More good news!  We actually get Spring this year with warm weather in our forecast.  We still have almost two more weeks of skiing at Squaw and Alpine will be open weekends through May 13th.  Get out and enjoy it while it lasts.  Don’t forget about getting your next years Squaw Valley Ski Pass by May 7th, after that prices go up!  Here’s the link to Squaw season pass information:

http://www.squaw.com/the-mountain/lift-tickets-and-passes/season-passes

I figure you need to be updated on Squaw Valley’s five year Renaissance plans so here’s the link with the latest!

http://www.squaw.com/media/squaw-announces-details-for-50-million-capital-plan

Real estate in Squaw Valley has been consistently slow and prices are low!  It’s definitely a Buyers market with many fantastic opportunities to be had.  Pricing at the Squaw Valley Lodge is at 2003 levels with property priced at about 30% off of 2007-2008 sales comparables!

Deluxe Studios range from a low of $259k to $299k; our top floor, one-bedroom is only asking $399k, studio-lofts are $530k to $549,900.  We also have beautiful and spacious two bedroom units priced to sell at $785k and $795k.  Back in 2007-2008 these sold between $1.1M to $1.2M!!  There are great opportunities at every price level.  Considering all the planned improvements coming to Squaw Valley it really makes sense to own at Squaw Valley’s best location with the best amenities and the best managed property!

Squaw Valley’s Renaissance message to the community is right here, check it out! http://www.squaw.com/squaws_renaissance

Real estate activity is increasing due to low pricing and anticipation of great things coming! There have been fourteen Squaw Valley condominium sales since October 1st and seven are currently in escrow. Prices are comparable to those we had at the turn of the century (great deals) and with the implementation of Squaw’s $50 million Renaissance and the joining of Squaw and Alpine Meadows ski areas the outlook looks bright.

Pricing has leveled out so now is the time to get your Squaw getaway! All of our listed properties at the Squaw Valley Lodge are priced competitively. We have comfortable, upgraded deluxe studios with a variety of views including units overlooking our pool area; a top floor, sunny south facing one-bedroom unit with vaulted ceiling, and top floor studio-loft condominiums with views of KT-22 and Shirley Canyon. What’s your ideal floorplan? We always have additional units coming on the market, please check with us or our website to find out more! Of course all of the properties in Squaw Valley and beyond can be seen on our popular website, here’s that link: http://www.squawvalleyrealesate.com

Between Bob and I, we have over 47 years of real estate experience in Squaw Valley!  Whether buying or selling you can trust we will have your interest at heart. As always, please come on by the Squaw Valley Lodge; email or give us a call for the most up to date information. We always welcome a conversation or even suggestions of what you would like to see in this blog. Also, don’t forget about our property management division, Squaw Tahoe Vacation Rentals; we now manage properties outside of the Squaw Valley Lodge assisting with Vacation Rentals, Ski Leases, and Long Term Rentals at very competitive rates! You may contact our property manager Anna locally at 530.583.2130, toll free at 855.583.2130 or email her at:  rentals@squaw-tahoe.com

Get out and enjoy this new season and enjoy all the new improvements Squaw Valley USA has installed for you!

We’ll see you around a new fire pit with s’mores and drink in hand at the base of KT!

It’s been talked about for a long time and now it’s coming to fruition. Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are combining operations! Here’s the headline that was released!!

SQUAW VALLEY AND ALPINE MEADOWS ANNOUNCE THE COMBINATION OF TWO LEGENDARY MOUNTAIN DESTINATIONS
Two of North America’s renowned mountains join forces to provide enormous variety of terrain and adventure.
[Olympic Valley, CA and Alpine Meadows, CA] September 27, 2011—Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows Ski Resort announced today that the two North Lake Tahoe ski resorts have agreed to combine operations under common ownership and offer season passes and lift tickets that will allow guests to enjoy skiing and riding on both mountains. The transaction is expected to close prior to the commencement of the 2011-12 winter season.
Here’s the link to the rest of the momentous story!! http://www.squaw.com/press-release/alpine-meadows-and-squaw-valley-join-forces
In celebration, Mother Nature blessed us with our first snow of the season last week with a beautiful white blanket on the upper mountains. Although the official opening date isn’t until November 23rd, we’ll have to watch and see if nature has other plans! It might be a good idea to get your equipment tuned or purchased earlier than later.

Let’s not forget about all of the improvements Squaw Valley has initiated, here’s the link to Andy Wirth’s Renaissance message to the community! http://www.squaw.com/squaws_renaissance

Real estate sales slowed a bit toward the end of summer but interest sure has picked up in the last couple of weeks as weather cooled and we received rain and snow. Since august 1st there were only six condominium closings in Squaw with a very wide range of prices. Four of the six closings were two bedroom units ranging in price from $279,200 to $765,000. The two lower priced units were a foreclosure and a short sale and the high end unit was a top floor, larger two bedroom unit facing KT with views looking up toward Headwall at the Squaw Valley Lodge.

All pricing has come down so now is the time to get your Squaw getaway! All of our listed properties at the Squaw Valley Lodge are priced competitively and the Sellers are prepared to negotiate. Come see us and take a tour of what you could own! We have comfortable deluxe studios with a variety of views including units overlooking our pool area or facing KT; a top floor, sunny south facing one-bedroom unit with vaulted ceiling, and top floor studio-loft condominiums with views of KT-22 and Shirley Canyon. What’s your ideal floorplan? We always have additional units coming on the market, please check with us or our website to find out more! Of course all of the properties in Squaw Valley and beyond can be seen on our popular website, here’s that link: www.squawvalleyrealestate.com

Between Bob and I, we have over 47 years of real estate experience in Squaw Valley! Whether buying or selling you can trust we will have your interest at heart. As always, please come on by the Squaw Valley Lodge; email or give us a call for the most up to date information. We always welcome a conversation or even suggestions of what you would like to see in this blog. Also, don’t forget about our property management division, Squaw Tahoe Vacation Rentals; we now manage properties outside of the Squaw Valley Lodge assisting with Vacation Rentals, Ski Leases, and Long Term Rentals at very competitive rates! You may contact our property manager Anna locally at 530.583.2130, toll free at 855.583.2130 or email her at: rentals@squaw-tahoe.com

We look forward to the new season fast approaching and anticipate enjoying the all the new improvements Squaw Valley USA is inputting.

See you in the outdoors!

Norm Anderson & Bob Gebhardt

The weather has been great with moderate temperatures throughout the summer; wonderful for hiking, biking, fishing, golfing, barbequing, boating and attending an endless supply of concerts! River rafting got a very late start due to high water conditions downstream but many have taken advantage since the water was released beginning the first weekend in August. What a great summer once it got going!

Looking for activities for the rest of the month, here is Squaw’s calendar link for August: www.squaw.com/event-calendar-summer Don’t forget about free music in Tahoe City on Sundays, Tuesday Bluesdays in Squaw, Truckee Thursdays, and Kings Beach music on Fridays! Too much to list!

Real estate sales are continuing with many deals to be had. All pricing has come down so now is the time to get your Squaw getaway! All of our listed properties at the Squaw Valley Lodge are priced competitively and the Sellers are prepared to negotiate. Come see us and take a tour of what you could own! We have comfortable deluxe studios with a variety of views, a top floor, south facing one-bedroom unit, top floor studio-lofts with views of KT-22, and a spacious, top floor two-bedroom with fireplace, laundry, outside decks and fantastic views of Red Dog, KT, and Headwall! What’s your ideal floorplan? We may have an additional deluxe studio coming on in the next few days, please check with us or our website to find out more! Of course all of the properties in Squaw Valley and beyond can be seen at our popular website, here’s that link: www.squawvalleyrealestate.com

Between us we have over 47 years of real estate experience in Squaw Valley! Whether buying or selling you can trust we will have your interest at heart. As always, please come on by the Squaw Valley Lodge; email or give us a call for the most up to date information. We always welcome a conversation or even suggestions of what you would like to see in this blog. Also, don’t forget about our property management division, Squaw Tahoe Vacation Rentals; we now manage properties outside of the Squaw Valley Lodge assisting with Vacation Rentals, Ski Leases, and Long Term Rentals at very competitive rates! You may contact our property manager Anna locally at 530.583.2130, toll free at 855.583.2130 or email her at: rentals@squaw-tahoe.com

We hope you enjoy the remainder of the summer as we head toward another fantastic fall season. Have a relaxing Labor Day weekend!

We’ll see you soon in the outdoors!

Norm Anderson & Bob Gebhardt

This weekend kicks off the summer play season with a multitude of events and activities in Squaw Valley. July 2-4 will offer: skiing, snowboarding, KT Concert series kickoff, Fine Arts & Crafts Festival, Cushing Crossing, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and fireworks! Later in July is the Soaring Kites and Music Festival and the Wanderlust Festival. Here’s SV USA’s July events link: http://www.squaw.com/event-calendar-summer/2011-07
To see the July happenings in the North Lake Tahoe area follow this link from the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus: http://www.gotahoenorth.com/events?x_LocationID=&x_StartDate=07%2F01%2F2011&x_EndDate=07%2F31%2F2011

Squaw Valley is a great home base. In winter you are already at one of the top ski areas in the world and all you have to do is throw down some coffee and go. In the summer, otherwise known as road construction season, you don’t have to sit in traffic as they do on the Lake’s West Shore or from Tahoe City to Kings Beach and beyond. You can choose to go there or go the other way! There’s plenty of activities in Squaw but if you want/have to leave you can choose to turn left out of Squaw. Hiking, biking, fishing, golfing, picnicking, touring, shopping, roller blading, eating out at great restaurants, or just touring; there is so much to see. So many just focus on Lake Tahoe that they never have experienced Lakes Basin, Graeagle, Sierra City, Downieville, Jackson Meadows, Portola, Feather River, and so much more! And that’s if you make it past all that Truckee offers! Sure, you really should visit the Lake at least once but opportunity awaits in the path less followed!

Squaw Valley real estate is trading at values from about ten years ago. One bedroom/Studio units (560-650 sq/ft) are selling in the $250,000 to $300,000 range and two-bedroom condos are ranging from $317,500 to $560,000. Most of these are the result of the Resort at Squaw Creek auction a few weeks ago or from foreclosures and short sales. The Squaw Valley Lodge had one foreclosure last year, that’s it. The other resort’s and development’s selling prices are dragging the values down in Squaw. Most of the pricing at the SV Lodge is competitive and most of our Sellers are ready to negotiate a good deal. Of course all of the properties in Squaw Valley and beyond can be seen at our popular website, here’s our link: www.squawvalleyrealestate.com

As always, please come on by the Squaw Valley Lodge, email or give us a call for the most up to date information. We always welcome a conversation or even suggestions of what you would like to see in this blog. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend!

We’ll see you soon in the outdoors!

Also coming up is the deadline for Squaw ski passes for next year; you need to buy your pass by June 15th or you pay more, probably much more! Here’s that link: http://www.squaw.com/season-pass

So far I’ve heard that Alpine Meadows and Mammoth Mountain will be open July 2nd – July 4th; Squaw has yet to make the decision at this press time! There is still tons of snow on the hill, it will be a very long time for it all to melt, a very long time!

The hiking up Shirley Canyon ought to be amazing at some point with epic waterfalls! So far there is still too much snow for the bluebird hikers to make it up. One source has told me that there is about forty feet of snow in the Shirley Lake area! It will be a long time before spring makes it there.

Sales continue in Squaw at very reduced prices. The economy is not picking up and there are sellers needing to get out from under their debt. Sales pricing is about where we were at about 2002 to 2004. Pricing is off about thirty to forty percent from its peak in 2008. Sales of one-bedroom units are ranging from about $250k to $300k and two-bedroom units are selling in the $400k to $500k range! Of course this excludes some of the auctioned units at the Resort at Squaw Creek which sold for even lower!

The Squaw Valley Lodge units are competitively priced and all pricing is negotiable. Most recently we closed escrow on a top-floor studio with extended loft; it was listed at $599k and sold for $575k with over 900 square feet of upgraded living space facing KT! With the extensive amenities, superior location, and great management it’s no wonder the Squaw Valley Lodge holds value better than most of the other developments! Come on by and see why; we are open every day. Until then, check out our upgraded website and links!
www.squawvalleyrealestate.com

Spread the word; our new property management arm is up and running with more property owners signing up! Check out this new website too! www.SquawTahoeVacationRentals.com!

See you in the outdoors!

Norm Anderson & Bob Gebhardt

This is the last big month of skiing and boarding in Squaw and there are many activities for everyone coming up this month ending with the Lake Cushing Crossing.  Skiing at Squaw continues each weekend through the end of May; that’s Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until closing on the 30^th.  The mountain will also be running Monday, May 16^th due to the Amgen Tour departing from Squaw Valley!  The Amgen Tour of California starts/ends Sunday May 15^th in South Lake Tahoe and ends at Northstar; on Monday it departs from Squaw Valley and finishes in Sacramento.  Click this Squaw Valley USA link for events happening in Squaw Valley including the Amgen Tour.

Real estate in Squaw Valley continues to move.  Below are the sales of Squaw Valley condominiums since January 1, 2011 and all of the current listings of homes and condominiums in Squaw Valley.  Also, the current Squaw Valley Lodge price list.

Squaw Valley Condos Sold Since January 2011

Click on the link for current Squaw Valley Condos for Sale.

Click on the link for current Squaw Valley Homes for Sale.

SQUAW TAHOE VACATION RENTALS

Now for the really big news!  Squaw Tahoe Real Estate is growing. We are expanding into Property Management of homes, cabins and condominiums except for the Squaw Valley Lodge. To be very clear; Granite Peak Management provides the short term rental program at the Squaw Valley Lodge and we will not compete with those services in any way.

Our new division is named Squaw Tahoe Vacation Rentals (STVR) and includes Short Term Vacation Rentals, Long Term Rentals and Ski Leases!  We have chosen Anna Henningsson to lead our new department as she is highly qualified with many years of property management experience, she has a great attitude and a fantastic personality!

Squaw Tahoe Vacation Rentals offers professional property management and competitive rates!  Springing into action, we immediately offer reduced rates to property owners joining our program!  Management fees are only 25% for short term vacation rentals, 15% for Ski Leases, and only 9% for long term rentals.  Please compare these rates with any other program and you will find we make more money for you!

We are also offering a Special Promotion: the first fifteen property owners to join STVR shall receive a savings of approximately $600 in advertising/marketing costs for your property!

Please contact Anna for all of your questions about Squaw Tahoe Vacation Rentals and placing your home or condominium in our fantastic new program or if you may be looking for a competitively priced rental property!  Send this link or call to tell your friends, neighbors, family and relatives about the new property management option in Squaw Valley and surrounding areas!!  Squaw Tahoe Vacation Rentals; we aim to provide professional property management at competitive rates!

Call or email now to take advantage of our special promotion!

Contact Anna:         (530) 583.2130 or toll free (855) 583.2130

STVR email:            rentals@squaw-tahoe.com

STVR website:        www.SquawTahoeVacationRentals.com

As always, please come by or contact us, we would love to chat with you.

We’ll see you soon in the outdoors!

Norm Anderson & Bob Gebhardt

Eight feet of new snow and the ski and boarding conditions couldn’t be any better! After shoveling and snow blowing all week my back is tired but I can’t wait to take advantage of the blue skies and cold temperatures. Tomorrow Squaw opens Silverado, shhhhh, don’t tell anyone! Later this week we may get some more ‘freshies’ but right now it’s already incredible. I hope you’re here, enough said!

Did you hear about the $50 million worth of upgrades to Squaw by the new owners? This is exactly what Squaw needs and the new CEO, Andy Wirth is bringing in the best planners of ski areas to compete for the business! The future of Squaw Valley looks very bright and with the implementation of their ideas perhaps shiny too! Here’s the link to the article in the Reno Gazette Journal, check it out!

Real estate prices are stabilizing and the Squaw Valley Lodge properties are priced very competitively with its neighbors. We currently have only four studios, three loft units, and one two-bedroom condominium for sale. We offer upgraded units and views of KT, Red Dog, Headwall, and our beautiful pool area. With ski conditions being the envy of North America and $50 million of improvements being planned for our world class resort area, the Squaw Valley Lodge is the crown jewel of accommodations! Check out the full list below of the Squaw Valley Lodge price list attached above.