A soft swoosh of your skis returns you home, a space designed for you existing in your mountain retreat. Kick off your boots, grab a warm sweater, and savor the alpenglow. Each detail of your home was crafted for the life you create here, blending comfort and elegance seamlessly.
Crisp mountain air embraces you as you step out your door. Click into your skis and glide onto the slopes. Snow-covered peaks are your backyard, a playground for adventures that stretch from a quick run to a full day of exploration.
Editorial
Sarah Innerarity
Public Relations Manager, Resorts
Design & Production
Morgan Goodroad
Senior Graphic Designer
Scott Kapela
Graphic Designer
Contributors
Shannel Ryan President, Colorado
Nolan Carleton
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Dave Strellner
Director, Strategic Communications
Payton Ross
Brand Manager
Quinn Whitman
Marketing Coordinator, Resorts
Ainsley White
Marketing Coordinator
$4,900,000 | Details on p. 30
3610 CO HWY 125, Granby, Colorado
FRONT RANGE
Boulder 1050 Walnut Street, Suite 100
20+ Locally Owned Offices in Colorado
Member of the Exclusive
Boulder | 303.443.6161
Castle Rock
413 Wilcox Street
Castle Rock | 303.660.0801
Cherry Creek
100 Saint Paul Street, Suite 200
Denver | 303.893.3200
Colorado Springs
102 North Cascade Ave, Suite 110
Colorado Springs | 719.578.8800
Denver Tech Center
8000 East Belleview Avenue, Suite 200
Greenwood Village | 303.893.3200
Evergreen
31955 Castle Court, Unit 1 South
Evergreen | 303.674.3200
The Village at Castle Pines
858 West Happy Canyon Road, Suite 100
Castle Rock | 303.893.3200
The Village at Castle Pines Sales Center
482 West Happy Canyon Road
Castle Rock | 303.688.6100
RESORTS
Beaver Creek
26 Avondale Lane, Suite 119
Beaver Creek | 970.845.0400
Breckenridge
101 South Main Street
Breckenridge | 970.453.0550
Crested Butte
401 Elk Avenue
Crested Butte | 970.349.6653
Dillon
707 East Anemone Trail, Suite 4
Dillon | 970.453.0550
Edwards
34253 Highway 6, Suite 2A
Edwards | 970.845.0400
Telluride
137 West Colorado Avenue
Telluride | 970.728.1404
Telluride
215 San Juan Avenue, Suite C3
Telluride | 970.728.1404
Telluride
225 South Oak Street
Telluride | 970.728.3086
Telluride | Mountain Village
565 Mountain Village Boulevard, Suite 101
Mountain Village | 970.728.1404
Vail | Bridge Street
228 Bridge Street, Suite 100
Vail | 970.476.7944
Vail | Mountain Haus
292 East Meadow Drive, Suite 101
Vail | 970.476.7944
Winter Park
78977 US Highway 40
Winter Park | 970.509.1740
Letter from our President
Let it snow! I am thrilled to present this winter edition of LIV Magazine, with over 160 resort properties to explore along with our Voices of the Mountains features that introduce fascinating people in our resort towns who champion the arts, community, hospitality, and outdoor adventure.
Just as you love Colorado’s mountain towns as your primary homes, ski destinations, and places to create lasting memories with friends and family, I too cherish my time in the mountains. As a fourth-generation Coloradan, my family has roots in Ouray County, San Miguel County, Summit County and the Front Range. I truly appreciate the unique culture and vibe of our alpine communities.
This edition explores the process of making a home in the mountains uniquely yours. Whether you are building from the ground up, renovating, or simply refreshing your furniture and finishes, you’ll find tips from experts in our resort communities. In addition to spectacular views and access to world-class skiing, mountain homes are now high tech, leveraging smart features and sustainability to make life more
convenient while honoring nature and the intrinsic beauty of the surroundings.
LIV Sotheby’s International Realty is thrilled to celebrate 25 years of excellence in luxury real estate. As we commemorate this milestone, I’m proud of our tradition of market leadership and honored to serve clients across Colorado with the strength and legacy of our global brand behind us.
Your forever partner,
President, Colorado
LIV Sotheby’s International Realty
As you explore this issue, know the homes we represent are special. Each one, a gateway to the extraordinary life you love. With a keen eye for beauty and value, our global real estate advisors are uniquely equipped to see what’s exceptional. Because every home is one of a kind. Just like you. Just like us.
Thank you for being a part of our ongoing journey, and may the pages ahead elevate and inspire you— discover your 1 of 1.
Where mountain luxury meets innovation. Bringing visionary interiors, advanced smart home technology, and eco-friendly energy solutions together to create the ultimate mountain retreat.
Dream realized: you now own a home in Colorado’s majestic mountains, which means waking up to fresh snow, exploring trails just beyond your doorstep, watching wildlife roam past your window, and most importantly, creating lifelong memories with friends and family.
Just as the laidback lifestyle of a resort town is a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the city, the process of building, renovating, or updating your home requires a unique approach in the mountains.
the Future Designing
Unsure where to begin? Start by assembling an all-star team— a builder, designer, and property manager. These experts will provide the local knowledge needed to maximize enjoyment in your new home.
Unlike a major urban area, where you can find multiple home décor stores on one block, creating the perfect high-country abode requires advance planning and enlisting local expertise. Top architects, builders, and interior designers are available in mountain towns, ready to help bring your vision to life. With the right team and a solid plan in place, you’ll be relaxing in front of a crackling fireplace with the snowy peaks as your backdrop in no time.
“Homes in a modern architectural style have lots of steel, glass, and stone, which can get cold, so we layer in texture to warm it up. Those layers can include chunky chenille, woven textures, heavy weaves, and even fur. The flooring can also add warmth, with natural and organic live edge textures with raised grains.” -Tony Pestello
Mountain homes run the gamut from sleek modern structures to sprawling properties with rustic elegance and nods to their natural surroundings. Kate Somrak of Crested Butte's Somrak Concept + Structure, Inc., Somrak Interiors, and a LIV Sotheby's International Realty broker observes, “The mountain modern trend continues to thrive, yet homeowners still seek to retain the quintessential essence of a mountain retreat. This balance is achieved through the incorporation of traditional elements such as timber, steel accents, and stonework, which serve to anchor the design.”
Clean lines and contemporary architecture still reign throughout alpine communities.
Katy Allen of Katy Allen Designs in the Vail Valley adds, “Natural materials and texture play a crucial role in today’s designs, with reclaimed wood and stone favored for their visual interest and warmth. Reclaimed wood is frequently used for beams and accent walls, contributing rustic charm to the overall aesthetic.”
Kyle Webb of KH Webb Architects in the Vail Valley remarks, “Exterior materials are evolving, with an emphasis on unique woods and metals that offer longevity and fire resistance, alongside concrete
DESIGN
Bring your vision to life
board and metal paneling. The trend of combining different exterior materials enhances individuality, while large format frameless glass designs provide a sleek, contemporary look that complements the mountain environment.”
According to Tony Pestello, co-owner of iFurnish in Summit County, design trends have evolved from a cool palette with white and gray to warmer tones. Jenni Pruett of Vail’s Pruett & Company confirms, “Luxury buyers are looking for natural materials, particularly unique quartzites, marbles, and limestones with striking veining that add character and sophistication to spaces.”
With expansive snow-capped peaks surrounding your property, ski trails just beyond your windows, and wildflowers blanketing the meadows each summer, it’s only natural to maximize the stunning views.
Floor-to-ceiling windows, retractable nano doors, and spacious decks seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living, allowing you to fully embrace the beauty of your surroundings.
Transitional spaces play a key role in shaping the overall aesthetic of a home. Whether it’s the grand entry revealing sweeping views of the Gore Range, Telluride’s box canyon, or the Ten Mile Range, these areas set the tone and seamlessly connect the beauty of the outdoors with the interior design.
Luis Harvey, partner in Mexamer Construction Group clarifies, “Luxury homeowners have elevated expectations, and they look for outdoor heated spaces, including heated driveways and patios, to ensure year-round comfort and accessibility. This not only enhances the living experience but also embodies the essence of luxury living in today's market.”
Pestello adds “Lounge areas have been more important than dining areas in outdoor spaces for our clients. Firepits, auxiliary heaters, and covering three quarters of the space allow you to enjoy appetizers and drinks outside well into the fall months. Our mountain sun is strong, so we install pieces that will hold up at altitude and withstand sun and snow.”
194 Angler Mountain Ranch Road, Silverthorne, CO | $6,850,000 | Details on p. 26
Somrak agrees: “The arrival experience is a critical aspect of architecture and design. It extends beyond merely entering a physical space; it involves immersing oneself in nature, comfort, and tranquility, encouraging relaxation and rejuvenation. A harmonious experience can be achieved by layering textures, utilizing natural materials, and ensuring that the architecture and design promote a functional flow into the home.”
Ed Venerable, developer and builder with Paragon Homes in the Vail Valley, adds “Of course, the kitchen and great room continue to be the heart of the home. We place great importance on an open connection between these spaces to ensure a comfortable environment for gathering and entertaining.”
“The primary suite is a sanctuary and should be designed to offer the utmost comfort and indulgence, with features that enhance both convenience and relaxation."
-Malia Cox Nobrega
Malia Cox Nobrega, Vail Valley broker with LIV Sotheby’s International Realty and manager of Mexamer Real Estate Fund, says "High-end primary suites typically include two walk-in closets or a single, expansive closet complete with a full-sized washer and dryer for added convenience. And radiant heat throughout, including the bathroom, ensures warmth during chilly mountain mornings."
Fireplaces can serve various functions, from warming up spaces to fostering a cozy ambiance. Double-sided fireplaces can even connect primary bedrooms to offices, enhancing both comfort and accessibility.
Ski rooms and mud rooms are integral to mountain home design. Each season requires different gear, from rain shells in the spring to hiking boots in the summer to ski jackets and gloves in the winter. An organized space for storing everything is imperative for a functional and welcoming home.
Placing the laundry inside or adjacent to the mud room ensures easy access to the washer and dryer for dirty clothes as soon as you enter the home. Another valuable tip is to build boot dryers into benches along with individual cubbies and hooks for all your hiking, biking, and ski gear.
Oxygenation, which simulates lower elevation, is a huge advancement that brings fresh air into alpine residences. Dave Berber of Telluride’s Berber Construction notes “Most new builds are oxygenating the primary suites, if not all bedrooms.” With base elevations at 8,150 feet in Vail, 8,750 feet in Telluride, and 9,600 feet in Breckenridge, this allows ease and comfort for those adapting to lower oxygen levels, especially when traveling from sea level or lower altitudes. This results in less time spent acclimating, more time spent on the mountain, and quicker recovery from strenuous activities such as skiing.
119 Boulder Circle, Breckenridge, CO
$14,995,000 | Details on p. 23
With so many Zoom boomers now calling the Colorado mountains home, it’s no surprise that technology continues to advance, despite the remote geography of resort towns.
By leveraging connectivity and technology, mountain homeowners can check the fresh snowfall from their cameras before leaving their primary residences in Dallas, Los Angeles, or Chicago, adding to the pre-arrival excitement.
Jay Nobrega of Mexamer Construction Group concurs "Luxury means more than just beautiful spaces—it’s about providing advanced, efficient, and adaptable systems for today’s discerning homeowner. We integrate smart systems or prepare homes for seamless upgrades, allowing for remote control of lighting, climate, and security. Our approach includes energy-efficient solutions, automation to safeguard against frozen pipes, and customizable features that enhance both convenience and peace of mind.”
Lighting has advanced as well, according to Victoria Jones, owner of Studio James Design in the Vail Valley, who says “Non-direct options like light coves built into shower walls or staircases enhance the connectivity of open-concept spaces. We ensure that these details are meticulously designed, incorporating lighting on stair treads or using art lights to softly wash walls instead of relying on direct spotlighting.
Pestello adds “You can also program shades and other window coverings at ideal times for sun, shade, and temperature, so the home achieves the ideal balance of light and temperature.”
In addition to maximizing the sunlight to brighten up rooms, abundant sunshine at high elevations makes solar energy an intelligent approach for mountain homes.
According to Rich Clubine of Active Energies Solar, which serves Colorado’s High Rockies from Grand Junction to the tunnels and Steamboat to Gunnison, homeowners can eliminate their electric bill by going solar, and the typical solar array averages an annual return on investment of 10-12% per year— paying for itself within the first 10 years of ownership.
Clubine continues “Economically, it’s the only home improvement that pays for itself. Lots of people are concerned about the environment, so homeowners are moving to renewable energy.”
Furthermore, whether you’re building or remodeling, there are codes in mountain towns that require energy efficiency to offset energy use, so Clubine has many clients seek out renewable energy options such as solar or battery power to satisfy these requirements.
“Smart thermostats, lighting systems, and alarm setups make life a breeze. An increasing number of homeowners are expressing interest in smart home features, enabling them to monitor their ‘home away from home’ and maintain a sense of connection even when they are not present.”
-Kate Somrak
TECH + SUSTAINABILITY
Smart
homes + renewable energy
As homeowners move between their primary residences and vacation homes in the mountains, the property manager is the quarterback of the team, ensuring their home is well-maintained and ready for their arrival.
With abundant snowfall and extreme weather conditions, vigilant care is necessary year-round. This includes prompt snow removal, regular home maintenance, and monitoring to prevent wildlife from entering the home or garage, safeguarding the property in all seasons.
Sherry Brieske, owner and operator of Alpenglow Home Management in Telluride emphasizes “Having an onsite property manager is essential when you’re not in-residence. Partner with someone who will safeguard your interests and protect your investment, ensuring peace of mind even when you’re out of town.”
Mountain homes also feature a range of security systems. “Homes can have low-temperature alerts, water sensors, fire suppression systems, and of course entry-point security in place. It’s crucial to have someone actively monitoring these systems and ready to take action as needed,” suggests Brieske.
And the winters that we enjoy for snowfall and skiing are hard on our homes. We live in a beautiful but harsh climate. Brieske reminds us “Roofs need to be cleared of snow and ice, and gutters cleaned. Driveways should be accessible for emergency vehicles. Regular maintenance like cleaning chimneys and ensuring intake and outtake vent pipes are clear, is critical for both safety and efficiency,” and a reputable property management service can manage all these tasks and more.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Protect your assets
From concept and construction to furnishings and finishes, creating your ideal alpine retreat requires a wide array of local experts on your team who understand the unique materials, techniques, suppliers, and design elements needed to make your mountain home shine.
A space to be you
Market Snapshot Winter Events
Grand County
Total Sales Volume
November 2023 - October 2024
$688,388,801
Median Sold Price
November 2023 - October 2024
$817,300
Summit County
Total Sales Volume
November 2023 - October 2024
$1,895,072,930
Grand County
Holiday Open House Chamber Mixer
December 11
Rocky Mountain Yule Celebration
December 14
Run Like a Reindeer 5K
December 20
Santa & Mrs. Claus at Granby Ranch
December 22 - 23
New Year’s Eve Celebration
December 31
Ski with a Patroller
January 18
Summit County
Frisco Tree Lighting
November 30
Wassail Days
November 30 - December 8
Santa Visit at the Historic Park
December 1, 7, 8
Lighting of Breckenridge & Race of the Santas
December 7
Green Tire Giveaway
Presented by Nokian Tyres
December 7, January 17, March 1
Median Sold Price
November 2023 - October 2024
$1,056,839
Grand County & Summit County Market Reports
Ullr Fest
December 12 - 14
Toyota US Grand Prix
December 18 - 21
X Games Street Style Pro
December 20 - 21
Holiday Celebration at Copper Mountain
December 24
Rocky Mountain Series
Rail Jam
December 28
New Year’s Eve at Copper
December 31
Uphill Race Series
January 19, February 9, March 9
Stagecoach Classic 30K & 15K Race
January 25
Rail Rodeo Series
January 25, February 22, March 22
Big Game Watch Party
February 9
Extended Hours Skiing
March 10 - 30
Bubly Tubing Spindig
January 19, February 14, March 13
International Snow Sculpture Championships
January 20 - 29
Eat, Ski & Be Merry
January 25
Safetyfest Presented by Nokian Tyres
January 25 - 26
Uphill Race Series
Presented by Mammut
January 25, February 15, March 8, April 12
IFSA Freeride World Qualifier & Junior Freeride Series
February 4 - 8
Spontaneous Combustion
Bonfire & Fireworks
February 8
Copper Live
February 15, March 22, May 3
Copper Mountain Subaru Winterfest
February 21 - 23
Mardi Gras 4Paws
March 1
Sunsation
April 26 - 27
MATT VAWTER
Chef & Owner, Rootstalk and Radicato
James Beard Award Winner
Congratulations on winning the James Beard Award! Can you share more about your journey—how you got started in your career and what led you to this point?
Thank you, it was a tremendous honor. I grew up in Summit County, and I started cooking at a local diner when I was in high school. My Dad was friends with the chef at the Keystone Ranch restaurant, and I asked him if Chef David would give me a shot. For some reason he gave a 15-year-old kid a chance, and I fell in love with fine dining.
I went to culinary school in Keystone for my last year of high school and two years after that. Then I moved to Breckenridge and worked for a restaurant that’s no longer there. To get the broader experience I needed to become the chef I wanted to be, I felt that I needed to move to a bigger city. I moved to Denver in 2007, and I started working for Alex Seidel at Fruition, his first restaurant. When I stepped into his kitchen, I was surrounded by people like me, who all wanted to be chefs. We were all very driven and I worked my way up to Chef de Cuisine. We had a farm one hour away, so we did four days a week in the kitchen, one day a week on the farm. I learned firsthand how challenging it is to produce food with unpredictable weather and sourcing water. At that point in time, I really set my standard and philosophy and ethics with sourcing ingredients.
How did you end up working with Alex Seidel at Fruition?
A friend told me about Alex opening Fruition and recommended that I check it out. I think I reached out through a newspaper ad, did a stage, and he offered me a job that night.
I had been there for seven years when Alex offered me the opportunity to open Mercantile Dining & Provisions with him. I was the chef there and it was a wild ride. It was a very different scene than 52 seats and dinner only; we had three meals, 100+ seats, a pickling program, and a bread program. That experience gave me the confidence to open my restaurant.
Tell me about opening your restaurants in Breckenridge. Everything was great in Denver, my wife and I loved it there, then the pandemic happened, and I started to think about coming back to the mountains. In October 2020, I purchased the space where Rootstalk is today. On December 10, 2020, we opened the Rootstalk patio and eight days later the interior. A year and a half later, we opened Radicato. Had the pandemic not happened, I might have stayed on my Denver path and never opened those two restaurants in Summit.
What do you enjoy most about Summit County?
I love to ski, mountain bike, and explore the backcountry. Being back in Summit, I talk to my young cooks about opportunity. It was hard when I left in my 20s because professional career opportunities weren’t available like they are now. Hopefully by coming back and starting these restaurants, we can have careers and enjoy the mountains.
What advice would you give to someone who's interested in pursuing a career in the restaurant business?
The restaurant business is really special; you give a piece of yourself to serve others. We create a space to make memories and there’s something very fulfilling about that. It takes a lot of energy, but you get what you give.
Explore Matt's restaurants at rootstalkbreck.com & radicatobreck.com
"WE
CREATE A SPACE TO MAKE MEMORIES AND THERE’S SOMETHING VERY FULFILLING ABOUT THAT. IT TAKES A LOT OF ENERGY, BUT YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE."
These mountain modern single family homes are built for an active Colorado lifestyle. It’s what we like to call peak living where high altitude adventurers come home to gather and recharge for tomorrow.
If enjoying the outdoors is why you’re here, take a look at Wilds 360.
2
4
112 Base Camp Circle $1,050,000
3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, 1,600 Square Feet
Melinda Lee 970.281.2646
300 Base Camp Circle #105 $875,000
3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, 1,610 Square Feet
Melinda Lee 970.281.2646
& 28 LUDLOW LANE
Palisades, New York / $3,695,000
Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty
3 OAK COURT
Oak Brook, IL / $4,200,000
Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Madrid, Spain / $6,448,792
Madrid Sotheby’s International Realty
2645 RIVER ROAD
Wall Township, New Jersey / $5,500,000 Ward Wight Sotheby’s International Realty
LA MORALEJA
BENDINAT
Bendinat, Mallorca, Spain / $9,563,887
VIVA Sotheby’s International Realty
23 MAUWEE BROOK WAY
Kent, Connecticut / $8,000,000 William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty
San Miguel De Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico / $3,100,000
San Miguel Sotheby’s International Realty
Anse des Cayes Beach, St. Barthelemy / €19,800,000 St. Barth Sotheby’s International Realty
VILLA K
HERNANDEZ MACIAS 105
27 POLO CLUB CIRCLE
Denver, CO / $7,950,000
The Wolfe-Bouc Group 303.669.4449
2600 HIGH PRAIRIE WAY
Broomfield, CO / $4,675,000
Ryan McIntosh 720.495.4563
Jeff Erickson 303.589.2741
1 STERLING AVENUE
Cherry Hills Village, CO / $7,500,000
Kylie Russell 303.521.7165
Jennifer Parson 303.564.3983
141 N GILPIN STREET
Denver, CO / $4,400,000
Trish Bragg 303.638.6355
Maggie Armstrong 303.241.9244
27 ELM AVENUE
Colorado Springs, CO / $3,595,000
Megan Dommer 719.313.2131
Benjamin Day 719.331.9170
104 OLD SUNSHINE TRAIL
Boulder, CO / $3,500,000
Melissa Farrar 425.221.0712
Karlye Pokorney 312.675.1384
1082 W MEADOW DRIVE
Evergreen, CO / $5,300,000
Heather Graham 720.201.4187
Sean Endsley 303.895.4663
30786 SNOWBIRD LANE
Evergreen, CO / $4,000,000
Gwenivere Snyder 303.718.1085
Denver, CO / $3,375,000
Josh Behr 303.903.9535
8758 WITEZ COURT
Parker, CO / $5,200,000
Elaine Stucy 720.881.5718
1295 S GARFIELD STREET
1201 N WILLIAMS STREET #18A Denver,
the life you love
Aniela Wasmanski (LIV SIR, Breckenridge, CO) and Ashley Perkins (Gibson SIR, Boston, MA), Enjoy a ski day!
Sally Puff Courtney Grand Opening of the Telluride Science & Innovation Center
Melanie Dennis, Corey Lamothe, and Chris Irving Vail Valley Mountain Trail Alliance fundraiser
Heather Heuer, Michelle Rampelt, Cassie Gates and Betsy Laughlin, Fall Colorado Association of Realtors Leadership Symposium
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