The Rocky Mountain Resort Alliance is composed of boards of REALTORS of destination ski resorts in the Rocky Mountain West. The alliance was formed in January of 1996 at a meeting in Vail, CO with the presidents of the various boards or REALTORS attending. At this meeting, the various presidents discussed and came to the realization that geographic boundaries were no longer as important as the common bond that we share as resort REALTORS. We understood that the marketing and selling of resort real estate is very different from the traditional models of residential real estate sales. Our buyers and sellers have different expectations and goals and are looking for a REALTOR with knowledge of the resort markets. Frequently, buyers for a vacation home in one resort are comparing similar properties in neighboring resorts. From this realization came the idea of sharing sales information from the various resorts as well as pressing issues the resorts are facing. We know that because of the mountains, we have very limited space for development and housing the work force are issues facing each resort. As the demand for resort real estate grows, and prices increase, there is more pressure on finding suitable housing for the very important work force.

The Rocky Mountain Resort Alliance began with six boards of REALTORS in four states. Since that beginning, we have expanded to eleven boards in four states and British Columbia, Canada. The member boards are, Park City UT, Sun Valley and Mc Call in ID, Jackson Hole WY, Steamboat Springs, Summit County, Vail, Aspen, Winter Park and Telluride in Colorado and Whistler/Blackombe in British Columbia Canada. The alliance meets three times a year in the various resorts where we put on resort specific education for our members, share sales and resort information with each other and gain an understanding of our neighboring resorts.

As a result of our efforts, the Nation Association of REALTORS (NAR) has become aware of the unique and important role that resort REALTORS play in the US housing market. NAR has started their own resort committee where they help resort REALTORS gain resort specific education and work with the US Government housing departments to protect the benefits of second home ownership. The Rocky Mountain Resort Alliance works closely with NAR to achieve these goals and many of our members serve on the national resort committee. We are committed to the marketing and selling of resort real estate and protecting the benefits our owners of vacation real estate enjoy.

Dennis Hanlon
President
Rocky Mountain Resort Alliance