Vail, CO Daily Photo - Early Summer in the Vail Valley On a recent photo shoot of a wonderful new listing on one of he most dramatic sites in the Vali Valley, I had the occasion to capture this shot of the Town of Vail and the Gore Range just after sunset.  The Aspens have just leafed out at 8,500 feet and the hillsides are starting to turn green.  It's a wonderful time to be in Vail, although it's a bit quiet this time of year - especially if you make your living in the real estate industry! This will change soon, however..... Just two more weeks and the Summer season will kick off with the Teva Mountain Games. Photo:  Nilsson Images   05/19/2012

The Vail Valley Theatre Company Presents: "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" by Steve Martin Anyone ready for some comedy?  Then get your tickets to the upcoming Vail Valley Theatre Company’s production of "Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin.  (ps- I’m in the show!) The play takes place in 1904 at The Lapin Agile, a bar in Paris, where Picasso and Einstein have a meeting of the minds and much much more.  It’s a time to reflect, compete and predict how art and science will influence the coming 20th century.  When these concepts are coming straight from the “wild and crazy” mind of Steve Martin, the audience is in for a wild ride for sure. The cast and crew have been such a pleasure to work with during the last three weeks of rehearsals.  Tonight is our final dress rehearsal with the f... 04/19/2012

Vail, CO Daily Photo - The Day After the Mountain Closed It doesn't take a lot of time living in the Vail Valley to realize that Summer doesn't come to the Colorado mountains with the close of the ski season!  More often than not we residents are treated with a lot more winter following closing day and this morning was no exception.  But...how many places can you be treated to scenes like this on your way to work?  Yep, it's worh it. Photo:  Nilsson Images   04/16/2012

      Vail CO Daily Photo - Closing Day 3" of new snow!  Too little and too late. Over the last 50+ years I have skied on closing day, I can count on one hand the wonderful, sunny closing days that make the year end celebration memorable!  We normally suffer from cold, gloomy weather on closing day and today is no exception. Not to worry.  It's a great day to stoke up the fireplace and finish up that book I haven't had time for.   The weatherman says "70 degrees and clear skies for Monday". Figures. No complaints! Photo: NilssonImages.com     04/15/2012

Vail Valley Daily Photo: Greening Up  Yesterday was a grey, leden day here in the Vail Valley but temperatures were moderate and it was kind of refreshing to get back into a more seasonal weather pattern.  Just how much sunshine, cloudless skys, and 70 Degree temperatures can you handle anyway?  With the front of Vail Mountain starting to look like a mudslide and the Pro Ski Patrol gang spending their days moving snow from the trees to create skiways - even at the top of the mountain - the 2011/2012 ski season is coming to rapid close.  Only 3 more days left. With this in mind, it's nice to see the Cottonwoods starting to leaf out and the meadows starting to turn from grey to green.  There is a lot of beauty in a shoulder season! Photo: NilssonImages.com 04/12/2012

One of the nicest 4 bedroom penthouses in Landmark Lodge just closed for $3,550,000.00. Vacation real estate home buyers have definitely returned to the Vail Valley with sales more than 150% higher than last year at this time. This time, my customers were from Mexico City and they were super excited to have a vacation home in Vail. Addtionally, a new Ritz Carlton Residence in Vail also closed this past week at $3,400,000.00 for a beautiful 3 bedroom property.Please let me know if I can be of any assisitance for resort real estate anywhere in the Vail Valley. www.LandinVail.com. 04/09/2012

Slifer Smith & Frampton Vail Valley Real Estate Portfolio Issue 4/7-4/13 LAST ISSUE OF THE SEASON! View it here first!  The newest Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate Vail Valley Real Estate Portfolio is ready to view online, and look for a copy in this weekend's Vail Daily.  Click the image below to open this online Vail Valley Real Estate Portfolio magazine featuring properties for sale in Eagle County by Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate.  If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Vail Valley, please contact me.  I’d love to help you call the mountains home! 04/06/2012

In my 22 years as a member of the Professional Ski and Snowboard Instructors Association of America, one thing I noticed is how many skiers could make a few pretty good turns then slowly pick up speed and finally either having to come to a stop or even worse, well, I won't go there.  When I would question how they would think of controlling speed, the answer was always the same, "make another turn".  So, then I get to explain that in the course of making that next turn, the skis are pointing downhill again, picking up even more speed and that they only go faster!  Gravity you know.   The key is to complete the turn in any situation.  A completed turn is one where you are aware of deceleration! slowing down that is.  This can be different on different slopes.  the steeper the slope, the ... 04/04/2012

  I must congratulate Vail Resorts for their truly amazing work considering this was a lean snow year. Their snowmaking crews and especially the groomers did a fantastic job "Snow Farming" in Vail and Beaver Creek this past winter. Our resort owners and guests could not beleive how good the ski experience was. with less than 2 weks remaining, Vail is still hopping and there are lots of special events. Additionally real estate had a great comeback with resort property sales up more than 100% as compared to a year ago. Prices remain at 2003 stats and even lower in some instances. there are incredible buys in Beaver Creek and Arrowhead as well. We now look forward to a great summer. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me anytime. Regards, Doug Landin 04/04/2012

Vail Colorado Top 5 Springtime Events 1.     Vail Valley Medical Center Volunteer Corps Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon. When: Friday March 30th 10:30am Silent Auction, 12:00pm Show and Lunch What:  25th anniversary Fashion Show at the Vail Marriott Resort and Spa. Info/Tickets:  www.VVMCFashionShow.com  2.     Vail Film Festival When:  Thursday 3/29-Sunday 4/1 What:  Screenings, parties, concerts and more in Vail, CO. Info/Tickets:  www.VailFilmFestival.com  3.     Spring Back to Vail When:  April 9-15 What:  Concerts, events, and a week of fun in the sun in Vail!  Info/Tickets:  www.Vail.com  4.     The Taste of Vail When:  April 5-7 What:  Iconic Food and Wine event in Vail. Info/Tickets: www.TasteOfVail.com  5.     Bèla Fleck & The Flecktones When:  Friday April 7, 7:30 pm at the V... 03/28/2012

  Vail, CO Daily Photo - Wrapping Up the Ski Season - From this photo taken yesterday afternoon, you can see definite signs that the 2011-2012 ski season in Vail is rapidly drawing to a close.  Last year on this date the Gore Range was still blanketed with heavy snow and we still had 10 more deep powder days....closing day celebrations on the mountain were somewhat hindered by a major spring blizzard that dumped another 10" on an already record setting base.  This year the story is different.  The Gore is looking a lot like it does in June/July and mud patches are becoming the rule - not knee deep powder turns.  Oh well, there's always next year.  Come on up and enjoy summer in the Vail Valley! Photo:  NilssonImages.com       03/25/2012

Slifer Smith & Frampton Vail Valley Real Estate Portfolio Issue 3/17-3/23 View it here first!  The newest Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate Vail Valley Real Estate Portfolio is ready to view online, and look for a copy in this weekend's Vail Daily.  Click the image below to open this online Vail Valley Real Estate Portfolio magazine featuring properties for sale in Eagle County by Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate.  If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Vail Valley, please contact me.  I’d love to help you call the mountains home! 03/19/2012

Vail Valley Real Estate Weekly Under Contract Update 3/9-3/15, 2012 New sales in Eagle County over the last week: -   11 sales under $500k -   6 sales $500k-$1m -   7 sales over $1m There were 24 Vail Real Estate sales in the week of 3/9-15/2012.  Note for the second week in a row the number of sales over $1,000,000.  Last week there were 10 new sales and another 7 this last week is a good news for the luxury real estate market in the Vail Valley.  We are hearing more and more from buyers, especially those who have been sitting on the fence for a while, that this is a great time to buy real estate in the Vail Valley. If you have any questions regarding this Vail Valley Real Estate Market Report, or if you have been considering buying or selling property in the Vail Valley, please contac... 03/16/2012

Vail Valley Real Estate Weekly Under Contract Update 3/2-3/8, 2012 New sales in Eagle County over the last week: -   16 sales under $500k -   4 sales $500k-$1m -   10 sales over $1m There were 30 Vail Real Estate sales in the week of 3/2-8/2012.  There were a lot of people visiting during the Presidents' Day holiday week.  And with that we had many showings at our listings.  Speaking to other brokers who were also busy over the last weeks of February, they all agree the number of sales in the first week of March are a direct result of this traffic. Note the number of sales over $1,000,000.  This is a great sign for the luxury real estate market in the Vail Valley.  We are hearing more and more from buyers, especially those who have been sitting on the fence for a while, that this is a g... 03/16/2012

Didi’s Monday Morning Recipe 3/12/2012 Caprese Quinoa Salad With the spring season in the air here in the Vail Valley, it’s time to start trying some new fun summer salads.  I just found this awesome recipe on Pinterest via TheFitCook.net .  Caprese salad is my favorite summer treat with fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and soft fresh mozzarella cheese.  And quinoa is my number one pick for a healthy grain, full or protein and fiber.  The combination of the two is a fabulous idea and is sooooo delicious! This salad is easy to make, very few ingredients and would be a great side dish or served as an entrée.  Enjoy! Caprese Quinoa Salad Serves: 2 Ready in: 30 minutes You'll Need: 1/2 cup quinoa 1 1/2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon agave 1 larg... 03/12/2012

 Slifer Smith & Frampton Vail Valley Real Estate Portfolio Issue 3/10-3/16 View it here first!  The newest Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate Vail Valley Real Estate Portfolio is ready to view online, and look for a copy in this weekend's Vail Daily.  Click the image below to open this online Vail Valley Real Estate Portfolio magazine featuring properties for sale in Eagle County by Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate.  If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Vail Valley, please contact me.  I’d love to help you call the mountains home!   03/12/2012

Vail, Colorado Daily Photo - An Evening in the Vail Valley I thought I might share this idillic shot taken on a recent evening listing photo shoot.  I think it conveys a lot about the many faces of our beautiful area. The real estate market here continues to make a dramatic comeback.  In an intercompany email today, Julie Bergsten, Vice President of Slifer Smith and Frampton Real Estate, reveiled that the Slifer sales staff booked $76,097,500 in new contracts during the month of February just ended.  This volume was more of February 2011 which totalled $32,803,500!  Further encouragement can be found in that the 57 transactions were skewed more to the mid to higher price ranges indicating that the mid to high price range market is now returning.  It had been MIA for the last 18 months.... 03/02/2012

Slifer Smith & Frampton Vail Valley Real Estate Portfolio Issue 3/3-3/9 View it here first!  The newest Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate Vail Valley Real Estate Portfolio is ready to view online, and look for a copy in this weekend's Vail Daily.  Click the image below to open this online Vail Valley Real Estate Portfolio magazine featuring properties for sale in Eagle County by Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate.  If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Vail Valley, please contact me.  I’d love to help you call the mountains home! 03/02/2012

With a recent price reduction, this outstanding Lodge at Vail Penthouse was $3,700,000.00 and is now $3,200,000.00.  Listed by Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate, I would love to work with a buyer for this or anyother property in the Vail/Beaver Creek area.  Call or email any time. Regards, Doug Landin. www.LandinVail.com 03/01/2012

Vail, Colorado Daily Photo - Snow Cats and Mt. of the Holy Cross - The relationship between man and nature is the key factor in the appeal of the wonderful sport of skiing.  While we often consciously ignore this innate realationship when stepping into our bindings, sliding down the ramp at the top of the lift, or carving a turn through the white stuff, nature is always there.  We must protect this man/nature relationship through good stewardship.  To me, this photo brings home the importance of respectng and relating to nature in all we do.  Kudos to Senators Mark Udall and Gerald Polus for their support of Wilderness Plans for Colorado. Photo:  Nilsson Images 02/28/2012