Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Mountain Town News


By ALLEN BEST - MTN TOWN NEWS SERVICE

Whistler stretches itself to be more affordable

WHISTLER, B.C.—In 2005, Whistler's economy was suffering. The exchange rate for the Canadian dollar made Whistler extremely expensive to Americans. It rained through most of January. The economy dived.

After much hand-writing and no little conversation, Whistler adjusted its prices and its products. Bob Barnett, editor of Pique Newsmagazine, writes that if Whistler is perceived as pricey, upscale and perhaps even elitist, that's not the reality.

"Businesses understand that people today have less play money than they used to, and they've adjusted. Many have also come to realize that Whistler is overbuilt for the amount of business it does. 'Sale' signs have been visible in retail store windows 12 months of the year for a few years now. Year-round hotel occupancy rates have never been above 60 percent, which has always meant discounted rates much of the year."

Forest Service cracks down on pirate trails

LAKE TAHOE, Calif.—The U.S. Forest Service have told mountain bikers that they must quit building trails and terrain features in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Those trails, built in remote areas, endanger riders in case of accidents, but also threat water quality and wildlife habitat, plus in some cases disturb archaeological sites.

"Public lands belong to all of us, and the decision to build new trails need to be made with participation from all," the Forest Service said in a press release.

The issue is not new in either Lake Tahoe or other locations. But observers, such as bike shop owner Kent Wattanachinda, argue that government agencies need to team up with serious mountain bikers, such as was done on Oregon's Black Rock Trail System.

"If you don't have anything for the, guess what, they're going to start building," he told the Sierra Sun.

But it's questionable whether such features will be possible on the national forest outside of ski areas, said Garrett Villanueva, assistant forester engineer for the U.S. Forest Service. Villanueva, an avid mountain biker himself, said mountain bike access is needed, but it comes with conditions.

"It's a valued and good thing to be doing in the forest, but we need to do it right," he said.

Deer Valley estate on the market for $55 million

PARK CITY, Utah—A property at Park City's upper-crust Deer Valley resort has been put on the market with an asking price of $55 million. The property covers more than 63 acres and includes a 20,000-square-foot house plus the potential to build 22 other houses. The house, reports the Park Record, belongs to Jon Huntsman Sr., an industrialist and father of Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. The elder Huntsman is now spending more of his time in Driggs, Idaho, on the west side of the Teton Range.

Aspen debates whether to honor famous bike rider

ASPEN, Colo.—Earlier this year, before the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong was camped out in Aspen, training by riding up to 12,000-foot Independence Pass. In tagging along for one of these rides, The Denver Post said that Armstrong had moved to Aspen.

But not everybody in Aspen sees him as 100 percent local. When Mayor Mick Ireland tried to get a Lance Armstrong Day designated, at least one other council member disagreed, reports The Aspen Times.

"He has lived here all of five minutes," said Councilman Steve Skadron. He said local athletes should get the attention. He also said designating a Lance Armstrong Day "feels like a cheap attempt to capitalize on his celebrity."

Ireland, an avid bicycle rider, said Armstrong has done much to publicize the fight against cancer and the sport of bicycling. And as a celebrity, he noted, Armstrong has been gracious when people in Aspen approach him.

Crested Butte registers strong real estate sales

CRESTED BUTTE, Colo.—Here and there come some glimmers that real estate sales have picked up this summer. That's the story being noted in Whistler, Vail and Crested Butte.

In July, $17 million in sales were recorded in the Crested Butte area. The year has totaled $30 million, reports the Crested Butte News.

"I wouldn't say we are back to the super-busy times of a few years ago, but after the worst six months in the last five years, we are seeing some good activity," said Channing Boucher of Benson Sotheby's International Realty.

"We were probably off 50 percent the first part of the year, so it is good to see positive movement," he added.

As was predicted in Jackson Hole by veteran real-estate agents, the top and bottom ends of the market have done well. Of course, everything is relative. Crested Butte had its first $2 million sale. That, in Jackson Hole, is considered the middle market.

As elsewhere, condos have been moving sluggishly, because banks have been unwilling to extend credit.

Mammoth gets new links to coastal cities

MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif.—Mammoth Lakes likely will get increased commercial air service from West Coast cities this coming winter.

Ski area officials expect to get two daily from Los Angeles and another one from San Jose, Calif. Horizon Airlines also has been evaluating flights from San Francisco and Seattle.

The ski area will post revenue guarantees.

Aspen Skiing Co. sees some positives

ASPEN, Colo. (MTN)—The Aspen Skiing Co. expects no major changes from last winter, when it recorded 1.36 million skier visits at its four ski areas in Pitkin County.

"Frankly, if we had flat business levels this coming winter to last winter, it would be OK," David Perry, senior vice president, told The Aspen Times. "We wouldn't be surprised by that. It would be a reasonable outcome."

Perry said plenty of experts have been trying to divine the future, but with no clear indications. While there have been signs of economic recover this summer, he said, that hasn't caused any bullish predictions.

Still, the ski area sees a number of positives. Airline service will improve, and two new lodging properties will open in Aspen and Snowmass Village.

Also, labor shortages are happily absent. Even though some ski area operators cut staff positions last winter, Aspen Skiing remained fully staffed, with 3,500 peak-season employees. It intends to stay that course this winter, reports the Times.

The company plans to spend "significantly more" for marketing. "During difficult economic times, people will tend to go to brands that they trust," Perry said. " There is an opportunity to reinforce our brand, its authenticity, the appeal and great value of the Aspen-Snowmass experience."




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