Sometime around 10 tomorrow morning a flight of F-16s will roll onto a heading down Steamboat Springs’ main street and its cowboy-style July 4th Parade…with a roar that will startle big brown trout, hitting at hatches on the Yampa River a half block from the cafes and bars. Meanwhile, for $149,000 you could hook a new condo here, so close to the gondola that you’ll ski-in and out after the summer fun is over.
That’s what Joel and Sheila Baker and their four kids will be doing. The Littleton couple has lived in Colorado 15 years; but had never been to Steamboat before they drove up for a tennis weekend a few weeks ago. From Steamboat’s only clay courts, they spied First Tracks at Wildhorse Meadows across the way and walked over for a look.
“We fell in love with Steamboat,” says Joel Baker, who met First Tracks’ sales rep, U.S. Olympian Bobby Aldighieri, then wrote a contract on a new 2-bedroom condo (they start at only $295,000). “It’s different from the other mountain towns, more of a hometown feel.”
You could be in for far less than that. First Tracks, which launched construction in 2008 as deed-restricted affordable units, but then switched to the open market, has only four studios left from $149,000, and two 2-bedroom units remaining in the Gilpin Building (19 buyers closed since winter; another three went to contract last week); while sales open on a second, final building, with even better views.
Most buyers who’ve cashed in are Front Rangers who drive up–about 2-1/2 hours during summer, says Sales & Marketing Director Kerry Shea. He pointed out the impressive 25-meter lap pool, grotto-style hot tubs and fitness center that are part of First Track’s amenities; and beyond the new gondola, Steamboat Mountain, where the ‘Ride-4-Yellow’ mountain bike challenge for the Lance Armstrong Foundation takes off Aug. 8. Just as close are concerts of the Strings Music Festival (Shea’s wife Jennifer is festival development manager).
And then there’s the rodeo, the riding, hiking, and Steamboat’s remarkable fly-fishing…right downtown. “It’s terrific, even in midday,” says Jarrett Duty of Bucking Rainbow, who can help you pull a brown out, within casting distance of main street. The fishing will still be here next year, but if you’re going to land a nice-sized condo with fully appointed kitchen, you need to wade in now, Shea says. First Tracks at Wildhorse Meadows (open all weekend) is off the Mt. Werner/Ski Area exit on U.S. 40, east of downtown. Ask about MetLife financing at very low rates; or call toll-free 877-886-7772.
If you go…
WHERE:
First Tracks at Wildhorse Meadows, studio/1-bed/2-bed condos planned as deed-restricted, now open market, steps from new Wildhorse Gondola; July 4th Parade downtown Sunday; low second-home financing from MetLife. U.S. 40 to Mt. Werner Rd. (Ski Area exit), rt. 0.5 mi. to Pine Grove Rd., left on Bangtail to sales center
PRICE:
From $149,000; 1-beds from $235,000; 2-beds from $295,000
WHEN:
Today, July 4 Parade-flyover Sunday, daily 9-5
PHONE:
877-886-7772
WEB:
