SUP: Stand Up Paddle Surfing is Debuting in the Mountain Rivers

I had only ever seen stand up paddlers (SUP) paddling around the water in the gorgeous beach towns of California and Hawaii and it hadn’t occurred to me that this could be the next whitewater river sport.

However the Teva Mountain Games and C4 Waterman (a sweet company that makes stand up paddling gear) has introduced this sport to Colorado that embraces the essence of surfing with the challenge of paddle sports!

This was the first time the Teva Mountain Games has had this unique competition and it looks fun! It is a wild mix of endurance, core strength, and maybe some crazy mixed in.



And if SUP wasn’t challenging enough check out the two time tandem surfing champs that were “playing around” in the huge flooded Colorado river at Glenwood Springs, CO where the Teva games were held. It was wild at the Games!



So any place in Steamboat with SUP boards? Well it is a newer sport to Colorado but the crew at Boardom Bound have been playing around with them and can take you out on the lake and more. This might be the next sport you will have to master!

ResortQuest’s Runners Flew Through the Marathon Finish

Congratulations to Maria and Will who successfully finished the 10K run that was part of Sunday's 2010 Steamboat Marathon. The competition was tough with over 375 runners who participated in the 10K!

Maria came smokin’ into the finish line with a time of 53:48 that placed her 61st out of the 375 co-ed runners. Out of the 243 women runners, she placed 19th, and in her age group, she killed them by coming in 5th! Go Maria!

Will Stone came in shortly behind and placed 173 out of the 375 runners. Of the male runners he placed 81st and was 11th in his age group! Go Will!

Over all, the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K race were a huge success with gorgeous weather and lots of healthy runners. And again congrats to Maria and Will who got out there and conquered the 10K while the rest of us were sleeping in…

For more information on the final results of the 10K go to the Steamboat Chamber and see what ResortQuest offered for lodging deals as the official lodging sponsor.

29th Annual Steamboat Marathon is One of Top Ten Most Scenic Marathons

The Steamboat Marathon this Sunday June 6, 2010 is on the mark and ready to go. The weather is set to be perfect with sunny and partly cloudy conditions with a little wind to help cool off all the runners.

The Marathon race has capped out with 500 runners, the half- marathon is still open with no cap along with the free 10K race. Over 2,000 runner are expected to participate. And we are proud to report that some of ResortQuest’s own, Maria Linna, reservations manager, and Will Stone, homeowner liaison, will be stretching their legs, and getting the blood pumping in the downtown 10K race. photo: steamboat chamber association

Maria said, “I am really excited for the 10k. I started training by doing lots of runs, some 3k, some 5k and did lots of road bike rides. Its great training to have your children in tow behind the bike. Every year I say I will step up and do the half marathon, but not yet, for now I am glad I can get out and do the 10k.”

So come out and cheer on our ResortQuest runners! All races begin at 7:30 am and click here to see maps of the courses and where you can watch. All races finish at the Courthouse lawn.

Some improvements to the marathon is this year we will know Maria and Will’s "true" running times with a new chip timing system which will ensure the runners exact times are captured down to the 10th of a second. No rounding up or down on those times! Maria and Will are going to report back with the Marathon results and with their record breaking best personal times.

Maria and Will and all the other runners will be able to enjoy the gorgeous views of the course. The Steamboat Marathon course has been selected by Runner's World as one of the "10 Most Scenic Marathons" and one of the "Top 10 Destination Marathons in North America."

If you decided to come to Steamboat last minute for the Marathon, ResortQuest is an official lodging sponsor and we are still offering our incredible lodging rates for the Marathon! Check out the lodging deals.

So whether you come out to Steamboat this weekend as a vacationer, a runner, a local or a spectator you will feel the excitement of the Marathon and the Steamboat Community supporting its runners with a hometown feel.

Steamboat Springs Bicycle Commuter Challenge has begun!

The bike rack out front of the Torian Plum office is over flowing for the first time in ResortQuest Steamboat's history. We are very excited to have 3 teams for the first annual Steamboat Springs Commuter Challenge organized by the Steamboat Chamber.

ResortQuest has also been implementing a number of policies and procedures in the last decade to become an environmentally friendly lodging company and earn the Steamboat Chamber's Gold Certification for sustainability, as well as, a Green Suites certified green lodging company.

Check out our Steamboat Recycling and Sustainable Practices page to see how ResortQuest is doing our part to help keep our beautiful Steamboat environment a healthy and happy place to live.

Sex and the City or Sex and the Country? Girls Night Out with Martinis, Fine Dining and Shopping.

Ladies of Steamboat, Sex and the City 2 has finally arrived. It’s been released around the country tonight May 27, 2010. So grab a martini, your craziest Carrie Bradshaw inspired outfit and hit the country … Steamboat won’t know what hit ‘em.

Sex and the City has notoriously made men roll their eyes (even though we know they are hot for the lead ladies) and women tune in. Whether you watch it because it is the only decent thing on late night or you are a hard core fan who wishes you were the 5th in the circle of friends, there is a connecting factor for all: Girls just want to have fun!

So what to do in little ol’ Steamboat to celebrate the premier? Gather the up the Ladies of course! We highly recommend taking the Sex and the City mottos to heart this weekend for the Premiere of Sex and the City 2! Ditch the silly boys, put on your favorite heels, grab a cocktail dress, go to dinner with your best gals then off to the movies!

Big City Style: Uptown Restaurants in Steamboat

• Bistro C.V. This new age modern restaurant in Steamboat features delicious gourmet dishes and has been reviewed in the NY Times Travel section and more. See their menu. For mud season they are doing great happy hour deals with ½ price apps and a huge wine and drink menu to choose from.
• Three Peaks Grill is a contemporary take on the grill type fare of steaks and seafood. Indulge with ahi tuna to petite medallions. See the full menu.
• Café Diva is a superb refreshing and delicious on-mountain choice. Every dish packs a surprise of amazing flavor with a unique twist. If you can wait till Tuesday they offer half price appetizers, salads and soups. See menu.
  

Cosmo Martini Wars: Best Place for a Martinis

• Mambo Italiano: Sit at the outside bar in warm afternoon sun and enjoy their Superb Martinis or even better the Mojitos!
• Harwigs: Sit at the cute little bar in Harwigs and enjoy a wide range of option for Martinis. They also have an extensive wine menu.
• Café Diva: Their bartenders are some of the best! They absolutely know their drinks and are always creating something new. Ask to see if they are making the Blood Orange Martini
• Bella’ Wine Bar: Its not Martinis but the wine is not to miss. It is recently new in Steamboat and is a styling wine bar with exposed wood beams and a super modern nice feel.
  

Beauty is on the inside but the clothing makes the girl:
Can’t celebrate Sex and the City without shopping! Steamboat has unique boutiques that offer a wide arrange of styles. Some of our favorites are:

• Over the Moon has amazing unique cute clothing and jewelry and tonight is their ladies night! Get 10% off and get an extra 5% if you bring a friend that has not been before! Go shopping before cocktails!
  
• Talulla has fancy jewelry, inexpensive beautiful bags and really unique skin products, journals, scarfs etc. It will be hard to leave with out finding something you have to have!
  
• Kali’s Boutique has gorgeous designer name brands from traditional looks to outstanding dresses.
  
• 7th Street Boutique you can find trending accessories that are on the cheap to moderately priced. Great earrings, sunglasses, scarfs, hats and purses.
  
• Chez Nous is on the pricier side but they have chic casual wear to trending work and night out outfits.
  

The Metropolitan Wildhorse Stadium on 655 Marketplace Plaza has show times for the Sex and the City 2 at 4:00pm, 5:15pm, 7:15pm and 8:30 pm. Be there or be square. And celebrate your best girlies and the fun town we all love!
If you are coming to Steamboat get the best lodging and accommodations in town when you stay with ResortQuest Steamboat. We will make your vacation a luxurious experience.

When to Teach Your Child To Ski or Snowboard.

When I was about two years old, I remember stepping into my first pair of skis. Back then the newest technology in kids performance gear was a sweet pair of red plastic skis, a pair of boots that were way too big and my dad equipped with a thick old rope tied around my waist. And it was complete with my private ski hill- our very steep driveway!

Things have changed a bit these days and the starting age for getting kids out skiing and boarding has become younger and younger. And forget about those old plastic skis! Now companies like Volkl, Rossignol, and others make skis tiny enough for the wee beginners starting at 60+ cm. You don’t have to tie your kid up anymore but rather fit them with a great and comfy harness. And if you can’t do all the teaching, Steamboat Ski Resort along with most ski resorts have great lessons designed just for the kids.

Check out this little girl in Mammoth, CA who can’t get enough bunny runs on her Snowboard!



So what about the age thing? There really is not a set age that determines when a child can begin to ski or board. It is highly dependent on the child and your setting. Most say the earlier the better. Ava's mom is all for this philosophy! As soon as they can walk, start to get them familiar with the equipment and the feeling of moving on snow. Not all kids will be born yearning for snow however it will make the learning curve easier if they start out younger!

Check out these resources for determining how to get your child started:

• Google Shopping for Kids Ski/Snowboard Gear
• Child's Sizing/Fitting Guide
• Ski Diva: Moms advice from their experiences
• Steamboat Ski Resort Ski School
  

Steamboat Springs Music Scene

Steamboat Springs is known for its spectacular location, copious amounts of outdoor activities, world class ski resort, natural hot springs and for its continual supply of live music that is always on the cheap. Whether it is summer, winter or a season in between, the ‘Boat is always rocking. Here is an idea of the music venues Steamboat has for live music.

Most music venues in Steamboat are intimate settings in bars or restaurants.
Mahogany Ridge is a great example of restaurant by evening and concert venue by night. It’s a great place to grab a micro-brew, jam your friends and strangers together on the second level and dance the night away to awesome local or somewhat local (Colorado based) bands
Old Town Pub has a great set up as well with a huge bar area and lots of room to dance to their always different, funky and unique bands they keep coming to Steamboat.

Winter or Summer Free Concerts
Nothing beats seeing a great band with a backdrop of the great outdoors of Steamboat.
During the winter the Steamboat Ski Resort hosts their annual Bud Light Rocks the Boat Free Concert Series. These concerts are based at the bottom of the ski resort in the Gondola Plaza and sunshine or snow you will see famous bands grace the mountain town with killer tunes. Previous year’s performances included Ozomatli, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Donavon Frankeinrieter and more.

The Free Summer Concert Series is a non-profit that keeps the summers light and cheap with their free outdoor concerts set at the base of Howelsen Hill in downtown Steamboat. The locals and visitors alike arrive by the masses to see big headliner bands take the stage in the cool summer afternoons. Big names like Michael Franti, Rusted Root, Susan Tedeschi, the Avett Brothers and more. Grab your bike, put on your walking shoes or take the bus to this venue as parking is not a good option! See the 2010 free summer concert line up.

Ghost Ranch Saloon
The Ghost Ranch has been open now for over a year (see Steamboat Pilot article) and is proving that their swanky music venue is worth the steeper drink prices. The venue is one of the larger venues in steamboat that was catered to making a music specific venue in town. The setup allows for a large bar area with the stage very close by. The stage is set at ground level so you can get up close to the bands playing that night, or you can head up to the second story to watch with a birds eye view. The décor and atmosphere is like stepping into the old Wild West with a ritzy modern twist.

Steamboat Strings
Steamboat Strings brings in a wide range of musical talent to Steamboat with artists like Grammy winners and nominees, major competition winners and principal players from the most renowned orchestras and international soloists. Classical, bluegrass, country, rock and jazz notes fill the air as a nightly events during the summers in Steamboat. This wide range of music delights and entertains with famous musicians playing all summer at the beautiful music pavilion. See the full calendar and performer lineup.

So if you are coming to Steamboat make sure you check out a few or all of the great unique music venues Steamboat has to offer. ResortQuest also offers year round lodging deals and best rates to make your vacation a great value.

Finally! A Steamboat Powder Day...20+ inches! April 7, 2010

I think yesterday was the first day all season that it actually snowed in Steamboat all day and all night to bring us this, better late then never, double-digit powder day. We had over 20 inches of sweet powder and I think every local in town was out ripping the long awaited powder that, up until this point, seemed to come in small amounts all year long.

They finally opened up Morningside about 10:30 and I got to catch a lift with Seth Warner. He's on his 26th day of 30 resorts in 30 days. Seth gave Steamboat some props by saying, "this is the best snow I've had on the tour so far." Check out his website and blog at http://www.30resorts30days.com/

With the Steamboat ski area closing on Sunday, this storm came just in time! So get up here for some of the best snow ever on closing weekend! With the Springalicious 4-pack for $99 and $99/night lodging at select ResortQuest properties.

Check out the video below of the sweet pow-pow:

Earth Hour is coming! Sat March 27th at 8:30pm.

Earth Hour is here again and we are ready to show our support by turning off as many lights and work stations in the ResortQuest properties on Saturday night at 8:30 pm. We will be asking all of our guests to participate as well and turn off any unnecessary lights in their condo or townhome they are staying in!

Earth Hour has recruited millions of people around the world along with 4000 cities in 88 countries who have officially switched off the power, to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

This 2010 effort is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet. Earth Hour is to show the world that there can be a solution to the threat of global warming and it is possible through collective action.


Need some reminders of why we need to protect our one and only planet… see the videos below.




Remember that you can continue this energy saving practice on a daily basis, it is not only saving precious energy, lowering your energy footprint but you will also save money and quite a bit of it.
They say that for every household who unplugs appliances like the toaster or hairdryers on a daily basis and turns off lights or the tv when they leave a room, they can save lots of money.

Be part of the effort! Go to Earth Hour and sign up yourself or sign up your business. The best way to help the effort is to spread the word!

Here is an awesome link to a power calculator so you can see what kind of power you are using and how clean it is. Do your part to help change the planet's energy use and our ideas about it.

Activities To Do in Steamboat While the Ski Resort Closes Due to Weather.

This is actually a very rare and seldom, almost never, event when the Steamboat Ski Resort closes completely due to weather. Today’s cause is due to severe gusting winds that make it unsafe for the lifts to operate. These winds are expected to intensify through out the day so the lifts are on a “wind hold” and will not open until the weather conditions improve.
So what do you do when the Ski Resort is closed? Steamboat isn’t just about the snow: Check out the following activities we recommend and sign up to follow our blog so you will always know what is going on in Steamboat! Our concierge is happy to help you book any of these activities :

A Day Off the Mountain Activities:

Hot Springs –rejuvenate your body so tomorrow with all the new powder from this crazy storm you will be ready to go! Head to the downtown springs at the Old Town Hot Spring rec center or head to the Strawberry Park Hot Springs. It is recommended to go with a tour as the road conditions require 4-Wheel drive and a little bit of courage. Sweet Pea Tours or Hot Springs Adventures will get you to your destination safe, sound and it wont take away your relaxed vibe. Call our concierge.

Pools and Hot Tubs at your ResortQuest Condo- don’t want to fight the wind? Then pamper yourself with all our on-site amenities or call concierge to book a massage at the Trappeur’s Day Spa.

Tubing/Airboading: If you are still dying to get outside then head to Howelsen Hill for some tubing in the afternoon or we can book an airboarding experience you won't forget. Click if you don't know what airboarding is!
Movies: What a great day to watch a new movie than to be cold outside! See local movie listings.

Silver Lining Jewelry: Located right in Torian Plum Plaza, within feet from the Torian condos or a simple drive on the ResortQuest complimentary shuttles, where you will find gorgeous beads and more to make your favorite jewelry. All the staff is ready to help you create your favorite piece of jewelry!

The Potters Wheel: Get the creative juices flowing at this hands on ceramics center where you can create anything from your dads next favorite coffee mug to gorgeous serving platters, picture frames and more. Located downtown on 2780 Acre Lane. Our van drivers will know how to get you there and hours are Tues- Friday 11am – 5:30pm and Sat. and Sun. 12-4pm

Watch DVD's in your condo with Home delivered Pizzas from Soda Creek!

Go Downtown: Jump on the complimentary vans and check out the spring sales starting this weekend. Make sure you buy a good book at Off the Beaten Path or Epilogue and curl up in your over-sized king bed in your condo!

Apres Ski All Day: Hot toddys at Saddles Bar at the Sheraton, wear your boots to be ready to jump on the lifts when they crank up again or just look like you tried to conquer the wind! Or get Margaritas at Cantina, Pizzas and Beers at Slopeside or yummy lunch with TV at the Tugboat!

These are just a few of the alternative skiing options that Steamboat has in store. Contact our concierge for any questions or if you would like to book your windy day adventure!
• Torian Plum Concierge: (970) 870-4287
• Trappeur's Crossing Resort Concierge: (970) 870-4296
• Email: SteamboatConcierge@resortquest.com

Become a follower of our blog and always see what is going on in Steamboat!

Steamboat Ski Conditions are Fantastic for Spring Break

Yesterday's ski conditions (Mon. 3/15/2010) at Steamboat Ski Resort were fantastic still despite the lower snow totals we have been receiving this year.

The snow was a little icy in the early morning however it pleasantly warmed up to fun soft snow on the top at Storm Peak. As you got down to the lower mountain the snow started to become that fun "mashed potatoes" feel around the Gondola and down Heavenly Daze and Valley View ski runs. Try to stay off some of the more heavily used and popular trails and you will still find awesome snow.

The sunshine is making everyone happy and the spring breakers are having more than a good time with many of the boys sporting their winter white tans- I hope they were wearing sunscreen otherwise it will be a sore, burnt spring break!

Saturday's Free Bud Light Rocks the Boat Concert with the Easy Star All Stars was a great concert filling the air with beats keeping tired skiers still bopping to the music with the band playing for over an hour and a half. This Saturday March 20th the Free Concert is here again with Lyrics Born! Don't miss it- 3pm at the Gondola Square.
So get out and get some Sun! and there is rumor that the snow will be flying again this weekend with a big Northern storm headed our way! Check out the current Steamboat weather report.

Free Concert in Steamboat: Easy Star All Stars, March 13th, 2010!

The Easy Star All Stars will be “Rockin’ the Boat” for Free this Saturday at 3pm in the Gondola Square. Easy Stars are known for their rocking dub and reggae covers of well known albums like Dubside of the Moon (2003), Radiodread (2006) and their most recent Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band (2009). This band will be rocking in the sweet mountain sunshine this Saturday March 13!


This is just the beginning of Spring Celebrations with the Bud Light Rock the Boat Concert Series bring 4 more awesome concerts to the Steamboat slopes for Free!

Stay with ResortQuest to get perfect spring savings.