Steamboat Real Estate

After installing the new high-speed six pack last year and re-grading the lower mountain runs, the Steamboat Ski Area recently announced the $4 million on-mountain improvements for this year.

Here’s the list:

Snowmaking: Replace 20,000 feet of pipe on Right-O-Way, See Ya, Bashor, Lower Vagabond and Lil Rodeo.

Grooming Equipment: New winch grooming machines that are five feet wider and can go a speedy 12 mph. Result? “A better-quality finished corduroy product on the steepest inclines.”

Meadows Parking Expansion: The Meadows lot by the Tennis bubble and Trailhead Lodge, will be expanded to hold 200 more cars.

Advanced Life Support/AEDs: Intrawest is buying another “Q-CPR automated external defibrillator (AED)” machine. There have been a few incidents where the defibrillators were needed, so an extra one is a great idea.

Steamboat Ski & Sport Downtown: This is the first downtown retail location in the new Howelson Place building. It will have rentals, logo clothing, lift tickets, ski and snowboard lessons and Central Res travel vacation planning services.

Rental Ski Fleet: New skis and snowboards for rentals.

Resort Master Plan Update: Intrawest will update the master plan with possible on-mountain development for the next 5-10 years. According to Intrawest, “the overall encompassing plan addresses issues focusing on capacity, resources, mountain improvements, base area improvements, guest convenience and the overall resort experience.”

One Steamboat Place Planning: One Steamboat Place is one of the first new slopeside developments. When it is finished, the ski area will move the ticket office, Kids Vacation Center, and the mail center over there.

The Ponds Employee Housing: New siding on four buildings. There are 15 buildings at The Ponds, the place where seasonal employees can rent for the season. The Ponds has 15 buildings with 120 apartments where 432 employees live (and party) for the season.

Information Technology: $250,000+ in computer upgrades

Miscellaneous: Intrawest “will replace the gear boxes for the Gondola and Thunderhead Express lifts; install magic carpet covers/belts; conduct extensive summer brush cutting on numerous trails; enhance warehouse and banquet/wedding equipment as well as augment the resort’s eco-friendly, 4-stroke snowmobile inventory.”