The 2010 U.S. Olympic Trials are off to a roaring start with a phenomenal showing in the freestyle moguls competition today. Spectators lined Voo Doo ski trail on Steamboat Mountain to watch men and women Olympic hopefuls battle it out in two runs for one spot on the 2010 Winter Olympic Team for the games in Vancouver, British Columbia.  Hannah Kearney, who won the women’s World Cup over-all moguls championships last season is among the favorites for the women’s competition while Bryan Wilson, Mike Morse, Nate Roberts, Pat Deneen and Jeremy Cota are among the men who will be battling it out in the men’s competition. We wish everyone the best!

http://www.steamboat.com/newsviewer.aspx?id=628

Ring in the sounds of the holiday season with a special Community Acoustic Christmas concert with guitarist Brent Rowan & Friends performing live at the Steamboat Grand at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 19, 2009. In addition, Rowan & Friends will showcase A Reason For The Season by donating a portion of the proceeds to Lift-Up, whose mission is to assist those in need, providing charitable assistance for needs created by unemployment and poverty.

Brent Rowan & Friends will perform at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 19th in the Priest Creek ballroom at the Steamboat Grand. Tickets are $25 if booked before December 19th and any remaining tickets will sell day of the show at the door for $30. Tickets are on sale through Steamboat Central Reservations® at 970-879-0740 or 800-922-2722, or steamboat.com. Acoustic Christmas tickets are also for sale downtown at All That Jazz, and at the Travel Center at Steamboat, located at 1475 Pine Grove Road, Suite 205.

Blogger: Sandy Evans-Hall, Executive Vice President of the Chamber

I have often been frustrated with the state’s ballot process.  I have even been known to vote NO on all constitutional amendments, regardless of their merit, just because I don’t think everything but the kitchen sink belongs in our state constitution.  Referendums from our legislators in recent years have seemed watered down with all the political give and take.  And I refuse to sign all the initiative petitions carried by people I don’t know that I believe are being paid to get my signature as if it was a commodity.  Then there are the campaigns with battling 30 second sound bites that battle for the worst outcome leaving me feeling hopeless because the end of the world is certain regardless of how I vote.

So, with my pent up frustration, I have been participating in the recent civic engagement dialogue sponsored by Colorado’s Future organization and was a willing table facilitator as well as core leader for the meeting held Wednesday night at the Steamboat Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center.  It was wonderful to see so many civic leaders in one place at one time – a real who’s who of the community.  I thought if ever a group could be convened to make a difference in anything, this was the group! 

The process of the evening was quite interesting.  We interacted with each other, we listened to each other, and we voted our views as it related to state ballot reform with our handy dandy technological keypad gadgets.  We learned early on that we were evenly divided between Republican and Democrats with a larger than normal supply of independent voters.  And yet, together we came to an overwhelming majority when it came to our choice of solutions. 

As was explained to us by the spokespeople present, this civic engagement process could present a new way to address state reform.  If we can come to such a level of agreement in our community and if we could agree with similar groups in other communities such as Grand Junction, Pueblo, Lakewood, and Greeley, we just might be able to convince our legislators to carry such a solution to the voters without over compromising it.  And we could each talk to 20 of our friends or family that would be influenced by their relationship and trust in us and we could get enough votes to get it passed.  

I felt hopeful again! I think this could actually work!   At least I’m willing to give it a try.  As was presented at the start of the meeting, the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”  It will be fascinating to see how this unfolds as we move forward, and if it is successful, who knows?  Constitutional reform, fiscal reform, watch out… here we engaged civic leaders come!

Blogger: Meagan Coates, Chamber Staff

Santa Claus will join hundreds of chamber members for a fun-filled holiday mixer today at the mountain from 5-7pm. The chamber ambassadors will be spreading holiday cheer and Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. and The Sheraton Steamboat Resort will be providing delicious food samples and drinks. Explore the NEW base area facilities starting with the new Ski & Snowboard School Ticket Office, the new Kids Vacation Center, the Information Center, Level One Lounge and finally relax with friends and business members at the 3Saddles fire pit at The Sheraton. Free parking! Dress warm! See you there!

Blogger: Courtney Allen, Steamboat Chamber Staff

I was extremely excited today to head to One Steamboat Place to present our Spurs On Service program to some of their fabulous employees. As I walked into the lobby, my mouth literally fell open in awe at beauty I saw before me. Plush couches and chairs in beautiful colors and patterns, exclusive artwork, blazing fire places and a seemingly endless ceiling instantly transforms you into a world of Steamboat luxury. As I was toured through the massive, yet oh-so-cozy, members-only lounge I was blown away by the attention to detail of each piece of pottery, each book that was selected to live on the coffee tables for members to browse through, and the richness of the floors created with wood recovered from dilapidated barns. Nothing made more of a statement, however, then the magnificent chandelier hanging from the lounge’s ceiling, a swirling school of amber-colored glass fish, each hand blown making each one their own unique piece of art.

The units themselves, 80 in total, continue to take you on a journey into another world. The décor is perfection, bringing in the feeling of the west but polishing off the look with a style that is indescribably chic. Owners will find themselves in a state of bliss as they lounge on couches that you literally sink into, plush beds with pillows galore and sprawling bathrooms. Let’s not forget the beautiful views that can be taken in from the balcony or one of the many windows in each unit. At the end of the day owners can head down to the wine room where they can have a glass of wine from their own collections that can be sent ahead of their stay and stored in their very own wine locker or enjoy dinner at one of the up and coming restaurants that will open in the next few months. One Steamboat Place is truly a treat and is an undeniable combination of the best of Steamboat: atmosphere, class and good ‘ole fashion fun. Go and see for yourself!

 Click here to discover more great places to stay and live in Steamboat!

Guest Blogger, Ryan Marsden: Resident, Architect and YPN Member

Holiday Sweaters and vests…check.

Plaid Pants w/ stirrups…check

Circa 1978 Ski Hat w/ snow flakes…check

Velcro securely fastened on bowling shoes …check

Dressed to the nines, YPN members hit the lanes at Snow Bowl for a night of strikes, spares, splits and yes, a few gutter balls.  The Fresh Air Committee (dedicated to organizing monthly recreational, arts, and cultural activities) organized a bowling night for all YPN members to come celebrate the Holiday season in true style, and did they ever!  What better way to get to know fellow YPN members than discussing the intricacies of a hand knit bear sweater with custom maple leaf buttons or busting out a famous dance move after a strike.  It was a great evening filled with fun, laughter and Holiday spirit.

The Young Professionals Network of Steamboat Springs is a great organization to be involved with.  Aside from dressing in Holiday garb and bowling the night away, there are ample opportunities to become involved whatever ones interests may be.  YPN offers its members professional skill workshops, coffee chats, philanthropic opportunities, and monthly events with guest speakers, just to name a few.  This is all put together to connect young professionals to one another, foster partnerships with and among the community, and to motivate personal and professional development.  

Click here for more information about Steamboat’s Young Professionals Network.

John Fielder, renowned Colorado nature photographer, is bringing his recently released Ranches of Colorado slide show presentation to the Steamboat Springs Community Center.  On Monday, December 7 doors will open at 7:00 pm with the slide show beginning at 7:30.  Join John Fielder and experience his journey to some of the most beautiful ranches in Colorado.

The slide show will include over 250 of the project photographs and John will tell stories about his experiences working with these remarkable ranchers and exploring their ranches…all enhanced with the inspiring symphonic music of Aaron Copland.  Both book and slide show will be used to rally support for ranchland conservation, and to raise funds for conservation efforts so that these lands can remain in ranching in perpetuity.

Tomorrow is December 4^th which means First Friday Artwalk will be in full swing. For two years now on the first Friday of each month the participating venues of the Artwalk have provided free, open receptions featuring fresh art in downtown Steamboat. Each venue features a different show including paintings, sculpture, photography and more from local artists.

 This month’s walk is especially exciting as it will be featuring 24 art shows making this month’s collection of downtown galleries, retailer and other outlets the largest in the walk’s history. Make sure to check out the Artwalk’s new venues which include Azteca Taqueria, Chocolate Soup Pastry Café, The Epicurean Café and Storm Peak Innovations.

The walk is from 5-8 PM. Call 970-979-4744 for a list of this month’s participating galleries.

Guest Blogger: Meagan Coates, Chamber Staff Member

In short, the Winter Activity Mixer ROCKED. A once empty ballroom was transformed by the exhibitors into a colorful, interactive learning center with tons of energy and great information. Even though I have lived in Steamboat long enough to be familiar with some of the wonderful activities we have available to us like cross country skiing, tubing and dining,  I was intrigued by the fantastic retailers and service providers that were there strutting their stuff.

An activities fair would not be complete without Ray Heid from Del’s Triangle 3 Ranch with his genuine western Steamboat-style friendliness and the long-standing exhibitors like Christy Sports, Black Tie Ski Rentals and the US Forest Service and this event had all of them and oh so much more!

Hope you didn’t miss this food sampling, handshaking, prize winning, super fun event.

Visit our activities directory to discover all the great things to do here in the Boat.

It’s finally here! Just one more day until Steamboat Mountain is finally open for the season! 

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO, November 24, 2009-The Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation kicks off the 2009/2010 season tomorrow, Wednesday, November 25, 2009 with Scholarship Day, offering specially priced $20 lift tickets. Scholarship Day is the traditional opening day benefit for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club’s (SSWSC) Scholarship Fund.

“The start of the season is always a special time in a resort community such as Steamboat and a great reason to celebrate the opportunities and possibilities of the coming winter,” said Chris Diamond, president and chief operating officer of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation.  “With multi-million dollar improvements to the snowmaking system over the past three years, we’re seeing the results firsthand and the benefit this new technology provides the resort in terms of getting of to a great start to the season.”

Specially-priced $20 lift tickets will be offered ONLY on Wednesday, November 25, 2009. No season passes or value passes will be valid that day. Scholarship Day tickets may be purchased at the Main Ticket Office, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are available in advance. See you out there!

http://www.steamboat.com/