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TELLURIDE TO HOST THE LG / VISA FIS SNOWBOARDING WORLD CUP
December 17-20th
As their quest for Olympic Gold gets underway, the international snowboarding community will descend upon Telluride from December 17-20th for Telluride Ski Resort's very first World Cup event. The LG FIS Snowboard World Cup is one of five final stops and the only stop in the U.S. on the long road for Olympic hopefuls in two snowboarding events: the Snowboard Cross (SBX) and the Parallel Giant Slalom (PGS). It goes without saying that the entire community is abuzz and thrilled for the opportunity to both witness the races and to experience our own brand of Olympic fever.
"We are very excited to be having our World Cup at Telluride. The hill they have is so good and the snowmaking system is perfect for that time of year", explained U.S. Snowboarding Head Coach Peter Foley in a recent interview with TransWorld Snowboarding Magazine. "We almost hate to share it with the rest of the world, but I think everyone is going to be amazed at the level of quality. I think it's going to be one of the, if not the best World Cup of the year and we're going to be able to do it before Christmas." The early season event is a boon for local hotels and businesses, too, in a time during which pre-holiday tourism is traditionally slow. "It's been a really exciting process to go work with Telluride. It's more than a community wanting an event. It's a community taking on an event as part of their program", said USSA Vice President of Events, Calum Clark.
Along with the big-name event come big-name athletes, including several past Olympic and X-Games medalists. In particular, competition in Men's Boarder Cross is going to be a sure-fired nail-biter with several proven and extremely strong contenders all vying for two available spots on the Olympic team. The event will feature Olympic champion Seth Wescott, five-time X Games gold medalist Nate Holland, World Championship bronze medalist Nick Baumgartner, World cup winner Graham Watanabe, World Cup performer Jonathan Cheever, Olympic half-pipe gold medalist Ross Powers, and X Games legend Shaun Palmer, all battling it out for coveted positions on the Olympic Team. Other races will feature additional famous Ôboarders such as Olympic silver medalist Lindsey Jacobellis (ÔBoarder Cross), and World Cup performers Michelle Gorgone, Tyler Jewell, and Adam Smith in the Parallel Giant Slalom competition.
The exciting schedule of events kicks off on Thursday, December 17th with the Parallel Giant Slalom qualifications and finals, and is then followed by three days of Snowboard Cross qualifications, finals, and team qualifier rounds, with the competition wrapping up on Sunday, December 20th.
While it will be thrilling to stand alongside the racers and feel the spray of snow from their boards as they speed headlong towards their dreams of Olympic Gold, the events will be available for all to see on NBC, "the Olympic network" so that even if you can't be here in person, you can still experience the excitement. Stay tuned to NBC in the weeks preceeding the event for TV schedule details.
36th ANNUAL TELLURIDE FILM FESTIVAL
Denver Post Article Spills the Beans
It is common knowledge that many Telluridians don't mind "flying under the radar". There are many who are here specifically because we're not Aspen or Mammoth MountainÑit keeps our lift lines short and ensures days of endless powder stashes after each winter storm. However, we all have a huge sense of pride when it comes to Telluride, and we can't say we were surprised to have been recently touted as "Colorado's Best Kept Secret" by Travel Editor Kyle Wagner in October 23rd's edition of the Denver Post.
Uh-oh! The cat's out of the bag?! Of course, you can imagine the primary details of the article. We're off the beaten path, we're a little bit quirky, we have no lift lines, "sick" backcountry, tree skiing for days without encountering the same run twice, and we're essentially one of the most epic mountains in Colorado. In the summertime we have a waterfall cascading down the 13,000 foot peak where our Main Street dead-ends, and a dizzying array of music, art, and cultural festivals, not to mention one of the largest adult softball leagues imaginable for a town this size.
Alright. Maybe our super-great softball leagues and Ingram Falls weren't specifically mentioned, but you get the point. Anyone and everyone who lives or vacations here understands why it's so special. We all have our favorite things about Telluride, our own stories about a scenic moment that took our breath away or a powder morning that was so deep that our legs burned for days afterwards. It's not surprising that others continue to stumble upon and be amazed by
A skier makes his way into downtown Telluride on one of the ski area's steep North-facing ski trails.
our little valley and its surrounding mountains, and it's even less surprising that they wish to
share their find with the rest of the world. We're
secretly flattered. Check out the article for yourself at www.denverpost.com. Search for "Telluride - Colorado's Best Kept Secret"..
TELLURIDE'S "ECONOMIC STIMULUS"
Local Projects and Sales Offer a Pre-Holiday Boost
It's no secret that the last 18 months have been tough on, yes, even Telluride. Tax revenues have declined with slower real estate sales and budgets and belts have tightened accordingly. However, several recent projects and events have combined to create quite a significant stimulus for the region. Their timing could not have been better, and they include:
- A massive runway improvement project totaling $58 million, whose first two phases have just been completed. The airport was closed for the summer and re-opened to rave reviews in November. Net effect? During construction, a boon to local workers. More importantly going forward is safer flying, the opportunity for larger aircraft and increased service to our area. Oh, and that infamous dip in the middle of the runway? Only a hint of it remains!
- Peaks Hotel is purchased for $20 million. Finally! After seeing numerous suitors over the years, the iconic property in the Mountain Village has been purchased by a well-financed group of experienced resort operators. Grand Heritage Resorts will manage the property. The investor group recognizes the value of the property to the region, and improvements are forthcoming. Several of the principals live in Telluride full time. We are very excited for this change of ownership.
- Element 52 is on schedule for closings in 2010. Telluride's most notable luxury condominium project will deliver a $47 million sales shot in the arm to the local market next year. This comes on the heels of a rebound in overall real estate sales in the 4th quarter of 2009. Aside from the much needed transfer tax revenue, it reminds us that indeed, the world did not come to an end, and that there is still significant demand for the Telluride experience. Properly priced properties are selling, and today's buyers are getting exceptional value.
These high dollar infusions to the region certainly came at an important time. Have we "spent our way" out of the doldrums? We can't say for sure. But we do feel that our most challenging times are behind us, and we embrace a renewed sense of optimism about our future....
SALES GAIN MOMENTUM IN MOUNTAIN VILLAGE
Regional Sales Increase in the 4th Quarter of 2009
Momentum is building in the Mountain Village home market and elsewhere in Telluride. In 2008 only ten homes sold in the Mountain Village and although it was a significant drop in the number of sales compared with 2007, the average dollar per ft2 of homes sold remained steady in 2008 compared with 2007. In contrast, in 2009, many buyers are stepping forward and entering back into the market, and it appears that demand is steadily growing. In 2009, 18 homes have already closed and another two are currently under contract.
Demand appears to be increasing in other segments of the market as well. In Aldasoro, where only a handful of homes are currently available, two homes have already closed compared to none in 2008.
Although there have been very few vacant land sales in Mountain Village this year, in the last two months there have been four lots closed and two lots that just went under contract, including one trailside lot listed for $2.475 million. Many of the home sales in Mountain Village in 2009 sold for steeply reduced prices. There are still some very good buys to be made; however, as demand increases, this too could change. If you wait to begin your search until the holiday season, and real estate activity continues to grow as it has in the past months, you may miss some of the exciting opportunities on the table today.
HOW TO HOLIDAY "LIKE A LOCAL"
An Insider's Guide to Spending the Holidays in the Box Canyon
So...you're dreaming of a white Christmas (or perhaps a Chanukah blizzard) with every holiday card you write, so you've booked a holiday stay in Telluride. Seeing as how the entire town magically transforms into a real-life snow globe during the holidays, you're sure to find yourself muttering "Ooh!" and "Ahh!" as you walk down Main Street, and your family is bound to have one of the most classic holiday experiences possible in this modern day and age.
However, it can be a daunting task to take a holiday steeped in family tradition and try to move it to a location other than "home", and you may find yourself asking questions like "Where can I catch a Christmas Eve service?", or "How on earth am I going to get my holiday decorations squared away?" and "What on earth can we do in a Box Canyon on New Year's Eve?" So, here's a brief guide of Ôhow the locals do it' when it comes to relishing the magical holiday experience in true Telluride style.
Decorations:
- Pack up the troops and cut down your own Christmas tree! Tree permits are just $8 per tree in Montrose or in Norwood, and are available from the US Forest Service and/or Bureau of Land Management beginning November 23rd. For more information, call 970-240-5300.
- To purchase lights and tree trimmings locally, try Ace Hardware on Main Street or the Garden Store in Lawson Hill (they have trees, too!). For a wider selection, we recommend one of the "superstores" down in Montrose.
- Want your halls (and tree) decked before you arrive? Try Frannie at New Leaf Designs at 970.708.0493 (orders due by 11/30), Jenifer Raidor of "A Telluride Christmas" at 970.708.9639, The Garden Store in Lawson Hill at 970.728.7060, or Tammy Gemmill at 970.318.9008.
Groceries & Goods:
- Your groceries and personal sundries can be delivered and organized before you step foot off of the plane. Contact Scott of Telluride Delivers at 970.626.5148 to have your pantry stocked before your arrival.
- Need kids' stuff such as high chairs, cribs, safety gates and the like? Give Mountain Air Concierge a call at 970.708.1272.
- You may need to rent skis, and even if you have your own you're probably going to need to have those bad boys tuned. Paragon has convenient Telluride and Mountain Village locations, and they will offer you a 15% discount on your rentals and tuning if you mention that TREC sent you. Telluride Sports is another favorite, also with locations in both town and Mountain Village. Or you can have your skis delivered! Enjoy being fitted for your ski rentals in the comfort of your living room! Contact the Telluride Ski Butlers at 877.754.7754. They'll even come back to pick up the skis after your departure!
Chanukah:
- The Telluride Jewish Community will be hosting its Chanukah Celebration from December 22-29th, with ski services on the mountain. Please contact the Telluride Jewish Community and Rabbi Michael Saftler at 970.728.8042
Christmas Eve:
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Torchlight Parade! Enjoy watching skiers and boarders snake down Coonskin & Telluride Trail into town carrying brightly lit red torches. Check the local papers for schedule.
Visit the church of your choice for Christmas Eve services (contact the churches directly for scheduling):
- Baptist: The Alpine ChapelÑ970.728.3504
- Catholic: St. Patrick'sÑ970.728.3387
- Non-denominational: Christian FellowshipÑ970.728.4864
- Presbyterian: Christ ChurchÑ970.728.4536 Torchlight Parade! Enjoy watching skiers and boarders as they snake down Coonskin and Telluride Trail into town carrying brightly lit red torches. Check the local papers for the torchlight parade schedule.
Christmas Day:
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Sledding on "Catholic Hill" (North Spruce Street) is a time-honored Christmas Day tradition. The snow-packed street in front of St. Patrick's church is steep, fast, and fun! If you're looking for a hill that's a bit more tame, check out the base of Lift #7, "Sled Hill" in Town Park, or the base of Lift #4 in Mountain Village.
- Have dinner catered or pre-delivered so that you can enjoy Christmas night at home by the fire! Try Blakely at JB & Me at 904.629.4614, Mountaintop Catering at 970.708.0701, or Bertrand's Catering at 970.728.0573.
New Year's Eve:
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