New Year’s Eve at Northstar 2015

New Year’s Eve at Northstar

Northstar is a fun and festive place to be for New Years Eve.  Bring your family and friends and join in the annual Fire & Ice Celebration in The Village at Northstar.

Enjoy a day on the mountain, the snow is unbelievable right now.  At 2pm is Northstar’s daily "Tost – Bubbles on the Slopes".  Participate in a cheers to 2016 on East Ridge and soak in the gorgeous views.  

After the slopes close, head down to the Village for a night of New Year's cheer.  Complimentary S’mores will be offered in the Village starting at 3:30pm. Shortly after, the Ripparoo Parade will make its way around the Village at 3:45pm.  Face painting anyone?  Starting at 5:30pm it’s free for everyone to get a colorful, fun, glittery face painting of your choice.  

The music continues from afternoon through the night in the Village with the main event starting at 7pm.  The Unauthorized Rolling Stones will take the stage for a night of rock’n and roll’n live music.  To close out the evening, look up to the sky.  Fireworks over the Village will celebrate the East Coast New Years at 9pm.  

Happy New Year to all and we are looking forward to an unbelievable 2016 here in Tahoe! 


Click here for more information. 

You can also catch the New Year’s Eve events at Squaw Valley.

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Ski Tickets to Benefit Non-Profits

Ski Tickets to Benefit Non-Profits

We are off to a fantastic winter with snowflakes in the forecast every week.  The demand for skiing is high and if you haven’t heard, conditions in Tahoe are outstanding.  If you plan to buy lift tickets, check out some of these local non-profits to save some cash and help out a good cause.  

Tahoe SAFE Alliance has teamed up with Northstar California to provide a $106 lift ticket.  This is up to 20% off the regular priced Northstar ticket and 100% of the proceeds go to the Tahoe SAFE Alliance.  The money raised will help support the Tahoe SAFE Alliance's mission to end domestic abuse in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee.  One ticket can provide 3 hours of counseling to a child.  

Click here to buy online. 
Tahoe Truckee Excellence in Education Foundation has teamed up with many ski areas in the Tahoe Basin to provide discounted lift tickets. All proceeds go to the Excellence in Education Foundation which provides enhanced educational opportunities for local students. 
 
Click here for a list of resorts or to buy online. 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Santa at Northstar and Squaw

Where’s Santa? 

Have you seen the jolly guy in a red suit around Tahoe yet?  He has been checking his list and making his rounds.  There’s still time to catch a sighting, sit on his knee and tell him what you really want for Christmas this year.  

Santa can always be seen at Northstar’s Noel nights.  The last one is this week, Thursday, December 17th.  With ice skating performances, gingerbread man decorating, face painting, one horse open sleigh rides and Santa himself, it is a night full of happiness.  Santa will also be around all week at Northstar starting on Sunday, December 19th.  Be on the lookout! 

Click here for more information 
Santa will bring Mrs. Claus along as he visits the Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe on December 19th.  In the great living room of the Ritz-Carlton, Mr. and Mrs. Santa will make an appearance as kids of all ages gather for a chance to sit on his knee and talk about toys.  Stick around in this fairy tale setting with stone fireplaces tucked around every corner and sweeping snow covered views of the Northstar ski slopes through floor to ceiling windows.

Click here for more information
Santa is very busy sharing time between Northstar and Squaw Valley.  He will be having breakfast at Cascades in the Resorts at Squaw Creek December 19-20 and 23-25.  He can also be seen taking some turns on the slopes.  Keep your eyes out or catch a chairlift ride with him December 19-24th.  He will also be relaxing in the big chair in The Village at Squaw Valley welcoming all who want to stop to say hello.   

Click here for more information

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe Holiday Happenings

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe Holiday Happenings

This Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is a beautiful place to be any time of year.  Now, with the holiday season in full swing and a packed events calendar, there are many reasons to venture up to Mountainside at Northstar and the Ritz-Carlton.  Park in the Village at Northstar and ride the gondola up or enjoy the beautiful drive up to mid-mountain and valet park your car at the Ritz-Carlton. 

Take a look at the stellar line up of holiday activities: 

Santa’s Gingerbread Workshop
Design a gingerbread house fit for the North Pole with the help of the Ritz-Carlton pastry chef.
December 18-22
4pm – 5pm


Holiday-Inspired Painted Vine Event
The Painted Vine is a local business based in Truckee. They will host a night of wine tasting and holiday inspired painting at the hotel.
December 24
5:30pm – 8:30pm


Atilier Workshops – Christmas Card Making
New local business based in Truckee will bring their creativity to you to help make unique, hand-made holiday cards for you to give and send.
December 19
11:30am – 2:30pm


Santa and Mrs. Claus Appearances
The story book Mr. & Mrs. Claus will make your heart smile.  Don’t miss this opportunity to get more than just a photo, it’s an experience.
Holiday photos with Santa and Mrs. ClausDecember 19
5pm – 7pm


Story Time with Mrs. Claus
December 19
7pm – 8pm


Holiday Crafts with the Santa and Mrs. Claus
December 21-23
6:30pm – 8:30pm


Marshmology
A favorite of every child and adult alike.  A marshmallows bar is set up out on the back deck of the Ritz Carlton.  Gather round the big open fire and share in the gooey fun.
Daily
4:30 – 5pm

Click here for a full list of events at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe this season. 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Northstar's Noel Nights

Northstar's Noel Nights

Noel Nights in the Village at Northstar has become a family tradition for many throughout the years.  For the next 3 Thursdays the Village will come alive with holiday cheer and festivities.  All of the fun starts at 5pm and everyone is invited to attend.

The Northstar Village is a magical place every night, but especially on Noel Nights.  The center of the Village is highlighted by a brightly lit 35’ Christmas tree that towers over the ice skating rink.  Surrounding the ice rink are cabana seating areas and bars serving your favorite hot drinks or a marshmallow kit for s’mores to be cooked around the various open flame fire pits.  The Great Basin Carolers will fill the Village with cheerful songs and sounds of the season.  Near the Christmas tree is the staging area for sleigh rides where you can take a ride with your sweetheart or the whole family.  If there is still more time before Santa arrives, head to Tavern 6330’ for gingerbread men and women decorating with Chef Chad or stop in the breezeway for face painting.  At 6PM it is time to gather around Santa for photos near the sleigh.

The Sacramento Skating Group will provide entertainment they take over the ice for a skating performance.  It should be an exciting event to watch.

The Village at Northstar is the place to be for the holidays, I hope to see you there. 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Holiday Kick Off Party at Northstar

Holiday Kick Off Party at Northstar

It’s Thanksgiving week and the 2015 holiday season has begun!  Can you feel the excitement and festive energy in the air? With storms bringing more snow to Tahoe as we speak it's easy to get in to the holiday spirit.

It’s that time of year and there is no better feeling than the cold crisp air on your cheeks while out on the slopes, bright colored lights accenting trees all over town, carolers singing the sounds of the season and a 35 foot Christmas tree with children all on the lookout for the man in the red suit.

 
This weekend, the excitement is at the Village at Northstar. All weekend long, come join in the holiday spirit with activities taking place all around the Village.  Enjoy a classic sleigh ride, The Great Basin Carolers, complimentary holiday crafts, face painting or send your letter off to Santa at the North Pole.  Along with all the holiday cheer, the ice rink is ready for skating, go take a spin under the lights of the Christmas tree! 

The main event will be the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:15 PM on Saturday. Hope to see you there!

Click Here For more information 

If Squaw Valley is your destination this weekend, check out the holiday events at the Resort at Squaw Creek. 

Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving! 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Downtown Truckee Tree Lighting

Downtown Truckee Tree Lighting 

Are you ready for the holidays?  With all the new snow and the trees covered in white, I can’t help but be excited for a white Christmas.  This Friday, November 20th in downtown Truckee, join in the festivities as the Truckee Downtown Merchants Association and Rotary Club of Truckee light up the town tree and all of downtown at the “Bud” Fish Tree Lighting. The tree lighting event has been a Truckee tradition for over 20 years.

 

Here's the schedule:
Starting at 4pm, local elementary school children will decorate the Christmas trees that line Donner Pass Road in historic downtown Truckee. These trees will stay decorated with the children's ornaments throughout the holiday season.

At 4:30 Santa arrives at the festival on the Truckee Fire Department’s antique fire truck.  Get your Santa photo, drink hot cocoa, eat holiday cookies and listen to carolers. 
At 5:15pm The main event- the lighting of the tree and all of downtown Truckee. 

Bud Fish was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Truckee and a longtime Truckee resident.  Bud always made sure that the best Christmas tree was found for downtown Truckee.  He would also manage a crew of volunteers to put it up and have it decorated.  Upon Bud’s death, the Rotary Club of Truckee secured, planted and dedicated a permanent Christmas tree downtown in his memory.  
Happy Holidays and Let it Snow! 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Northstar is Opening Early

Northstar is Opening Early

Northstar California is opening early this year! Saturday, November 14th, Northstar will be kicking off the 2015-16 ski and ride season a week earlier than anticipated. This is the earliest they have opened since 2012. With about three feet of snow so far recorded on mountain for the season and the west coast's largest snowmaking system going full blast, the conditions are sure to impress. The mountain is opening top to bottom including the Big Springs Gondola, 3 lifts and the mid mountain magic carpet. Lifts include Vista Express, Arrow Express and Comstock Express taking you to the top of Mt. Pluto, elevation 8610ft looking over Lake Tahoe.

It is always fun to be part of opening day. Besides sharing (bragging) about it on social media, Northstar has some fun in store for the weekend. Start your collection of Epic pins with the Opening Day digital pin. Be one of the first 50 people in line at the Big Springs Express Gondola and receive a bag of Northstar Signature Brittle. End the day with live music and complimentary S’mores around the rink in the center of the Village.


Let’s celebrate the snow snow snow! Hope to see you at Northstar this weekend!

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

November, 2015 Tahoe Truckee Market Update

November, 2015 Tahoe Truckee Market Update

As the first snow of the season falls, the Tahoe Truckee community is abuzz with anticipation of the winter to come. In many ways, this early November accumulation already exceeds that of last winter and has buoyed spirits at a critical moment heading into winter. The Tahoe real estate market seems equally primed with exciting resort properties coming online to meet this renewed demand. Recent sales activity has been steady, if unspectacular, as if waiting for this snowfall to make a dramatic surge forward. 

Year over year, October was fundamentally even with 2014 in the number of transactions as well as average price. At 146 total residential sales, both years represent strong performances against historical trends. The chart below demonstrates that over a the past decade, October is typically the annual peak for the number of sales in a given year. While October 2015 trended slightly below a very robust September, it is well above the historical average of 134. 

The local market showcased an interesting phenomenon this past month. While sales units were generally consistent with the previous year, average price was down 4% from $769,000 to $738,000; reflective of the segment of luxury buyers missing from the market in the first half of 2015. Conversely, median price rose year over year from $511,000 in 2014 to $551,000; an 8% increase. 

Delving into these figures a bit more deeply, the range between $600,000 - $900,000 leapt by nearly double to 32 transactions in October. This would seem to indicate a new trend emerging in the local market. While many of these transaction represent our typical second homeowner purchasing in anticipation of the winter season to come, a new group of young families looking to move equity from their homes in higher-density, urban markets to a mountain community that promotes a  healthier standard of living. 

The $600,000 - $900,000 price range offers a level of comfort in the space between entry-level and luxury that is appealing to these professionals who identify as high-earners but are not yet wealthy (HENRYs = High Earners, Not Rich Yet). This emerging demographic is bringing professional-class jobs to the region transcending the typical mountain economy based entirely around service and trades. With significant spending power, this group is driving cultural innovations throughout the region including diverse education options, new and exciting dining choices and greater recreation selections that will help smooth out the seasonality of the local economy. 
Further, with seemingly limitless earning potential, this group is likely to find upward mobility in the coming years providing a continuous cycle of demand for property throughout the region. 

As we are now within weeks of opening the most anticipated ski season, perhaps ever, there is much to be excited about. I look forward to keeping you informed as the Tahoe Truckee region realizes its full potential. 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Tahoe XC Ski Swap

Tahoe XC Ski Swap

This season is starting off with a bang. We already have some great snow so it's time to get your gear ready. The largest XC Ski swap in California is happening right here in Tahoe City.  If you are looking to buy gear, this is the place.  With passionate outdoor enthusiasts  and professional athletes in the area, top of the line gear and sometimes even gear with the tags still on can be found at these area ski swaps.  If you’re looking to sell some extra gear, bring your equipment to the Tahoe XC on Friday, November 13th.  Commission to sell is only 15%!  Only “human powered” items will be accepted for the swap.  Aside from the main nordic focus, you might see bikes or snowshoes too.  Whether you need help pricing the items you are selling or help buying a ski set up or new boots, there will be plenty of knowledgeable volunteers on staff to help.  

Not only is this a great deal for you, it’s a good thing for the Tahoe Cross Country Ski Education Association.  All proceeds will benefit TCCSEA that provides school children in the community with a unique opportunity to learn and participate in nordic skiing.  This program is providing lifelong enjoyment and health benefits along with the foundation for world class competitive training as many young athletes in the area strive towards. 
Click here for more information. 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Tahoe Chocolate & Wine Festival

The Tahoe Chocolate & Wine Festival benefiting the Tahoe SAFE Alliance is this Saturday, November 7th at the Hyatt Regency in Incline Village, NV.  For 27 years now, the festival has consistently been a community favorite.  When you put wine and chocolate together, what’s not to like?  This year they are bringing back the fun with the theme  “Life is a Caber{n}et!”.  Guests will be brought back in time to the 18th century when Cabarets were all the rage.  A variety of boutique wines will be paired with outstanding chocolate creations prepared by Tahoe’s finest culinary artists.  If you save some room, scrumptious appetizers will also be served.  

Don’t miss the raffle and live auction with prizes that include a weekend adventure at the Turley House in Paso Robles, Squaw/Alpine Gold ski passes, Disneyland tickets, local dining gift certificates, massages and more! 

Guests will also have the opportunity to participate and contribute in a positive, meaningful way to the Tahoe SAFE Alliance.  Tahoe SAFE Alliance is a community-based organization providing direct services to victims of intimate partner/domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse.  All proceeds benefit Tahoe SAFE Alliance and their mission.  

Treat yourself to a night out and give back to this local organization that is doing great things for our community.  

Click here for more information or to buy tickets.  
 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Truckee Bike Trails

Truckee Bike Trails

The Truckee River Legacy Trail is a culmination of nearly 20 years of planning and collaboration.  The year 2009 was a landmark in the planning and execution of this project as phase 1 and 2 of the Truckee River Legacy Trail were completed.  These phases linked the Truckee Regional Park to the Riverview Sports Park making it easy to commute by bike or foot between the two.  The segment has been used and loved by many ever since.  Now with phase 3 completed last year,  (which connects the existing trail to to Glenshire) runners, bikers and walkers have 5 miles of traffic free class 1 bikeway and multi-use trails.  The journey down the Legacy Trail is certainly peaceful with sections that run parallel to the Truckee River, trees tower above and open space surrounds you. 

Next up for the Truckee River Legacy Trail is an expansion westward and upstream along the Truckee River towards HWY 89. From HWY 89 the trail will find it’s way to Donner State Park on the East End of Donner Lake.  Measure R passed in June 2014, and the estimated result will be to generate $10 Million over 10 years in order to build more trails. This will enable phases 4 and 5 of the Truckee River Legacy Trail to get underway. 

Progress on trails and neighborhood connectivity can be seen in other parts of the Truckee area as well. 

From old town Truckee, roughly branching off from the bridge below the Regional Park that connects to East River Road, a trail leads up under HWY 80 to the back side of Coyote Moon golf course and into Tahoe Donner.   If you take a right turn turn just after heading under HWY 80, the trail will take you up to the Pioneer Center.  Continue on the bike path to Gray’s Crossing where you will find extensive bike trails.  In one direction you will hook into the Prosser Lake View neighborhood.  In the other direction you will go back under HWY 80 to the Old Greenwood neighborhood. 

From the Truckee Regional Park there is a path that leads along Brockway Raod towards HWY 267.  Winding through neighborhoods and into the Martis Valley.  By the end of this fall, the trail will be completed through the Martis Valley parallel to HWY 267 almost all the way  to the Tompkins Memorial Trail parking area on HWY 267 (a hiking biking tail that winds up through Northstar).  Eventually, this trail has plans to make it up over the Brockway summit connecting Truckee to Lake Tahoe.  

It is truly incredible how far the trail system has come in such a short time.  Thinking back 5 to 10 years ago, it was hard to find even a decent sidewalk to push the stroller, enjoy the outdoors or take the kids safely on a walk or bike ride.  Now, the web of trails and especially the class 1 bikeway and multi-use tails are growing every year in Truckee.  Thanks to strong community support as the outdoors continues to be the main focus and love of the this town.  

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012