The graph above illustrates continued decline in 2009 4th Quarter real estate sales compared to 4th quarter sales in previous years in the western ski towns of Aspen, Winter Park, Whistler, Park City, Steamboat, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Sun Valley, Telluride, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, Lake Tahoe, Crested Butte and Big Sky.

The ski real estate second home industry has been hit hard by the recession where over two thirds of the number of transactions that took place in 2006 did not happen in 2009.  Similar is true with trending dollar volume.  The devastating effects have crumpled the economy of major ski resort towns and eroded the local populations.

Never before has there been a three year downturn in the second home marketplace for so many major ski resort areas.  These micro-economies rely heavily on local and second home sales to sustain the towns and the locals that provide the resort services in these communities.

2009 Ski Resort Real Estate Sales marked the worst period in over twenty years.  However, this may be a good sign especially if you are a buyer that has been waiting for the right time to purchase property in the mountains.  Real Estate in ski towns may face challenges in the upcoming year, but rest assured that most of this property is still a very limited commodity when considering ski in ski out locations.

2008 Ski Resort Real Estate Sales are attached so you can compare the two years ski market by ski market.

The major western ski resort areas included in this report are: Aspen, Winter Park, Whistler, Park City, Steamboat, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Sun Valley, Telluride, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, Lake Tahoe, Crested Butte and Big Sky.

Everyone in the second home and resort real estate industry was hoping for a strong rebound in 2010.  However, January saw a record low in sales of new homes; not the best indicator for the rest of the year. 

Will the Buyers Return?  For ski resort markets, Realtors across the Rocky Mountains have watched the skiers return for the ski season, but real estate buyers still remain few and far between.  To complicate matters, ski towns like Vail, Aspen and Park City have all saw brand new construction starts during the boom years; some buildings the likes of which have never been seen in ski country.  These opulent condominium buildings and second homes are now finished or will be by the fall of 2010.

New Construction Absorbtion?  As these brand new properties all come on the market this spring and summer, will there be enough buyers to absorb the inventory?  Of course, in the good ol' days, most of the properties would have been pre-purchased by now and many would be in the process of resale.

Is it time to Buy My Ski Home?  If you have ever considered owning a ski home or condominium, this could be the best time to start looking and sorting through the vast amounts of inventory that exists in the mountains.  Also, ski property prices have fallen hard.

If you need help locating a mountain Realtor, please contact us below of feel free to search for ski homes here.

Good news abounds for ski resort real estate buyers!

According to a recent article in the New York Times, this could be the best time to buy ski resort real estate in 20 years.  Fellow Realtors across the major ski resorts are reporting price drops for ski in ski out properties of as much as fifity percent.

Ski Realtors in Big Sky, Park City and Jackson Hole all have seen half price sales compared to the high of 2007 in their markets.

As we are in the full swing of ski season and many reported an increase in early season buyer activity, it will be interesting to watch what happens in the next sixty days.

2009 Ski Resort Market Real Estate Statistics were way off and the mountain towns sure could use a shot of economic adreniline.  Come one, come all, we welcome you with open arms to our home in ski country.

The 2010 Whistler Real Estate Report examines trends and statistics for the resort municipality of Whistler for the last ten years.  Since the 2010 Winter Olympics were rewarded to Whistler Blackcomb, there has been great changes in real estate values and home ownership.

According to the study, real estate appreciation has seen 123% increase in value and the number of countries represented by homeowners has grown from thirteen to forty companies.

Even though the ski resort will be auctioned during the Olympics, the outlook for ski real estate in Whistler remains very good.

Enjoy this report and please contact Ursula Morel for all your real estate needs in Whistler Blackcomb who was kind enough to send us this information.