INTERVIEW WITH MR. TODD SIEFKEN

On December 6, 2002, Luxury Vacation Home News spoke with Todd Siefken about his role as general manager of one of the country's first private residence clubs, the Christie Club in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Siefken has been a Steamboat resident for over a decade and since 1997, he has worked as an employee of Steamboat Resorts, the local property management company hired by Christie Club's homeowners association. In the past five years, Siefken has climbed through the ranks of bellman, front desk supervisor, and front office manager to become the Christie Club's general manager.

LVHN: Can you please describe Christie Club?

SIEFKEN: The Christie Club is a membership equity club. If you're familiar with a country club or a golf club concept, where you become a member and for that membership you are provided with tee times and dining reservations, that's what we are, only in the case of Christie Club, we provide lodging.

LVHN: How would you describe Christie Club's location?

SIEFKEN: We are directly on the ski run, Right-O-Way, which filters down to the gondola base area at Ski Time Square. Our back door is roughly 10 feet off of Right-O-Way, which makes for a very ideal ski-in, ski-out location. If you are looking at the mountain from the resort's base, we are on the northeast end.

LVHN: What separates the Christie Club from other ski-in, ski-out properties?

SIEFKEN: I have to say service. Steamboat has several high-end properties, but they don't include the services that Christie Club offers. We have full shuttle service and bell staff on hand. There is also a maintenance department, our on-site reservations office, front desk assistance and a concierge desk that provides any type of activity service someone might need. Service is definitely the quality that sets us apart from other Steamboat properties.

LVHN: Who buys Christie Club memberships?

SIEFKEN: The membership listing is someone who can afford a $250,000 membership. Our members include doctors, lawyers, people who have done well in the stock market, owners of corporations, CEOs of corporations, retired NFL football players, CBS sportscasters and the list goes on.

LVHN: Why do members buy?

SIEFKEN: The location is ideal and the residences are superb. The three-bedroom residences average over 2,100 sq.-ft. and the four-bedroom residences average over 2,300 sq.-ft. The building, the location and the fixtures themselves are very impressive. But I think it all relates back to service. When you're able to come down to the front desk and request shuttle service that will take you to the grocery store or drop you off downtown, it's like you have your own private chauffer. Or it's having groceries delivered prior to your arrival and access to the concierge desk that caters to anything you need. Our accommodations and service are the compelling reasons why people purchase Christie Club memberships.

LVHN: What services do members value most?

SIEFKEN: That's a good question! It is an even break between the shuttle service and the convenience of the concierge. Along with the in-town shuttle, we also provide airport transportation to and from the Hayden Airport, or the Yampa Valley Regional Airport, which is about 25 miles west of Steamboat. In the winter, 97% of our guests utilize the shuttle service to and from the airport. Only three or four percent opt to drive, rent a car or fly into Denver and charter a shuttle from there.

In addition to shuttle service and the concierge desk, I can't leave out the ski valet. Members can walk down stairs to the ski locker room, put their ski boots on, step right out the back door where the valet has placed their skis on the snow, and ski down to the gondola. Members really value the convenience.

LVHN: What is a typical day like at the Christie Club?

SIEFKEN: In the winter, members wake up for breakfast and then get ready to ski. On their way downstairs, they stop by the concierge desk to request dinner reservations. At the ski locker rooms, they put their ski boots on, collect all their gear and meet the ski attendant who places their skis in the snow. From there, members ski for a few hours and return to the back door, where they take their skis off, place their boots on a boot-dryer and walk upstairs for lunch. After lunch, they depart to the mountain for another few hours. When they return, they speak with the concierge to confirm dinner reservations and then retrieve bathing suits and club robes. In the lounge, members may poor a soda or beer into one of our "spa cups" and then head for the Jacuzzi. If they have kids, they can watch them swim from the Jacuzzi. Afterwards, members clean up for the evening and later meet the club shuttle driver, who drops them off at dinner. While they're finishing up dessert, members make a call to the club so the driver can promptly pick them up. Depending what time it is, they may go to the members' lounge to shoot a game of pool or take a board game back to their residence.

If they weren't skiing, members would be shopping downtown or enjoying snowmobile trips or even cross country skiing. In the summer time, they'd be doing the same things, except they'd probably dip in the Jacuzzi after a round of golf.

LVHN: What amenities are most used by members?

SIEFKEN: Certainly the pool and Jacuzzis are very popular. The exercise room downstairs is also increasingly busy as members become more familiar with the equipment. If you include our shuttle service as an amenity, members use it frequently. The ski valet locker room is also extremely popular during ski season. Not to mention members' ability to store clothing and sports equipment for the long term at the club. Members can store several bags and their skis and then prior to their arrival, we place their personal belongings in their residence and their ski equipment in a private locker in the locker room area. After their visit, we put their possessions back into storage until their next arrival, which simplifies traveling for the members.

LVHN: We understand the Christie Club just completed its final phase of construction. What does that entail and what does it mean for existing members?

SIEFKEN: The final phase will add an additional 91 memberships with 13 new residences. The Club now has two ski valet locker rooms, three jetted spas and a new gas barbeque grilling area. The addition of the final phase will add a new dimension to membership, as there will be more families visiting at a time, allowing members to mingle with more people. Ultimately, I think this will add to the enjoyment of the entire operation.

The final phase completes the project and once the membership is sold out, the homeowners association will take over 100% control of the property.

LVHN: You commented about activities in Steamboat, like horseback riding and golf. What are some of Steamboat's popular "hotspots" among members?

SIEFKEN: As far as dining goes, our members are visiting Café Diva, which is down in Torean Plum Plaza. They also dine at Giovanni's, an Italian restaurant downtown. We have some shops here in Ski Time Square and Gondola Square, but most of the shipping and dining options are downtown. There are many restaurants there as well.

Outside of that, a special place to visit where members enjoy soaking is the natural hot springs. Close to the hot springs, many members tour Fish Creek Falls - beautiful waterfalls where people can hike in the summer and winter.

LVHN: Where can someone get more information on the Christie Club?

SIEFKEN: Christie Club has a website, www.christieclub.com, which is a good place to start. It has a lot of general information on the Club and includes virtual tours of the residences and clubhouse areas. For more detailed information, we have an onsite membership sales department that is more than happy to answer any questions. For visitors in the Steamboat area, the membership sales staff is available for tours of the property.

LVHN: In closing, is there anything else you would like to say?

SIEFKEN: The Christie Club has all the ingredients of a first-class resort destination. Our ski-in, ski-out location, clubhouse amenities and long list of services are among Steamboat's best. But what really distinguishes Christie Club is the camaraderie among members. Unlike other resorts, our members visit the Christie Club multiple times a year and with each stay, members establish and build upon friendships with other members. As a result, our operation truly feels like a club - it's a very warm, personable environment to vacation.