Serving you, homeowners in the Telluride valley, with inspiring, relevant local information highlighting the abundant happenings and hidden surprises of this wonderfully remote mountain community that we call our year-round home.
WHAT A FALL IT HAS BEEN!
October is a great month to be in the mountains. The weather patterns and fall leaf colors are in transition and we are on the edge of an off-season. So, in other words, there is a lot happening outdoors but indoors there is a slightly slower pace making for a relaxing atmosphere downtown and in the Mountain Village. Restaurants and shops are still open for business but after Oct.15 arrives, the townsfolk lock up for up to 6 weeks while the ski area gets ready to open once again for the 2007- 2008 season. Longtime locals have a sixth sense that the time for bringing out that ole’ ski jacket, worn down ski boots and scruffy hat is fast approaching. Yet another chapter is to be written about a hearty mountain lifestyle where one brags about logging-in ski turns, powder memories and good times on the ski lift with ski buddies. In preparation for the long winter ahead (typically mid-October thru early April) shopkeepers, business owners and local trust funders (you would be surprised at how many there are here per capita) all head ‘outta town to any where but Telluride.Most return but a large segment of persons do not in fact return for the ski season. The summer seasonal workers are leaving and in mid-November there will be all sorts of new faces greeting us in the service industries. The hard facts for these seasonal workers are the astronomical costs of living. We are talking New York level rent prices! Housing is so tight that the average bartender, waitress and construction laborer pay $1,000+ on average for a bed. That would be for “a bed” which doesn’t necessarily translate into one’s own bedroom. Many workers maintain two jobs and consequently have no leisure time which translates into a low satisfaction level and they just end up leaving after a season or two. Enough is enough! Paradise or not!
Another chapter in Kastle Keepers, LLC has begun. To Lee’s high-end absentee homeowner caretaking service and real estate operation based at Christie’s Great Estate Affiliate, Telluride Real Estate Corporation, has been added a luxury rental home division. All divisions are an integral part of the “canopy of services” that we offer.
In our 18 plus years of business we have accumulated a fine collection of trade’s people. We have excellent long-term, year-round professionals working 7-days-a-week, 365 days-a-year. Collectively, they are the most important addition to our “canopy”. Luckily for us this call for expanded service did not happen overnight. We started anticipating our client’s needs then expanding the services offered. At this point our clients expect them and rightly so.
Our add-on luxuries now include personal airport shuttle service, private Black Canyon Fly Fishing trips, grocery shopping/delivery and stocking, and access to Boot Doctor’s Ski Shop after hours for ski rental equipment and fittings. So tap into our expanded concierge services and enjoy yourselves even more while visiting.
OCTOBER 2007 CALENDARFriday, October 05, 2007 - Sunday, October 07, 2007
Writers in the Sky Spend a day with regional authors as they give presentations, read from their works and engage in dialogue with each other and the audience. Wilkinson Public Library.970.728.4519
Saturday, October 06, 2007 - Saturday, October 06, 2007
Telluride Oktoberfest More than just beer, brats and oompah music. Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village.970.728.5424
Sunday, October 07, 2007 - Sunday, October 07, 2007
Ophir Hill Climb Run or bike from Ophir to the top of the pass. 970.729.1379
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Sacred Voice in Poetry: Poetry of the Divine Join wordsmith Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer at the Wilkinson Public Library Program Room to read and discuss some of the most sacred voices in poetry, 6 to 8 p.m. 970.728.9799, ext. 20
Thursday, October 11, 2007 - Sunday, October 14, 2007
Ideas Festival Relocalization and sustainability with regard to food, energy, education and other resources will carry the theme of speakers and discussions at the Sheridan Opera House and a Harvest Supper on Thursday night. 970.728.8312
Friday, October 12, 2007
Community Feast and Forum A pow wow with sustainability guru Kris Holstrom, and the Telluride Institute, to exchange ideas and facilitate change. 970.728.9799, ext. 20
Friday, October 12, 2007 - Saturday, October 13, 2007
Walking Words Walking Words begins with a progressive dinner from 6 to 9 pm on Friday featuring three courses, each at a different restaurant, accompanied by a reading. Saturday is devoted to workshops in fiction, poetry and nonfiction. Ah Haa School. 970.728.3886
Monday, October 15, 2007
Free Film Night A free film (TBA) at the Wilkinson Public Library Program Room, 6 to 8 p.m. 970.728.9799, ext. 20
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Sacred Voice in Poetry: Poetry of the Divine Join wordsmith Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer at the Wilkinson Public Library Program Room to read and discuss some of the most sacred voices in poetry, 6 to 8 p.m. 970.728.9799, ext. 20
Sunday, October 21, 2007 - Sunday, October 21, 2007
Gondola Closes for Off-Season Midnight starts the closure of the Gondola until November 16.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Sacred Voice in Poetry: Poetry of the Divine Join wordsmith Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer at the Wilkinson Public Library Program Room to read and discuss some of the most sacred voices in poetry, 6 to 8 p.m. 970.728.9799, ext. 20
Friday, October 26, 2007 - Friday, October 26, 2007
KOTO Halloween Party Get decked out and check out how Telluride parties. Location TBA. 970.728.8100
Monday, October 29, 2007
Free Film Night A free film (TBA) at the Wilkinson Public Library Program Room, 6 to 8 p.m. 970.728.9799, ext. 20
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sacred Voice in Poetry: Poetry of the Divine Join wordsmith Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer at the Wilkinson Public Library Program Room to read and discuss some of the most sacred voices in poetry, 6 to 8 p.m. 970.728.9799, ext. 20
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Activities Column:
Winter is approaching rapidly! The mountains have a nice dusting that has remained for the last week and a half. Ski season is just around the corner. As we start preparing your house and cars for winter, by bringing in deck furniture, blowing out sprinklers, cleaning gutters and changing over to snow tires, you should start thinking about Christmas plans, like where you want to eat, what instructors you want to ski with, etc. It is always easier to set the reservations early. The town can fill up completely at the holidays, so a little pre-planning in this regard can make the holidays nice and easy.
For anyone who may still be coming out to Telluride in the off season, it is quiet now, but not a ghost town. You can still take a jeep ride up some of the passes to view the aspen leaves. The high passes are officially closed, meaning they aren’t maintaining the roads, but they are still accessible up to the snow line. The fishing is still really good right now. Locally on the San Miguel you don’t have to try very hard to find your own eddy since most of the summer crowds have departed. If you want a short, quick getaway from the cold, look into spending a few days in Moab. It is about 2 1/2hrs west and a whole different climate. We had a big gathering of family and friends there recently and the recreational opportunities were endless. There is great biking on the world famous Slickrock bike trail where you climb amazing rocks due to the unbelievable traction. There are nice 4 wheel drive trails everywhere. We even had a great rafting trip with the young kids on the Daily section of the Colorado River. Even our new baby Dylan got his first raft trip in at 7 weeks old and he wasn’t even the youngest. There are less intense activities too, like touring Arches National Park and enjoying some of the many short hikes. For those of you who have been coming to Telluride for quite some time and haven’t made it to Moab yet, you would be amazed by this place that is basically in our backyard.
So, start thinking of winter, start stretching, and get out and enjoy the fall season!
Trevor
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Telluride’s proximity to expansive National Forest lands and rugged peaks has provided an exciting playground for a variety of outdoor enthusiasts. The choices for the crème- de la crème of expert skiers has just expanded exponentially. The ski resort has announced the unveiling of new expert terrain adjacent to the top of the Prospect Bowl lift #12. This expert hike-to-ski terrain features predominately off-piste style runs totaling 8 new runs in all. We have skied this terrain and it is a genuinely remarkable and authentic backcountry experience-akin to a European haute route. Bring your camera along because words cannot describe the grandeur and exhilaration the views evoke. If you are not up for actually skiing the challenging terrain then just opt for a hike to the launch point where you can glimpse at the starting gate for the U.S. Subaru Extreme Skiing Championships. Then you can say that you did experience world-class goose-bumps and a little vertigo! Lower on the mountain, in the tamed and civilized zone there will be a noticeable difference under your skies. The resort has purchased 3 new Prinoth snowcats in an attempt to upgrade the grooming on the ski runs. Cool! Further they are also introducing a conveyor belt system on the bunny ski hill (the Meadows) for kids and 3 new ultra powerful snow making machine guns on the Chair #4 and the chondola areas.Best of all the resort is opening a swanky high country wine bar in the Chair # 13, Gold Hill zone. Beautiful Tyrolean architecture, high end wines, sumptuous lunch offerings in such delectable forms as pastries, gourmet soups and aged chesses will greet you upon arrival to this high camp. Gather around the fireplace pre après ski to recall your day’s conquests and merge into a relaxing end to another great day on the ski hill.
The Michael Palm Theatre has presented a wonderful series of theatre events for this winter, visit; http://www.palmtheatre.com/ . Gaelic Storm, Nov. 3, 7PM, The Spencers, Illusionists; Dec. 28-29, 7:30PM, Gypsy, Musical, Feb. 4, 8PM, Aspen Sante Fe Ballet, Feb. 10, 8PM, Diavolo, Mar. 1, 7:30PM, The Greta American Trailer Park Musical, Jan. 20, 7PM, A Year with Frog and Toad, Mar. 4, 6:30PM
At the famed and historic landmark, the Sheridan Opera House get infused with in-your-face live acts and soul shaking music to this fantastic acts:
Rickie Havens, Dec14, 8PM
NEWS
ALTERNATE PLANS FOR LOT 161 CR PROJECT
Monument Realty will present a request for sketch plan review, re-plat, rezone and density transfer for the development of the mixed-use project consisting of approximately 44 condominiums, 22 lodge units, 13 lodge efficiency units, three employee condos, and 20,000 square feet of commercial space on Lot 161 CR to the Mountain Village Design Review Board on Sept. 27. The current plans for Lot 161 CR include the Family Adventure Center and will be voted upon in an election on Nov.6. If approval of the current project is denied by vote and the revised plans are approved by town council, the Village Core would lose 47 lodge/efficiency units, four employee condos and the community recreation center.
Holiday Planning:
Christmas time is eleven or so weeks away from this week. Everyone shows up in snowy Telluride for Christmas. Here is the recipe for success over the congested holiday.October
- Take a look at the Arts and Music options for the holidays in the Telluride & TMV
- Order your Michael Palm Theatre seats, winter season passes now
- Have your ski season pass picture taken now
- Check out the 40% OFF ski shop sales now for great savings for the whole family
(Trevor can be extremely helpful in this avenue- even over the phone!)
- Make restaurant reservations now for XMAS - they close till late Nov or early Dec
- Consider a caterer for assistance in the kitchen for large family gatherings/delivery services
November
- Ship boxes to our home for personal delivery to your garage
- Firm up your arrival/departure dates
- Order your wreaths & bows, tree and trimmings on our Christmas Wish List –Nov email
- Contact our concierge or Aemono about dinner delivery options and services
- Schedule you cleaning needs for the holidays and afterwards
- Ship skis to us for delivery
- If you will need any type of equipment rentals: from skis to tables –NOW is the time to schedule the rental
Early December
- Pre-plan and pre-arrange for your holiday needs; Send us the filled in grocery list, changes to the guest list (i.e. # of beds needed to be ready), restaurant reservations, ski lessons
- Request roll-a-way beds if needed
- Rent your equipment early!
Things to do during Christmas week
- Shop the grocery store for your last-minute items, on off-peak hours – otherwise the lines are horrific
- Palm Theater schedule- see below
- Roudy Roudabush Horseback rides-Horse Drawn sleigh rides (Norwood, Colo)
- Dog sledding
- Ice skating- Sledding, Hockey or Nordic skiing in Town Park
- Strolling downtown shops
- Visit the Museum which hosts Victorian themed events of Christmas Past during the month
- Gather in the TMV or the town side for the torchlight parades down the ski slopes
With the exodus of a few clients around the time the fall leaf color change is over Kastle Keepers, LLC will start the process of preparing the homes for winter. During the months of October, November and December we will start switching out snow tires on automobiles, servicing the cars, servicing boilers and forced air systems, blowing out sprinklers, cutting back the fall landscaping and general prep and cleaning of the homes, making them ready for your winter arrival. If you have any additional requests drop us a line and we will get on them as well.
Pray for lots of snow (starting no sooner then Halloween of course!) and we will see you this upcoming ski season. The Holiday requests will be going out in the next several weeks for you to fill out and return. In addition, Kastle Keepers, LLC and Kastle Retreats, LLC has added a Suburban to our service to pick up clients and guests in Montrose or Telluride and provide local “taxi” services if needed in the region. We will be charging the same or less than what the local limo services charge and will add it to the end of the month bill. Book us out now for the holiday season, the slots will be going fast during those peak times- 1st come, 1st serve basis!
Have a great fall!Summer is gone!
