Saturday morning a report surfaced that a local employee on Main St had tested positive for COVID-19 and word spread like wildfire. By Saturday afternoon, I received a notice that all Vail resorts, (Park City Mountain Resort) were closing for a week. This announcement was quickly followed by Deer Valley, Alta, Snowbird and Brighton announcing that they would also be suspending operations for at least a week. By Sunday evening, all resorts except for Brian Head in central Utah and Powder Mountain had announced that they were closing. On Sunday evening, Summit County came out to say that all of the county resorts, PC and DV, restaurants, churches, spas and most businesses would have to close until at least April 16, ending any hope that the ski season might continue. Restaurants would be allowed to deliver meals for curbside pick up only. The food markets would stay open as a necessity.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

On Monday, Powder Mountain also closed, leaving Brian Head as the only Utah resort open. (Editor's note: Brian Head has since closed for the winter season). Driving around town Monday morning felt more like mid-April than mid-March. It was warm, very little snow in town and streets were empty. Then, Wednesday morning we experienced an earthquake! Fortunately for us here in Park City, we were far enough removed from the epicenter that it was only a jolt that did little if any damage, but it certainly shook already frayed nerves.

The good in all of this is to see how everyone in Park City has rallied to help each other. Immediately, a Facebook page came up for residents in need, to ask for help and for those willing to help. It is truly warming to see how many of our local residents have stepped up to help those who have lost their jobs or for health reasons are afraid to venture out. The offers to go shopping, pick up meals from restaurants or find sanitary products for those who cannot are an inspiration. It seems that in times of crisis people step up, and perhaps even more so in small close communities like Park City. While things will most certainly get worse, this will end, and hopefully, we will come out stronger.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Dennis Hanlon

In the meantime, life and business go on. Not surprisingly, Real Estate sales have slowed, but have not come to an end. I see new sales being reported every day across all price ranges and market types. The biggest change is that we are not holding open houses right now and agents are working from home rather than offices. Fortunately for us, we are accustomed to doing business remotely and through virtual methods, so I am still able to communicate effectively with my buyers and sellers and show properties to interested buyers. As is often the case, difficult times also bring opportunities and the savvy investor is ready to act! As many of us are now working from home and have time, I would love to hear from you and chat about what is happening in your area and perhaps just to chat about real estate in general.

Take care, be safe and please help out as much as you can… good times will return soon enough!

The post Dennis Hanlon Talks Park City, UT Real Estate And Sense Of Community During COVID-19 Crisis appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

For adventure lovers looking to avoid the long lift lines and touristy hassles encountered at places like Taos and Telluride this time of year--give Powder Mountain--outside of Salt Lake City, Utah a drop-in.

Photo Credit: Powder Mountain

North America's largest ski resort by skiable acreage is also an under the radar après playground for visitors seeking a genuine community experience.

Thought Leaders Have Been Among Powder Mountains First Home Builders

These 10,000 acres of champagne powder in the Wasatch Mountains are just minutes from the airport, but miles away from an ordinary ski resort. In fact, Powder Mountain has quickly become the select startup ski town for C-suite elites--drawing the likes of Richard Branson and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings among its early real estate investors.

Photo Credit: Powder Mountain

"Powder Mountain’s Summit is set under a brilliant, open sky, looking out at 10,000 acres. Each home is a work of art providing a contemporary, sustainable aesthetic," says Melanie Sanchez of the Abbi Agency.

Summit at Powder Mountain is the brain-child of the four young tech entrepreneurs who founded the summit series-a networking group whose past speakers have included Amazon's Jeff Bezos and President Bill Clinton.

A Different Breed of Alpine Architecture

Contemporary sustainable homes in a heritage modern style have been designed along the slopes by leading architects such as Studio Ma, Olson Kundig and Warren Lloyd, to name a few.

Photo Credit: Powder Mountain

Tom Buttgenbach, President and CEO of 8minute Solar Energy and a Summit Powder Mountain homeowner says, "having a home on top of a mountain with incredible views, walkable access to the heart of the village and ski-in-ski-out is unique in any ski resort," Buttgenbach especially enjoys the communal aspects available to him on Powder Mountain where "communicating with other like-minded people in this community [is] not only a smart financial investment but also an investment into intangible values for myself and my family.

With 57 new homesites available at the Overlook on Powder Mountain, Summit is hoping to attract legacy buyers looking for not just ski-in-ski-out access from their front door, but all of the inspiration and intentional community building the village has to offer.

For vacationers, Powder Mountain provides the alternative to the too-rustic log-cabins or over-crowded faux-swiss chalets that pepper the mountains of the world's most popular ski destinations. Instead, visitors here enjoy healthy food prepared by Michelin star chefs and listen to live music or TED-style speakers in one of four distinct lodges scattered about the property from the valley to the peak.

Room To Breathe And Ski With Stunning Views

Photo Credit: Powder Mountain

Powder Mountain seeks to provide a premier powder experience by capping the number of lift tickets allowed on its nine ski lifts. Heli-skiing and cat skiing are also available along with a complimentary tour of the resort for each guest.

The Summit at Powder Mountain is an intriguing concept, combining fresh powder in a remote setting alongside powerful people and events focused on purposeful living. Will Utah's freshest tracks become the new trend in luxury getaways? Go ski for yourself.

The post This Fresh Ski Destination Might Also Be A Great Real Estate Investment appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.