SkiDUCK "Spring Splash" in Lake Tahoe

SkiDUCK Hosts over 200 Disadvantaged Youth for Free Skiing and Snowboarding – No April Fools!
 

On Sunday April 1, SkiDUCK will host over 200 disadvantaged youth from Northern Nevada and California for a free day of skiing and snowboarding in Lake Tahoe.  Yep, free!  Nope, not an April Fools joke!  With generous donations of lift tickets, rentals and lessons from participating Tahoe resorts Squaw Valley, Kirkwood, Tahoe Donner and Mt. Rose, the SkiDUCK non-profit organization is able to introduce a life-long sport to youth who may otherwise never have the opportunity to learn.
 
"This weekend is our big Spring Splash at Squaw Valley, where we’ll have as many as 175 kids and 50 volunteers enjoying Tahoe’s amazing spring skiing & riding” said SkiDUCK Founder Clint Lunde.  Kirkwood and Tahoe Donner are also hosting 40 kids each.  It’s absolutely overwhelming how supportive Squaw Valley and all our participating resorts have been of our kids.
 
SkiDUCK is very excited that Fireside Pizza Co. in Squaw Valley will be providing FREE lunch for all the participants of the "Spring Splash" event!  The support that Fireside Pizza Co. has given SkiDUCK is greatly appreciated by the event organizers and especially by the at risk youth programs that are bringing their kids out for a fun day on the slopes.  "By providing lunch for the event, Fireside Pizza Co. is making an amazing day even better and we are so grateful for their continued support" said Dave Westall, Director of N. Tahoe SkiDUCK events.
 

SkiDUCK partners with youth groups such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Tahoe Safe Alliance, Title 1 schools and numerous other at-risk youth programs.  In just their third season, the entirely volunteer-based organization will host over 1,500 free ski and snowboard visits for underprivileged youth from 30 clubs, at 14 resorts, across nine states from coast to coast.
 
“While most people don’t think about skiing or snowboarding as life-changing activities, our programs are having a real impact in many kids’ lives” said Lunde.  “Just yesterday I received a note from a youth club director describing how their kids are now opening up, connecting with their mentors and developing a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem they had never seen before.  It brought tears to my eyes, and reminded me once again that there’s magic in the mountains.  Being able to share that magic with these amazing kids is a beautiful thing.”
 
If interested in donating, volunteering or learning more about SkiDUCK visit www.SkiDUCK.org or call 775-287-6464.  With no paid salaries, all donations go directly to youth ski and snowboard programs.

Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows Announce 2012-13 Season Pass Pricing

•    The Tahoe Super Pass is on sale now starting at $429 and includes free skiing in April-access to over 6000 acres, 43 lifts, 270 trails and six terrain parks
•    New passholder benefit: California Adventure Package™ includes free room nights, free golf with value over $1,000
•    Purchase deadline of May 7 for best value and best benefits
•    New high-speed, six-passenger chairlift, snowmaking improvements, improved High Camp beginner experience

[Olympic Valley and Tahoe City, Calif.] March 27, 2012 – Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows announce season pass pricing for the 2012-13 winter season, as well as the next stage of improvement plans designed to further enhance the resorts. Starting at $399 for renewing passholders and $429 for new passes, the 2012-13 Tahoe Super Pass offers unrivaled beginner, intermediate and expert terrain across 6,000 skiable acres, 43 lifts, 270+ trails and six terrain parks at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.

The combination of these two resorts, which are located just 10 minutes apart via the Squaw Alpine Express, offers a mountain experience like none other in California. Even better, those who purchase a Gold or Silver season pass before May 7, 2012 will lock in the guaranteed best prices as well as incredible benefits, including the new California Adventure Package™ featuring a free night’s stay at some of California’s most luxurious hotels, complimentary rounds of golf, and free ski conditioning classes at the Bay Area’s top fitness clubs and sports resorts.

The 2012-13 winter season marks year two of Squaw Valley’s Renaissance – the five-year, $50 million capital improvement plan bringing dramatic improvements to the resort both on and off the mountain. Year one of Squaw’s renaissance brought a renovated base village with new restaurants, bars, fire pits, and other amenities as well as completely revamped terrain parks in partnership with Snow Park Technologies (SPT), the new SnoVentures™ activity zone with tubing and mini-snowmobiles, and the world’s first ski-in/ski-out Starbucks located mid-mountain.

The highly anticipated improvements for year two of the renaissance include a high-speed, detachable, six-person chairlift, redesigned High Camp beginner learning area, and improved snowmaking. The current High Camp chairlift will be removed and replaced with a longer high-speed, six-pack chairlift, providing quick and easy access to the Shirley Lake, Granite Chief and Solitude terrain as well as provide faster access to Squaw’s terrain parks. An existing lift will be realigned to improve the High Camp beginner ski and snowboard experience. In addition to the lift upgrades, Squaw will be significantly improving snowmaking. The enhancements to Squaw’s snowmaking capabilities will mean a more reliable high-quality snow surface all season long and particularly in the early season, including terrain for every ability level from beginner to advanced skiers.

“We know how important it is for our guests to enjoy a wide variety of terrain, even in the early weeks of winter,” said Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. “We are investing many millions of dollars into snowmaking upgrades which will enable us to open Mountain Run and the upper mountain more reliably.”

Skiers and riders who purchase their 2012-13 season pass before May 7 can get a jumpstart on its use. New pass purchasers will be able to ski and ride for free starting April 1 through the end of the season as an added season pass benefit. Both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are currently scheduled to remain open daily for skiing and riding through April 29 and Alpine Meadows is scheduled to remain open Friday through Sunday through May 13, conditions permitting.

“We hope our new passholders will take advantage of both Squaw and Alpine’s renowned reputation for great spring skiing and riding from April 1 until the end of the season,” said Julie Maurer, vice president of marketing and sales for Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. “We also want to thank our current 2011-12 passholders by offering them special rates for renewal for the 2012-13 winter season.”


2012-13 Season Pass Pricing:
The following is the adult pricing for the 2012-13 season pass. Lowest pricing is only guaranteed through May 7, 2012.

GOLD - $729 (Renewal Rate: $699)
Skiers and riders can take full advantage of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows’ legendary terrain every day of the 2012-13 winter season with the gold pass option. The Gold Pass is the most “bang for your buck” season pass. No restrictions.

SILVER - $499 (Renewal Rate: $469)
Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows’ Silver Pass is valid daily, excluding select holiday dates.*  Ideal for those looking to ski weekends.

BRONZE - $429 (Renewal Rate: $399)
Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows’ most inexpensive pass is ideal for those who can navigate a more restricted pass. Bronze passholders are able to enjoy up to 15 Saturdays throughout the winter season. Pass not valid during select holiday dates and Saturdays in January and February**

COLLEGE - $379 (Renewal Rate: $349)
Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows’ college pass is valid daily, excluding select holiday dates.*The college pass is available to all full-time college students (12 credits or more) at accredited colleges and universities.***

YOUNG ADULT  – Ages 13-22
Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows’ young adult rates are available for ages 13-22, the largest young adult age range in the Tahoe region. Young adult rates are as follows: Gold - $559; Silver - $379; Bronze- $319. Renewal rates for 2012-2013 young adult season passholders are as follows:  Gold - $529; Silver - $349; Bronze- $299.

CHILD –Ages 5-12
Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows’ child rates are available for ages 5-12 (4 and under ski for free).  Child rates are as follows:  Gold - $259; Silver - $219.  Renewal rates are as follows:  Gold - $239; Silver - $199.

Note: Complete child, young adult and senior pricing is available at www.tahoesuperpass.com.

*Silver Pass and College Pass blackout dates: Dec. 26-31, 2012; Jan. 19-20, 2013; Feb. 16-17, 2013 (10 dates total)
**Bronze Pass blackout dates: Dec. 26-31, 2012; Jan. 19-20, 2013; Feb. 16-17, 2013; Saturdays Dec. 29, 2012-Feb. 23, 2013 (19 dates total)

Perks for Gold and Silver passholders:

• The new California Adventure Package- added benefits valued at over $1000 (must purchase by May 7 to receive these benefits):
• Buy one night, get the second night free at each of these hotels: Hotel del Coronado (Coronado, Calif.) , La Costa Resort (Carlsbad, Calif.)  and Rancho Las Palmas (Rancho Mirage, Calif.)
• Six free ski & ride conditioning classes at Western Athletic Club Clubs  throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. www.westernathleticclubs.com    
• Three complimentary rounds of golf. One at each of the following Sacramento, Calif. area golf courses: Turkey Creek Golf Club; Empire Ranch Golf Club and Teal Bend Golf Club

Perks for all season passholders:

• All-day lift tickets available at afternoon rates on blackout dates
• Free night skiing during night operations at Squaw Valley
• Discounted lift ticket for eight friends: four tickets at $75, valid any day, non-holiday; four tickets at $50, valid Monday through Friday, non-holiday
• 10 percent off  food at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows owned food and beverage outlets
• 30 percent off adult and young adult private, half-day ski and snowboard lessons, non-holiday
• Retail discounts: preseason private party shopping event; monthly and other regularly scheduled discount days in all Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows owned shops
• Resort charge and direct-to-lift privileges
• 2012 summer tram access at Squaw Valley
• Free spring pool access at Squaw Valley
• Village at Squaw lodging discounts

Season Pass Insurance:
Season passholders have the option to purchase insurance in the event of an unexpected situation such as an injury or job loss. Pass insurance is $30 for adults, young adults, college students and seniors. Children and super senior rates are $15.

How to Purchase:
FFor maximum convenience, Squaw season passes can be purchased online at www.tahoesuperpass.com beginning on Tues., March 27, 2012.  Purchasers can fill-out all necessary forms, receive more information regarding season pass insurance and payment information online.

The most up-to-date resort conditions, operation schedules, events and live mountain cams are available on www.squaw.com and www.skialpine.com.


About Squaw Valley
Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley is internationally renowned for legendary terrain that spans 3,600 skiable acres, six peaks and 30 chairlifts, and ranges from an expansive mountaintop beginner area to unrivaled expert steeps, trees and bowls. Off the mountain, families relax in The Village at Squaw Valley around the cozy fire pits or enjoy a host of restaurants, bars, boutiques and art galleries. Guests can stay in one of The Village at Squaw Valley’s one, two or three bedroom suites, each with a fireplace, kitchen and balcony, for the ultimate slopeside lodging experience.

About Alpine Meadows
Alpine’s seven powder bowls, summit-to-base groomed slopes, and authentic hospitality are among the many attributes that have made the resort a favorite of the local community and visitors alike.  Alpine Meadows offers skiers and riders access to more than 100 trails across 2,400 skiable acres serviced by 13 lifts.  With its high annual snowfall, the resort boasts one of Tahoe’s longest skiing and boarding seasons.

Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows joined forces in November 2011, bringing the two ski resorts under common ownership. Skiers and riders can access 6,000 skiable acres, 43 lifts, six terrain park and 270+ trails at Squaw and Alpine Meadows on one lift ticket or season pass.

Tahoe Donner Real Estate Sales Chart

This week I was meeting with some good clients of mine who purchased a home in the Truckee, CA neighborhood know as Tahoe Donner back in 2009 to discuss some upgrades and remodeling they completed and to see how those upgrades affected the pricing of their home.  While I was putting together my report for my clients I decided that I should create a chart showing trends in average price, median price, and the number of sales going back to 2006.  

This graph paints a rather grim picture for average and median pricing, but I think the highlight would have to be that overall Tahoe Donner sales volume is up 16.7% from the height of the market in 2006.  Even more interesting is the fact that sales volume has been up for the last 3 years as buyers are taking advantage of motivated sellers, historically low pricing, and low interest rates. 

In addition to the chart above I completed  a 12 month analysis of Tahoe Donner single family residence (SFR) sales as of 02/20/2012 and here are my findings:

Average Price: Down 8%, from $580.4K to $534.3K
Median Price: Down 4.7%, $523.5K to $499K
Number of sales: Up 1%, from 222 sales to 224 sales
Days on Market (DOM): Down 4%, from 92 days (average) to 87 days

Overall these statistics show that sales volume has remained relatively flat (last 3 years) while average and median pricing continue to fall.  Currently there are 61 Single Family Homes for sale in Tahoe Donner which translates to a 3.26 month supply of inventory (224 sales in the last 12 months/12 months=18.66 sales per month, 61 active listings/18.66 sales per month= 3.26 month supply of inventory).

    “Normal Market” conditions exist when the Absorption Rate is 5-7 months.
    “Seller’s Market” conditions exist when the Absorption Rate is lower. (1-4 month)
    “Buyer’s Market” conditions exist when the Absorption Rate is higher. (7+ months)

Please keep in mind that during the winter months Tahoe Donner inventory levels are at their lowest for the year and in my opinion we are still in a buyer’s market due to the number of distressed sales (Short Sales and REO’s) in the Tahoe Donner market.  Over the last 12 months there have been 38 distressed sales in Tahoe Donner accounting for 17% of all sales.  These distressed sales are having a negative effect on pricing and are the main reason for decreasing Tahoe Donner sales prices.

My clients purchased their home on in November of 2009, so I performed an analysis of the Tahoe Donner market from the sale date versus 02/20/2012:

Average Price: Down 12.9%, from $613.2K to $534.3K
Median Price: Down 12%, from $566.7K to $
Number of Sales: Up 9%, from 204 sales to 224 sales
Days on Market: Down 22%, from 111 days to 87 days

If you are interested in having me perform a market analysis for your Truckee/Lake Tahoe property please feel free to call or email me to discuss as I would be interested in helping you out. 

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David Westall, Realtor
Tahoe Riverfront Realty, Inc.
150 Alpine Meadows Rd
Alpine Meadows, CA 96146
David@WestallRealEstate.com

www.WestallRealEstate.com
P: 530-448-9882 | F: 530-583-6312
DRE# 01796995

Village at Squaw Valley Expansion Proposal

I just received this conceptual rendering of one of the proposals for the expansion of the Village at Squaw Valley that the renowned design/planning firm Hart Howerton has put together.  Based on this proposal it would seem that plans are in the works for an almost 10x expansion of the current size of the Village with more condos, townhomes, and single family residences being developed.
(click on the image to enlarge)

 

As you look at the rendering you will notice the current Village at Squaw is shown in grey towards the middle and then other existing buildings, condos, etc. are also shown in grey.  The proposal has multiple phases that will build out all current parking areas with mixed use development and it would appear that many current buildings will either be demolished or added onto.  Like the current Village, I am guessing that many of the structures will feature underground parking for owners and guests while patrons of the ski resort will either come to the mountain via public transit or be forced to park in the noted parking garages that are near the Squaw Valley Post Office. 

Photo Courtesy of Tor Johnson Photography

At this time the rendering is just a proposal and will most likely be altered over the course of the Placer County approval process, but it shows you that KSL Capital Partners is thinking big and they are trying to make the most out of their acquisition of Squaw Valley.   My guess is that KSL will most likely get the approval process started and then sell the resort to another development company/ski resort management company similar to Vail Resorts for a hefty profit.  Historically KSL does not own assets for more than 5 years so it is hard to imagine that they would break their model for this project, but you never know. 

To give you a sense of timing, the Homewood Redevelopment Plan took approximately 6 years to gain approval.  That process consisted of multiple public hearings, environmental impact studies, traffic studies all of which resulted in the reconfiguration of density and an approval to move forward.  That project was a quarter of the size of this proposal so I am guessing that the Village Expansion could be 6+ years out at this point.  The Tahoe region has a rigorous project approval process that will take into consideration how a given project will affect traffic, waterways, water usage, the environment, and most importantly, sustainability.  With the current vacancies in the commercial core of the Village it's hard to imagine doing something like this in the current economy, but 10 years from now we could be in a different economy altogether making a project like this more feasible. 

Siberia Bowl and the Palisades

With a project of this magnitude there will surely be a population of those against the development plans.  Those in opposition need to make sure that their voices are heard by joining together and forming a group of concerned citizens and making sure that they attend planning meetings and establish a clear voice that the developers will hear.  There will also be many people who are in favor of the development of this project who have a vested interest in the opportunity that projects like this create.  In the end, times are changing and if you want to have some control over a project of this magnitude make sure to be pro-active and get involved with planning meetings and community gatherings to discuss what is going on in Olympic Valley.

David Westall, Realtor

Tahoe Riverfront Realty, Inc.

P: 530-448-9882

David@WestallRealEstate.com

WestallRealEstate.com

CA DRE# 01796995