Tail End of the Season at Wolf Creek! Get It While You Can.
Snow Report Rundown:
• Wolf Creek has an all-natural snow depth of 90″ at the midway, with a year-to-date snowfall total of 382″.
• Conditions are Spring Conditions with extensive grooming throughout the mountain.
• The Meadow Loop and Lake Spur Nordic Trails were groomed and track-set on Friday, April 1st.
• Road conditions and restrictions in the area may be found by visiting COTrip.org.
Highlights:
• Wednesday, April 13th, is Local Appreciation Day – Everyone is a local! Lift tickets will be $60 for adults, $41 for seniors and $31 for children.
• Easter Weekend, April 16th & 17th, has bonus deals & festivities!
~ Saturday, April 16th: College Day & Easter Fun Race
~ Sunday, April 17th: Local Appreciation Day, Easter Bunny & Easter Egg Hunt
Fun Fact Friday?
Did you know Pagosa Springs use to be a pit stop for supplies for miners? The town did not advance into a vacation and retirement spot until the 1970’s. The town site was established in 1874 after control of the area was wrested from the Ute people (in whose language pagosa means “healing water”)
Happy Friday!
Safety before fun
Closing Day for Wolf Creek Ski resort has been announced! April 17th will be the last day you can get your turns in using the ski lifts…but not the last day you can enjoy the snow before it melts away. Here are some notes from our local resort:
- Wolf Creek Ski Area is 100% open, 7-days a week, with lifts operating from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wolf Creek is extending 7-day a week operations to Sunday, April 17th!
• Lift tickets are at Regular rates today, $82 for Adults, $51 for Seniors and $41 for Children.
• The Upper Lodge, Prospector Grill, Raven’s Roost, Continental, Pathfinder Bar and Base Camp are all open.
• Smokey Bear is visiting Wolf Creek Today, Thursday, March 24th. Smokey will be speaking with skiers and snowboarders about the Forest Service, their partnership with the ski area and, of course, wildfire prevention.
• Group Lessons are available for pre-purchase online at shop.wolfcreekski.com. Lessons must be purchased more than 2 days in advance of the lesson date.
• Uphill travel is permitted during operating hours only, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
• The Meadow Loop and the Lake Spur of the Nordic Track were groomed and track-set on March 22nd.
• Face coverings are recommended in all indoor public settings. A full 2021-22 COVID-19 Operating Plan can be found at WolfCreekSki.com.
• Visit wolfcreekski.com or call 1-800-SKI-WOLF for the most up-to-date information.Did you read the italicized line? You read that correct. Smokey Bear is visiting Wolf Creek today! You’re never too old to learn how to prevent forest fires. Find out how to keep our beautiful mountains safe from harm in the warmer months
https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/prescribed-fire-science-why-its-needed-now-more-ever
Attention Fellow SnowHomies!
The past few weeks have been quite dry in Pagosa Springs, but luckily we are able to escape to the mountain where there is always a place for fun!
Our local ski resort has been blessed with 27 inches of fresh snow in the latest storm leaving us 13 inches of fresh pow in the last 24 hours. Blue skies are upon us today, resulting in powder packed and extensively groomed bluebird conditions. Year-to-date snow fall is currently residing at 251″
Wolf Creek Pass is located approximately 24 miles South East of Pagosa Springs in the beautiful San Juan mountains. A 30-40 minute drive from your new potential home! If you are looking to buy a home in Pagosa and start living the mountain life or continue your journey here, Wolf Creek is a perfect place to dip your toes (or edges) into some fun and experience an exciting life here.
If your family is new to skiing/riding and you are looking to have an out of body experience, Wolf Creek offers group or private lessons and rentals at an excellent price. Check out their website wolfcreekski.com to plan a trip.
This Sunday, February 6th Wolf Creek will be hosting a special event: A Fun Race! Race your friends or just challenge your own fastest time. Free and open to skiers and boarders of all ages and abilities. Sign up is from 9:30am to 10:30am in the Raven’s Nest building and the race is from 11am to 1pm on Charisma run.
If you are looking to buy a home in this sweet little town, make sure to check out the properties we have available on our website. Becoming a local has its benefits, such as access to local day rates at both Wolf Creek Pass and the Hot Springs located on the river through town. We have a lot of fun out here, and you could too! Make sure to tie in both of those places to your visit to get the full experience of winter in Pagosa. All four seasons are a blast!
Make sure to check back next week for more events and updates here in beautiful Pagosa.
Exploring the National Forest
What to Bring on your Adventure in the Woods
The National Forest around Pagosa Springs is a big space… and we mean big! With over 3 million acres of wilderness and national forest surrounding the town, there is plenty of space to explore! If you want to go exploring in the San Juan National Forest or the Weminuche Wilderness, you should prepare for a variety of weather, terrain, and wildlife interactions! This post should outline the basic gear you should bring when exploring anywhere in the United States; and some essentials specific to this area. Let’s get into it!
- Water – Water is at the top of this list for a reason. Water is important no matter where you are or what you are doing. It becomes more important as you gain altitude because it helps combat the headaches and dizziness associated with altitude sickness. I try to carry at least 2- 32oz Nalgene bottles for a day in the forest so I know I have enough!
- Shoes & Clothing – The weather in this part of the country can change drastically in a matter of a couple hours. In July it can be 90 degrees at Noon and 55 degrees and pouring rain by 3pm! This makes it extra important to wear layers and pack the appropriate clothing for the conditions. I try to always bring a jacket and rain poncho or full rain suit when I want to spend more than an hour or two in the woods. As far as footwear goes I highly recommend wearing boots that provide good ankle support. These kinds of boots can prevent ankle sprains; a big deal when you are alone and away from civilization! Waterproof boots are also a good choice if you like exploring in the rain. Waterproof boots will be warmer due to lack of ventilation; something to consider if your feet tend to get hot.
- Cutting Tool – A cutting tool in the woods has a million uses. Whether you need to get a splinter out of your finger, cut a string from your shirt, or cut a tree branch to fashion a splint, a good pocket knife or multitool is essential in an outdoor emergency. I never go exploring without one! A multitool has the advantage over a normal pocket knife because they usually have several different tools and even a pair of pliers built in! I personally carry and recommend Leatherman multitools.
- Map & Compass – While you don’t necessarily need a map and compass to start exploring, it’s a good idea to bring them along! A map and compass can help you find your bearings if you find yourself lost. You can also use them to mark landmarks that you want to visit again later! A simple compass can be bought for $15-20 and is light enough to always bring with you. As far as maps go, I recommend going into the Forest Service office and asking for maps for the specific areas you want to explore! They will even have topo maps that show elevation so you can see how steep your route will be.
- Food – You need energy to explore and food gives you energy! I always try to bring high-energy snacks to keep me going throughout the day. Protein bars, trail mix, jerky, fruit, etc are all great, compact snacks that will keep you up in energy. Be sure to bring a ziplock bag or similar to keep your trash in until you can properly dispose of it. Do not litter!!
- Fire – It can get cold at night in this part of the country, even in the middle of summer. If you get lost or injured in the woods and have to spend the night you are going to want some way to build a fire! I think a Bic or similar rugged lighter is the bare minimum you should bring on your outdoor adventures. These are pressurized so they work outdoors and they rarely leak fuel. If you have a little more room for gear, I would also bring a flint and steel in addition to the lighter. This leaves you with two viable options for starting an emergency fire. Be sure you know how to properly build a fire before heading out!
- First Aid – The San Juan and Weminuche Wilderness is a rugged terrain with some extremely remote areas. If you get hurt way up in the woods it can be nearly impossible for help to make it to you! Carrying a well-equipped first aid kit can allow you to take care of minor injuries by yourself until you are able to make it to civilization! It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with all of the components of your first aid kit and how they work. You can even print instructions to keep in the kit! I recommend Adventure Medical Kits if you are wanting a good pre-built first aid kit.
- Sun Protection – Pagosa Springs and surrounding wilderness areas are very high in elevation compared to most of the United States. Pagosa Springs is sitting at 7,126ft above sea level and most of the places you’ll be exploring will be higher. Being higher than sea level also means you are closer to the sun and sunburn can be a serious issue! If you know you are going to be in the sun a lot I would recommend wearing long shirts and pants or using a good sunscreen. It’s no fun wearing a hiking backpack with burnt shoulders… trust me!
These are some of the most important pieces of gear that you should carry with you in the woods! Whether you are running out for an hour in the woods or planning a weeklong excursion, these will help you make it home safely! If all this talk of exploring is too exciting to ignore, give us a call at 970.507.8655 and we can help you find a place to stay in Southwest Colorado!
Tubing The San Juan River
Float The River This Summer!
Pagosa Springs is known by many as a summer vacation hotspot. Between the world’s deepest Hot Spring, millions of acres of National Forest to explore, and the abundance of local shops, restaurants, and breweries, there is plenty of fun to be had! If you are looking for a way to relax and cool down on a hot and sunny day, tubing might be for you! The San Juan River winds through downtown Pagosa, making for a fun float through the town! The town of Pagosa Springs even does some river restoration, making the tubing route safe and fun for all ages!
Tube rentals are available at Pagosa Outside, located on the main strip next to The Peak Deli. The cost ranges from $15-50 depending on the type of tube and length of rental. They also have a shuttle bus that will drop you off and pick you up; so you don’t have to walk through downtown with a tube on your back! No permits or paperwork are needed to privately tube on the San Juan River, so if you have your own tubes you can go out for free; you just have to do more walking!
If you have any questions about tubing the San Juan River, give Pagosa Outside a call, they are the local experts! If you want to tube in Pagosa, but don’t have a place to stay, give us a call at 970.507.8655 and we can help you find your NextHome!
Spring Break
Spring Break in Pagosa Springs
Pagosa Springs has become a very popular vacation spot in recent years, and for good reason! With stunning views around every corner and friendly people in every store, it really is a great place to go and relax. With spring break fast approaching; we decided to put together a list of some of the best activities available to do in Pagosa! If you don’t see your favorite Pagosa Springs activity on this list let us know so we can add it to the next one!
- Ski/Snowboard Wolf Creek – Wolf Creek Ski Area is a 1,600 acre ski area located just 20 miles from Pagosa Springs. Wolf Creek is well known among avid skiers and snowboarders for the deep powder snow it gets every year. The mountain gets more snow than any other ski resort in Colorado, topping out at 430 inches per year! With 10 lifts, including 2 conveyor lifts, there is something for skiers of all skill levels! If skiing isn’t your thing, there are popular sledding hills less than a mile from the resort at the entrance to Lobo Overlook!
- Drive To Williams Creek Reservoir – Williams Creek Reservoir is a large reservoir located approximately 23 miles from town. Take Piedra Road (CR 600) and enjoy views of mountains, large valleys, and wildlife on your way to the lake! Once you have arrived there are opportunities to hike, camp, and fish! Ice fishing for trout and salmon is very popular at Williams; you can call the forest service to see what lures or bait have been working for local anglers. If you plan on spending the day, be sure to pack food and water as the general store near the lake is closed during the winter months.
- Soak In The Hot Springs – Pagosa Springs is know for it’s hot springs above all else. The “mother spring” located behind The Springs Resort, is the deepest geothermal hot spring in the world; so deep that the measuring equipment maxed out at 1,002 feet! The geothermal water is believed to have healing properties that can help with many different conditions. People come from around the world to soak in the hot springs. There are several places in town that offer soaking tubs for a small fee. The Springs Resort offers many pools with different temperatures and sizes right on the San Juan river. Healing Waters, across the street from The Springs, is smaller but offers a geothermally heated swimming pool! Lastly, the Overlook, located on Main Street, offers rooftop pools with a view of downtown Pagosa! You can’t go wrong with any of these options for a relaxing evening after skiing! If you want to save a little money, ask a local to point you towards the Hippie Dip; a small natural hot spring located right on the San Juan River! This is a popular spot for locals to take a quick dip!
- Have a beer & listen to live music – While Pagosa Springs is known mainly for the hot springs and it’s plethora of outdoor activities, music is also a huge part of the culture! If you walk through downtown Pagosa on a Friday night you are bound to hear live music echoing out from the restaurants. Go to Riff Raff On The Rio to see musicians playing by the river or up to Pagosa Brewing to listen to local bands jamming under the tent. Pagosa Springs is full of talented musicians who like sharing their music. If you like beer, there are many local brews available at most restaurants and bars in town! Both Riff Raff Brewing and Pagosa Brewing have won several awards for their beers! If you find a beer you love, you can buy a metal growler to take home as a souvenir from your spring break adventure!
- Shop On Main Street – Need a break from skiing or soaking in the springs? Shopping Main St. is a fun way to burn some time! Pagosa Springs’ Main Street is full of shops; from rock shops, to the local bookstore Bookends, to The Lost Cajun restaurant, there is plenty to explore! We recommend starting by The Malt Shoppe and working your way all the down to Memory Lane Antiques. Definitely stop at Pagosa Baking Company for a fresh baked treat! During the busy season parking can be hard to find. Luckily, there are larger parking lots located on either end of Main Street.
- Satisfy Your Sweet-Tooth at The Choke Cherry Tree – If you grew up in Pagosa, or have visited before, you probably know about The Choke Cherry Tree! This awesome business opened in Pagosa Springs in 1999 and has been a favorite ever since! The Choke Cherry Tree is known for their choke cherry jams and amazing homemade caramel, but that isn’t all they do! They make candies, caramels, infused oils, every sauce you can think of, and more! I personally love their salted caramels and pickled okra. If your mouth is watering like mine is and you can’t wait for spring break, just order online and have these delicious treats shipped to your door! They even offer gift baskets!
- Search For Your Own Vacation Home – If a week during Spring Break isn’t enough time in Pagosa Springs for you, you may want to consider finding a vacation home here! There is so much to do here throughout the year that owning a home can be extremely advantageous! Here at NextHome we manage several vacation rental homes; you can use your home whenever you want and we can rent it out the rest of the time! This means you can actually make some extra income by owning a home in Pagosa Springs! If you would like to learn more, give us a call at (970) 507-8655 and we can talk you through our rental options!
We hope this blog post gave you some ideas for your spring break trip! If you have any questions, let us know! We would be happy to help. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook to keep up to date on what’s happening here at NextHome!
Add Value To Your Home With Energy Efficient Upgrades
6 Ways To Make Your Home More Efficient While Adding Value!
Feeling like you spend too much money each month on your heat or electric? Your home probably isn’t as energy efficient as it should be! Luckily, though, there are several upgrades you can do that will not only increase efficiency, but also the value of your home! Doing the upgrades below now can help you sell your home for more later!
1. Insulate Your Attic – While not something many buyers even think about, an insulated attic can significantly reduce heating costs in a home! An uninsulated attic allows heat to escape quickly as it rises, meaning your heating system will have to work harder to keep living areas warm. By insulating your attic, you significantly reduce the amount of heat loss that occurs. This means your heating system won’t have to work constantly to keep your home warm! Spray foam insulation can cost anywhere from $1000 to $3000 for professional installation. There are DIY kits available for less though, so that is something to consider if you are a handy homeowner! This upgrade is something most buyers won’t notice, so be sure to let them know the benefits of a well-insulated attic!
2. Upgrade Windows – Windows are something most homeowners don’t think about replacing until they are broken or leaking. High quality double-pane windows can actually make a huge difference on your heating bill! Energy Star rated windows have been proven to reduce heating costs by up to 15%. This is because properly insulated windows help to trap heat in the home, in the same way that an insulated attic helps to trap heat. That is a huge jump caused by simply replacing windows! Many homeowners are making Energy Star windows a requirement in their home search, so this is a great choice to increase value and interest in your home! The average cost to upgrade to these windows ranges from $250-800 per window, depending on size and installer costs. This isn’t the cheapest upgrade option, but we think it is worth a look as it is estimated to raise home value by around $9500!
3. Replace The Garage Door – If your garage is attached to your home, and doesn’t already have one, you may want to consider installing an insulated garage door. If your garage door is uninsulated, it may be leaking cold air into the garage, and ultimately into your living space. This isn’t great for efficiency purposes! If you install a properly sealing insulated garage door, you may see up to a 15% decrease in your heating bill! Installing an insulated door will cost around $3695 on average, but you can expect to recover almost all of that cost when selling your home, making a new garage door almost free! If you already have a garage door that you love, there are DIY Insulation Kits available to insulate an existing door.
4. Replace Outdated Appliances – One of the easiest upgrades a homeowner can do to increase value and efficiency in their home is to replace old appliances with updated, more efficient models. New kitchen appliances consume up to 40% less energy compared to 10 year old appliances! The kitchen is one of the most important rooms to prospective buyers, so it is worth taking a look at possible upgrades. Home Improvement stores such as Lowes and Home Depot offer matching appliance packages for as little as $2500, which is not a bad investment to spruce up one of the most used rooms in a home! Keep in mind that 75% of prospective home buyers prefer stainless steel appliances to all other finishes.
5. Add Weather-Stripping To Doors – You may have read about door weather-stripping in our Sound-Proof Your Home blog post, but you may not know how many uses this cheap upgrade has! In addition to cutting down on the amount of sound entering your home, weather-stripping can actually cut your energy bill down too! By adding weather-stripping around the doors in your home, you create a seal between the door and it’s frame, making it much more difficult for cold air to enter your living space. While there is no information as to how much value this upgrade adds, for only $20-30 it is worth doing to eliminate drafts in your home!
6. Install Solar Panels – Solar panels, while more of an addition than an upgrade, can have a very significant impact on your energy bills as well as the value of your home! While not always the best addition to increase value, solar panels can be a big selling point in an area like Pagosa Springs where this form of supplemental energy is common. With the proper setup, solar panels can produce most, if not all, of the electricity needed for day to day living! While this may sound amazing, you do have to consider the initial cost and upkeep costs of solar energy. The average cost for a full residential solar system is anywhere between $15,000 to $25,000. This may seem very costly, but the cost of solar has actually fallen nearly 70% since 2010! Solar is a great way to get into efficient energy and self sufficiency, but may not be the best way to add value to your home. We recommend reaching out to a realtor regarding solar in your area to see what your return on investment might be.
These are just some of the ways you can make your home more energy efficient while also adding value to your investment! If you know of any other smart ways to add value to your home, let us know! If you are reading this in preparation for selling your home, we would love to talk to you about the selling process and all of the ways we can market your property! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook to stay updated on what’s happening with NextHome Rocky Mountain Realty and Rentals. Thanks for reading!
Sledding In Pagosa
Get Your Sled On This Winter!
With snow falling every other day, and many businesses still closed due to Covid-19, it’s a great time to get some sledding or tubing in! If you are in Pagosa Springs, or are planning a trip up, sledding is a fun way to pass the time! Sledding involves a lot of time rolling around in the snow; so you really need good waterproof snow gear including gloves and a warm hat. We also recommend proper snow boots, no one wants wet feet! As far as sleds go, there are several styles to choose from, and you really can’t go wrong with one or another!
Below is a quick rundown of the sled types and how they function:
- The Toboggan – Toboggans were originally made from wooden slats with a rope handle. Modern toboggans are made from plastic so they are easy to carry, and some are made to fit more than one person. The main advantage of these sleds over others is the extra capacity and the ability to steer by leaning to one side or the other. This toboggan is highly rated on amazon and can be found in stores in Pagosa!
- The Sledge – The sledge is what many consider the classic snow sled. Constructed from steel and wood planks, this sled is fast, has a high weight capacity, and is steerable! The main con for this type of sled is the weight; it weighs in around 15lbs! This sled has narrow steel runners, rather than a flat plastic bottom like more modern sleds. This means the sled is not ideal for powder conditions. These sleds have been in production since 1889 and still do great!
- The Saucer – The saucer is a favorite for many reasons. This disc shaped sled is lightweight and easy to carry, will fit most people, and can reach some impressive speeds in the right conditions! Best of all, they are super cheap to buy! Here is one of the highest rated on amazon. The main con with a saucer sled is the lack of steering control. We recommend these for open areas, not hills with multiple obstacles.
- The Snow Tube – Snow tubes have gotten popular lately, and for good reason! These tubes are inflatable, so they take up less room than traditional sleds. They are also smoother going down hills than other stiff sleds. We recommend finding one with good handles so you aren’t bounced off the sled at speed! The main disadvantage with these is they aren’t as durable as other sleds; so they aren’t recommended for rougher terrain.
The Best Sledding Hills
We have compiled a small list of the best public spots in Pagosa Springs to go sledding! If you don’t see your favorite spot, reach out to us and we will add it to the list!
- Reservoir Hill – Located right downtown across from The Springs and behind the Post Office; Reservoir Hill is an awesome place to sled! With multiple short runs to choose from, this spot is perfect for all experience levels. If sledding isn’t your speed, you can snowshoe the trails on Reservoir Hill instead!
- Lobo Overlook – Lobo Overlook is located right before Wolf Creek Pass if you are coming from Pagosa Springs. While the overlook itself isn’t easily accessible in the winter, the hill next to the parking lot sure is! This spot is super popular due to it’s close proximity to Wolf Creek and the clear steep hill that is accessed easily right from the parking area! Be sure to bring a snack and water, otherwise you will have to wait until you get back into town to find food.
- National Forest… All 1.8 Million Acres! – Pagosa Springs is blessed to be surrounded by almost 2 MILLION acres of National Forest! This forest is free to access and use, provided you respect the environment and don’t leave messes behind. What this means is you can drive down any forest road and find a spot to sled! Just beware, some private land is mixed in with the public, so be sure you are in the public areas! Most of the forest roads near Pagosa partially close for the winter months, so some walking may be required to find the perfect sledding spot. You can view the current road closures here.
Pagosa Springs is like a snowy wonderland. You could spend all winter sledding, snowboarding or skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and more! Hopefully this post has given you a good idea of where to start! If you are looking for a vacation rental, or something more permanent, give us a call at (970) 507-8655! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for NextHome RMR updates and virtual open house videos! Humans Over Houses is our motto.