|   anybody here in the B&B business (peripheral mtb content) | professor frink
May 20, 2002 10:23 AM | | I'm looking for an opportunity to be my own boss and live the lifestyle that we're all looking for. I cooked up this concept of running a b&B in connection with a mountain bike tour/mountian acitvity company (winter stuff as well as other summer stuff) and wanted to know if anyone out there has first hand experience with the B&B business. I've actually found one for sale in Steamboat, which could be pretty kick-ass. |
| The potential is definitely there... | 2melow
May 20, 2002 10:36 AM | | ..especially if Steamboat consistently gets more and more snow than the rest of the area.
Honestly, there are better places to mtb in the state, but you have to remember the 'boat is a destination resort for skiing and I think that is the bulk of your business. Suprisingly, there are a ton of people who come to steamboat to snowmobile Rabbit Ears pass.
I guess I am just rambling and really excited about this possible opportunity for you...I have no useful B & B knowledge, other than I like to Bike and drink Beer (b&b). I would love to live in steamboat - if only it wasn't so far from a major town (I'm in Fort Collins) Go for it though, steamboat is a great town. |
| former innkeeper here... | DamienC
May 20, 2002 10:44 AM | | Before I started graduate school I decided to take a break and I took on a job as a surrogate innkeeper at a bed and breakfast in Issaquah, WA, near Seattle, while the owner went away to school for a year. It was my first experience at running a small business and since it ended up being a one-man show, I learned as much in that year as I did in the previous four. By one-man show I mean that I did all the cooking, housekeeping, book keeping, hosting, marketing, etc...
The B&B was certainly nothing overly fancy - just four rooms in a quiet residential neighborhood - but it was close to skiing and hiking areas. My cooking was of course the main attraction ;).
The best parts about the experience were meeting people from all walks of life and getting to know them over the course of a few days. I even had a few people stay for weeks. My fondest memories are of long, casual breakfasts with my guests over several pots of coffee, enjoying the views of the Cascades from the dining room. Also, during the day when guests are out doing their own thing, I had alot of free time which I used mostly to ride up the singletrack on nearby Tiger Mountain - the only time I've ever lived close enough to a trailhead to ride from home.
The downside was the continuous cycle of housekeeping (laundry, dishes, etc) and feeling tied down to the house sometimes. Getting a cell phone and call-forwarding helped alot so that I could continue to take reservations and do business while still being able to go out.
Something to keep in mind is figuring out how your business fluctuates with season. Winters can be really slow if your location doesn't have anything to bring guests into the area. This might not be a problem in Steamboat.
Good luck! Email me if you have anymore questions
DamienC |
| I'm pretty familar with SBS.... | bobcat
May 20, 2002 11:09 AM | | ....since I wrote the mountain biking guide book for the area and I also own a townhouse up there. Which B&B are you looking at and where is it located? I can tell you if there are any trails closeby. |
| It's on grand | professor frink
May 20, 2002 11:58 AM | | 727 Grand, in Steamboat, called the alpine rose. I'd love to be able to do tours up there in addition to doing the B&B. Take the flatlanders on the easy trails, maybe build up a bit of a reputation for stronger riders too. Is there any good kayaking or rafting in the area. I'd guess there would be, since there are some rivers in the area. |
| I've heard of the Alpine Rose... | bobcat
May 20, 2002 12:13 PM | | ....you can bike right from town and do either an easy bike path or an epic ride up to Buffalo Pass via Spring Creek trail. The Yampa River flows through town and actually has a whitewater slalom course setup right in town. I think there is an annual river fest for yakers. A popular thing to do when the water is low (July-Aug) is to tube the river.
Rafting is a bit far, mainly on the Colorado River through the pumphouse section - Class III if high water. I've rafted it a bunch of times, got my own cataraft. Here is an idea that nobody is doing, how about sea kayaking on Steamboat Lake or Stagecoach Resv. If you get closer to purchasing the Rose, zip me an email with any questions.... |
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