Crested Butte Is Home

Than Acuff grew up on the East coast, skiing and playing soccer before heading West to attend Colorado College in Colorado Springs. He began visiting Crested Butte and like so many of us, knew it was the place for him. As soon as he graduated, he found himself in Crested Butte, working the typical ski bum jobs that so many of us here in Crested Butte started off with.

Eventually, however, other opportunities began to present themselves. He was asked to be the soccer coach for the high school team, and was able to lead the Titans to a state championship in 2018. Meanwhile, an "off the cuff" tale of a soccer tournament in Grand Junction led to his job as the long-time sports reporter for the Crested Butte News. In fact, he even helped start the News when it split off from the Crested Butte Chronicle and Pilot, which is a great story as well, which we cover.

Finally, Than is the director of the Crested Butte Avalanche Center. He was caught in an avalanche during the 2018-19 winter- thankfully it all went well and it's become a learning experience which he shares on this podcast episode.

Crested Butte Real Estate Minute:

The Crested Butte Community School has long been recognized as one of the top schools in the state, thanks to the involvement of the community. Interested in knowing more about the Crested Butte and Gunnison real estate market?- sign up for my newsletters.

Learn More:

Crested Butte Avalanche Center -Also see Episode 18 with Ben Pritchett

Crested Butte News Sports Page

Crested Butte Community School

OK, Ben Breslauer probably isn't the busiest person in the world, but for those of us looking in, it might seem like it. Ben started and continues to run the Crested Butte Burger Company, at the base of the ski area. Additionally, he's the facilities manager for the Club at Crested Butte, with locations in both Mount Crested Butte as well as the golf course in Skyland.

For most people, that would be enough. But Ben is also highly involved with local non-profits and public lands committees. He is the president of the G.O.A.T.S (Gunnison Valley OHV Alliance of Trailriders), on the board of directors for the CBAC (Crested Butte Avalanche Center), and a founding committee member for both GPLI (Gunnison Public Lands Initiative) and STOR (Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee). Just writing that sentence made me tired- find out how he finds the time to do all this, why he does it, and still find time to ski, mountain bike, dirtbike and more.

Crested Butte Real Estate Minute:

It's the start of a new year- and a new decade. So I looked back at real estate appreciation in Crested Butte over the past 10/5/3/1 years. Interested in knowing more about the Crested Butte and Gunnison real estate market?- sign up for my newsletters.

Learn More:

The Club at Crested Butte

Crested Butte Burger Company

G.O.A.T.S

GPLI -Also see Episode 16 with Maddie Rehn

CBAC -Also see Episode 18 with Ben Pritchett

STOR

Growing up in Boston, Danny Hartigan developed a love of skateboarding as well as snowboarding. He recalls the early days of snowboarding when he had to take a test to prove he should be allowed to snowboard at "ski" areas. Snowboarding brought him west, to Western Colorado University in Gunnison.

He continued to skateboard during the summer and perhaps surprisingly, Colorado is home to a thriving skating scene thanks to parks like the ones found in Crested Butte and Gunnison. It's even possible that the Big Mine park (one of the earliest in CO) in Crested Butte will be expanded in the coming years.

Next, we moved on to kayaking. The 90's were a time of exploration on the local rivers and Danny talks about his own experiences as well as some of the first descents on creeks like Oh-Be-Joyful and Daisy creek. This is some great history for all you "river rats" out there.

Finally, we talked about his rock and roll band- Gun Rack, which you may see in Crested Butte or in Gunnison. And we finish off with roofing, ice dams, and what you can do to keep your roof in good shape in Crested Butte.

I hope you enjoy this episode of the Crested Butte is Home podcast- please share this episode with your friends via email, social media, or word of mouth!

Please subscribe to Crested Butte is Home on your favorite podcast player and leave a review- and thanks for listening.

Crested Butte Real Estate Minute:

Interested in learning more about the Grand Lodge? The Grand Lodge is one of Crested Butte's most affordable condo options and a great rental property.

Learn More:

Gun Rack Facebook Page

Contact Frank if you need to reach Danny about roofing

Debra Callihan has deep roots here in the Gunnison Valley. She was born here while her father was at Western Colorado University, which Debra also attended. Even when her husband was Colorado's Lieutenant Governor, they tried to spend as much time as they could here, rather than in Denver. Don't worry- we don't talk about politics too much, though we did discuss it a little bit.

Debra is perhaps most well known for her involvement with local animal rescue groups. She helped keep what is now know as the Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League (GVAWL) going back in the 80's, growing it into the tremendous organization that it is today. Seeing a need for a foster-care approach to animal rescue, she is now heavily involved with Gunnison Underdog Rescue (GUR). GUR has proved to be so successful that they even take in animals from other parts of the state.

When it comes to advice for those contemplating adoption, she has several pieces of advice- do your homework, spay or neuter, and "adopt, don't shop".

I hope you enjoy this episode of the Crested Butte is Home podcast- please share this episode with your friends via email, social media, or word of mouth!

Please subscribe to Crested Butte is Home on your favorite podcast player and leave a review- and thanks for listening.

Crested Butte Real Estate Minute:

Interested in Crested Butte Real Estate for both you and your furry friend? While most condos in the area allow pets for homeowners, a few do not. Contact me and I can help you stay away from the ones that don't.

Learn More:

Gunnison Underdog Rescue (GUR)

Gunnison Underdog Rescue on Facebook

Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League (GVAWL)

Paradise Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

Noah Wight is my guest on this episode of the Crested Butte is Home podcast. Noah spent some of his youth at the hippy hamlet of Ward, located west of Boulder, Colorado, before moving to the East coast. He eventually made his way back to the University of Colorado and eventually Crested Butte.

Noah has been the owner of Crested Butte's television station, CBTV10, for many years. Many people will recognize him from his daily weather forecasts for the Gunnison and Crested Butte area. We talk about the logistics of running a TV station, as well as the challenges of making sure his TV station remains available over the airwaves and other methods.

Noah injured his spinal cord years ago (while wearing a helmet), and we talk about that accident, making his home accessible, and his return to skiing and other sports since the injury.

I hope you enjoy this episode of the Crested Butte is Home podcast- please share this episode with your friends via email, social media, or word of mouth!

Please subscribe to Crested Butte is Home on your favorite podcast player and leave a review- and thanks for listening.

Learn More:

CBTV 10

Crested Butte Real Estate Minute:

Looking for a Ski In/ Ski Out property in Crested Butte? This link will provide you with all the information you need, including current listings!

The tables are turned on this week's episode, with Frank Konsella becoming the interviewee rather than the interviewer. We start off talking about where I grew up, in the foothills above Golden, CO. Like many of my guests, I grew up ski racing at Winter Park, so when it came time to find a place to live, I naturally chose somewhere with great skiing- Crested Butte. Skiing has always been a big part of my life, so of course we talk about all the layers of skiing that I've been involved with- from competing in Big Mountain events, to skiing all of Colorado's Fourteeners, to writing a backcountry guidebook along with Brittany Konsella.

We finished up the interview talking (not surprisingly) about real estate. So if you've always wanted to know more about me- this is your chance.

I hope you enjoy this episode of the Crested Butte is Home podcast- please share this episode with your friends via email, social media, or word of mouth!

Please subscribe to Crested Butte is Home on your favorite podcast player and leave a review- and thanks for listening.

Learn More:

14erskiers

Our CO ski guidebook

Share The Slate

Crested Butte- Gunnison Trail App

Crested Butte Real Estate Minute:

Please sign up for my Crested Butte/ Gunnison real estate Newsletter!

Growing up in the midwest, Stephanie Ballard jokingly described her favorite pastime as "picking tar out of potholes with sticks". All kidding aside, she actually had a talent for volleyball and went to school in Charleston, South Carolina. Her dream of being an interior designer was on hold for a little while after college, while she successfully followed other career options.

Eventually she made her way to southern California, took a pay cut, and began what she calls an apprenticeship in interior design. Her career got a boost when Hollywood called and she appeared on interior design shows on Bravo and Lifetime television. After meeting her Crested Butte-based fiance in California, she made the move to Crested Butte and now operates Covet Living interiors in a space that she shares with me and my colleagues here at Signature Properties. In this episode we talked a lot about design, what's a trend versus what is timeless, and more. If you have any interest in design and decorating, you will surely enjoy this episode.

I hope you enjoy this episode of the Crested Butte is Home podcast- please share this episode with your friends via email, social media, or word of mouth!

Please subscribe to Crested Butte is Home on your favorite podcast player and leave a review- and thanks for listening.

Learn More:

Covet Living Interiors

Crested Butte Real Estate Minute:

Thinking about purchasing a property that might need some remodeling and interior design? That can be a great way to go about purchasing property here in Crested Butte. Let's chat!

Tanith Martinez grew up at the Orvis Hot Springs between Ridgway and Ouray, Colorado. On a trip to Alaska, she watched a pilot land a bushplane nearby and decided that's what she wanted to do. After high school, she immediately started working towards getting her pilot's license at Northwest Colorado Community College. By the time she was finishing her undergraduate education at Metro State College of Denver, she was already teaching other aspiring pilots how to fly.

After teaching for several years up and down the front range, Tanith and her family made the move to where they really wanted to be: Gunnison. Tanith now has her own plane and continues to teach others how to fly and get their pilot's license. She also offers sightseeing tours, hunting reconnaissance flights, and even real estate tours for larger ranch properties.

I hope you enjoy this episode of the Crested Butte is Home podcast- please share this episode with your friends!

Please subscribe to Crested Butte is Home on your favorite podcast player and leave a review- and thanks for listening.

Learn More:

On the Fly Aviation

Crested Butte Real Estate Minute:

In this episode, I discussed Buckhorn Ranch, a fly in/fly out community here in Crested Butte. More information including current listings can be found at my website.

Eric Larsen grew up in Wisconsin, where he loved to be outside and come up with his own adventures in his backyard. That desire to be outside and explore has continued to this day. Eric is a professional explorer, and has led trips to the North Pole, South Pole, Mount Everest, Greenland and more.

Eric continues to come up with new ways of exploring. As one example, he's been doing mini "state adventures", where he comes up with a cool adventure in each state. We talk about what goes into planning these big expeditions, as well as the business aspects, like attracting sponsorship money. Here in Crested Butte, his adventures are more straightforward and familiar to many of us- as simple as spending time with his family or riding the 401 trail on his mountain bike. The ability to have an adventure right from his front door is one of the reasons why Eric recently relocated here.

I hope you enjoy this episode of the Crested Butte is Home podcast- please share this episode with your friends!

Please subscribe to Crested Butte is Home on your favorite podcast player and leave a review- and thanks for listening.

Learn More:

Eric Larsen

Crested Butte Real Estate Minute:

In this episode I discuss some of my awesome new listings in the Crested Butte area- all of my listings can be found here.

Wendy Fisher grew up skiing in Northern California with her family and quickly learned to love the sport. She began racing and excelled at it- so much so that she ended up at Burke Mountain Ski Academy in Vermont and the U.S. Ski Team. In 1991 she won the overall title at the U.S National Alpine Championships right here in Crested Butte. The following year, she qualified for the Olympics in Albertville France, though a training run crash kept her from competing.

In this episode, we talk about all of those accomplishments, followed by what she thought was going to be a move away from skiing. A series of fortunate events brought her back to competitive skiing in Big Mountain Freeskiing. With newfound freedom, she competed in freeskiing contests, starred in ski movies from Matchstick Productions and Warren Miller, and graced many a magazine cover.

Our conversation about her ski career evolution continued- now she's the mother of two skiers and mostly skis as a family. This was a great conversation not just about skiing, but also about competing and mindset- plus why she lives in Crested Butte and how this mountain can challenge and rejuvenate even a professional skier.

I hope you enjoy this episode of the Crested Butte is Home podcast- please share this episode with your friends!

Please subscribe to Crested Butte is Home on your favorite podcast player and leave a review- and thanks for listening.

Learn More:

Wendy Fisher Website

"SuperMom" Video

Crested Butte Real Estate Minute:

In this episode I discuss the falling sales numbers coupled with rising prices in the Crested Butte area. See all my market reports.