Year Round Mountain Opportunities in Steamboat

2012 is right around the corner and it will bring the benefits of the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011. So what opportunities will that provide to Steamboat Springs? Well given the fact that our Steamboat Springs’SkiMountainand all of the almost 3000 ski-able acres is owned by the USDA Forest Service, this means that while formerly limited to activities allowed by an outdated 1986 law, the new law will open up our Steamboat ski mountain to year-round activities.

Sponsored by Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, and recently approved by President Obama, this new law permits non-skiing activities such as mountain bike terrain parks and trails, Frisbee golf courses, ropes courses, concerts and zip lines to share in the activity line-up. Protecting natural resources will remain a top priority for the U.S. Forest Service, and all activities will be subject to a review and approval process. Anything considered to be damaging to the natural environment, like tennis courts, water and amusement parks will not be permitted.

While this is great news for outdoor enthusiasts who will now have many more beautiful venues open to them in the summer and shoulder seasons, it’s also tremendous news for  mountain communities. Increasing year-around visitors will result in a more stable job market and ease the strain of “off-season” lulls in retail and restaurant business. More full, part-time and seasonal jobs will bolster the real estate market as well. Increasing summer and fall recreation activities will infuse new life into mountain communities who are use to seeing their communities double and triple in size during the winter ski season.

Thirteen states are home to ski resorts on public land, and Steamboat Springs has a 3000 acre ski mountain in its back yard. Now Steamboat’s back yard will be open to more recreational activities year around. It’ll give a whole new meaning to the local phrase so often heard around Steamboat Springs that people “come here for the winters and stay for the summers.” Now it won’t be just the extraordinary summer weather that keeps them here…it’ll be the full menu of community activities as well.

—For more information on buying real estate or questions regarding Steamboat Springs real estate or renting a home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, feel free to call Charlie at 970-846-6435 or write me an email at: charlie@steamboatsmyhome.com

Thanks,

Charlie