redevelopment climate made possible by the Steamboat Springs City Council, the properties are poised for a complete repositioning and redevelopment at the heart of the resort’s base area,” states Mike Sullivan, managing director of HVS Capital Corp., of Denver, which is handling the sale of the Sheraton properties.
Base Area Renewal
When the Steamboat Springs City Council implemented an Urban Renewal Authority in 2005, plans to redevelop the aging ski area base began to see the light of day. Literally.
One of the first projects to be undertaken as a result of the URA, which directs a portion of taxes raised by new development in a given area to capital improvements in that area, is to “daylight” the portion of Burgess Creek that runs across the base of the ski area. Currently, the creek runs through an underground conduit, which makes skiing over it easy, but which buries a natural feature that could enhance the area. Plans call for diverting the creek to a new bed in summer, then re-channeling it under ground during ski season.
Other efforts to make the base area more inviting to pedestrians include adding signage and promenade leading people from the gondola base, along Torian Plaza and into Ski Time Square. The promenade would also go along the slopeside behind Ptarmigan Inn, up to Bear Claw Condominiums. Landscaping, lighting and fencing are also planned.
A new “north portal” at the intersection of Torian Plum and the Tugboat would include a drop-off for SST buses and shuttle vans. Better pedestiran connections are being designed to access the future promenade.
Planning and design is moving forward this winter, with a scheduled bid deadline in January. “We would like all the work to begin next summer,” says city planner Suzanne Bott. “We want to be ready to break ground the day after the ski area closes.”
One Steamboat Place
City Council approved a key component of base area redevelopment plans when it gave a conditional go-ahead to the Timbers Company, developers of One Steamboat Place, a multi-story, 500,000 sq.ft. residential/commercial complex that would be adjacent to the gondola building.
One Steamboat Place will include residences available to whole and partner interests ranging from $450,000 to $4.5million. Reservations for residences are currently being taken for this ski-in/ski-out property.
The enclave will feature a zen-inspired spa, fitness and yoga facilities, outdoor pools, hot tubs, retail shops and private members’ lounge and dining experience. Full-service concierge will be provided, and a children’s concierge is planned to attend to all children-related activities, both on and off-site.
Construction is slated to begin in spring 2007.
Ski Area Improvements
Affectionately dubbed “Wally World” by Steamboat locals, Sunshine Bowl is paradise for families, powder hounds, and even beginning tree skiers.
The only shortcomings, in the past, have been a slow chairlift ride back to the top and a couple of crucial pitches that were a little too steep for some people’s comfort zone.
That all changes this winter, with the installation of a high-speed quad to replace the old Sunshine Lift, and the re-contouring of upper Tomahawk and the middle pitches of Broadway runs.
The new Sunshine Express reduces average travel time from 11 minutes to 5.5 minutes. The high-speed quad, which operates on wind an solar power, has a vertical rise of 1,400 feet. It is expected to open by the holidays.
To make skiing off the top of Sunshine Peak easier, the ski area added a new trail, Sundial, to bypass the steep upper section of Tomahawk; it traverses back to High Noon and Rendezvous Saddle. In addition, the resort re-graded the beginner trail, Broadway, to improve its width and decrease its steepness. Snowmaking has been installed on Sundial plus upper sections of the Tomahawk and High Noon trails. New trail signage and family terrain features are also being set up.
All that skiing and riding makes people hungry, and improvements to both the floor plan and menus at Redezvous Saddle offer added enticements to spend the day in Sunshine Bowl. The restaurant facilities at Thunderhead, atop the gondola, also received an upgrade. Together, the renovation of the two lodges came at a price tag of $1 million.
Improved snowmaking on the lower mountain and a new pipe cutter in the SoBe Terrain Park round out the winter 06/07 improvements.
