Fall in the Rockies is relatively short compared to other places known for autumn foliage, but the fact that it’s so fleeting is part of what makes it special. Steamboat is known for its extensive aspen groves and expansive valley views, offering some of the best “leaf peeping” in Colorado. What better way to experience it than with the simplicity of a hike, where all you need are a good pair of shoes (and of course don’t forget to bring water, and enough layers to navigate fall’s fast-changing climate). With so many great hikes in the Yampa Valley, it would take a lifetime to explore them all (the reason why so many of us love to live here). But here are a few of our favorites:

Easy: Panorama Trail at Buffalo Pass

Touted as one of the Top 20 best hikes for fall color in Colorado by The Denver Post, the Panorama Trail is an easy 1-mile loop that’s appropriate for everyone in the family, from small children to their grandparents. Located up Buffalo Pass at the Dry Creek campground, this scenic trail is brand new and was funded by the Bike Town USA initiative. It’s an easy-going, 300-foot vertical climb to the view point where the trail lives up to its name, offering panoramic views of the Yampa River Valley, Flattop Mountains and Continental Divide.

Moderate: Sunshine Peak Trail

Hop on the gondola and then take Duster over to the Sunshine trail for a semi-steep 2.2-mile loop that can be hiked in either direction and offers tremendous views of the Yampa Valley that make it ideal for leaf peeping. The trail traverses across Sunshine Bowl on the front side of Mt. Werner. The grade is steep but manageable and the views make it all worthwhile. The trail starts at the junction with Pete’s Wicked Trail and Duster and the climb tops out just after Cathy’s cutoff. The trail rolls through pockets of pine and aspen with open slopes in between. You can add on to this hike easily by checking out Pete’s Wicked or Cathy’s Cutoff, but you might find yourself happy just sitting on a rock and taking it all in.

Challenging: The Zirkel Circle

What makes this hike a challenge is the distance—11.2 miles—but for a true wilderness experience away from the crowded trails near downtown Steamboat, you can’t get much better than the Zirkel Wilderness. It’s off the radar (literally, there’s no cell phone reception) which is why the rugged peaks, alpine lakes, open meadows and spectacular fall colors feel so pristine. This loop can be hiked in either direction, has a 2,400-vertical foot gain that will take you to Gilpin Lake and up over Gilpin Ridge to Gold Creek Lake. The expansive wilderness puts this at the top of any serious Steamboat hiker’s bucket list, but during fall colors, this full day on the trail can’t be beat.

For more information on Steamboat’s Trails, check out Yampatika’s 25^th Anniversary hiking guide, “Come Hike With Us” or contact The Porches concierge for more information. 

The post Fields of Gold appeared first on The Porches.

When Ben Krueger isn’t fishing, he’s thinking about fishing. For the young Denver native moving to Steamboat was all about the fishing. “I’ve never been a big skier or snowboarder,” he says. “Moving to Steamboat was entirely motivated by fly fishing.” Like most young locals, he works two jobs, driving the shuttle for The Porches and working as a fly fishing guide for Yampa Valley Anglers. So while he might not be the best guy to chat it up with about the snow conditions, chances are good he can tell you what the trout are biting on.

We caught up with Ben to talk about why in his world, a river runs through it.

How did you get into fly fishing?

I have five older sisters so we didn’t have a lot of money for family vacations. We always went fishing when I was a kid. I didn’t like it until I was 12 and then I really took to it and it became a passion of mine. Soon I was fishing every day and every opportunity I had.

What do you love about it?

It’s not just about catching fish, but more about having peace and quiet and to be by yourself and not worry about anything else that’s going on in your life. I also like that I learn something new every day. It’s a sport you can never really master, that’s why people become so obsessed with it. You can approach it in so many different ways. One of the things I love about fly fishing the most is there are no right answers.

Tell us about your work as a guide.

My whole job is to help people catch fish and to show them the basics of fly fishing. I work a lot with kids and beginners. I teach them how to cast, how to understand what rig they’re fishing, how to set the hook, how to watch the indicator and how to bring them in. Then I’ll net the fish for them and release it. My goal is to create a whole experience for them.

Our philosophy at Yampa Valley Anglers is about building a great experience for the client. It’s not just about fishing, but about learning and being in the area and learning about nature, animals, our water system and anything else they want to know.

What would be your advice for someone who wants to try fly fishing for the first time?

My advice is to hire a guide and go for a half day and see if you like it. It takes a lot of the frustration out of learning. A guide can untangle knots, retie flies, help and net the fish. It makes the experience a lot smoother. What makes a lot of people fall out of the sport is how frustrating it can be for a beginner.

Tell us about fly fishing in the Steamboat area and why it’s such a great place for that.

The reason I love Steamboat and the Yampa Valley so much is the actual appearance of the fish here, especially our rainbow trout. They have some of the most vibrant colors. They’re deep red in fall and lighter pink in spring. Brown trout in the fall have this fire orange stomach and red spots all down their back, but come spring, it changes to white and gold bellies with darker spots. I love fishing in the Flat Tops Wilderness. It’s only about an hour south of town but it has a ton of lakes and small streams and it’s very secluded if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of town. I love taking people up there on the boat and showing them the Flat Top mountain range. You never see another person. It’s not just about the fish but the wilderness and the seclusion. People who come here to take a break from their busy lives can really appreciate that.

For more information on Yampa Valley Anglers, go to https://www.yampavalleyanglers.com or contact our concierge to schedule a fly fishing excursion.

The post FACES of The Porches: Ben Krueger appeared first on The Porches.

Unlike the rest of suburban America where kids swarm the neighborhoods for candy and parents panic about making sure they don’t run out, Halloween in Steamboat is a time for community gathering—and of course, it’s also one of the biggest street parties of the year.

“It’s actually really interesting from a historical perspective,” says Sara Gorevan, The Porches concierge. “Because the ranchers were so spread out, they wanted to have an event where everyone could get together and experience trick-or-treating.” The event, now over 30 years old, has become the hallmark occasion for the off-season and attracts visitors from all over who want to experience a big party in a small town setting, though it is still one of the most authentic and local events of the calendar year.

“They close off Lincoln Avenue and there are all kinds of vendors with hot cocoa and cider and candy for trick-or-treating” Gorevan says. “And the costumes are amazing. My favorite are families who get dressed up in themes. It’s one of the most fun events of the year and it definitely showcases the Yampa Valley’s strong family vibe and sense of community. This is an event that has grown up out of that.”

Halloween 2017 Costume Preview

Emojis will be everywhere this Halloween as it’s an easy and current costume to put together without a lot of fuss.

If you’re not obsessed with Game of Thrones, do some binge watching before the end of October so you can appreciate all the Daenerys, Jon Snow, Sansa, Cersei, and the other characters of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros you’re going to see out there wandering the kingdom of Steamboat.

Minions are going to be another craze because let’s face it—this is one of those movies that’s as much for the parents as it is for the kids. For adults who still a kid at heart, Guardians of the Galaxy will have cult status by October 31. Speaking of which, Star Wars is the perfect thing for your whole family to bridge the generation gap.

Where to get a costume in Steamboat …

The Costume Party Shop has a great selection of costumes and is located in Sundance Plaza, just a few minutes away from The Porches.

For more information on the Halloween Stroll or to make shuttle arrangements to take you to the event, contact our concierge. 

The post Halloween Stroll appeared first on The Porches.

Record Breaking Sales Continue

It’s not just the fall colors that are on fire in Steamboat—real estate sales are through the roof. The Steamboat Pilot and Steamboat Today reported over $22 million in closed transactions each week consistently over the past couple weeks. There has been a steady average of 10 sales a day in the broker multiple listing service every day. One day last week for example, the broker’s Multiple Listings Service reported 18 closed transactions and 240 pending transactions on the Daily Market Monitor. Existing inventory is low and new building continues to be on the rise.

Off season? What off season?

We have been as busy as always here at The Porches and are welcoming new owners from Miami this month. They have been renting and staying at The Porches every year and thought they should get in before the inventory is gone. Even though the lifts aren’t running yet, fall is an amazing time to come and visit Steamboat and see the fall foliage. Come stay at The Porches and experience for yourself all we have to offer.

Time (and inventory) is running out!

There are just a few townhomes left to purchase at The Porches.  Keep in mind the buyers are all looking for the same thing: top of the line construction, 5-star amenities with a rental program that is #1 on Trip Advisor. The Porches is a perfect ski vacation townhome to own in Steamboat.

It’s all in the numbers.

Total sales volume is up by +9.51%, with the YTD. at +25.55%.

Transactions are also up by +2.67% compared to last July, with the YTD. at +7.85%.
Single Family: -1%
Multifamily: +16%
Vacant Land: +73%

Real estate transactions for Sept. 8 to 14, 2017
Total sales — $18,295,600

Real estate transactions for July 28 through Aug. 3, 2017
Total sales — $22,022,635

Real estate transactions for Aug. 25 to 31, 2017
Total sales: $22,391,038

Real estate transactions for July 14 through 20, 2017
Total sales — $10,348,750

If you would like more information or to arrange a tour at The Porches, contact Beth Postemski, Director of Sales.

The post Real Estate Roundup appeared first on The Porches.

The post The Best Hiking Trails in Steamboat appeared first on The Porches.

The post 3 Reasons to Choose a Local Lender appeared first on The Porches.

The post Home Upgrades Buyers Are Looking For appeared first on The Porches.

Our guests are always looking for restaurant recommendations and the bottom line is this: one of the most fun things about living in Steamboat is having the rest of your life to try all the great food this town has to offer. Over the last few years, the culinary scene has become even more elevated, with more talented chefs putting out creative, sophisticated cuisine than we’ve ever seen before. Still, Steamboat will always maintain its casual, family-friendly atmosphere, and our love for burgers and BBQ.

Whether you’re a foodie who wants a true farm-to-table experience or parents with young children, Steamboat Restaurant Week is an opportunity to sample a little bit of everything. It all depends on what you’re in the mood for.

If you’re looking for…

The best place for a family dinner out (because who doesn’t like a nice, juicy steak?)

E3 gets its beef straight from the La Roche family-owned E3 Ranch in Fort Scott, Kansas and their Black Angus cattle are hormone, steroid and antibiotic-free. You’re not going to find any complicated fussy dishes here: beef is what’s for dinner on this refreshingly simple steakhouse menu. Some cool local trivia: country singer Luke Bryan is an owner in addition to professional baseball player brothers Jeff, Adam and Andy LaRoche. Adam and Luke are also good friends from filming their popular hunting show, “Buck Commander.” Yee-Haw!

Best place to dine outside:

You can’t beat the patio at Aurum. Located on the banks of the Yampa River, settle into one of the cozy couches around the fire pit for signature cocktails like the Cinnamon Pineapple Fizz or Winter Mule. Then dive into the kind of modern, creative cuisine you’re used to finding in big cities, but with Steamboat’s mountain town casual atmosphere. You’ll find elevated bar food like crispy duck wings and curry cauliflower alongside unique small plates like seared yellowtail served with toarashi, cucumber, seaweed and compressed watermelon and farm-to-table main courses like the crispy Korean Mountain View Farms pork chop.

Best place to bring a toddler:

The adult milkshake is kind of a dead giveaway that Johnny B. Good’s is a family-friendly joint. This 50s-style diner, located smack dab in the middle of downtown Steamboat, offers all the kid-friendly American style fare you could ever ask for, not to mention an excuse for Mom and Dad to rediscover their love for good ol’ burgers and fries. Your kids will love the groovy decor, too!

Best to forget about your diet for one night:

No one can resist the down home Southern Cooking at Low Country Kitchen. Owners Katy and Brian Vaughn are Southerners who wanted to bring a little piece of home to Steamboat, and what says south like shrimp and grits with fried okra? You can get all that and more at this hip and uber successful downtown eatery, which has been featured in The New York Times, The Denver Post, and Hemispheres, to name a few. Since opening in 2014, the restaurant has doubled in size and quadrupled in popularity. The message is clear: “Come on back now, you hear?”

Best place for family pizza night:

There’s a reason Mambo Italiano was voted “Best of the Boat” by locals: it’s real-deal Italian and has something for everyone, from a wide variety of pastas and brick oven pizzas to the kinds of classic Italian dishes that keep you coming back for more (chili glazed octopus, anyone?). Creative pizza topping combos like fig and gorgonzola or peach and jalapeno chicken make it a fun place for Mom and Dad, but what kid doesn’t want some good old fashioned pasta (penne or spaghetti with your choice of butter or tomato sauce). Now that’s what we call family-style.

Contact the Concierge for reservations. For more information about Steamboat Restaurant Week specials, visit Main Street Steamboat.

The post Steamboat Restaurant Week appeared first on The Porches.