Ski trails can have deep sentimental value for skiers and riders. Thatap quite apparent for Steamboat Ski Resort, which is currently hosting an , with most of the high bids running $500 or more. The resort opted to auction off old signs after replacing them last year.
One of the signs — for , an expert run that looms over the base area where skiers get to show off for crowds below — is showing a current bid of $18,000.
There is some question of whether the bid is legit, though.
“We’re trying to get in touch with the bidder,” said Loryn Duke, a spokesperson for the resort. “Because we’re asking for $10 increments, and the previous bid was $170, we’re wondering if it might have been a typo — that they were trying to bid $180. Thatap a really big mistake.”
As of Tuesday morning, the next highest bid for a sign was $1,300 for Why Not, a meandering beginner trail on the front of the mountain.
“We don’t know if somebody legitimately really meant to bid $18,000,” Duke said. “Maybe See Me is just that special for them. I will say that when we first saw that $18,000, it definitely made our eyes perk up.”
There’s no question that ski trail signs can conjure great memories, making them hot items for nostalgic skiers.
“People in Steamboat are really excited to have the opportunity to have a piece of Steamboat history available to them,” Duke said. “I spoke with one of my friends who was so excited to get Arc. I laughed and said, ‘I think you’ll have no problem,’ itap like a tiny little green connector trail, but itap over $700. Clearly everybody has a connection to some Steamboat trail, and they are excited that they may be able to own that trail sign.”
The trail sign auction will close on Oct. 31.
Steamboat also replaced its gondola this year. Most of the gondola cars were sold to a company that will refurbish and sell them to a smaller resort looking for a good deal, but Steamboat donated a few to local non-profits so they could sell them and reap the proceeds. One went for $12,000.
Meanwhile, Steamboat is excited about the snow it has received in recent days, even though the mountain isn’t expected to open until Nov. 23.
“Itap looking phenomenal. Itap incredible,” Duke said. “We’ve gotten 26 inches at mid-mountain since Oct. 18 through today. Thatap a phenomenal October of snow for us so far, and we are expecting more snow. It really is building the foundation, and we’re almost a month away from opening day.”
