Downtown Reno

The Lake Tahoe/Truckee area is experiencing one of its driest seasons this 2011/2012! What is there to do in the area while we are anxiously awaiting the snow? Here’s one option.

When there is no snow in Tahoe for skiing…you can head to Reno! I actually rode my mountain bike on trails to Stampede Reservoir in Truckee on Jan 1!! Crazy and unheard of but super beautiful and fun!

Check out this video entitled “Why I Love Reno.” The video interviews Reno locals and highlights many of the attractions that Reno has to offer including museums and the arts, college football, river rafting, baseball, and many more.

Hope this provides some ideas for things to do this season!

Why I Love Reno Video

If you are interested in real estate in Reno contact me so I can put you in touch with the best Reno realtor!

Happy December! The holiday season is upon us and there are many ways to get out and enjoy this happy time. Schaffer’s Mill (former Timilick) is having their Winterfest this upcoming weekend (December 2-4, 2011). Activities include cocktails Friday evening, fun in the snow on Saturday, and a brunch on Sunday. See below for more information. Happy holidays!

GUARANTEED TO GET YOU 
I N  T H E  H O L I D A Y  S P I R I T

Winterfest at Schaffer’s Mill

There’s nothing like surrounding yourself with the sights and sounds of winter to truly get into the holiday spirit.  Gliding down an old-fashioned sledding hill, enjoying warm, festive holiday drinks with friends or cruising the slopes of Northstar….all these activities are part of the Schaffer’s Mill “Winterfest” and are guaranteed to kick off your holiday season in style.

So come and join us, December 9th-11th and take advantage of not only the early winter snowfall, but our special Discovery Visit pricing.  For just $399, our Winterfest Weekend includes:

A Friday cocktail reception at the Martis Peak Mountain Lodge

• Featuring Holiday beverages, Napa Valley wines and heavy hors d’oeuvres
• Kids of all ages can design homemade ornaments and holiday cookies

Saturday In the Snow

• A morning tour of the furnished, model Mountain Lodges at Schaffer’s Mill
• Family sledding on the new Schaffer’s Mill Sled Hill
• Hot beverages and warming huts for adults and children to enjoy
• Afternoon skiing and evening ice skating at NorthStar also available*

Sunday Brunch

• Brunch at Moody’s Bistro in downtown Truckee

All this, including two nights accommodations, for only $399 per couple.

Space is limited, so please call now to book your Schaffer’s Mill Winterfest Discovery Visit.  And don’t forget to ask about our special incentives and leaseback options, ending on December 31st, on our model Mountain Lodges.  This is a $70,000-$100,000 savings and only three remain!

RSVP:  530.582.9026

info@schaffersmill.com

 *Discounted Ski passes and ice skate rental are available for an extra charge

Great news for Lake Tahoe Real Estate! The market is once again seeing vacation home buyers from the Bay Area and Silicon Valley.

Pete Carey from the San Jose Mercury News recently wrote an article entitled Tech-rich Vacation Home Buyers Head to Tahoe. Carey says that because of the booming tech industry in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, vacation home buyers are expected to purchase real estate in Lake Tahoe. See entire article below…

Tech Rich Vacation Home Buyers Head to Tahoe

Market Rebounds as buyers from Bay Area move in

By Pete Carey
San Jose Mercury News

Lake Tahoe area real estate agents, hungry for sales in the aftermath of the housing bubble, are counting on the Bay Area’s booming tech industry to help generate the next crop of million-dollar vacation home buyers.

The market for vacation homes costing more than $1 million, though down over the year, turned in a strong third-quarter performance, according to Coldwell Banker. That was partly due to buyers from Silicon Valley, vacation home developers and real estate agents said.

“People are starting to feel a little bit better about things. Silicon Valley is kind of spearheading that revival. We’re seeing those folks make their way into the Tahoe market,” said Jim Telling of East-West Partners, the developer of Home Run at Northstar.

Some buyers from the tech industry have snapped up vacation homes recently that run from $1 million to $4 million or more. (more…)

There are many changes happening at Lake Tahoe ski resorts with the recent merge of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. This was big news for Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows – combining their ski resorts! The company that has recently taken over Squaw Valley has big plans for the mountain. The new owners are “committing more than $50 million in capital improvements over the next three to five years.”

An article was published on November 28, 2011 by Andrew S. Ross of the SFGate entitled New Squaw Valley owners plan $50 million upgrades. Click on the link to view entire article.

New Squaw Valley owners plan $50 million upgrades

November 24, 2010|Andrew S. Ross

A Squaw Valley ski resort highlight: the 1960 Winter Olympics. Credit: Associated Press 1960

If you’re planning Thanksgiving holiday at Squaw Valley, you’ll be able to celebrate its 71st anniversary, and say hello to its new owners.

KSL Capital Partners, a private-equity firm in Denver has taken over the 4,000-acre resort founded by Alexander Cushing in 1949. It had stayed in the Cushing family ever since.

Terms of the acquisition, to be completed by the end of the year, were not disclosed. But in a letter to Squaw Valley regulars, Squaw Valley USA‘s current CEO, Andrew Wirth, said KSL, “with a respectful eye for the past,” is committing more than $50 million in capital improvements over the next three to five years. The acquisition is “part of a new era in Squaw Valley’s incredible history,” he said.